Description
A refreshing and flavorful spicy cucumber salad featuring crisp mini cucumbers tossed in a tangy, sweet, and spicy dressing made with soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, honey, garlic, and chili flakes. Garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, this salad is perfect as a light side dish or appetizer.
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 each cucumber between two chopsticks and slice thin diagonal cuts at a 45° angle on top without cutting all the way through. Flip the cucumber and make 90° angle cuts to create a spiral. Cut the spiraled cucumbers in half and add them to a large mixing bowl. Alternatively, thinly slice the cucumbers on a mandolin for easier prep.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, garlic, and red chili flakes until well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
- Assemble the Salad: Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and gently toss to coat without breaking the cucumber pieces. Garnish with sliced green onion and sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- If using English cucumbers, wash, dry, and cut into bite-sized pieces or slices instead of accordion style.
- Add ½ cup of chopped almonds, cashews, or peanuts for extra crunch if desired.
- Serve on a bed of chopped romaine, spinach, Boston lettuce, or iceberg lettuce for added volume.
- Pairs well with grilled chicken, air fryer chicken thighs, Asian chicken meatballs, or various seafood dishes like furikake salmon bowls or air fryer tilapia.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days for best freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 70 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
