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–+ servings
Asian cucumber salad in white bowl
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5 from 2 votes

Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad

Throwback to TikTok 2021 with this easy spicy Asian cucumber salad. It's crisp, refreshing, and bursting with flavor. You can slice the cucumbers any way you like, or try the fun spiral cut for a little nostalgia.
Prep Time15 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Asian
Diet: Gluten Free
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 44kcal
Author: Traci

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 English Cucumber * or other cucumber variety
  • 1 or 2 stalks Green Onion thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup Rice Vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Honey
  • 1 teaspoon Chili Crisp Oil * or other flavored ingredients
  • 1 teaspoon Sesame Seeds black or white
  • 1 clove Garlic finely grated
  • ¼ cup Fresh Cilantro finely chopped

Instructions

  • Slice CUCUMBERS any way you like (thin slices, half moons, etc.). Or try the fun, social media viral 2021 spiral cut:
  • Place cucumber between two chopsticks on a cutting board. Slice diagonally ⅛–¼ inch apart, letting the chopsticks stop the blade before cutting all the way through.
    cucumber between two wooden chopsticks on cutting board is being sliced by knife in a person's hands
  • Bend the cucumber gently to make sure can see the how first cuts open up.
    hands holding cucumber by both ends, bending it to reveal the slicing results
  • Flip cucumber over and slice perpendicular to the first cuts, using the same spacing.
    cucumber between two wooden chopsticks on cutting board is being sliced by knife in a person's hands
  • Stretch it out to reveal the spiral shape, then cut into 2-inch sections for easier serving — or leave it whole if you want a long cucumber spiral.
    up close view of spiral sliced cucumber
  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together GREEN ONIONS, RICE VINEGAR, SOY SAUCE, HONEY, CHILI OIL, SESAME SEEDS, GARLIC and CILANTRO until well combined.
    wire whisk and dressing ingredients in glass mixing bowl
  • Combine the cucumbers and dressing and rest for 15 minutes to develop flavor.
    Asian dressing is poured over sliced cucumber in glass mixing bowl
  • Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. Note: the cucumber softens during this time.

Video

Notes

Choosing cucumbers – Thin-skinned, seedless varieties such as English or Persian cucumbers work best. If using thick-skinned cucumbers, I recommend peeling and removing seeds for better texture.
Slicing options – Cut cucumbers into thin slices or half moons if you don't want to use the spiral cut.
No salting needed – The liquid-based dressing seasons the cucumbers without salting, which can make them overly salty, even if rinsed.
Make ahead – Slice cucumbers and prepare dressing up to 2 days ahead. Store separately, then combine before serving.
Flavor adjustments – Make it sweeter, saltier, or spicier by adjusting ingredients to your liking. You can also use a pinch of gochugaru (Korean pepper powder) and a splash of sesame oil in place of chili crisp oil.
Ingredient swaps – If chili crisp isn’t available, use chili oil, sriracha, or crushed red pepper. Add sesame oil for extra depth.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 44kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 254mg | Potassium: 128mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 84IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.4mg