This low calorie cucumber salad with Asian dressing is a spicy and refreshing side dish that can be prepared in 15 minutes, using a few ingredients that you use daily. If you're interested in losing weight or getting yourself healthy and shaped while tasting flavorful meals, this low-calorie salad will be one of your best choices to pair with high-protein meals.

I've added some Maldives fish to increase its umami/savory kick and sharpen the Asian tone of this salad. But, if you're having this salad with a spicy, protein-rich diet like crab, shrimp, chicken, or fish, no need to add Maldives fish as you already gotten enough protein from them. So, Maldives fish are optional. You can cut it off and reduce some extra calories from your salad as you desire.

Here, I've used two large cucumbers to be enough for 5 people. If you share this salad with 5 people, you'll get 55 calories per serving, which is perfect for weight loss. For this crisp and crunchy salad, I've used pale green large cucumbers.

You can use any kind of cucumber type depending on your choice. But, seedless cucumbers work well with this salad as it's less watery and no bitterness compared to ground cucumbers.

Not only that, this go-to-easy salad is an ideal dish for light snaking and hydrating. If you've planned any picnics or potlucks this summer, this refreshing cucumber salad should be something on your added list. And I'm pretty sure you'll never regret it.

If you liked this recipe, you might love my flavorful Citrus Chickpea Salad

Why you'll love this low calorie cucumber salad

1) Cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions are water-rich, fiber-filled, and crispy ingredients with just a small amount of calories that make your option extremely weight-loss friendly. So, if your main goal is to cut off some fat and get shaped with healthy eating, this would be a wonderful side dish idea that makes you feel full of low calories.

2) This low-calorie cucumber salad is quick and easy to make within 15 minutes.

3) This salad spices up with umami, mild, sweet flavors and adds extra crispness that makes you satisfied. 

4) You can easily customize the ingredients depending on your choice. 

5) All you need are very budget-friendly ingredients that you use in your daily cooking.

Ingredients and health benefits

Cucumbers: Cucumbers are extremely low in calories and contain a high water content in their weight. They are packed with fiber and antioxidants, promoting your gut health and reducing blood sugar levels. So, they are very weight-loss-friendly and help you feel full and hydrated without overeating. Eating cucumbers promotes your gut health and lowers blood sugar levels as well. Cucumber slices are also used on eyes to reduce puffiness.

Tomatoes: Like cucumbers, tomatoes are a great source of antioxidants that contain a high amount of water and are low in calories. They add extra sweetness and umami kick to the salad. Whether you make fresh salads, sandwiches or cooked curries and soups, tomatoes are the unavoidable edible fruit that you should miss out on. It provides essential nutrients such as vitamin C, K, folate, and fiber, improving your overall body health.

Maldives fish: While you are making a low-calorie cucumber salad, Maldives fish add more protein to the salad. It's a rich source of omega-3 and vitamin B that improves your cognitive function. These low-carb, weight-friendly flakes have been an essential part of the Sri Lankan heritage for centuries, making cuisine delicious with a natural MSG alternative.

Note: Both tomatoes and Maldives fish improve the umami kick of the salad. If you use this salad with a high-protein, spicy meal like chicken, shrimp, fish or crab, no need to add extra Maldives fish as tomatoes provide enough umami taste. This helps remove some extra calories from your salad and makes it more weight-loss-friendly than you desire.

Red onions: Red onions provide zesty, tangy, and extra crispness to the salad. They contain antioxidants and vitamin C, the uplifting nutritional value of this salad.

Green chilies: This adds a spicier and grassy flavor to the salad along with pepper. When this is seasoned with lime, pepper, and cucumbers, the salad feels like heaven with its taste. But if you have any acidity issues or want to make it kid-friendly, simply avoid this in your salad.

Lime: this makes you feel refreshed with its tangy flavor. Limes are a rich source of vitamin C and antioxidants that boost your immunity and skin health.

Salt & Pepper: for taste

Serving Suggestions

This vibrant, low calorie cucumber salad can be paired with many dishes and is ideal for any occasion, including picnics and potlucks. Whether you're relaxing at home or out and about with your loved ones, this go-to-easy recipe will make your moment satisfied.

1) As a side dish - This salad is best matched with any kind of spicy curries made of chicken, fish, crab, or shrimp. For example, you can serve this salad with cooked white rice along with spicy fish curry.

2) As a light snack - This crunchy salad is great for light snacking that makes you feel full after eating.

 3) As a main meal - If you're having busy weekdays and don't have hours to prepare meals, you can turn this into a complete meal, served with boiled eggs or Greek yogurt.

Want it Kid-friendly?

If you're not interested in adding spicy ingredients to the salad, or making it for kids, avoid green chilies as it's just an option but not necessary. Black pepper provides enough taste to the salad, and you won't miss anything by removing green chilies from the salad.

Tools You'll need

A knife - To slice cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions and slit green chilies 

A mixing bowl - for tossing the salad