Description
Korean cucumber salad delivers a zesty crunch that dances between heat and refreshment. Crisp cucumbers mingle with gochugaru and sesame, creating a side dish perfect for summer meals and barbecue gatherings you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cucumbers
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon (12.5 grams) sugar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 green onion, sliced
Garnish:
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife, delicately slice cucumbers into translucent, uniform thin rounds and transfer to a mixing vessel.
- Create a vibrant marinade by whisking together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, minced garlic, and fiery gochugaru until the sugar completely dissolves.
- Drench the cucumber slices with the prepared sauce, gently tossing to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated with the zesty dressing.
- Refrigerate the salad for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the cucumbers to absorb the complex flavor profile and become slightly pickled.
- Just before presenting, sprinkle freshly sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds across the top, adding a crunchy textural contrast and visual appeal.
Notes
- Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing gochugaru for personal heat preference.
- For a gluten-free version, replace traditional soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
- Ensure cucumbers are fresh and crisp to maintain a satisfying crunch in the salad.
- Prep the salad ahead of time for deeper flavor infusion, allowing ingredients to meld together for maximum taste impact.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Marinating
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 63 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 910 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg