Indian Cucumber Salad Recipe | Easy Indian Salad

This Indian Cucumber Salad, or Indian Koshimbir, is perfect for summer and requires almost no cooking. A refreshing combination of cucumbers and peanuts with a few additional spices complete this perfect summer salad!

Why You'll Love This Incredible Indian Dish

What Is Indian Cucumber Salad?

Now this Indian Cucumber Salad, or Kakadi chi Koshimbir, you won't get outside of an Indian home--well, unless you make it, then you could have it in your home!

This Indian Cucumber Salad recipe has to be the best cucumber salad recipe (in my opinion). Cucumber, cilantro, peanuts, a few seasonings, and 10 minutes later you're ready to chow down. This dish is typically Maharashtrian, and it is something that I very much look forward to at mealtimes.

This Indian Cucumber Salad is the perfect dish for hot summer days where you want something simple and fresh. It's full of fresh, bright flavors that won't weigh you down or leave you feeling icky. Not to mention it's gluten free, vegetarian and vegan friendly!

Is It Healthy?

Is This Cucumber Salad Recipe Easy?

I think calling it easy is an understatement.

The only thing that gets cooked at all is the dressing with hot oil and mustard seeds (or cumin seeds). If you want to mix up a few things, you could try mixing it with some Matki Ussal as the two go really well together.

This dish makes a great appetizer, a side to a full meal or even a quick lunch when you need something in a hurry.

Ingredients You'll Need

• 2 Cucumbers- The refreshing base of the salad, cucumbers add a crisp, hydrating crunch and mild flavor that soaks up the tangy dressing beautifully.
• 1/4 cup Cilantro- Adds a burst of freshness and herbal flavor, balancing the richness of the tempered spices and brightening the overall dish.
• 2 tablespoons Spanish Peanuts- Provide a delightful crunch and nutty contrast to the cool cucumbers, adding both texture and depth of flavor.
• 1 teaspoon Salt- Enhances all the flavors and helps draw out some moisture from the cucumbers, allowing them to absorb the seasoning better.
• 1/2 teaspoon Sugar or Other Sweetener Equivalent- Balances the acidity and spice, adding a subtle hint of sweetness to round out the flavors.
• 1 tablespoon Oil- Used as the base for tempering the spices, which releases their aromas and infuses the salad with authentic Indian flavor.
• 1/4 teaspoon Black Mustard Seeds (or sub Cumin Seeds)- Add earthy, slightly pungent flavor when popped in hot oil, giving the salad its signature Indian flair.
• 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric- Brings warm, earthy flavor and a vibrant golden color, enhancing both the taste and appearance of the salad.
• 1 Lemon- Provides bright acidity that ties everything together, cutting through the richness of the oil and adding a fresh, tangy finish.

How to Make Indian Cucumber Salad

1. Chop up the cucumbers, cilantro, and peanuts into a very fine dice. I use my trusty Kuhn Rikon pull chop which I love and it works on all of these equally well.
2. Place into a bowl and season with salt and sugar.
3. In the smallest little heat proof bowl you have, heat the oil until it is hot and shimmering.
4. Place the mustard and/or cumin seeds and allow them to sputter like popcorn about 30 seconds.
5. Add in the turmeric and stir quickly.
6. Pour this hot, flavored oil over the cucumbers and mix well.
7. Squeeze lemon juice and mix once again and serve.

Tips And Tricks

Making Indian Cucumber Salad is quick, refreshing, and full of vibrant flavor, but a few smart tips can take it from simple to spectacular. Here are some helpful tricks to ensure it turns out perfectly every time:

• Use fresh, firm cucumbers. Choose ones with crisp skin for the best texture and flavor. English or Persian cucumbers work especially well since they have fewer seeds.
• Chop ingredients evenly. Uniform cucumber and peanut pieces ensure balanced texture in every bite.
• Adjust sweetness and acidity. Taste before serving and tweak the lemon juice or sweetener to balance the flavors.
• Let it rest. This simple cucumber salad recipe tastes great the first day but it is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING the next day!
• Use kitchen gadgets. Use this slap chopper for smashing up the peanuts. 

Variations

Indian Cucumber Salad is light, flavorful, and endlessly adaptable. You can easily customize it to suit your taste or what’s in your kitchen. Here are some tasty variations to try:

• Yogurt Cucumber Salad- Add a few tablespoons of plain yogurt for a creamy, cooling version that pairs perfectly with spicy curries.
• Spicy Version- Mix in finely chopped green chilies or a pinch of red chili powder for a bold, zesty kick.
• South Indian Twist- Add grated coconut and a few curry leaves to the tempered oil for a fragrant, coastal-style flavor.
• Omit the yogurt- You can sub 1/4 cup of lemon juice instead of yogurt if you prefer. This is good if you're planning to use it for a picnic or leave it out with no refrigeration for hours.
• Swap out the peanuts- I like to use Red Spanish peanuts but if you can't find those, just use regular roasted peanuts.

What To Eat With Indian Cucumber Salad

Indian Cucumber Salad is a cool, refreshing side dish that pairs beautifully with a variety of Indian and global meals. Here are some delicious ideas for what to eat with it:

• Grilled Meats- Serve alongside tandoori chicken, chicken tikka, or grilled lamb for a fresh contrast to smoky, spiced flavors.
• Curries- Complements rich dishes like butter chicken, paneer tikka masala, or dal makhani by adding a cooling balance.
• Rice Dishes- Pair with biryani, pulao, or lemon rice to add crunch and brightness to each bite.

Can It Be Made Ahead?

Yes! I actually recommend making this ahead of time for the best flavor. If you can, this Indian Cucumber Salad is best made a day ahead of time and refrigerated so that the flavors have an opportunity to develop to their full potential.

More Cooling Cucumber Dishes

• This Sichuan Smashed Cucumber Salad borrows from a Xi'an sauce I once had. Cucumbers, garlic, and a secret chili ingredient was what I used to recreate this crisp, cool, tangy, spicy marvel!
• Tabouli Recipe with Hemp Hearts uses hemp hearts instead of bulgur for a delicious, vegetarian keto side dish. It's also has cucumber, cherry tomatoes, green onions and some seasonings making this a delightfully low carb dish.
• This easy, refreshing Korean Cucumber Salad is a wonderful vegan, keto Korean easy cucumber salad recipe that's ready to eat within 15 minutes. If you're looking for a delicious, spicy pickle recipe, this is the one.
• Tzatziki- a fresh sauce that is a perfect topping for my Gyro meat.
• Stuffed Cucumber Bites- a delicious Keto summer salad recipe.

This Indian Cucumber Salad is super simple, but don't let that lead you to believe that it isn't super delicious. Now go try it for yourself and find out! Let me know if you enjoyed it in the comments!