Looking to add a burst of spicy flavors to your next meal? Search no further! This Easy Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe (Spicy) is a delightful and refreshing side dish that will go well with any Asian meal. With its unique blend of ingredients and a touch of heat, it's the perfect dish for summer barbecues or as an easy weeknight dinner. Try this addictive salad that combines the crispness of cucumbers with a zesty, spicy dressing today!
The spicy Asian cucumber salad is a popular dish rooted in Korean cuisine, known as "Oi Muchim." This delightful recipe takes advantage of the thin-skinned English cucumbers, which contribute to its refreshing crunch. The dressing, made with sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, spicy chili crunch, garlic clove, ginger, etc. infuses the cucumber sticks with a bold blend of sweet, savory, and heat in every bite.
Why We Love This Recipe:
- It's healthy - This salad includes many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it a healthy choice for a balanced diet.
- It's tasty - The combination of flavors will have you coming back for seconds.
- It's easy - With easy-to-find ingredients, it's a simple recipe for beginners.
- It's seasonal - Its refreshing crunch makes it an ideal dish for warm summer days and family get-togethers.
If you like Asian Cuisine, you may also like our Poke Bowl with Seared Ahi Tuna.
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Ingredients
- Cucumber - Crisp and refreshing, English cucumbers with their thin skin are the star of this salad, providing a delightful crunch with every mouthful.
- Red Onion - This colorful and mildly tangy onion variety adds a pop of color and a subtle sweet note to the salad.
- Scallions - Also known as green onions, they bring a fresh and mild onion flavor, perfectly complementing the other ingredients.
- Rice Wine Vinegar - With its mild acidity, rice wine vinegar adds a delightful tang to the dressing, balancing the flavors.
- Soy Sauce - As a classic Asian condiment, soy sauce provides a savory umami taste that enhances the overall depth of the salad.
- Dark Soy Sauce - The dark soy sauce imparts a richer and slightly sweeter flavor, enhancing the color and taste of the dressing.
- Sesame Oil - This aromatic oil brings a nutty and toasty essence, characteristic of Asian cuisine, to the salad.
- Sugar - A touch of sweetness balances the flavors and helps to round out the dressing, harmonizing with the other ingredients.
- Garlic - The minced garlic adds a pungent and aromatic kick, infusing the salad with its robust flavor.
- Ginger - Grated ginger contributes a zesty and warming element, enhancing the dressing with its unique spiciness.
- Spicy Chili Crunch - This exciting ingredient brings the heat to the salad, providing a delightful kick and adding an addictive element to the dish.
- Everything Bagel Seasoning - A creative and unexpected twist, this seasoning adds a burst of diverse flavors and a satisfying crunch to the salad.
- Fresh Cilantro - The fresh cilantro leaves add a refreshing herbal note, brightening up the dish and adding a pop of green color.
Note: Refer to the recipe card below for exact quantities.
Instructions
How to Make Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad (Video Below)
Step One: Prepare the Dressing
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, prepare the dressing by combining rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and spicy chili crunch. Whisk the ingredients together until well combined. Set aside.
Step Two: Prepare the Cucumber Sticks
Next, wash and trim the ends of the cucumbers. Cut each cucumber into quarters lengthwise, and then slice each quartered cucumber stick into smaller, approximately 3-inch long pieces.
Step Three: Combine the Dressing and Cucumbers
Place the cucumber sticks, diced scallions, and thinly sliced red onion into the bowl with the prepared dressing. Gently toss the cucumbers to ensure they are evenly coated with the spicy dressing. For the best results, let the salad marinate in the fridge for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Step Four: Serve and Enjoy
After marinating, sprinkle the Everything bagel seasoning over the cucumber salad, and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves just before serving.
Serve the spicy Asian cucumber salad as a refreshing side dish or a light appetizer.
Substitutions
- Cucumbers - If you can't find English cucumbers, Persian cucumbers, Korean cucumbers, Kirbyx cucumbers, or Japanese cucumbers are great substitutes and can usually be found in Asian markets.
- Spice - If you don't have spicy chili crunch, try using spicy chili flakes or Korean chili powder.
- Sugar - Replace with maple syrup or honey for a touch of sweetness.
- Everything bagel seasoning - Incorporate toasted sesame seeds instead for a nutty taste.
Variations
- Add-ins - Add sliced red pepper or shredded carrots for extra color and crunch.
- Flavor - Try different types of chili oil, red pepper flakes, or chili garlic sauce for a unique flavor twist.
- Method - Use traditional sliced cucumbers in thin or thick rounds. You could also try spiral cucumbers or smashed cucumbers for a fun twist.
Equipment
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- Mixing bowls
- Airtight Container
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Paper Towels (Optional)
Storage
Store any leftover spicy cucumber salad in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. *Note that the cucumbers may release some excess liquid, but you can drain it before serving.
This dish is not freezer friendly.
Note: Refer to Top Tips below for more storage and reheating tips.
Top Tips
Sprinkle the cucumber slices with a pinch of salt and let them sit for a few minutes. Afterward, rinse and pat them dry to remove any excess salt. This simple step will draw out excess moisture, preventing the dish from becoming watery and ensuring a delightful crunch.
Before mixing the dressing with the cucumbers, let the cucumber sticks sit on a paper towel briefly to remove excess water.
To retain the crispness of the fresh cucumber, avoid marinating the salad for too long.
More Recipes
Have leftover ingredients?
- Spicy chili crunch can be served with noodles, soups, or even used to fry with eggs.
- Leftover red onion and scallions can be used in a variety of dishes. Chop them up and add them to salads, stir-fries, omelets, or soups for a burst of flavor and color.
- Use your soy sauces in other Asian recipes, such as fried rice, noodle dishes, or as a dipping sauce for dumplings.
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📖 Recipe
Easy Asian Cucumber Salad (Spicy)
Equipment
- Airtight Container
- Paper Towels (Optional)
Ingredients
- 2 Jumbo English cucumbers or 3 regular size
- ¼ red onion thinly sliced
- 1-2 scallions diced
- ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce for added richness, can substitute with regular soy sauce
- 1.5 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger grated
- 2 tablespoon spicy chili crunch adjust according to your spice preference
- Everything bagel seasoning to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, prepare the dressing by combining rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and spicy chili crunch. Whisk the ingredients together until well combined. Set aside.
- Wash the cucumbers thoroughly and trim the ends. Cut each cucumber into quarters lengthwise. Then, slice each quartered cucumber stick into smaller pieces, about 3 inches long, creating cucumber sticks.
- Add the cucumber sticks, diced scallions, and thinly sliced red onion into the bowl with the prepared dressing.
- Toss the vegetables gently in the dressing, making sure they are evenly coated. Let the cucumber mixture marinate in the dressing for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Sprinkle the Everything bagel seasoning over the cucumber salad, adjusting the amount to your taste preference, then garnish with fresh cilantro leaves just before serving.
- Serve the Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad immediately as a great side dish or a light appetizer.
Video
Notes
- Cucumbers - If you can't find English cucumbers, Persian cucumbers or Japanese cucumbers are excellent substitutes.
- Spice - If you don't have spicy chili crunch, try using spicy chili flakes or Korean chili powder.
- Sugar - Replace with maple syrup or honey for a touch of sweetness.
- Everything bagel seasoning - Incorporate toasted sesame seeds instead for a nutty taste.
FAQ
Yes, you can prepare the salad in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. However, for the best texture, it's best to consume it within 2 days.
While English cucumbers are recommended for their thin skin and crispness, you can use regular cucumbers or other cucumber varieties if that's what you have available.
Salting cucumbers is done to remove excess moisture from the vegetable, as cucumbers have a high water content. This helps improve their texture, making them crisper and firmer.
Food Safety
- Wash hands and create a clean work area.
- Rinse fresh produce thoroughly.
- Do not use the same cutting board or utensils on cooked food or produce, that previously touched raw meat or seafood.
- Do not leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
Enjoy the delicious and refreshing Asian Spicy Cucumber Salad Recipe - your perfect side dish for summer gatherings or an easy weeknight dinner! Share your creation on one of our social media platforms and let others enjoy the delightful flavors, too. Happy cooking!
Nicholas Benedetto
Looks like the best one yet. Still think it needs celery, like the red peppers too. Green olives and I'm sold.
Jami Powell
Thank you, Nicholas. Feel free to add them! I always encourage everyone to adjust recipes to their own taste preferences. 😊