Crispy, Sweet, and Tangy Cucumber Salad Recipe
Boost Your Appetite with This Spicy and Refreshing Cucumber Salad!
A summer delight! Easily make this cucumber salad at home, featuring a perfect harmony of crisp texture and sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. It’s ideal as a side dish for rice or as a savory snack with drinks.
Cucumber Salad Basic Ingredients
- 1/2 cucumber (medium size)
- 1/2 onion (medium size)
- A pinch of coarse salt (for salting cucumbers)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the half cucumber thoroughly, pat it dry, and slice it diagonally (at an angle) about 0.3 cm thick. Slicing it this way helps the dressing penetrate better, making it more flavorful.
Step 2
Add a pinch of coarse salt to the sliced cucumber and gently toss to salt it for 5-10 minutes. Salting draws out excess moisture, maintaining a crisp texture, and also removes any bitterness. Be careful not to let the cucumber become too soft while salting.
Step 3
Peel, wash, and thinly julienne the half onion (about 0.2 cm thick). The thinner you slice it, the better it will blend with the cucumber and the less pungent it will taste.
Step 4
Once the cucumber is well-salted, rinse it under cold running water a couple of times to remove the saltiness. Then, squeeze out as much water as possible with your hands. If excess water remains, the salad will taste bland, so thorough squeezing is crucial.
Step 5
Add the thinly julienned onion to the bowl with the squeezed cucumber, preparing to mix them. Adding the onion first and then the dressing can cause the ingredients and seasoning to separate. It’s better to combine them after the cucumber has been salted.
Step 6
Now it’s time to make the delicious seasoning. Add 1 Tbsp of red pepper flakes (gochugaru) to the bowl to give it color. You can adjust the spiciness by changing the amount of gochugaru.
Step 7
Next, add 1 Tbsp of soy sauce for umami. Keep in mind that the overall saltiness will change depending on the amount of soy sauce used.
Step 8
For sweetness, add 1 Tbsp of maple syrup. You can substitute with sugar or corn syrup. Adjust the sweetness to your preference.
Step 9
Add 6 Tbsp of vinegar for a tangy flavor. If you prefer it more sour, you can add a little more; if you prefer it less sour, reduce the amount. Vinegar is key to the refreshing taste of this cucumber salad.
Step 10
If you desire a spicier kick, finely mince 1 chili pepper and add it. Removing the seeds before mincing allows you to control the heat level. You can omit this if you don’t enjoy spicy food.
Step 11
Combine all the prepared seasoning ingredients with the cucumber and onion in the bowl. Gently toss everything together until the dressing is evenly coated on the cucumber and onion. Avoid tossing too vigorously, as this can break down the cucumber pieces.
Step 12
Finally, sprinkle a generous amount of sesame seeds for a nutty aroma, and your delicious cucumber salad is complete. Rubbing the sesame seeds between your palms before adding them can enhance their fragrance.
Step 13
Enjoy this homemade sweet, sour, and spicy cucumber salad with your meal! It’s the perfect dish for when you’re not feeling particularly hungry. It tastes best when freshly prepared and served immediately.
