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Flavorful Korean Spicy Cucumber Salad with Gochugaru and Sesame Oil

Korean Spicy Cucumber Salad - featured image
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A quick and easy Korean spicy cucumber salad featuring fiery gochugaru and nutty toasted sesame oil, perfect for a refreshing and bold side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 medium English cucumbers or Korean cucumbers, sliced thin (about 1/8-inch thickness)
  • 2 tablespoons gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes)
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt (for salting cucumbers)
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
  • 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Rinse and slice cucumbers into thin rounds (about 1/8-inch thickness). Place slices in a colander and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt. Toss gently to coat and let sit for 15 minutes to draw out excess water.
  2. After 15 minutes, rinse cucumbers briefly under cold water to remove excess salt. Pat dry thoroughly with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to prevent watery salad.
  3. In a small bowl, combine gochugaru, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and minced garlic. Stir until sugar dissolves and mixture is well blended.
  4. Add dried cucumber slices and sliced green onions to the dressing bowl. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat all slices evenly with the dressing.
  5. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top for garnish. Serve immediately or chill in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to let flavors meld.

Notes

Lightly salting cucumbers is essential to keep them crunchy. Adjust gochugaru amount to control heat level. Use toasted sesame oil for best flavor. Add sesame seeds just before serving to keep them crunchy. Can be prepared a few hours ahead and chilled. For gluten-free, substitute tamari for soy sauce. If gochugaru is unavailable, use a mix of smoked paprika and cayenne as a substitute.

Nutrition

Keywords: Korean cucumber salad, spicy cucumber salad, gochugaru salad, sesame oil salad, quick Korean side dish, easy cucumber salad

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/flavorful-korean-spicy-cucumber-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-gochugaru-sesame-oil/