Print

Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe Easy Homemade with Gochugaru and Sesame

spicy korean cucumber salad - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and flavorful Korean cucumber salad featuring crunchy cucumbers, smoky gochugaru, and toasty sesame seeds. Perfect as a spicy, tangy side dish ready in under 15 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium English cucumbers (about 500g / 1 lb), thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon (5g) salt
  • 2 tablespoons (15g) gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
  • 3 tablespoons (45ml) rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free option)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon (4g) sugar
  • 2 teaspoons (8g) toasted sesame seeds
  • 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Slice the cucumbers into thin rounds about 1/8-inch (3mm) thick, yielding around 4 cups (600g) of sliced cucumber. (5 minutes)
  2. Place cucumber slices in a colander or large bowl, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt, toss gently, and let sit for 10 minutes. Press gently to squeeze out excess water and drain well. (15 minutes)
  3. Toast sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and set aside. (3 minutes)
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together gochugaru, rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, and minced garlic until sugar dissolves and mixture is smooth. (5 minutes)
  5. In a large bowl, combine drained cucumbers, sliced green onions, and dressing. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat. (2 minutes)
  6. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the salad and toss lightly. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving to let flavors meld. (15 minutes chilling)

Notes

For best texture, salt and drain cucumbers to remove excess moisture. Adjust gochugaru amount to control spiciness. Toast sesame seeds carefully to avoid burning. Salad can be chilled for 15-30 minutes to meld flavors. Use tamari for gluten-free option. Variations include adding radishes, carrots, or fresh herbs like cilantro or mint.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://blipflavor.com/spicy-korean-cucumber-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-with-gochugaru-and-sesame/