Description
This Spicy Cucumber Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish featuring crisp mini or Persian cucumbers sliced in an eye-catching accordion style, coated in a tangy, slightly sweet, and spicy dressing. Garnished with green onions and toasted sesame seeds, it offers a perfect balance of heat and freshness, ideal as a light side dish or a snack for warmer days.
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, dry, and trim the ends off each cucumber. Place one cucumber between two chopsticks to act as a guard, then slice thin diagonal cuts at a 45° angle along the cucumber without cutting all the way through. Flip the cucumber over and make cuts at a 90° angle to create a spiral pattern. Cut each spiraled cucumber in half and place into a large mixing bowl. Alternatively, thinly slice cucumbers using a mandolin.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together low-sodium soy sauce (or gluten-free alternative), rice or white wine vinegar, sesame oil, honey or maple syrup, minced garlic, and red chili flakes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Assemble the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the cucumbers and gently toss to combine, being careful not to break the delicate cucumber slices. Garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- English Cucumber Alternative: For accordion cucumbers, stick to mini or Persian cucumbers, but you can use an English cucumber cut into bite-sized pieces or slices if desired.
- 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 lettuce to add volume.
- Serving Suggestions: This spicy cucumber salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, air fryer boneless chicken thighs, Asian chicken meatballs, or air fryer teriyaki chicken. For seafood options, try it alongside furikake salmon bowls, air fryer tilapia, or air fryer teriyaki salmon bites.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days for best freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 65
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 2.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
