Preserves
12 August 2025
Japanese-style pickled cucumbers
Category:
Preserves
Difficulty:
Medium
Servings:
4
Looking for a healthy, light, and uniquely flavorful snack? Japanese-style pickled cucumbers are an excellent choice! This simple yet aromatic dish comes from the Land of the Cherry Blossom and delights not only with its taste but also with its nutritional properties. Perfect for summer days, with dinner, or as an addition to a lunchbox.
Notes
Recipe for Japanese-style pickled cucumbers
Preparation:
- Wash the cucumber thoroughly and pat dry.
- Slice the cucumber into thin rounds about 3 mm thick.
- Transfer the slices to a bowl, sprinkle with salt, and mix to distribute it evenly. Set aside for 15 minutes so the cucumbers release their water.
- In a jar, arrange the cucumbers in layers, adding some sesame seeds, chives, and chopped garlic to each layer.
- Sprinkle with pepper and drizzle with sesame oil.
- In a separate vessel, mix water with rice vinegar, then pour this mixture over the cucumbers in the jar so they are completely covered.
- Insert a weight and close the jar. The cucumbers need at least 2h to marinate.
- After 6h, it’s best to refrigerate them. They will keep for up to 2 weeks.
Optional: If you have "mirin" at home, it’s worth adding 2–3 tablespoons of this Japanese specialty to the pickling liquid! 😉
Enjoy! ...because homemade is better!
