Miso Cucumber Salad with Shallot and Roasted Peanuts
This crisp cucumber salad is tossed in a light, umami-rich miso dressing, accented with thinly sliced shallots and crunchy roasted peanuts. It’s refreshing, flavorful, and perfect as a light starter, side dish, or a healthy snack. The mix of textures and tangy-salty flavors gives a modern Mediterranean-friendly twist to an Asian-inspired salad.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 0 minutes (unless roasting peanuts)
Total: 10–15 minutes
Servings:2
Ingredients
Salad
1 large cucumber, thinly sliced
1 small shallot, thinly sliced
2 tbsp roasted peanuts, chopped
1 tsp sesame seeds
1 tbsp fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
Dressing
1 tbsp white miso paste
1 tsp rice vinegar (or lemon juice)
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp honey or maple syrup
1 tsp water
Pinch of black pepper
Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the cucumbers
Thinly slice cucumber (mandoline works best).
Lightly salt and let sit 5 minutes to remove excess water, then drain.
2️⃣ Make the dressing
Whisk together miso paste, rice vinegar, olive oil, honey, and water until smooth.
3️⃣ Assemble the salad
In a bowl, combine cucumbers and shallots.
Toss with miso dressing until well coated.
Sprinkle roasted peanuts, sesame seeds, and herbs on top.
4️⃣ Serve
Serve immediately as a crunchy, tangy side.
Can be chilled in the fridge for 10–15 minutes for a refreshing, cool salad.
Tips & Variations
Swap peanuts for cashews or almonds for a different crunch.
Add thinly sliced carrots or bell peppers for more color and nutrients.
Make it spicier (optional) with a pinch of red chili flakes.
For a creamy twist, mix 1 tbsp Greek yogurt into the dressing.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 150
Protein: 5g
Carbs: 10g
Fat: 10g
Fiber: 2g