How To Make A Spicy Cucumber Salad? Prepare A Salad In 10 Minutes!
Table Of Content
- How To Make Spicy Cucumber Salad?
- What Ingredients Do You Need To Make A Spicy Cucumber Salad?
- Substitutes For Ingredients:
- How To Make Spicy Cucumber Salad? Step-By-Step Directions:
- Pairing Suggestions:
- Expert Tips For Making Spicy Cucumber Salad:
- Not A Fan Of Spicy Cucumber Salad? Alternatives To Try:
- Frequently Asked Questions:
I have always been a fan of spicy salads – and once I discovered the Asian version of spicy cucumber salad, there was no going back. It was super refreshing, zesty, and tangy. Plus, it is so good for summer or whenever you need something simple on the side.
Personally, I love making this salad for my family and guests for three primary reasons:
- The salad’s irresistible combination of sesame seeds, garlic, and rice vinegar offers a bold flavor palette that always makes me go back for more.
- This salad is packed with nutrition. Since cucumbers are high in minerals and vitamins, it’s always good to add cucumbers to salads. Plus, cucumbers are also low in calories, making this salad a low-carb, naturally vegan side dish.
- It always takes 10 to 12 minutes to throw together all the ingredients and prepare this salad – it will take you minimal effort.
See, that makes so much sense! Then why waste time coming up with the perfect side dish when you can make a spicy Asian cucumber salad in 10 minutes? And I am here to help you out – from the ingredients and substitutes to preparation and expert tips, I’ve got you covered.
Stay tuned.
How To Make Spicy Cucumber Salad?
| Preparation Time | 10 Minutes. |
| Total Time | 10 Minutes. |
| Servings | 6. |
For me, the perfect side dish is an Asian spicy cucumber salad! Why? Because:
- It’s simple to make – it will only take you a few minutes to make this.
- It’s addictive – so delicious that there is no going back when it comes to making a good salad!
- Also, you can serve this as a side dish with literally anything.
On that note, I’m going to show you how to make spicy cucumber salads in a few minutes. So, let’s dive in, shall we?
What Ingredients Do You Need To Make A Spicy Cucumber Salad?
So, here are the ingredients you need to make a spicy Asian cucumber salad. Please remember, the mentioned quantities are perfect for six servings.
- Persian Cucumbers – 12 pieces.
- Salt – 2 teaspoons.
- Green Onion (Diced) – 6 stalks.
- Garlic Cloves (Minced) – 20 to 24 pieces.
- Soy Sauce – 1 tablespoon.
- Sesame Oil – 3 tablespoons.
- Rice Vinegar – 2 tablespoons.
- Gochugaru – 5 teaspoons.
- Sesame Seeds (Roasted) – 1 tablespoon.
- White Granulated Sugar – 1 teaspoon.
Substitutes For Ingredients:
So, in case you don’t have all the ingredients, here are some substitutes you can use without compromising how the salad will eventually taste:
| Actual Ingredient | Substitute Ingredient |
| Persian Cucumbers | Normal Cucumbers |
| Normal Salt | Sea Salt or Kosher Salt |
| Green Onions | Red Onions |
| Garlic | Garlic Powder |
| Soy Sauce | Coconut Aminos or Tamari |
| Rice Vinegar | Grapeseed or Avocado Oil. |
| Rice Vinegar | White Wine or Apple Cider Vinegar |
| Granulated Sugar | Agave Syrup or Honey |
How To Make Spicy Cucumber Salad? Step-By-Step Directions:
Before I teach you guys how to make this yummy salad, let me tell you that there are several variations of this salad. However, this is my go-to recipe when it comes to making this salad in 10 minutes!
Moreover, I love how my version is the perfect mix of tangy, savory, and spicy. Also, I like to keep it garlic-y and somewhat sweet. In addition, my version goes really well with Asian cuisine, including South Korean food.
So, follow the four steps mentioned below to whip up a spicy, Asian cucumber salad:
- Rinse the cucumber and slice it into thick (1 to 2 cm) pieces. Place these slices into a mixing bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and mix it all together. Now, set this bowl aside and prepare the other ingredients, like chopping the green onions and mincing the garlic.
- After five minutes, drain the sliced cucumber and pat it dry to get rid of any excess water. Please note that if you use a regular cucumber to make this salad, it is best to peel the skin since it is tough to pat the skin dry.
- Take a small bowl. Now add the diced onions, minced garlic cloves, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, gochugaru, roasted sesame seeds, and white granulated sugar. Please ensure you follow the quantities that I have mentioned under the ingredient list above. Also, for the sugar and soy sauce, it is best to start low. That way, you can taste and, depending on your preferences, you can add some more.
- Now, just add the cucumbers to the dressing and toss them well. Once you have tossed the cucumbers with the seasoning, the dish is ready to be served.
| Did You Know? Cucumbers have low calories and are very hydrating. This is because approximately 95% of a cucumber is water. Since cucumbers are so refreshing and always appear to be cooler, thanks to their high water percentage, the phrase ‘cool as a cucumber’ developed. |
Pairing Suggestions:
Like I said in the very beginning, you can literally serve this Korean cucumber salad recipe with anything. But if you still had to ask, here are some pairing suggestions:
- Crab Rangoons.
- Egg Rolls.
- Egg Drop Soup.
- Brown/White Rice.
- Fried/Cauliflower Rice.
- Honey Sesame Chicken.
- Mongolian Chicken.
- Gochujang Chicken.
- Bang Bang Shrimp.
- Soy Garlic Tofu.
- Spicy Chicken Burgers.
- Korean Ground Turkey.
- Teriyaki Chicken/Salmon Bowls.
Expert Tips For Making Spicy Cucumber Salad:
- When you are preparing the seasoning, it is best to stick to the measurements I’ve added below. While doing so, remember that different brands of soy sauces have different salt levels. As a result, it is best to be in a situation where adding some more can save the day because you can’t remove the extra salt. Also, since everyone has their own spicy and salty preferences, adjust wherever needed and make a seasoning you like.
- If you are making the salad for the first time, then it is best to prepare the seasoning in a different bowl. That way, you can taste the dressing before adding it to the sliced cucumbers.
- Don’t forget to rinse the salted cucumbers. This is because, before adding some more sodium, it is vital to get rid of the salt that the sliced cucumbers have been sitting in. What happens if you don’t follow this step? You end up with super salty cucumbers.
- Before serving, you can let the sliced cucumbers marinate in the spicy sauce for ten to fifteen minutes in the refrigerator. This will add more flavor to the mixture.
- If you have leftovers, then you can store them. Just ensure you are storing the leftovers in airtight boxes. Additionally, remember that you can eat the salad for the next two to three days – this is because the longer you store the cucumber, the more water it releases.
Not A Fan Of Spicy Cucumber Salad? Alternatives To Try:
Of course, it is highly possible that you are not a fan of this spicy Asian salad. In that case, I’ve a few more alternatives up my sleeves. Let’s check these out briefly!
- Grilled Carrots served in Basil Vinaigrette.
- Grilled Zucchini.
- Roasted Citrus and Beet Salad in Cilantro-Lime Dressing.
- Dilled Pea Pasta Salad.
- Strawberry and Cucumber Salad served with Feta and Mint.
- Creamy Homemade Coleslaw without any Mayo.
- Summer Corn Salad.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Check out the most frequently asked questions related to making a spicy cucumber salad in detail below:
Yes, a spicy Asian cucumber salad is typically considered to be healthy. This is because cucumbers are high in minerals and vitamins. Also, these are low in calories. Also, sesame seeds add healthy fats to the salad. Moreover, spicy ingredients like gochugaru have metabolism-boosting properties.
The total amount of calories in a spicy Asian cucumber salad typically varies depending on the specific portion size and recipe. However, it typically ranges between 68 and 192 calories per serving.
Moreover, a salad with basic ingredients such as vinegar, cucumbers, and spices is low in calories. But adding ingredients such as sesame oil, peanut butter, and any other calorie-dense ingredients can increase the overall calorie count.
Cucumbers are not actually spicy. This ‘spicy’ taste in certain cucumbers appears thanks to cucurbitacin, a naturally occurring compound. Now, you will find this compound in all kinds of cucumbers, but the concentration tends to vary, thanks to different factors such as stress during the growth stage. So, a higher concentration can make the cucumbers spicy.
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