Korean Styled Spiral Cucumber Salad Recipe

Savor the crisp, spicy kick of Spiral Cucumber Salad – a fresh take on summer sides, perfect for elevating any meal and adding a healthier touch to your regular meals.

Spiral Cucumber Salad Recipe

Spiral Cucumber Salad offers a burst of coolness and lively spice, mixing succulent cucumber spirals with a spirited dressing. Its unique preparation promises a culinary adventure in every forkful, marrying crunchy textures with the exciting zing of Korean chili flakes and the subtle sweetness of rice vinegar.

Ingredients

• Mini Cucumbers: Ideal are seedless kinds, such as Sunset Grown cucumbers available at Costco. Persian cucumbers can be a substitute.
• Salt: For seasoning and drawing water out of the cucumbers.
• Green Onion: Adds a mild onion flavor without overpowering the dish.
• Gochugaru: Korean chili flakes, essential for the spice mix. You can find this in Asian grocery stores or substitute with crushed red pepper or other chili flakes based on preference.
• Rice Vinegar: Marukan Seasoned Gourmet Rice Vinegar is recommended for its balance of tangy and sweet.
• Garlic Cloves: Raw minced garlic adds a necessary kick.
• Sesame Oil: Provides a rich, nutty aroma and is key in many Korean dishes.
• Sugar: White sugar is used, but other sweeteners like brown sugar or honey can substitute.
• Sesame Seeds: Adds texture and a nutty flavor.

Instructions

How to Cut Accordion Spiral Cucumbers

1. You’ll need a pair of chopsticks, a knife, and a cutting board.
2. Place the cucumber between the chopsticks, which prevent cutting through.
3. Make diagonal slices at a 45° angle across one side of the cucumber.
4. Flip and make straight 90° angle slices on the other side to create spirals.
5. Repeat for all cucumbers.

Keeping Spiral Cucumbers Crunchy

1. After cutting, put cucumbers in a mixing bowl and cover with salt. Mix well.
2. Let it sit for 15 minutes to sweat out water.
3. Rinse off the salt under cold water and pat dry.

Make the Spiral Cucumber Salad Dressing

1. In the same mixing bowl, combine cucumbers with minced garlic, green onions, rice vinegar, Korean chili flakes, sesame oil, sugar, and sesame seeds.
2. Mix gently to coat cucumbers well without breaking the spirals.

Serving & Enjoyment

• Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Best enjoyed immediately for maximum crunch. Pairs wonderfully with Korean BBQ and makes for a refreshing summer snack. This dish is vegan, vegetarian, low-carb, and gluten-free.

Leftovers & Storage

• Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days. While the cucumbers may soften, they’ll still be tasty and marinated, similar to cucumber kimchi.

This delightful Spiral Cucumber Salad is refreshing and full of flavors—spicy, sweet, sour, and salty, making it a perfect side dish or snack, especially during the warmer months. Enjoy recreating this recipe at home!