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Japanese Quick Pickled Cucumbers

Liz DellaCroce Avatar

LIZ DELLA CROCE

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These crunchy Japanese quick pickled cucumbers are easy to make and the perfect salty, sweet, and sour low-calorie snack to serve before or with a meal.

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prep time5 minutes

Pickles are one of my favorite low calorie snacks, and these Japanese Quick Pickled Cucumbers do not disappoint. With cucumbers being in season mid to late summer, I frequently grab them when I visit my local farmers market. This recipe works with a variety of cucumbers, but it is also ideal for the small pickling cucumbers you may have growing in your backyard! A delicious snack, or the perfect side dish for your next Asian inspired dinner.

Love snacking on cucumbers? Try my Chinese Smashed Cucumbers, too!

Ingredients

  • Cucumber: I like to use a “seedless” cucumber, like an English cucumber or Persian cucumber, but this recipe will work with any kind you have!
  • Scallions: Also called green onions, they get lightly “pickled” as well and infuse a great, mild oniony flavor.
  • Rice wine vinegar: Milder than white vinegar, and slightly sweeter as well, vinegar is the most important ingredient when it comes to pickling.
  • Soy sauce: A great source of umami and the salty zing of this sweet and salty pickle.
  • Sugar: Adds the perfect amount of sweetness to balance out the salty and sour flavors.
  • Sesame oil: Nutty and earthy in taste, it’s a strong flavor so a little goes a long way.

How to make Japanese Quick PIckled Cucumbers

Start your Japanese quick pickled cucumbers by taking a large bowl and adding soy sauce and the sugar, whisk until the sugar is mostly dissolved.

Then add the rice vinegar, and if you’re a fan of spicy, you could also add some chili paste or red pepper flakes.

Pour in the sesame oil and then whisk until all ingredients are combined.

Then take your slices of cucumber and add them to the bowl with the pickling mixture.

Add the green onions and then toss until everything is coated in the mixture. Let sit for at least 15 minutes, or longer if you want a stronger flavor.

Garnish with some sesame seeds if you like, and and enjoy your Japanese pickles!

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are Japanese pickled cucumbers called?

They pickle quite a few different things in Japan, and are generally referred to as tsukemono. But pickled cucumbers, from what I am aware of, are called kyurizuke.

Do pickled cucumbers go bad?

They can go bad, but it’ll take a while for that to happen. Look out for any discoloration or really off tastes or smells.

How long do Japanese pickled cucumbers last in the fridge?

Kept in an airtight container in the fridge, you can enjoy your pickles for 2-3 weeks!

What do you serve with japanese cucumbers?

I think these quick pickled cucumbers would be great alongside any Japanese cuisine! Miso soup, sushi, some katsu chicken or pork. Or just snack on them by themselves!

More Homemade Snacks

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Liz eating Japanese quick pickled cucumbers.

If you love any sort of pickle, then you’ll love these Japanese Quick Pickled Cucumbers.

Your fork is waiting.

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Japanese Quick Pickled Cucumbers?

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Japanese Quick Pickled Cucumbers

Liz Della Croce
4.20 stars average
These crunchy Japanese quick pickles are easy to make and the perfect salty, sweet and sour low calorie snack to serve before or with a meal.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
CourseAppetizer, Side Dish
Serves4

Ingredients
 
 

Instructions
 

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together vinegar, soy, sugar, sesame oil and chili paste.
    1/4 cup rice wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon chili paste
  2. Add cucumbers and scallions to bowl and toss well. Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes or longer before serving.
    1 seedless cucumber, 2 scallions
  3. Garnish with black roasted sesame seeds.
    back roasted sesame seeds

Liz’s Notes

Pickles can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for several days.

Nutrition

Calories: 36kcal | Carbohydrates: 4.2g | Protein: 1.5g | Fat: 1.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.2g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 11mg | Fiber: 0.9g | Sugar: 2g

Have you tried my


Japanese Quick Pickled Cucumbers?

Leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how you liked it in the 📝 comments and share it on Instagram, Facebook & Pinterest.

We love hearing from you! This helps us continue to provide free, high-quality recipes.


4.20 from 109 votes (102 ratings without comment)

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44 responses to “Japanese Quick Pickled Cucumbers”

  1. Jimmithy Chalameth Avatar
    Jimmithy Chalameth

    IT WAS GAGAGAGRIEL

  2. Viktor Avatar
    Viktor

    They came out SOOO good!! Perfect proportions, came out just like the kind you get in restaurants if not better. I didn’t have clear rice vinegar but a brown type but still came out great. I also added some crispy garlic Japanese chili oil instead of actual chili paste and it also added a nice depth to the flavor. Might end up making these every day now!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh that sounds great, so glad you enjoyed them!

  3. Marion Alexis Avatar
    Marion Alexis

    I am going to try it. It looks delicious.

  4. Greg Avatar
    Greg

    Very easy and very good

  5. Sydney Avatar
    Sydney

    These are delicious! Only had an English cucumber on hand but it worked just fine! I used a homemade Chinese Chili paste that I made and let them pickled them overnight. Sooooo good! I plan on adding these to a Japanese potato salad and egg salad recipes. Definitely using this recipe again!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh that sounds amazing!!

  6. Brian Meharg Avatar
    Brian Meharg

    So tasty!
    Substituted homemade Szechuan chili oil for paste and it gave them a wonderful bite! Thanks! Great recipe and very quick and easy!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh i’m so glad you enjoyed!

  7. Angela Avatar
    Angela

    Turned out great! Didn’t have scallions and only used half a cucumber. Served it with a homemade beef bulgogi rice bowl. Thanks for the recipe!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Wonderful sounds amazing!

  8. Jared Avatar
    Jared

    Turned out very good. I didn’t have chili paste, so added Sriracha instead and it seemed a fair substitute.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Perfect!!

  9. Jean Haubert Avatar
    Jean Haubert

    These are orgasmic! I made 2 slight alterations to the recipie 1) I cannot eat the seeds so I eliminated adding them and 2. I like hot spicy foods but I did not have any chili paste so instead I used HOT SESAME OIL that I had on hand ( it is somewhat red in color) . They are just fantastic!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I’m so glad you enjoyed!!

  10. Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures Avatar
    Laura @ Laura’s Culinary Adventures

    I’m totally making this recipe this week!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I hope you love it!!

  11. Denise Avatar
    Denise

    Love Japanese style pickles, we often toss them together to serve along side tacos, such a great addition! Have added sesame before, and will have to try next time.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Ooo love the idea of serving them with tacos!!!

  12. Nutmeg Nanny Avatar
    Nutmeg Nanny

    Yum! I love cucumbers :) this looks incredible!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Thanks sista!! TGIF!

  13. Maris Avatar
    Maris

    Love this! I go to a Thai restaurant in my neighborhood that has great spring rolls that come w/ a really refreshing cucumber salad and that’s what this reminds me of!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yes I love Thai cucumber salads!! I could eat any Asian salad at any time. :)

  14. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    Oh goodie! I figured everyone was up to their eyeballs in cukes this time of year. :)

  15. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    You’d love them Kelly – crunchy and addictive!

  16. Radhika Vasanth Avatar
    Radhika Vasanth

    Hey Liz, happy to be here. Thanks to the FN summer fest event.

    These pickled cucumbers look terrific.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I’m so glad you found me! Thanks for stopping by – I hope you enjoy the recipes!

  17. Des @ Life's Ambrosia Avatar
    Des @ Life’s Ambrosia

    Loving this! In fact I love anything pickled too. Especially those things that you don’t have to actually let pickle forever before enjoying like this :)

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Totally!! I’m not the most patient person in the world… lol. :)

  18. Liz Avatar
    Liz

    Love these. Thank you Liz.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      You’re welcome Liz!!

  19. napa farmhouse 1885/diane Avatar
    napa farmhouse 1885/diane

    i did pickles too! yours look and sounds delicious. i love how quick and easy this is.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Thank you so much – going to check out your pickles now!!

  20. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    haha me too!!! Why are pickles so dang good?

  21. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    I’m all about fast and easy in the summer!! :)

  22. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    It’s pretty insane how many he can eat!!!

  23. Sharon Avatar
    Sharon

    Thank you!! I have a basket of cucumbers that some friends brought over, and have been looking for cuke recipes!! My mother loves pickled cucumbers so I’m going to make some and bring them over to her this afternoon!!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh good that’s exactly what this recipe is perfect for – an over abundance of cukes!!

  24. Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl Avatar
    Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl

    Ok, I have got to try this with the next cucumber harvest!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      This is perfect for fresh cucumbers from the garden! Enjoy Pamela!

  25. The Candid RD Avatar
    The Candid RD

    These sound heavenly!! I love pickles. Actually, I love ANYTHING pickled. I know when I’m pregnantI will crave pickled beets and eggs. haha, seriously, I know it.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      haha I love pickled everything too!! Although eggs… never tried?? Something tells me I’d like them – lol.

    2. Rrushë Avatar
      Rrushë

      Hiya is this 36 calories per serving, or for the one 4-serving recipe? So the recipe as you’ve posted it makes 144 calories? Thanks so much x

      1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
        Liz DellaCroce

        36 calories per serving! :)