Super Simple Sweet & Tangy Cucumber Salad
The Best 5-Minute Sweet and Tangy Cucumber Salad Recipe for When You’ve Lost Your Appetite
Introducing a refreshing cucumber salad that will awaken your taste buds, perfect for hot weather! This recipe is incredibly easy, requiring only cucumbers and onions. Without needing green onions or garlic, a delicious side dish is ready by simply mixing a sweet and tangy sauce. Since freshness is key, we recommend mixing and serving it immediately. Today, we’ll make a delightful cucumber salad with just one cucumber!
Main Ingredients- 1 cucumber
- 1/4 onion
Sweet & Tangy Dressing- 1/2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1/2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp maesilcheong (plum syrup)
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1/2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp maesilcheong (plum syrup)
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 tsp salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the star of today’s dish: one fresh cucumber and 1/4 onion, which will add a nice crunch.
Step 2
Wash the cucumber thoroughly under running water. Then, slice it into round pieces, about 1 cm thick. To ensure a satisfying bite, avoid slicing them too thinly.
Step 3
Thinly slice the onion into slivers, or chop it into square pieces similar in size to the cucumber slices. Sliced onions will absorb the dressing better.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the sweet and tangy dressing that will be the soul of this dish. Having the dressing ready beforehand makes mixing the ingredients much easier.
Step 5
In a bowl, combine 1/2 Tbsp gochujang, 1/2 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp maesilcheong and 1/2 Tbsp sugar for sweetness, and 1 Tbsp vinegar for a tangy kick. Finally, add 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil and 1/2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds for nuttiness, along with 1/2 tsp salt to season. Mix everything well until evenly combined. Feel free to adjust the sugar or vinegar to your preference.
Step 6
Place the prepared cucumber and onion in a large bowl. Pour all the dressing over them. Gently but thoroughly toss to ensure that the dressing evenly coats every piece of cucumber and onion, without smashing them. Using your hands to gently mix will help maintain the cucumber’s shape.
Step 7
This recipe involves mixing the cucumbers directly without pre-salting them. This method preserves the cucumber’s crisp texture while allowing the flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in a fresher taste.
Step 8
And there you have it! Your super simple, sweet, and tangy cucumber salad is ready in just 5 minutes! It’s a great side dish for any meal, or a perfect light option when you’re not feeling particularly hungry. Enjoy your delicious creation!
