This Spicy Cucumber Salad Recipe is a healthy and refreshing side dish.
Add some canned tuna, cooked shredded chicken, or leftover baked salmon, and it becomes the perfect light summer meal.
It's ready in 15 minutes, infused with a spicy homemade dressing, and topped with crunchy peanuts.
We love crunchy fresh cucumbers in summer salads. And we have a few, like the Cucumber Ricotta Salad, Healthy Cucumber Salad, or Cucumber Avocado Salad.
They all have their own unique flavor, just like this easy recipe, and are great for summer barbecues, potlucks, quick lunches, or complementing an easy weeknight dinner as the perfect side dish.
Let's make this spicy cucumber onion salad!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Refreshingly crunchy: Cucumbers combined with chopped onions and peanuts create that perfect crunch you want from a summer salad.
- Sweet & Spicy: A homemade tangy dressing adds a lovely kick and a touch of sweetness, complementing the coolness of fresh cucumbers.
- Easy to make: This spicy cucumber salad requires only a few fresh ingredients and a few minutes.
- Healthy: This delicious salad is hydrating, low in calories, and overall a healthy dish.
Ingredients & Substitutions
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
This is what you need to make this spicy cucumber salad, including the dressing ingredients.
Cucumbers: Use preferably Japanese or English cucumbers. With their thin skin and sweeter flavors, they are really the best choice here. Persian cucumbers are a great alternative.
Onion: I prefer the milder taste of a shallot, but red onions are a great alternative if you want a spicier kick.
Raw garlic: One large garlic clove is all you need.
Peanuts: Go for roasted and unsalted, so you control the level of saltiness in this spicy cucumber salad. Leftovers can be used to make this chocolate peanut butter spread.
Sesame seeds: You can go for raw or toasted.
Sugar: I use coconut sugar, but brown sugar is a great alternative to add that touch of sweetness.
Olive oil: avocado oil is a great alternative.
Lemon juice: Instead of using a vinegar base, lemon juice keeps it refreshing and citrusy.
Liquid aminos: To keep it healthy, I prefer this sauce (it's gluten-free and Paleo-friendly). Tamari or coconut aminos are a great alternative. if using soy sauce (not gluten-free), know that liquid aminos are less salty, sweeter, and lightly milder in taste. So adjust according to taste.
Seasoning: Salt, red pepper, or red chili flakes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
See the full recipe with measurements in the recipe card.
Step 1: Place chopped cucumbers in a large mixing bowl and stir in salt. Let it sit for 10 minutes to release extra liquid.
Step 2: Add all the rest of the ingredients (except peanuts) into a small bowl to combine—set aside the dressing.
Step 3: Place peanuts on a cutting board and chop with a large knife to gently break them apart.
Step 4: Drain any excess moisture from the cucumber bowl. Then combine the cucumbers with the salad dressing and the crushed peanuts.
This recipe is a quick and easy way to make a refreshing and spicy cucumber salad that is perfect for any occasion.
Note: There are other ways to easily crush peanuts. You can place them between two pieces of parchment paper or put them in a plastic bag and use a rolling pin or meat mallet. You can also pound them coarsely in a mortar with a pestle.
Helpful Tips
- Don't skip resting the cucumbers in salt for 10 minutes and drawing out any excess water. Otherwise, the salad will become too watery.
- Make the dressing in advance and keep it in the fridge for whenever you crave this spicy cucumber salad.
- Make slight changes to either the spiciness or sweetness of the salad dressing based on taste (make it your own).
- Feel free to mix in some fresh herbs like cilantro to switch it up.
What To Serve With Spicy Cucumber Salad
Here are just a few suggestions:
- Enjoy as an easy appetizer or mix in proteins of choice to make it a quick lunch.
- Or mix in white rice and shredded cooked chicken as a main course.
- Serve as a side dish with Bison Meatballs, Marinated Chicken Wings, Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs, or Juicy Beef Burgers.
Storage
- Refrigerate: Store this Spicy Cucumber Salad in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- Re-toss before serving.
More Easy Cucumber Recipes You Might Like
This spicy cucumber salad is a refreshing and flavorful side dish that pairs well with (grilled) meats, seafood, or tofu. Enjoy!
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📖 Recipe
Easy Spicy Cucumber Salad With Peanuts
Mariska RamondinoIngredients
- 2 large English cucumbers or 6 Persian cucumbers cut in half and coarsely chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 large minced garlic
- ½ shallot finely chopped or minced 35 grams
- 1 teaspoon coconut or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon (toasted) sesame seeds
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons liquid aminos or Tamari Sauce
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup crushed peanuts, unsalted 33 grams
Instructions
- Place the cucumbers in a large bowl and stir in the salt. Let it sit for 10 minutes to release extra liquid.2 large English cucumbers or 6 Persian cucumbers, 1 teaspoon salt
- In the meantime, stir garlic, onion, sugar, sesame seeds, red pepper flakes, olive oil, liquid aminos, and lemon juice in a small bowl until well combined. Set aside.1 large minced garlic, ½ shallot finely chopped or minced, 1 teaspoon coconut or brown sugar, 1 teaspoon (toasted) sesame seeds, ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or chili flakes, 1 teaspoon olive oil, 2 teaspoons liquid aminos or Tamari Sauce, 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- Place peanuts on a cutting board and chop with a large knife to gently break them apart.¼ cup crushed peanuts, unsalted
- Drain the cucumbers to remove any extra liquid.
- Place the cucumbers in a serving bowl and add the reserved dressing to combine.
- Top with crushed peanuts and combine well. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Don't skip resting the cucumbers in salt for 10 minutes and draining any excess water. Otherwise, the salad will become too watery.
- Make the dressing in advance and keep it in the fridge for whenever you crave this spicy cucumber salad.
- Make slight changes to either the spiciness or sweetness of the salad dressing based on taste (make it your own).
- Liquid aminos: it's gluten-free, contain less salt, no chemical preservatives, and is a healthier alternative to soy sauce. Coconut aminos and gluten-free Tamari sauce are also great options.
- Onions: I prefer the milder taste of a shallot, but red onion is a great alternative but will come with a stronger oniony taste.
- Olive oil: avocado oil is a great alternative.
- Refrigerate: Store this Spicy Cucumber Salad in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. Re-toss before serving.
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Nutrition (% Daily value)
Disclaimer: This nutritional data is calculated using third party tools and is only intended as a reference.
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