Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe with Gochugaru
A quick and flavorful Korean cucumber salad featuring the smoky heat of gochugaru, crisp cucumbers, and a tangy dressing. Perfect as a refreshing side dish with a gentle warmth that lingers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium English cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Slice the cucumbers into rounds about 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick using a sharp knife.
- Place the sliced cucumbers in a colander or bowl, sprinkle evenly with 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and toss gently to coat. Let sit for 15-20 minutes to draw out excess water.
- While cucumbers are salting, mix together 2 tablespoons gochugaru, 2 cloves minced garlic, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and 1 teaspoon sugar in a small bowl until sugar dissolves.
- After 20 minutes, gently squeeze the cucumbers to remove as much liquid as possible and pat dry with paper towels if needed.
- Transfer cucumbers to a clean mixing bowl, pour the dressing over them, and toss gently but thoroughly to coat every slice.
- Fold in 2 sliced green onions and sprinkle 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds on top for garnish.
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld (optional but recommended).
Notes
Do not skip the salting step to avoid soggy salad. Gently toss cucumbers to preserve crunch. Adjust gochugaru amount to control heat. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Salad can be made ahead and chilled for better flavor. Avoid microwaving to keep cucumbers crisp.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 2
- Saturated Fat: 0.3
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
Keywords: spicy cucumber salad, Korean cucumber salad, gochugaru salad, quick cucumber salad, Korean side dish, spicy salad, easy cucumber recipe