Description
A refreshing and spicy cucumber salad featuring crisp mini or Persian cucumbers dressed in a tangy, savory, and slightly sweet dressing with a kick of chili flakes. This easy-to-make salad is perfect as a light side dish or accompaniment to grilled meats and seafood.
Ingredients
Scale
The Salad:
- 8 mini or Persian cucumbers
- 1 green onion, ends trimmed and finely sliced
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
The Dressing:
- 1 ½ tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos (if gluten free)
- 1 ½ tablespoon rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon crushed or full red chili flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the Accordion Cucumbers: Wash, dry, and cut the ends off the cucumbers. Place one cucumber at a time between two chopsticks to prevent cutting all the way through. Using a sharp knife, make thin diagonal slices at a 45° angle on the top side of the cucumber. Then, flip the cucumber over and make 90° angle cuts (perpendicular to the previous cuts). Avoid cutting at 45° again or straight across on this side. This creates the spiral or accordion effect. Cut each spiral cucumber in half and place in a large mixing bowl. Alternatively, use a mandolin to thinly slice the cucumbers.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos), rice vinegar (or white wine vinegar), sesame oil, honey (or maple syrup), minced garlic, and red chili flakes until well combined. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning to your liking for balance between salty, sweet, and spicy.
- Assemble the Salad: Pour the dressing over the prepared cucumbers in the mixing bowl. Gently toss the cucumbers with the dressing to evenly coat, being careful not to break the delicate spiral cuts. Garnish the salad with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added flavor and texture. Serve immediately and enjoy this fresh and spicy cucumber salad.
Notes
- English Cucumber: Use mini or Persian cucumbers to create accordion cuts, but English cucumbers can be used too—simply slice into bite-sized pieces or rounds if preferred.
- Add Nuts: For extra crunch and texture, incorporate ½ cup of chopped almonds, cashews, or peanuts into the salad.
- Add Lettuce: Serve the salad on a bed of chopped romaine, spinach, Boston lettuce, or iceberg to add volume and freshness.
- Serving Suggestions: This spicy cucumber salad pairs well with grilled chicken, air fryer boneless chicken thighs, Asian chicken meatballs, air fryer teriyaki chicken, or seafood dishes like furikake salmon bowls, air fryer tilapia, or air fryer teriyaki salmon bites.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days for best freshness and flavor retention.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
