15-Minute Spicy Cucumber Salad Recipe
A refreshing and quick 15-minute spicy cucumber salad featuring crisp Persian cucumbers tossed in a flavorful blend of soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, and chili crunch. Perfect as a light side dish or snack that combines crunch, spice, and tang in every bite.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Cucumbers
- 6 Persian cucumbers, sliced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon sugar
Spicy Sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 teaspoon chili crunch (or chili oil)
Garnish
- 1 green onion, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon sesame seeds
- Prep the cucumbers: Slice the Persian cucumbers into thin rounds to ensure they absorb the flavors of the dressing evenly.
- Salt and drain: In a bowl, toss the sliced cucumbers with kosher salt and sugar. Let them sit for at least 10 minutes so they release excess water. Afterward, drain off any liquid to avoid a watery salad.
- Make the spicy sauce: Combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, grated garlic, and chili crunch in a small bowl, stirring well to blend all the flavors.
- Combine and garnish: Add the drained cucumbers to the sauce and stir well to coat. Then mix in the finely chopped green onions and sprinkle with sesame seeds for a final touch of flavor and crunch.
- Serve or store: Enjoy the salad immediately for maximum crispness, or refrigerate it for up to 4 days to let the flavors meld and enjoy it chilled.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari.
- Adjust the amount of chili crunch or chili oil according to your spice tolerance.
- This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, but cucumbers may soften over time.
- You can add crushed peanuts or fresh herbs like cilantro for additional texture and flavor.
Keywords: spicy cucumber salad, quick cucumber salad, Asian cucumber salad, no-cook salad, Persian cucumbers, chili crunch salad, healthy side dish