Crispy Korean Cucumber Salad with Gochujang: Super Simple Summer Side Dish
Crispy Korean Cucumber Salad with Gochujang: Super Simple Summer Side Dish
Revitalize Your Summer Appetite with This Easy Cucumber Salad featuring Onion and Gochujang!
As the weather heats up, we all crave refreshing, light meals. This season, a cool and clean side dish like a cucumber salad is particularly appealing. Here’s how to make a delicious cucumber salad perfect for summer, featuring a delightful mix of crispness and flavor!
Cucumber Salad Ingredients- 1 Korean cucumber (large and firm)
- 1/2 medium onion
- A small bunch of chives (optional)
- 1/2 red chili pepper (for color, optional)
Gochujang Cucumber Salad Dressing- 1/2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste – adjust to preserve cucumber’s fresh taste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, heaping)
- 1 Tbsp Maesilcheong (plum extract/syrup, for sweetness and flavor)
- 1 Tbsp Rice vinegar (for tanginess)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar (adjust to taste)
- 0.3 Tbsp Salt (for seasoning)
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced garlic
- A pinch of minced ginger (optional, for aroma)
- A drizzle of sesame oil (for a nutty finish)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 1/2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste – adjust to preserve cucumber’s fresh taste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, heaping)
- 1 Tbsp Maesilcheong (plum extract/syrup, for sweetness and flavor)
- 1 Tbsp Rice vinegar (for tanginess)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar (adjust to taste)
- 0.3 Tbsp Salt (for seasoning)
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced garlic
- A pinch of minced ginger (optional, for aroma)
- A drizzle of sesame oil (for a nutty finish)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the cucumber thoroughly under running water. Gently scrape off any bumps on the cucumber skin using the back of a knife for a cleaner finish.
Step 2
Cut the cucumber into bite-sized pieces. Aim for about 0.5 cm thickness, cutting them roughly or on a slight bias. This way, they’ll retain a satisfyingly crisp bite. (Alternatively, you can thinly slice them diagonally if you prefer.)
Step 3
Cutting the cucumber slightly thicker enhances its refreshing flavor and provides a more robust, crunchy texture as you chew. The satisfying crunch is truly its charm!
Step 4
Slice the onion into similar thicknesses as the cucumber, or chop it roughly. If using chives, cut them into 2-3 cm lengths to add a fragrant aroma. Remove the seeds from the red chili pepper and slice it thinly for a vibrant splash of color. (Chives and red chili are optional.)
Step 5
Now, let’s prepare the star dressing for our Gochujang Cucumber Salad. Instead of making a separate sauce, we’ll mix everything directly in the bowl with the ingredients. Start by adding about 1/2 tablespoon of Gochujang. Be mindful not to add too much, as it can overpower the cucumber’s fresh taste.
Step 6
Next, add a heaping tablespoon of Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) and 1 tablespoon of Maesilcheong (plum extract) for a touch of sweetness and depth. If you don’t have Maesilcheong, you can substitute it with sugar.
Step 7
Add 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar for a pleasant tanginess and 1 tablespoon of sugar to balance the flavors. You can adjust the level of sourness and sweetness to your personal preference. Add more vinegar for extra tang or more sugar for a sweeter profile.
Step 8
Using soy sauce can make the salad watery, so it’s best to season with salt. Add about 0.3 tablespoons of salt and 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic. For an extra layer of flavor, a tiny bit of minced ginger can be added if you have it on hand. (Ginger is optional.)
Step 9
Combine all the prepared ingredients and the dressing in a bowl. Gently toss everything together with your hands until the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Be careful not to knead too vigorously, as this can make the cucumber mushy. A gentle mix is key.
Step 10
Once everything is well combined, finish by drizzling with sesame oil and sprinkling with sesame seeds. The fragrant sesame oil and nutty sesame seeds will elevate the overall taste of the cucumber salad.
Step 11
And there you have it – your super simple Gochujang Cucumber Salad is ready! The dressing clings perfectly to the cucumber, creating a wonderfully tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor. It’s a versatile dish perfect as a side for any meal or even as a snack.
Step 12
The slightly sweet and tangy taste is excellent for stimulating your appetite. By adjusting the sourness and sweetness to your liking, you can create your own perfect version of this cucumber salad. (If using more than one cucumber, consider slightly increasing the dressing ingredients.)
Step 13
I really enjoyed this cucumber salad, which I haven’t made in a while, thanks to its refreshing taste and satisfyingly crunchy texture. It felt great to create such a wonderful summer side dish with minimal ingredients. Try making this cool and delicious cucumber salad with this recipe!
