I don’t know about you, but lately, cucumber salads have been taking over my TikTok “For You Page”, leaving me hungry and eager to make some myself! This trend seems to have started with Logan (@logagm) with his catchphrase, “sometimes you need to eat an entire cucumber”. But are these viral recipes worth the hype? In this article, I’ll be testing and rating three of his most popular vegetarian versions. Don’t worry – I’ve included all the recipes so you can test them out for yourself too!
I want to mention one of the key ingredients used in these viral salads. MSG, or monosodium glutamate, is a flavor enhancer that’s commonly used for an umami taste in cooking. Although it’s somewhat debated, MSG is safe to consume, especially in small doses such as this!
How to make these Cucumber Salads:
Simply, 1) slice the cucumber and put it into a jar or container*, 2) place all the ingredients on top**, and 3)
shake well!
* Some of the recipes require a quick 10-minute prep to remove moisture from the cucumbers by sprinkling them with salt before rinsing with cold water.
** All ingredient-lists are based on approximate estimates from watching the TikTok videos and may not be completely accurate.
“The Creamy One”
Ingredients: 1 cucumber, 2 heaping tbsp Greek yoghurt, 1 tbsp brine from pickled chilies, juice from ½ lemon, 1 tsp MSG, 1 tbsp fresh dill, “Ranch spice mix” (I couldn’t find this, so I switched it out with a mix of 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder).
This cucumber salad seems heavily inspired by “Mizeria”, a traditional Polish cucumber salad. It’s a refreshing and tangy dish, with a pronounced lemony flavor that makes the cucumbers taste extra crisp and fresh. The yoghurt adds a creamy texture, while the dill gives it some herbal freshness!
However, I found this salad to be a bit overly sour for my liking. The yoghurt, lemon juice and chili brine overpowered the other flavors, and if I were to make it again, I would add less lemon juice and replace the chili brine with some chili oil to avoid the extra tanginess. Overall, I rate this cucumber salad 3 out of 5 stars. It’s worth trying if you enjoy a good, sour salad!
“The Spicy One”
Ingredients: 1 cucumber, 1 tsp salt (for the prep-work), 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 rounded tsp chili oil – I recommend crispy chili in oil, 1 tsp MSG, 1 rounded tsp minced garlic.
Prep work: Place the sliced cucumber in a jar or container, add 1 tsp salt, shake well, and leave for 10 minutes. Pour the cucumbers into a strainer and rinse with cold water then return the cucumber slices to the jar or container and continue with the recipe.
This cucumber salad is inspired by “Din Tai Fung”, which is a famous Taiwanese restaurant. The salad had a really good balance of flavors: salt from the soy sauce, the rice vinegar adding a nice tang, as well as a spicy kick from the crispy chili.
The extra prep work of salting and rinsing the cucumbers was definitely worth it, as it resulted in better absorption of the dressing. The result was an amazing salad with a lot of flavors and a bit of heat. I highly recommend trying this one out! And overall, I rate this cucumber salad recipe 5 stars – totally worth the hype!
“The Nutty One”
Ingredients: 1 cucumber, 1 heaping tbsp of peanut butter, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp MSG, 1 rounded tsp crunchy chili in oil, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 rounded tsp minced garlic, 1 tbsp sesame seeds, 1 tbsp sesame oil.
This cucumber salad may be the most unique out of the three, with its creamy peanut butter base creating a flavor profile that is similar to “Tương Chấm Gỏi Cuốn”, the Vietnamese peanut dipping sauce, typically served with spring rolls. The peanut butter pairs well with the crunchy cucumber and sesame seeds, while the soy sauce, vinegar, and chili add layers of umami and spice.
My favorite thing about this cucumber salad was that all the ingredients created a complex flavor profile, that was both savory but also slightly sweet. It tasted creamy, spicy, and, overall, absolutely delicious. For me this is another 5-stars recipe, and I know I’ll be making it again soon.
Final thoughts
After making and tasting these three viral cucumber salads, I can say that the TikTok hype is in fact well-deserved. The three recipes bring something different to the table, whether you are in the mood for something that is tangy, creamy, or spicy! The Peanut Butter One, and the Din Tai Fung Inspired One were my personal favorites, but the Creamy One, while still good, was a bit too sour for my personal liking, but might be perfect for those who love a sour or tart flavor profile in their salads!
So, if you are looking to shake up your salad game – give these recipes a try! They’re easy to make, very flavorful, and, of course, perfect for when you need to eat an entire cucumber!