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Easy & Quick Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe

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4.2 from 39 reviews

This Easy & Quick Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for a light snack or side. Featuring crisp mini cucumbers dressed in a tangy, savory, and spicy mixture of soy sauce, garlic, chili oil, and sesame, this salad comes together in just 10 minutes with minimal prep. The spiral-cut cucumbers add a beautiful texture and elegance, making it a great addition to any meal.

Ingredients

Salad Ingredients

  • 6 Mini cucumbers (or Persian cucumbers)
  • 2 tsp Salt (to drain water)

Dressing Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp Regular soy sauce
  • 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
  • 1 tbsp Rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
  • 1 tbsp Chinese chili oil
  • 1 tbsp White granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp Sesame oil
  • 1 tsp Sesame seeds
  • 2 tbsp Green onion (finely sliced)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cucumbers: Wash the cucumbers thoroughly and cut off the ends to remove any dry or rough edges.
  2. Make Spiral Cuts: Place a cucumber between two chopsticks and make thin diagonal slices along the top, then flip and repeat on the other side. Cut the cucumber into halves to create a spiral effect. Repeat this with all cucumbers. Alternatively, thinly slice cucumbers if desired.
  3. Salt to Drain Water: Sprinkle the cucumbers with salt and gently massage it in. Allow them to soak for 5 minutes to draw out excess moisture but avoid exceeding 10 minutes to prevent the cucumbers from breaking down.
  4. Rinse and Drain: Rinse the salted cucumbers under cold water 3-4 times to completely remove the salt. Strain the cucumbers well and set aside.
  5. Mix Dressing: In a separate bowl, combine soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, chili oil, white sugar, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and green onions thoroughly.
  6. Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the prepared cucumbers and gently mix to ensure even coating without smashing the cucumber spirals.
  7. Serve: Serve immediately as a refreshing appetizer or side dish. Enjoy!

Notes

  • For best results, do not soak cucumbers in salt for more than 10 minutes to preserve texture.
  • Adjust chili oil quantity to control the heat level according to your preference.
  • Use Persian cucumbers if mini cucumbers are unavailable for similar crispness and size.
  • The spiral cutting technique enhances the visual appeal and texture of the salad.
  • Chilling the salad before serving can enhance the refreshing flavor.

Find it online: https://justsosavory.com/easy-and-quick-spicy-asian-cucumber-salad-recipe/