Crisp and Refreshing Cucumber Salad Recipe
Super Easy! Crisp Cucumber Salad That Even Beginners Can Make Without Failure
Introducing a cucumber salad recipe that anyone can easily make using fresh cucumbers. Its crisp texture and sweet and sour flavor are appetite-stimulating, making it an excellent side dish for special occasions or everyday meals. I’ll guide you through it in a detailed and friendly way, so even cooking beginners can follow along without worry!
Main Ingredients
- 3 cucumbers
- A small amount of green onion (scallion)
- 1 Tbsp coarse salt (for salting cucumbers)
Seasoning Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar (or regular vinegar)
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar (or regular vinegar)
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, it’s important to wash the cucumbers thoroughly. Use a soft scrubber or a clean kitchen towel to gently rub the skin clean. Then, slice the cucumbers into rounds about 0.5 cm thick. Slicing them too thin might reduce the crispness, and too thick might prevent the seasoning from penetrating well, so aim for a moderate thickness.
Step 2
Add 1 tablespoon of coarse salt to the sliced cucumbers and mix them well by gently massaging them with your hands. Salting the cucumbers this way draws out moisture, enhancing their crispness and lightly seasoning them. Let them salt for about 15 to 20 minutes. Stir them once halfway through to ensure even salting.
Step 3
Once the cucumbers are well-salted, rinse them lightly once or twice under cold running water to remove excess saltiness. Washing them for too long can wash away their flavor, so rinse them quickly. Drain the rinsed cucumbers completely in a colander. If water remains, the seasoning can become diluted, so it’s a good idea to gently squeeze out excess water with your hands.
Step 4
It’s best to use only the white part of the green onion. Wash the white part clean, then cut it in half lengthwise and finely mince it. The refreshing aroma of the green onion will enhance the flavor of the cucumber salad.
Step 5
Now it’s time to combine all the ingredients! Add the thoroughly drained cucumbers, the prepared minced green onion, and the seasoning ingredients (gochugaru, minced garlic, vinegar, sugar) to a bowl. Do not add the sesame seeds yet.
Step 6
Gently mix everything together with your hands. It’s important to toss them lightly so that the seasoning coats the cucumbers and green onions evenly. Finally, add 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds for a nutty flavor and mix once more lightly. Your delicious cucumber salad is ready! Taste it and adjust any flavors to your preference by adding more sugar or vinegar if needed. You can enjoy it immediately, or chill it in the refrigerator for an even more refreshing taste.
