Description
This Asian Cucumber Salad is a quick, refreshing, and flavorful side dish featuring spiral-cut cucumbers marinated in a zesty mix of soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili oil, and sesame flavors. Perfect for a light snack or accompaniment to any Asian-inspired meal, it combines crunchy cucumbers with a spicy, tangy dressing in just 13 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 5 cucumbers
- 2 to 3 tbsp green onion, chopped
- 1 tsp garlic, crushed
Seasonings & Oils
- 3 tsp granulated white sugar
- 2 tsp sesame seeds
- 1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 tsp rice vinegar
- 3 tsp chili oil
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 3 tsp salt
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Collect all necessary ingredients for the Asian cucumber salad to ensure a smooth cooking process.
- Prepare Marinade: In a bowl, combine granulated sugar, sesame seeds, crushed garlic, and chopped green onion. Stir in soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili oil, and sesame oil. Set aside to let flavors meld.
- Prepare Cucumbers: Cut both ends off each cucumber. Using a pair of chopsticks placed on either side of the cucumber, make diagonal slices along its length without cutting all the way through, then flip and slice across the uncut side to create a spiral effect.
- Salt and Massage: Place spiraled cucumbers in a bowl. Sprinkle with salt and gently massage to help draw out excess water and soften the cucumbers. Let them rest for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Rinse and Dry: Rinse the salted cucumbers under cold water to remove excess salt, then pat them dry quickly with a paper towel.
- Toss with Marinade: Pour the prepared marinade over the cucumbers, tossing until every piece is evenly coated in the flavorful mixture.
- Serve and Enjoy: The salad is ready to eat immediately, offering a cool, spicy, and tangy crunch. Serve as a side or snack.
Notes
- Using chopsticks to prevent slicing through cucumbers helps create an attractive spiral shape unique to this salad.
- Letting cucumbers sit with salt draws out moisture, improving texture and flavor absorption for the marinade.
- Adjust chili oil amount based on your tolerance for spiciness.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 1 day.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: Asian cucumber salad, cucumber spiral salad, quick cucumber salad, spicy cucumber salad, cucumber side dish, easy Asian salad
