Side Dish: Indonesia – Acar ▶ Acar (Cucumber-Lime Peanut Relish)

Food safety reminder: Follow safe food-handling practices and use a food thermometer to verify safe internal cooking temperatures.

Serving Size: 4

Approximate Time

Prep 15 min

Cook 3 min

Additional 20 min

Total 35 min

Ingredients

1 large English cucumber (about 12 oz / 340 g), halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
1 small shallot, thinly sliced
1 red Fresno or Thai bird chili, thinly sliced (seeded optional)
1 / 2 cup (120 ml) rice vinegar
1 / 4 cup (60 ml) water
3 tbsp (45 ml) granulated sugar
1 tbsp (15 ml) fish sauce
1 / 4 tsp kosher salt
1 / 2 tsp lime zest
1 / 4 cup (15 g) fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tbsp (8 g) fresh mint, torn
1 / 3 cup (45 g) roasted peanuts, roughly chopped

Instructions

Make the dressing: In a small saucepan, combine rice vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Warm over low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves, 1–2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, then stir in fish sauce and lime zest.
Combine the vegetables: Add sliced cucumber, shallot, and chili to a mixing bowl.
Marinate: Pour the cooled dressing over the vegetables, toss, and let sit 10–20 minutes (refrigerate if holding longer) to lightly pickle and chill.
Finish and serve: Drain off a little excess liquid if desired. Fold in cilantro and mint. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle peanuts on top just before serving.