Spicy Cucumber Salad delivers a refreshing and zesty kick, perfect for a light side dish or appetizer that elevates any meal with its vibrant flavors and satisfying crunch. This easy-to-make recipe is incredibly versatile, making it a go-to for busy weeknights or special gatherings.
Key Ingredients for Spicy Cucumber Salad
- 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce (or more to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Optional garnishes: toasted sesame seeds, red pepper flakes
How to Make Spicy Cucumber Salad
This spicy cucumber salad is a breeze to whip up, taking under 20 minutes from start to finish! Its effortless preparation, coupled with a bright, tangy, and subtly spicy dressing that perfectly coats the crisp cucumbers and onions, makes it an incredibly satisfying dish. The refreshing crunch is simply irresistible, and it’s the perfect balance to richer main courses. With a preparation time of just 15 minutes, you can have this flavorful salad ready in no time.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Cucumbers and Onion: Wash the cucumbers thoroughly. Using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer, thinly slice the cucumbers into rounds. Place the sliced cucumbers into a colander set over a bowl or the sink. Sprinkle them with about 1/2 teaspoon of salt and let them sit for 10-15 minutes. This process draws out excess water, ensuring your salad doesn’t become watery and the cucumbers maintain a pleasant crunch. While the cucumbers are draining, thinly slice the red onion.
- Rinse and Drain Cucumbers: After resting, gently rinse the sliced cucumbers under cold water to remove the salt. Pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove any residual moisture. This step is crucial for achieving the perfect texture in your spicy cucumber salad.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a medium serving bowl, combine the drained and dried cucumber slices, the thinly sliced red onion, chopped fresh cilantro, and chopped fresh mint.
- Whisk the Dressing Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce (or tamari), sesame oil, chili garlic sauce (start with 1 teaspoon and add more if you prefer it spicier), sugar, and minced garlic. Whisk until all the ingredients are well combined and the sugar has dissolved.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the cucumber and onion mixture in the serving bowl. Gently toss everything together until the vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill Before Serving: For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate the spicy cucumber salad for at least 15-30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and ensures the salad is wonderfully chilled.
- Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, give the salad another gentle toss. If desired, garnish with toasted sesame seeds for added crunch and visual appeal, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for an extra hint of heat. Serve this delightful spicy cucumber salad as a refreshing side dish.
Why You’ll Love This Spicy Cucumber Salad
You’ll absolutely adore this spicy cucumber salad for its incredible freshness and vibrant, invigorating taste that’s like a cool breeze on a warm day. Unlike heavier, creamy salads, this dish boasts a delightful crispness that truly shines, making it a standout addition to any meal. The tangy rice vinegar dressing, infused with a subtle chili kick and aromatic herbs, creates a flavor profile that is both complex and wonderfully light, a refreshing change from your typical side.
Making this flavorful spicy cucumber salad at home is also a fantastic way to save money compared to buying pre-made salads, offering exceptional value without compromising on taste or quality. The beautiful combination of crunchy cucumbers, pungent red onion, and the bright zest of cilantro and mint, all brought together by that perfect spicy-sweet dressing, makes it a truly special dish. It’s a fantastic alternative to a coleslaw or a simple green salad, offering so much more in terms of texture and taste. So why not give this incredibly easy and delicious spicy cucumber salad a try today and bring a burst of flavor to your table?
Storing and Reheating Tips
This spicy cucumber salad is best enjoyed fresh, as the cucumbers can become softer over time. However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. The dressing will continue to meld with the cucumbers, so the flavor may even deepen slightly. If the salad seems a little watery upon reheating or serving after storage, you can gently drain off any excess liquid before enjoying. It’s not recommended to freeze this salad, as the texture of the cucumbers will be significantly altered upon thawing, becoming mushy.
Final Thoughts
This spicy cucumber salad is a testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly sensational. Its refreshing zest and satisfying crunch make it a winner every time. We encourage you to give this easy recipe a try and experience its delightful flavor for yourself!
Spicy Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Wash the cucumbers thoroughly. Using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer, thinly slice the cucumbers into rounds. Place the sliced cucumbers into a colander set over a bowl or the sink. Sprinkle them with about 1/2 teaspoon of salt and let them sit for 10-15 minutes. This process draws out excess water, ensuring your salad doesn’t become watery and the cucumbers maintain a pleasant crunch. While the cucumbers are draining, thinly slice the red onion.2 large cucumbers, salt
- After resting, gently rinse the sliced cucumbers under cold water to remove the salt. Pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove any residual moisture. This step is crucial for achieving the perfect texture in your spicy cucumber salad.2 large cucumbers
- In a medium serving bowl, combine the drained and dried cucumber slices, the thinly sliced red onion, chopped fresh cilantro, and chopped fresh mint.2 large cucumbers, 1/2 red onion, 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup fresh mint
- In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce (or tamari), sesame oil, chili garlic sauce (start with 1 teaspoon and add more if you prefer it spicier), sugar, and minced garlic. Whisk until all the ingredients are well combined and the sugar has dissolved.2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1 clove garlic
- Pour the prepared dressing over the cucumber and onion mixture in the serving bowl. Gently toss everything together until the vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate the spicy cucumber salad for at least 15-30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and ensures the salad is wonderfully chilled.
- Just before serving, give the salad another gentle toss. If desired, garnish with toasted sesame seeds for added crunch and visual appeal, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for an extra hint of heat. Serve this delightful spicy cucumber salad as a refreshing side dish.Optional garnishes: toasted sesame seeds, red pepper flakes