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–+ servings
Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe

Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe

A refreshing Korean cucumber salad featuring a spicy dressing of gochugaru, rice vinegar, and garlic, perfect as a side dish or appetizer.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine Korean
Servings 4 servings
Calories 80 kcal

Equipment

  • mixing bowl

Ingredients
  

Salad Ingredients

  • 1 large seedless English cucumber, sliced medium-thin (about ¼ – ½ inch thick)
  • white sesame seeds for garnish

Dressing Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes)
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine gochugaru, rice vinegar, granulated sugar, minced garlic, and sesame oil. Stir thoroughly until a loose, even paste forms, ensuring the sugar dissolves completely.
  • Add the medium-thin sliced cucumbers to the bowl with the dressing. Using your hands (latex gloves recommended to avoid staining and irritation), massage and mix thoroughly to coat every cucumber slice evenly with the spicy dressing.
  • Cover the bowl and let the salad chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to meld together and the cucumbers to absorb the dressing for the best taste.
  • Transfer the chilled salad to a serving platter or bowl. Garnish generously with white sesame seeds on top for added nuttiness and crunch. Serve immediately to enjoy the freshest texture and vibrant flavors.

Notes

To reduce heat, adjust the amount of gochugaru according to your preference. Use seedless English cucumbers to avoid excess moisture and bitterness. For extra crunch, sprinkle chopped green onions or fresh herbs like cilantro. Chill salad longer for deeper flavor infusion, up to 1 hour. This salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 80kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 0.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 150mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg
Keyword cucumber salad, Korean Cucumber Salad, Korean Recipes, salad recipes, Vegetable Salad
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