Spicy Cucumber Salad Recipe
A refreshing and vibrant Spicy Cucumber Salad made with crisp mini cucumbers, a tangy and slightly sweet dressing infused with garlic and red chili flakes, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions. Perfect as a light appetizer or side dish that balances heat, sweetness, and acidity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian
- 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 (tamari or coconut aminos if 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 full red chili flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the cucumbers: Rinse the mini or Persian cucumbers thoroughly and slice them thinly into rounds or half-moons, depending on your preference. Place the sliced cucumbers into a large mixing bowl.
- Create the dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, minced garlic, and red chili flakes until well combined and slightly emulsified.
- Toss the salad: Pour the dressing over the sliced cucumbers and gently toss to coat all pieces evenly, ensuring the flavors meld nicely.
- Add garnishes: Sprinkle the finely sliced green onions and a generous amount of sesame seeds on top for added texture and flavor.
- Chill and serve: For best flavor, refrigerate the salad for at least 15-20 minutes before serving to let the dressing infuse the cucumbers. Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish.
Notes
- Use tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free version.
- Adjust the amount of red chili flakes to control the heat level to your liking.
- Maple syrup is a great vegan alternative to honey.
- For extra crunch, sprinkle some crushed roasted peanuts or toasted cashews just before serving.
- To make this salad ahead, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; cucumbers may release some water over time.
Keywords: spicy cucumber salad, Asian cucumber salad, gluten-free salad, no-cook salad, spicy side dish
Find it online: https://zestywithzane.com/spicy-cucumber-salad-recipe/
