Description
Cool Korean Spicy Cucumber Salad delivers a zesty punch of fresh flavors and crisp textures. Refreshing cucumbers dance with chili heat, creating a perfect summer side dish that cools and excites you with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 2 large cucumbers (or 4 mini cucumbers), thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon grated ginger (optional, for extra flavor)
Seasonings and Spices:
- ½ teaspoon salt (for sweating the cucumbers)
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, optional for extra heat)
Garnish:
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Drain excess moisture from cucumber slices by sprinkling salt and allowing them to rest for a short period, then gently blot with a paper towel to remove water.
- Create a vibrant dressing by whisking together a harmonious blend of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, gochugaru, and freshly grated ginger.
- Transfer the prepared cucumber slices and thinly sliced green onions into a spacious mixing bowl.
- Generously coat the cucumber and green onion mixture with the spicy dressing, ensuring every slice is thoroughly coated.
- Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the salad for added texture and visual appeal.
- Serve the salad immediately for a crisp, refreshing experience, or allow it to marinate for 15 minutes to intensify the flavors and create a more nuanced taste profile.
Notes
- Drain cucumbers thoroughly to prevent watery salad, ensuring crisp and vibrant texture.
- Select fresh, firm cucumbers for maximum crunch and best flavor absorption.
- Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing red pepper flakes and gochugaru according to personal heat tolerance.
- Quick marinating allows deeper flavor penetration without compromising cucumber’s refreshing qualities.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg