Description
This Spicy Cucumber Salad is a vibrant, refreshing side dish featuring crisp mini or Persian cucumbers cut into unique accordion slices, tossed in a flavorful dressing of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, garlic, and chili flakes. Garnished with green onion and sesame seeds, this salad brings a perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and sweet flavors with a delightful crunch—ideal to accompany grilled meats or 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 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos (if gluten free)
- 1 ½ tablespoons 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 whole red chili flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the Accordion Cucumbers: Wash and dry the cucumbers, then cut off the ends. Place one cucumber between two chopsticks and, at a 45° angle, slice thin diagonal cuts on top without cutting all the way through. Flip the cucumber and make 90° angle cuts to create a spiral effect. Cut the spiraled cucumbers in half and add them to a large mixing bowl. Alternatively, thinly slice cucumbers on a mandolin.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, minced garlic, and chili flakes. Taste and adjust the seasoning according to your preference.
- Assemble the Salad: Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and gently toss to coat evenly without breaking the delicate cucumber spirals. Garnish with finely sliced green onion and sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- English Cucumber: If you want accordion cucumbers, use mini or Persian cucumbers. Otherwise, you can use an English cucumber cut into bite-sized pieces or slices.
- Add Nuts: For extra crunch, add ½ cup chopped almonds, cashews, or peanuts.
- Add Lettuce: Serve the salad on a bed of chopped romaine, spinach, Boston lettuce, or iceberg to add volume.
- Serving Suggestions: This spicy cucumber salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, air fryer boneless chicken thighs, Asian chicken meatballs, air fryer teriyaki chicken, furikake salmon bowls, air fryer tilapia, or air fryer teriyaki salmon bites.
- Storing: Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days for best flavor and freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 2.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
