Crisp and Delicious 5-Minute Cucumber Salad
Master Recipe from Sumi’s Side Dishes! Super Simple Cucumber Salad Made in Just 5 Minutes
I bought cucumbers with the intention of making refreshing kimbap, but ended up making the kimbap without them! Realizing I needed to use the cucumbers before they wilted, I quickly whipped up this cucumber salad for dinner. This dressing recipe is always incredibly delicious, and it’s from Sumi’s famous show! It’s a perfect side dish when you have a poor appetite.
Main Ingredients
- 3 cucumbers
- 1/2 onion
- A little chives (optional)
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 4 tsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 tsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 2 pinches Salt
- 1 Tbsp Sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 4 tsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 tsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 2 pinches Salt
- 1 Tbsp Sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
For those familiar with Sumi’s recipes, you’ll know that measurements are often not leveled off spoons like in standard recipes. Instead, spoons are heaped generously. Keep this in mind when adjusting the dressing consistency.
Step 2
Tip for removing bitterness: The green ends of the cucumber can sometimes be bitter. It’s a good idea to trim off the very ends to ensure a pleasant taste. However, if you enjoy a slightly bitter note, you can skip this step.
Step 3
You can slice the cucumbers however you prefer. I find that slicing them thickly on the diagonal results in a salad that holds more moisture and has a wonderfully crisp texture.
Step 4
Dice the onion into pieces roughly the same size as the cucumber. When cooking, having ingredients cut to similar sizes helps them cook evenly and allows the seasoning to distribute uniformly, making both the preparation and eating experience more enjoyable.
Step 5
Chives are optional, but if you have them on hand, feel free to add them. Wash the chives thoroughly and cut them into approximately 5cm lengths.
Step 6
Combine the sliced cucumber, onion, and chives in a bowl. Add the dressing ingredients: 1 Tbsp Gochujang, 4 tsp Gochugaru, 2 tsp Sugar, 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, 2 pinches of salt, and 1 Tbsp sesame seeds.
Step 7
Gently mix everything with your hands until the dressing is well incorporated. Be especially careful when mixing if you’ve added chives, as they are delicate and can become mushy. While cucumber and onion are quite sturdy, chives require a gentler touch to maintain their texture.
Step 8
Isn’t this incredibly simple? Recipes this easy tend to become favorites that you make often. Enjoy this refreshing cucumber salad, bursting with juicy, crisp cucumber!
