Get ready to fall in love with the vibrant flavors and incredible crunch of this Spicy Cucumber Salad! This dish is the ultimate combination of refreshing, crispy cucumber and bold, zippy flavors, all coming together in just minutes. Whether you’re searching for a quick side to brighten up your weeknight dinner or an impressive snack for your next get-together, Spicy Cucumber Salad delivers on every front. Each bite offers a perfect hit of heat, tang, and just a touch of sweetness—the kind of irresistible refresher you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient here is simple but so important. Every one adds a punch—whether it’s texture, a burst of color, or that savory-spicy flavor that makes this salad shine. Let’s take a look at exactly what you’ll need to make Spicy Cucumber Salad unforgettable.
- Persian cucumbers: Thin-skinned and crisp, these cucumbers bring unbeatable crunch and soak up all the punchy dressing flavors!
- White onion: Sliced thin for a little bite and lovely sweetness, balancing the heat perfectly.
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes): This is where the magic happens—their mild smoky heat is what gives this Spicy Cucumber Salad its signature kick!
- Sesame seeds: Toasty and nutty, they bring a subtle crunch and layer of flavor to every bite.
- Soy sauce: Just a splash deepens the umami and ties the dressing together.
- Sesame oil: Adds richness and that irresistible toasted aroma—don’t skip this one!
- Rice vinegar: The splash of acidity brightens everything and lifts the salad right up.
- Sugar: Balances out the heat and acidity, making each bite craveable.
How to Make Spicy Cucumber Salad
Step 1: Make the Dressing
Start by grabbing a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add the gochugaru, soy sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds, rice vinegar, and sugar right into the bowl. Give everything a vigorous whisk! You want the sugar to dissolve and the gochugaru to bloom in the liquid so it infuses the entire dressing with its signature spicy warmth.
Step 2: Chop and Add Your Veggies
The amazing crunch in Spicy Cucumber Salad comes from how you cut your veggies. Slice off the cucumber ends and chop them into hearty ½-inch chunks—this gives the perfect bite and more surface area for the dressing to cling to. Thinly slice the white onion so it blends beautifully with the cucumbers and never overpowers. Toss both right into the bowl with your spicy dressing.
Step 3: Toss to Coat
Now comes the fun part! Use your hands or a spoon to gently toss the cucumbers and onion in the dressing, making sure every piece is beautifully coated. Don’t be afraid to get in there! This step is what guarantees every bite is saturated with flavor.
Step 4: Taste and Adjust
Take a quick taste—does it need a touch more soy sauce, a drizzle more vinegar, or maybe an extra sprinkle of gochugaru for more heat? Season to your liking. This is your moment to put your personal touch on Spicy Cucumber Salad. If you have green onions handy, toss them in now for extra color and bite!
Step 5: Marinate and Serve
Let the salad sit for at least 10 minutes. This brief marinating time allows all those bright, spicy, and umami-packed flavors to really soak into the cucumbers for a harmonious bite. After that, grab your favorite serving bowl and enjoy your tasty creation!
How to Serve Spicy Cucumber Salad
Garnishes
Fresh garnishes can take your Spicy Cucumber Salad from wonderful to absolutely restaurant-worthy! Try sprinkling over extra sesame seeds for more crunch, snipped chives or sliced green onion for color, or even a pinch of flaky sea salt for a final flavor pop. I love adding a handful of chopped cilantro if you want a little herbal brightness to set things off.
Side Dishes
This salad is a perfect cold side for almost anything, from grilled meats and rich Korean barbecue to fried rice and noodle dishes. It pairs especially well with spicy mains because its crunch and acidity offset heavier, richer flavors. It’s also lovely nestled next to steamed dumplings, or simply served as a palate-cleansing starter before a spicy stir-fry.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re feeling a bit playful, you can serve Spicy Cucumber Salad in lettuce cups for a fun, hand-held bite or pile it over a bed of rice for a light lunch. Layer it up in a mason jar for a picnic, or spoon mini portions into shot glasses as an appetizer at your next dinner party. There are so many ways to showcase those vibrant colors and zesty flavors!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Spicy Cucumber Salad keeps well in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to two days. As it sits, the flavors deepen and mellow, making the salad even more delicious the next day. Just be aware that the cucumbers may soften slightly, turning extra juicy and tangy over time.
Freezing
This isn’t a great candidate for the freezer. The cucumbers will lose their crunch and become mushy once thawed, and the overall texture that makes Spicy Cucumber Salad so appealing just won’t survive cold storage. Enjoy it fresh for the best experience!
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat Spicy Cucumber Salad—it’s meant to be cool and crisp! If you’ve stored it in the fridge, simply give it a stir, taste, and refresh with a tiny splash of additional dressing or a sprinkle of gochugaru before serving to wake up the flavors.
FAQs
Can I use English or regular cucumbers instead of Persian cucumbers?
Yes, you can! If using English cucumbers, you may want to scrape out the seeds for best texture. Regular cucumbers are fine too—just peel them first if the skin is thick, as Persian cucumbers’ skins are much more tender and add to the crunch.
Is Spicy Cucumber Salad very spicy?
The heat level is moderate, thanks to the gochugaru, which brings more of a smoky, gentle heat rather than full-on fire. You can absolutely dial up or down the spice by adding more or less gochugaru to taste.
What can I use instead of gochugaru?
If you can’t find gochugaru, try crushed red pepper flakes for more heat, Aleppo pepper for a similar mild smokiness, or even a dash of sriracha or chili oil. The salad will still taste delicious—just slightly different in aroma and kick!
Can I make Spicy Cucumber Salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, letting it marinate for a few hours deepens and rounds out the flavors. Just add any garnishes right before serving for freshest results, and keep in mind the cucumbers will mellow a bit as they sit.
Is this salad gluten-free?
It can be! Just swap the regular soy sauce for a gluten-free version or use tamari. Everything else in the salad is naturally gluten-free, making it a safe and scrumptious option for guests with dietary restrictions.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried making Spicy Cucumber Salad, now’s your chance to add a crisp, zesty, and totally craveable dish to your repertoire! You’ll love how easy and rewarding it is—give it a try and get ready to wow your taste buds and share the joy with everyone at your table.
Print
Spicy Cucumber Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Spicy Cucumber Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish with a kick of Korean chili flakes and a blend of savory and tangy flavors. It’s the perfect side dish for any meal, especially during the warmer months.
Ingredients
- 4 Persian cucumbers, ends removed and cut into ½ inch chunks
- 1/2 cup white onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- ½ teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- ½ teaspoon sugar
Cucumbers:
Onion:
Seasonings:
Instructions
- Prepare Dressing: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together gochugaru, soy sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds, rice vinegar, and sugar.
- Add Vegetables: Add the chopped cucumbers and onion to the bowl with the dressing.
- Toss Salad: Toss the cucumbers and onion in the dressing until evenly coated.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the salad for seasoning and adjust as necessary. Add sliced green onions if desired.
- Marinate: Let the salad marinate for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can adjust the spiciness by adding more or less gochugaru.
- For added freshness, consider adding chopped mint or cilantro.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 82 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 294mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
