Name: Spiral Cucumber Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 5 Persian cucumbers; 1 tsp sea salt; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar or rice vinegar; 1 tbsp spicy chili oil; 1½ tsp toasted sesame oil; 1 tsp white sugar; 2 cloves garlic (finely grated); 2 tbsp green onion (finely sliced); Toasted sesame seeds

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This Asian spiral cucumber salad is loaded with bold flavors and is refreshing, crunchy, spicy, and seriously addictive.

I’ve seen the viral Asian spiral cucumber salad videos and recipes online for a while now, and when I had all the ingredients on hand, I made it. The spiral was easy to create when using cheap chopsticks as a guide. The punch of spicy, bold flavors from the dressing makes this cucumber salad extra delicious, while the spiral makes it fun to eat. I served this delicious & easy spicy Asian cucumber salad recipe with Asian chicken sandwiches and some edamame.

Spiral Cucumber Salad

Cucumbers:

5 Persian cucumbers
1 tsp sea salt

Dressing:

1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar or rice vinegar
1 tbsp spicy chili oil
1½ tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tsp white sugar
2 cloves garlic, finely grated

Serving:

2 tbsp green onion, finely sliced
Toasted sesame seeds

How to Make a Spiral Cucumber Salad

Prepare the spiral cucumbers by cutting the ends of each Persian cucumber.

Place one cucumber between two cheap takeout chopsticks. Make thin diagonal slices on the top. Flip the cucumber over and do the same on the other side. Side Note: Do not cut them at a straight angle, or the spiral will not work.

Cut the cucumber in two. Repeat for the remaining cucumbers.

Salt the cucumbers by transferring them to a large strainer and sprinkling sea salt evenly over them. Set aside for 10-15 minutes to allow the cucumber to release excess liquid.

Gently rinse the cucumbers with water to remove the salt, then place them on a towel or paper towels and dry thoroughly.

Meanwhile, make the dressing by combining the soy sauce, black vinegar, chili oil, sugar, and garlic in a large bowl.

To serve, pour the well-whisked dressing over the salad, and gently toss to coat evenly. Top with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

Spiral Cucumber Salad

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Prep Time: 15

Salting Time:: 10

Total Time: 25

Course: Salad, Sides

Cuisine: Asian

Servings:

Author: Pam - For the Love of Cooking

Equipment

Two Cheap Takeout Chopsticks
Sharp Knife

Ingredients

Cucumbers:

5 Persian cucumbers
1 tsp sea salt

Dressing:

1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar or rice vinegar
1 tbsp spicy chili oil
1½ tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tsp white sugar
2 cloves garlic finely grated

Serving:

2 tbsp green onion finely sliced
Toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

Prepare the spiral cucumbers by cutting the ends of each Persian cucumber.
Place one cucumber between two cheap takeout chopsticks. Make thin diagonal slices on the top. Flip the cucumber over and do the same on the other side. Side Note: Do not cut them at a straight angle, or the spiral will not work.
Cut the cucumber in two. Repeat for the remaining cucumbers.
Salt the cucumbers by transferring them to a large strainer and sprinkling sea salt evenly over them. Set aside for 10-15 minutes to allow the cucumber to release excess liquid.
Gently rinse the cucumbers with water to remove the salt, then place them on a towel or paper towels and dry thoroughly.
Meanwhile, make the dressing by combining the soy sauce, black vinegar, chili oil, sugar, and garlic in a large bowl.
To serve, pour the well-whisked dressing over the salad, and gently toss to coat evenly.
Top with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve and enjoy.