I have He had a garden For many years now and every spring I look forward to getting my hands back in the dirt! Cucumbers are one of the easy vegetables I often find growing in my backyard. It’s a perfect, refreshing side dish on warm days, especially when served in an Asian cucumber salad.
Veggies don’t have to be boring when they’re topped with a delicious (and healthy!) sauce. Some of my kids’ favorite sauces for dipping vegetables include homemade sauces Ranch sauce or French onion dip. This recipe provides another option to get kids (and adults) more excited about eating vegetables.
Spicy cucumber salad recipe
The ingredients are very simple and the recipe only requires about 10 minutes of work time. You’ve probably seen this Spicy 3-Ingredient Cucumber Salad, but this version has more complex flavors. However, it only takes a few minutes to mix the sauce.
Coconut Amino Or soy sauce adds a subtle umami flavor, raw honey adds sweetness and minerality, and chopped peanuts add an addictive crunch. The rice vinegar helps cut through the earthy flavors and sweetness of the honey to really balance the mixture. Plus there are the added flavors of parsley, garlic and black pepper.
The spice in this spicy cucumber salad comes from red hot pepper flakes that add a nice heat. If your family doesn’t like it because it’s spicy (or doesn’t like it at all), reduce or eliminate it. Do you like it really hot? Feel free to add more! Just make sure to taste it first before adding more and adjust to taste.
Preparing cucumbers
I usually chop my veggies in the food processor and call it a day, but this Asian cucumber salad has an extra step. By sprinkling the fillets with some salt first and then patting them dry, this reduces some of the excess moisture. Cucumbers are mostly water, and when they’re added to a salad like this, they can get really watery. It’s a simple step that allows the cucumbers to absorb all that delicious sauce.
Here’s how to make it!
Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe
This delicious Asian cucumber salad recipe is a spicy, salty, and refreshing side dish. Full of flavor and nutrition, they’re a summer staple!
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Place the cucumber slices in a single layer on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of salt evenly and leave for 10 minutes to remove excess moisture.
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Rinse the salted cucumber slices under cold water, then dry them well with paper towels. This step prevents the sauce from becoming watery and ensures the best absorption of flavour.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together coconut aminos, rice vinegar, natural peanut butter, raw honey, garlic, dried red pepper flakes, ground black pepper, and fresh parsley until smooth and fully combined.
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Add the dried cucumber slices to the peanut sauce and stir until each slice is well coated. Transfer to a serving plate and garnish with chopped pistachios.
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Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour.
Nutrition facts
Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 Serving)
Calories 204
Calories from fat 117
% Daily Value*
fat 13 grams20%
Saturated fat 2 grams13%
Polyunsaturated fats 4 grams
Monounsaturated fat 6 grams
Sodium 479 mg21%
Potassium 434 mg12%
Carbohydrates 17 grams6%
Fiber 3 grams13%
Sugar 8 grams9%
protein 8 grams16%
Vitamin A 476 IU10%
Vitamin C 7mg8%
Calcium 56 mg6%
iron 2 mg11%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Adjust the spice level to your preference by adding more or less chili flakes
Shelf life and storage
This is one of those recipes that will taste better if you wait a bit. You can eat this recipe right away or you can let the sauce steep in the cucumbers for an hour first to let the flavors marry. Keep any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Unless you like soft peanuts, save them for garnish just before serving.
More addictive salad recipes
Here are some veggie-packed salad recipes that I love to eat when the weather starts to warm up.
What are some of your favorite easy and healthy side dishes? Leave a comment and let us know!
