Easy Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe

This easy spicy Asian cucumber salad makes the perfect side dish! Crunchy cucumbers topped with spicy dressing creates a flavorful and refreshing side that pairs well with just about everything. This simple dish is sure to be a hit, and adds a fun spicy taste of Asian cuisine to any meal!

Side dishes aren’t really my thing, while I love sitting down to a nice homecooked meal, complete with drinks, a main dish, and several sides, I can honestly say I suck at making sides.

Either I forget to plan and shop for them all together, or I simply run out of time while I’m making dinner. This has led me to try and find as many quick and easy side dishes to fall back on as I possibly can.

While most of those recipes are made using potatoes, I do try to find good side dishes that feature fresh veggies or leafy greens as the main ingredients. I will always love mashed potato, but every now and then I want something different, something more exciting and flavorful, especially during the summer. 

Over the past couple of years, I’ve been trying to find more light, cold, and refreshing side dish recipes to make when it’s just too darn hot to cook, and I don’t really feel like eating. And out of all the recipes I’ve tried, I can honestly say this spicy cucumber salad is my favorite!

This easy Asian-inspired recipe is not only packed full of flavor and just the right amount of heat, but it’s also crisp, cool, and refreshing! It pairs beautifully with just about any dish and is a great way to add more diversity to your meals.

Plus it’s super easy to make, and can even be prepped the day before, meaning this salad is perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute togethers!

What to Serve spicy cucumbers with

These easy spicy cucumbers make the perfect dish for just about anything! They are great served with chicken, beef, pork, and even seafood. They are a great side dish for both Asian and American cuisine. Here are some of my favorite main dishes to serve with this spicy Asian cucumber salad recipe!

• spicy peanut ramen
• Spicy Gochujang Noodles
• Korean bbq
• egg rolls
• stir fry
• sesame chicken
• Mongolian beef 
• bang bang shrimp
• spicy tofu

How to Make Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad

Ingredients

• fresh cucumbers, I love to use mini cucumbers for this recipe. But you can also use regular cucumbers, English cucumbers, Persian cucumbers, or Japanese cucumbers.
• sea salt
• garlic cloves, minced
• soy sauce
• rice vinegar
• white sugar OR cane sugar
• sesame oil
• sesame seeds
• green onions, thinly sliced
• chili oil OR crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

Wash and cut the ends off your cucumbers, then spiral cut them. To do this,  place one cucumber between two chopsticks(be sure to use a pair of chopsticks you don’t mind nicking. I like to use chopsticks leftover from takeout.)  Make thin diagonal slices on top of the cucumber, then flip the cucumber over and do the same on the other side. Cut the cucumber in half, and place it in a large bowl. Repeat with the remaining cucumbers.

Note. If you are using large or regular-sized cucumbers for this recipe, I would recommend cutting them into halves or thirds, before creating the spiral cuts. This makes them a bit smaller and easier to hold on to.

Sprinkle the 1 tbsp of salt over the cucumbers and toss with your hands, allow the cucumbers to sit for 5 minutes. Then place the cucumber pieces in a colendar, rise gently with cold water, and set aside. 

In a medium bowl, combine the dressing ingredients and whisk to combine. Taste and add more chili oil if needed. 

If you like you can pat your cucumber pieces dry with a paper towel to get rid of any excess moisture, but personally, I never do. 

Add the cucumber pieces to the dressing and toss gently to combine.

Spicy cucumber salad can be served immediately or placed in the fridge until ready to serve.

Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Any leftover salad can in stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days! I love to prep this salad ahead of time, as I feel it gives the cucumbers more time to soak up the dressing!

If you don’t want to spiel your cucumbers you can easily use cucumber slices, cubes, or chunks for this recipe! 

I also love to add a thinly sliced white or red onion to this salad every now and then to give it an extra crunch! 

Chili oil should be pretty easy to find at your local grocery store, but if you are having trouble finding some, it can also be ordered online, or made at home! Or you can simply use crushed red pepper flakes instead!