Spicy Cucumber Salad

Enjoy this cool, crisp cucumber salad with a spicy yet easy dressing that will delight you. Perfect for a healthy snack, appetizer, or side dish for your favorite grilled protein.

Jump to:

• Why this works
• Ingredients for Cucumber Salad
• Ingredient notes
• How to make a spicy cucumber salad
• Expert tips
• FAQs
• Serving suggestions
• Storage & Reheating
• More dinner recipes
• Recipe

Why this works

A spicy cucumber salad is bold with flavor. It's a dish that invites you to experience the crunch of fresh cucumbers spiced up with a tangy, heat-infused dressing. The inherently refreshing nature of cucumbers makes them an ideal canvas for spices, herbs, and additional flavor elements like garlic or lime.

This recipe is as forgiving as it is adaptable; whether you're a spice aficionado or new to the world of heat, you can adjust the level to suit your comfort zone. Preparing this dish takes minutes, making it a go-to for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.

Plus, it’s an excellent way to add flavor and nutrients to your meal without piling on calories. Whether serving it as a vibrant side dish at a barbecue or enjoying it as a standalone snack, a spicy cucumber salad is a versatile, mouthwatering addition to any meal.

Ingredients for Cucumber Salad

Here is a quick snapshot of the ingredients you'll need for this recipe. Scroll to the recipe card, where you will find the exact measurements.

Ingredient notes

• English cucumber - I prefer English cucumbers as the seeds are not huge. You can also use regular cucumbers or small snack-size ones as well.
• Shallots - are preferred for their mild taste for this recipe, but green onions will also work. I would recommend staying away from red or Spanish onions for this recipe.
• Japanese BBQ Sauce - can usually be found at your local grocery store. It is a delicious soy sauce with lots of additional ingredients.
• Miso paste - this is a bean paste that helps to balance the spiciness of the chili crunch.

How to make a spicy cucumber salad

Step 1: Salt the cucumbers

Thinly slice the cucumbers and place them in a medium-sized bowl. Pour the salt over and toss it with the cucumbers. Set aside for 10 minutes.

Salting the cucumbers will remove the excess moisture so the marinade will not be watered down. It will also allow the cucumbers to retain their crispness.

Step 2: Prepare the marinade

In a small bowl, stir together the Japanese BBQ sauce, chili crunch, rice wine vinegar, miso paste, everything bagel seasoning, and minced garlic.

Step 3: Drain the cucumbers

You can remove the moisture by allowing the salted cucumbers to sit in a colander while they salt or squeeze the excess liquid out with paper towels.

Step 4: Finish the cucumber salad

Add the prepared cucumbers to a bowl with the shallots and marinade. Stir together to combine.

Expert tips

You can adjust the spice level by using less or more chili crunch. You can also add chili oil.

Be careful not to let the cucumbers stay salted for a long time, or they will begin to break down. For more texture, you can also smash the cucumber before slicing it on the counter a few times to create nooks and crannies for the marinade to infuse in.

FAQs

Serving suggestions

Serve this cool spicy cucumber salad with grilled chicken or pork on it's own or as a healthy side for a sandwich.

Storage & Reheating

Store for up to one week in an airtight container.

More dinner recipes

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