Spicy and Sweet Cucumber Salad with Gochujang
Best Side Dish Recipe! Crispy Cucumber Salad with Gochujang Sauce
When you find yourself out of side dishes in the fridge, try making this refreshing and crispy raw cucumber salad. The spicy and sweet gochujang dressing will awaken your appetite, making it a perfect accompaniment to rice or even a great snack. Let me guide you through this easy-to-follow cucumber salad recipe.
Main Ingredients
- 1 cucumber (approx. 198g)
- 1/4 onion (approx. 41g)
- 1 Tbsp chopped green onion
- 0.3 Tbsp minced garlic
Spicy and Sweet Cucumber Salad Dressing
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1.3~1.4 Tbsp Soy Sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp White Sugar
- 0.5 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- Generous amount of Sesame Seeds (for garnish)
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1.3~1.4 Tbsp Soy Sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp White Sugar
- 0.5 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- Generous amount of Sesame Seeds (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s clean the cucumber thoroughly. Take a little coarse salt in your hand and gently rub the surface of the cucumber. This helps remove any fine hairs or impurities, ensuring a cleaner dish. Afterwards, rinse it under running water and pat it dry with a paper towel or clean cloth.
Step 2
Once the cucumber is dry, trim off the very ends and slice it diagonally to about 3mm thickness. Slicing it too thick might prevent the dressing from penetrating well, while slicing it too thin can make it mushy. Aim for a consistent, moderate thickness.
Step 3
Thinly julienne the onion to about 3mm thickness, similar to the cucumber slices. Finely chop the green onion. Prepare 0.3 Tbsp of minced garlic. These ingredients will add depth of flavor to your salad.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the delicious dressing! In a bowl, combine 1 Tbsp white sugar, 1.3 Tbsp soy sauce (you can add up to 1.4 Tbsp depending on your preference), 1 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp gochujang, and 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil. Using a clean spatula or spoon, mix all the ingredients thoroughly until the sugar is well dissolved.
Step 5
Add the sliced cucumber, julienned onion, prepared minced garlic, and chopped green onion to the well-mixed dressing. All the vegetables are now ready to be coated!
Step 6
It’s time to mix everything together evenly. Gently toss with a spoon to ensure the dressing coats all the vegetables. If you prefer mixing by hand, wearing disposable gloves is a good option. However, be mindful that the heat from your hands can make the cucumbers soften quickly. For maximum crispiness, mix as quickly and lightly as possible!
Step 7
After mixing, it’s crucial to taste and adjust the seasoning. If it feels a bit bland, add a little more soy sauce to match your palate. Feel free to adjust the sweetness or spiciness to your liking.
Step 8
Finally, sprinkle a generous amount of sesame seeds over the finished salad for an extra nutty aroma and flavor. This completes the preparation of your crispy and flavorful Gochujang Cucumber Salad! Enjoy it with freshly cooked rice.
