Introduction

This Spicy Cucumber Salad is a refreshing and zesty side dish perfect for any meal. Crisp cucumbers combined with a flavorful, tangy dressing and a hint of heat make it an instant favorite. It’s quick to prepare and wonderfully satisfying.

This dish shows a white bowl filled with thick slices of bright green cucumbers coated in a light brown sauce. The cucumbers are sprinkled with small tan sesame seeds and thin rings of green onion, adding texture and color contrast. A pair of wooden chopsticks held by a woman's hand is gently picking up a slice from the bowl, emphasizing freshness and detail. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, highlighting the vibrant colors of the cucumbers and toppings. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

8 mini or Persian cucumbers
1 green onion (ends trimmed and finely sliced)
Sesame seeds
1 ½ tbsp low-sodium soy sauce (tamari or coconut aminos if gluten free)
1 ½ tbsp rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
2 large garlic cloves (minced)
1 tsp crushed or full red chili flakes

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the accordion cucumbers by washing, drying, and trimming the ends. Place one cucumber between two chopsticks and cut thin diagonal slices at a 45° angle, stopping at the chopsticks to avoid cutting through. Flip the cucumber and cut perpendicular slices at a 90° angle to create a spiral effect. Cut the spiraled cucumber in half and add to a large mixing bowl. Alternatively, thinly slice the cucumbers using a mandolin.
Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, minced garlic, and red chili flakes to make the dressing. Adjust the flavor if needed to suit your taste.
Step 3: Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and gently toss to coat without breaking the cucumber slices. Garnish with sliced green onion and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For extra crunch, chill the cucumbers before serving.
Use maple syrup instead of honey to keep the salad vegan-friendly.
Add a handful of chopped fresh cilantro or mint for a fresh herbal note.
Adjust the amount of chili flakes to control the spiciness level.

Storage

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The cucumbers may release some water over time, so give the salad a gentle stir before serving again. It’s best enjoyed fresh to maintain its crisp texture. Reheating is not recommended.

How to Serve

A white round plate holds pieces of chopped cucumber, each cut into thick, short slices with a dark green skin and pale green inside. The cucumbers are lightly coated with a dark brown sauce pooling at the base of the plate. Thin slices of light green scallions are scattered on top, adding texture and color. White sesame seeds are sprinkled all over the dish, giving a crunchy look. Two light brown chopsticks grasp a few cucumber pieces on the right side, held by a woman's hand visible at the edge. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular cucumbers instead of mini or Persian cucumbers?

Yes, you can use regular cucumbers but peel them if their skin is thick or waxy to avoid bitterness and extra toughness. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.

How can I make this salad less spicy?

Simply reduce or omit the red chili flakes to make the salad milder. You can also replace them with a pinch of sweet paprika for color without heat.

Spicy Cucumber Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 147 reviews

A vibrant and refreshing Spicy Cucumber Salad featuring crisp Persian cucumbers tossed in a flavorful blend of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, garlic, and red chili flakes, garnished with green onions and toasted sesame seeds. This quick and easy salad offers a perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors, ideal as a light side dish or appetizer.

Author: zara
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

Salad

8 mini or Persian cucumbers
1 green onion (ends trimmed and finely sliced)
Sesame seeds, for garnish

Dressing

1 ½ tbsp low-sodium soy sauce (tamari or coconut aminos if gluten free)
1 ½ tbsp rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp crushed or full red chili flakes

Instructions

Prepare the Accordion Cucumbers: Wash and dry the cucumbers. Trim the ends off. Place each cucumber between two chopsticks and make thin, diagonal cuts at a 45° angle on the top, being careful not to cut all the way through, as the chopsticks will act as a barrier. Flip the cucumber and make cuts at a 90° angle to create a spiral effect. Avoid cutting straight across or repeating the 45° angle to ensure the spiral forms correctly. Cut the spiral cucumbers in half and place them in a large mixing bowl. Alternatively, thinly slice cucumbers using a mandolin.
Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, minced garlic, and red chili flakes until well combined. Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning as desired for balance between salty, sweet, and spicy.
Assemble the Salad: Pour the dressing generously over the prepared cucumbers in the bowl. Gently toss to coat the cucumbers without breaking them apart. Garnish with finely sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing, spicy salad.

Notes

To make this salad gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of regular soy sauce.
Adjust the amount of red chili flakes to control the heat level.
For a vegan version, substitute honey with maple syrup.
Use Persian cucumbers for the best texture and flavor, but mini cucumbers can be used as well.
This salad is best served fresh to maintain cucumber crispness.

Keywords: Spicy cucumber salad, Asian cucumber salad, spicy side dish, cucumber recipe, gluten-free salad, quick cucumber salad