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Fresh Korean-Style Cucumber Salad Recipe with Spicy Gochugaru Dressing

Korean-style cucumber salad - featured image
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A quick and refreshing Korean-style cucumber salad featuring a bold, spicy gochugaru dressing that balances heat, tang, and sweetness perfectly.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium English cucumbers, thinly sliced
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes)
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
  • Optional: small splash of soy sauce or tamari

Instructions

  1. Rinse and dry the English cucumbers. Thinly slice into rounds about 1/8 inch thick. Optionally, sprinkle with salt, toss, and let sit in a colander for 10 minutes, then rinse and pat dry.
  2. In a small bowl or jar, combine 1 to 2 tablespoons gochugaru, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, 1 teaspoon sugar, minced garlic, and ½ teaspoon salt. Stir or shake until sugar dissolves and ingredients blend well. Adjust gochugaru to desired heat.
  3. Place sliced cucumbers in a mixing bowl. Add thinly sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Pour the dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat evenly.
  4. Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and cucumbers to soak up the dressing while remaining crisp.
  5. Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or vinegar if needed. Serve chilled.

Notes

Salting cucumbers and draining excess water helps keep the salad crisp. Toast sesame seeds carefully to avoid bitterness. Use less dressing to prevent sogginess and add more if needed. Resting the salad chilled enhances flavor melding. Store in airtight container refrigerated up to 2 days, best eaten within 24 hours. For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce or omit soy sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: cucumber salad, Korean salad, gochugaru, spicy cucumber salad, easy cucumber salad, Korean side dish, vegan salad, gluten-free salad

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