Description
Spicy Crunchy Cucumbers deliver a zesty punch that’ll wake up your taste buds with bold flavors and satisfying texture. Quick to prepare and impossible to resist, these pickled delights bring serious crunch to your snack game.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cucumbers
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 inch ginger
Garnish and Texture:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- ¼ cup chopped peanuts or cashews
Instructions
- Salt 4 medium thinly sliced cucumbers with 2 tablespoons kosher salt. Allow them to sit for 30 minutes, letting natural liquid release and draw out moisture.
- Rinse cucumbers thoroughly under cold water to eliminate excess salt. Press gently with clean kitchen towel to remove remaining liquid.
- Create spicy marinade by whisking ¼ cup rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce, and 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes in medium bowl.
- Incorporate 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 inch minced ginger into marinade. Taste and adjust seasonings to your preference.
- Transfer drained cucumbers into marinade. Toss gently to ensure complete coating of each cucumber slice.
- Refrigerate marinated cucumbers for exactly 1 hour, allowing flavors to penetrate deeply.
- Toast 2 tablespoons sesame seeds in small skillet over medium heat at 350°F for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until golden brown.
- Remove cucumbers from refrigerator. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, optional chopped cilantro, and optional chopped peanuts. Serve immediately for maximum crunchiness.
Notes
- Salt draws out cucumber moisture, creating a crunchier texture that helps the cucumbers absorb more flavor.
- Rinsing removes excess salt and prevents the dish from becoming too salty, ensuring a balanced taste profile.
- Marinating for an hour allows the cucumbers to soak up the spicy sauce, developing deeper and more complex flavors.
- Toasting sesame seeds or nuts before adding them creates a richer, nuttier taste that elevates the overall dish’s complexity.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Cook Time: 2-3 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg