Spicy Cucumber Salad
User Reviews
5
Spicy Cucumber Salad
Description
The Spicy Cucumber Salad is created by thinly spiraling mini or Persian cucumbers to enhance texture and presentation. The dressing combines soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, garlic, and red chili flakes, which bring together salty, tangy, sweet, and spicy notes that complement the cool cucumber. Garnishing with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds adds subtle crunch and flavor contrast. The preparation preserves crispness by gently mixing to prevent breaking the cucumber slices.
Serving this salad with Asian-inspired meals like grilled chicken or teriyaki dishes works well, offering a fresh contrast. It can also be served over or alongside leafy greens to add volume and bulk to a light salad course.
The salad keeps well refrigerated for up to four days in an airtight container. Variations include adding chopped nuts for crunch or using English cucumbers cut into bite-sized pieces if spiraling is not preferred. Adjusting spiciness by varying chili flakes allows customization.
Ingredients
The Salad:
- 8 cucumber mini or Persian
- 1 green onion ends trimmed and finely sliced
- sesame seeds
The Dressing:
- 1 ½ tablespoon soy sauce tamari or coconut aminios (if gluten free, low-sodium
- 1 ½ tablespoon rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 2 large garlic minced, cloves
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes crushed or full
Instructions
- Prepare the Accordion Cucumbers. Wash, dry, and cut the ends off the cucumbers. Now, doing this one at a time, place a cucumber between two chopsticks. Cut the cucumber at a 45° angle, making thin diagonal slices on the top (the chopstick will prevent you from cutting all the way through). Flip the cucumber over and make 90° angle cuts. Don’t cut the cucumbers straight across or at a 45° angle again - the spiral won’t work! Cut the spiraled cucumbers in half, then add them to a large mixing bowl.
- Make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Taste and adjust the seasonings to your preference.
- Assemble the salad. Pour dressing over cucumbers and mix gently so the cucumbers don’t break. Garnish with green onion and sesame seeds. Enjoy!
Notes
- Mini or Persian cucumbers are best for the spiral cutting method, but English cucumbers can be sliced into pieces instead.
- Add ½ cup chopped almonds, cashews, or peanuts for additional crunch if desired.
- Serve the salad over chopped lettuce, like romaine or iceberg, to add volume.
- The salad pairs well with grilled chicken, Asian meatballs, or seafood dishes like salmon.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 48 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 48kcal | 2% |
| Carbohydrates | 9g | 3% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.2g | 1% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.4g | 2% |
| Sodium | 228mg | 10% |
| Potassium | 221mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 296IU | 6% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 32mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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