Spicy Cucumber Salad Recipe
A vibrant and spicy cucumber salad featuring crisp Persian cucumbers dressed in a tangy, savory, and slightly sweet dressing with a hint of heat from red chili flakes. This refreshing salad is perfect as a light side dish or appetizer, and it combines easy-to-prepare ingredients with a visually appealing spiral-cut cucumber presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 8 mini or Persian cucumbers
- 1 green onion, ends trimmed and finely sliced
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Dressing
- 1 ½ tbsp low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten free)
- 1 ½ tbsp rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp crushed or whole red chili flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the Accordion Cucumbers: Wash and dry the cucumbers, then cut off the ends. Place one cucumber between two chopsticks and make thin diagonal cuts at a 45° angle on the top, ensuring you don’t cut all the way through due to the chopsticks acting as a guard. Flip the cucumber over and make cuts at a 90° angle. This technique creates a spiral effect. Cut each spiraled cucumber in half and add to a large mixing bowl. Alternatively, thinly slice the cucumbers using a mandolin.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, minced garlic, and red chili flakes. Taste and adjust the seasoning as preferred, balancing sweetness, saltiness, and heat.
- Assemble the Salad: Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and gently toss to coat evenly without breaking the cucumber slices. Garnish with finely sliced green onions and sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing spicy cucumber salad.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey for a vegan option.
- If you don’t have chopsticks, you can create a similar accordion effect by partially slicing the cucumber thinly and carefully avoiding cutting through.
- Adjust red chili flakes to control the spice level as preferred.
- This salad is best served fresh to maintain cucumber crunchiness.
Keywords: spicy cucumber salad, accordion cucumber, Asian cucumber salad, gluten free salad, no cook salad, refreshing cucumber salad
Find it online: https://annakocht.com/spicy-cucumber-salad-recipe/
