15 Japanese Vinegar Cucumber Recipe Savor The Mouthwatering Goodness!
Published on: Mar 26, 2024
Cucumbers are a popular ingredient in Japanese cuisine, often used for their refreshing and crisp texture. One of the most beloved ways to prepare cucumbers in Japanese cooking is by marinating them in vinegar. This simple yet flavorful Japanese vinegar cucumber recipe is a staple in many households and is perfect for adding a light and tangy touch to any meal.
If you're looking for a refreshing and light side dish to accompany your beer can chicken, try making a Japanese cucumber salad. This dish is simple yet flavorful, with thinly sliced cucumbers marinated in a tangy and slightly sweet dressing. It's the perfect way to balance out the richness of the chicken and enhance its flavors. Plus, it's a great way to add some healthy greens to your meal!
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Japanese Pickled Cucumbers (Kyuri Zuke)
Main Ingredients: Japanese Cucumbers, Wakame, Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar
If you want to take your cucumber game to the next level, try making Japanese pickled cucumbers, also known as Kyuri Zuke. These pickles are made with a mixture of rice vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce, giving them a delicious sweet and sour flavor. They are also great for digestion and can help cleanse your palate between bites of the savory beer can chicken.
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Japanese Salmon Bowl
Main Ingredients: White Rice, Rice Wine Vinegar, Soy Sauce, Chilli Sauce
For a heartier meal, try making a Japanese salmon bowl to go with your beer can chicken. This dish features a bed of fluffy rice topped with tender grilled or baked salmon, fresh veggies, and a drizzle of umami-packed teriyaki sauce. It's a complete meal in one bowl and will satisfy any hunger cravings.
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Home-made Fukujinzuke (Pickled Vegetables for Japanese...
Main Ingredients: Daikon, Lotus Root, Cucumber, Eggplant, Ginger, Salt
If you're a fan of Japanese curry, then you know that Fukujinzuke is a must-have condiment. This pickled vegetable medley is a combination of daikon radish, eggplant, lotus root, and cucumber, pickled in a sweet and tangy sauce. It provides the perfect contrast to the rich and spicy flavors of the curry, making it a great addition to your beer can chicken meal.
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Japanese Fried Chicken (Chicken Karaage) Bento
Main Ingredients: Boneless Chicken, Ginger Juice, Mizkan Bonito Flavored
Another popular Japanese dish that goes well with beer can chicken is chicken karaage bento. These bite-sized pieces of tender and juicy fried chicken are marinated in a flavorful soy sauce and garlic mixture. They are great for snacking on while you wait for your chicken to cook or as a side dish to enjoy alongside it.
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Japanese Salmon Avocado Rice Bowls
Main Ingredients: Rice, Avocado, Smoked Salmon, Cucumbers, Nori Seaweed
If you want to add even more protein to your meal, try making Japanese salmon avocado rice bowls. These bowls feature a bed of rice topped with grilled or baked salmon, creamy avocado slices, and a sprinkle of nutty and salty sesame seeds. It's a perfect balance of flavors and textures that will complement your beer can chicken perfectly.
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Japanese Cucumber Salad (Sunomono)
Main Ingredients: English Cucumber, Salt, Sugar, Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar
For a different take on the classic cucumber salad, try making Japanese sunomono. This dish features thinly sliced cucumbers marinated in rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar, along with some crunchy seaweed strips and sesame seeds. It's a refreshing and light dish that pairs well with the richness of the beer can chicken.
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Sushi Burrito
Main Ingredients: Japanese Rice Vinegar, Medium Grain Rice, Japanese
If you're feeling adventurous, why not try making a sushi burrito to go with your beer can chicken? This trendy dish combines the flavors of sushi with the convenience of a burrito. It typically features a variety of fillings such as raw fish, veggies, and rice, all wrapped up in a large sheet of nori. It's a fun and unique way to enjoy sushi and chicken together.
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Sushi Rolls
Main Ingredients: Sushi Rice, Water, Salt, Rice Vinegar, Maple Syrup
Of course, you can't talk about Japanese food without mentioning sushi. Whether you make it yourself or order it from a restaurant, sushi is a great addition to a beer can chicken meal. The combination of fresh fish, rice, and seaweed pairs well with the rich and savory flavors of the chicken. Try a variety of rolls, such as California rolls, spicy tuna rolls, or avocado rolls, to find your favorite pairing.
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Japanese Fried Chicken Bento
Main Ingredients: Boneless Chicken, Ginger Juice, Base, Mirin
If you loved the chicken karaage, why not make a whole Japanese fried chicken bento? This bento box typically includes rice, fried chicken, pickled vegetables, and a variety of other sides. It's a complete and satisfying meal that is perfect for enjoying with your beer can chicken.
If you're looking for a healthy and flavorful side dish, try making Japanese spinach salad. This salad features lightly blanched spinach tossed in a sesame soy dressing and topped with crunchy umami-rich bonito flakes. It's a great way to add some green to your plate, and its tangy flavors will complement the beer can chicken well.
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Creamy Japanese Potato Salad
Main Ingredients: Potatoes, Cucumber, Carrot, Hard Boiled Eggs, Kewpie
For a twist on the traditional potato salad, try making creamy Japanese potato salad. This version features mashed potatoes mixed with Japanese mayo, carrots, cucumbers, and sweet and tangy pickled red onions. It's a unique and delicious side dish that will add some creaminess to your beer can chicken meal.
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Japanese Restaurant-style Salad
Main Ingredients: Romaine Lettuce, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Red Onion, Chicken
If you've ever been to a Japanese restaurant, you've probably tried their signature restaurant-style salad. This salad typically features a mix of greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and a creamy and savory sesame dressing. It's a light and refreshing addition to any meal, and its flavors will complement the beer can chicken well.
If you can't get enough of the chicken karaage, why not make more of it and serve it as a main dish alongside your beer can chicken? This versatile dish can be enjoyed as a side or as the star of the show. It's up to you how much chicken you want to make, but we guarantee it will be a hit with your dinner guests.
For a more casual take on sushi, try making Japanese sushi rolls. These rolls are typically made with a variety of fillings, such as avocado, cucumber, crab, and savory and salty eel, all wrapped up in a sheet of nori. They are easy to make at home and are a fun and delicious addition to any meal.
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Japanese Farm-Style Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
Main Ingredients: Teriyaki, Portobellos, Chicken Thighs, Shitake
If you're looking for a hearty and flavorful meal, try making a Japanese farm-style grilled teriyaki chicken bowl. This dish features a bed of rice topped with grilled chicken, sautéed veggies, and a drizzle of sweet and tangy teriyaki sauce. The combination of flavors and textures is sure to be a hit, especially when paired with the beer can chicken.
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Japanese cucumber salad (Cucumber Sunomono)
Main Ingredients: Cucumber, Wakame, Salt, Rice Vinegar, Mirin, Soy Sauce
For a lighter and more refreshing version of the sunomono, try making Japanese cucumber salad. This dish features thinly sliced cucumbers dressed in a tangy and slightly sweet rice vinegar dressing, along with some fresh and fragrant shiso leaves. It's a great way to add some crunch and flavor to your beer can chicken meal.
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Japanese Potato Salad Croquettes (Korokke)
Main Ingredients: Potatoes, Carrots, Cucumbers, Green Onions, Red Onions
If you want to take your potato salad to the next level, try making Japanese potato salad croquettes, also known as Korokke. These deep-fried potato patties are filled with creamy potato salad and coated in panko breadcrumbs, giving them a crunchy exterior. They are a fun and tasty addition to any meal, especially when served with beer can chicken.
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Easy Japanese Pickled Cucumber
Main Ingredients: English Cucumber, Japanese Cucumbers, Salt, Rice
If you're short on time but still want to add some pickled goodness to your meal, try making easy Japanese pickled cucumbers. These pickles are made by simply marinating thinly sliced cucumbers in a mixture of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt for a few hours. They are a quick and tasty addition to any meal and will complement the flavors of the beer can chicken.
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Japanese Quick Pickled Cucumbers
Main Ingredients: Seedless Cucumber, Scallions, Rice Wine Vinegar, Soy
For a tangy and spicy twist on traditional pickles, try making Japanese quick pickled cucumbers. These pickles are made by marinating sliced cucumbers in a mixture of rice vinegar, soy sauce, and chili flakes for a few hours. They are a great way to add some heat and tang to your beer can chicken meal.
The Benefits of Japanese Vinegar Cucumbers
The vinegar used in this recipe not only adds a burst of flavor to the cucumbers, but it also provides several health benefits. Japanese vinegar contains acetic acid, which has been linked to improved digestion, weight management, and blood sugar control. Additionally, cucumbers are high in water content, making them a great hydrating snack. By combining these two ingredients, you get a delicious and nutritious dish that is perfect for any occasion.
Choosing the Right Vinegar
When making Japanese vinegar cucumbers, it is important to use the right type of vinegar. The most commonly used vinegar in this recipe is rice vinegar, also known as rice wine vinegar. It has a mild and slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with cucumbers. Other options include apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar. It is best to avoid using distilled white vinegar as it can be too harsh and overpowering in flavor.
Adding Flavorful Ingredients
Apart from vinegar, this recipe also calls for soy sauce, mirin, and bonito flakes to add depth and complexity to the dish. Soy sauce brings a salty and savory note, while mirin adds a subtle sweetness. Bonito flakes, made from dried and smoked skipjack tuna, provide a unique umami flavor to the cucumbers. For an extra kick of heat, you can also add some red pepper flakes or shichimi togarashi.
How to Make Japanese Vinegar Cucumbers
To make this dish, start by thinly slicing the cucumbers and sprinkling them with salt. This helps to draw out excess water and gives the cucumbers a firmer texture. After about 10 minutes, squeeze out any excess water and pat the cucumbers dry. Then, mix together the vinegar, soy sauce, mirin, and bonito flakes in a bowl. Add in the cucumbers and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator. You can also leave them overnight for a more intense flavor. Serve the cucumbers chilled, and enjoy as a refreshing side dish or snack.
In Conclusion
Japanese vinegar cucumbers are a simple and delicious way to incorporate the health benefits of vinegar and cucumbers into your diet. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create a flavorful and nutritious dish that is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So the next time you have some cucumbers on hand, give this recipe a try and taste the refreshing flavors of Japan.
