Crisp Cucumbers Drizzled in Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipe

My crispy cucumber delights in spicy peanut sauce bring unexpected zest to your summer table.

Chilled vegetables rarely spark such culinary excitement.

Cool crunch meets bold flavors in this surprising Asian-inspired dish.

Unexpected combinations often produce magical kitchen moments.

Fresh ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of taste and texture.

Minimal preparation delivers maximum satisfaction with this simple yet impressive recipe.

You’ll fall in love with how quickly these cucumbers become the star of any meal.

Why Cucumbers In Spicy Peanut Sauce Stand Out

• Boost Flavor Complexity: Discover a tantalizing blend of creamy peanut butter, zesty spices, and fresh vegetables that dance together in perfect harmony.
• Master Quick Meal Prep: Create a stunning side dish or light meal with minimal chopping and just a few simple steps, making it ideal for busy home cooks.
• Customize Your Kick: Adjust the chili flakes to suit your spice tolerance, transforming this recipe into a personalized culinary adventure that matches your heat preference.
• Nutrition-Packed Delight: Pack a powerful punch of vitamins, healthy fats, and protein with crisp cucumbers, vibrant bell peppers, and protein-rich peanut sauce.

What You Need For Cucumbers In Spicy Peanut Sauce

• Cucumbers: Fresh vegetables that provide a crisp and refreshing base for the salad.
• Red Bell Pepper: Adds vibrant color and sweet crunch to the dish.
• Green Onions: Offer a mild onion flavor and serve as both an ingredient and garnish.

• Peanut Butter: Creates a rich and creamy base for the spicy sauce.
• Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar, Honey: Combine to balance the sauce with sweet, tangy, and umami flavors.
• Garlic: Provides a sharp and aromatic depth to the sauce.

• Chili Flakes, Ground Ginger: Add warmth and heat to the sauce.
• Sesame Oil, Salt, Black Pepper: Enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish.

How To Make Cucumbers In Spicy Peanut Sauce

Step 1: Prep Fresh Vegetables

Wash all vegetables under cool running water. Pat dry with clean kitchen towel. Get your cutting board and sharp knife ready for slicing.

Step 2: Slice Cucumbers Creatively

Create elegant cucumber half-moons by cutting lengthwise into thin, delicate pieces. Aim for consistent thickness to ensure balanced texture.

Step 3: Create Colorful Pepper Strips

Transform red bell pepper into thin, precise matchstick-sized strips. These vibrant pieces will add beautiful color and crunch to the salad.

Step 4: Chop Green Onions Strategically

Separate green onion white and green sections. Finely chop both parts, keeping them ready for sauce and garnish.

Step 5: Whisk Peanut Butter Base

In a medium bowl, whisk peanut butter until completely smooth and free of lumps. This creates a rich, creamy foundation for the sauce.

Step 6: Build Flavor-Packed Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Honey
• Minced garlic

Whisk ingredients vigorously until they form a glossy, well-integrated mixture.

Step 7: Enhance Sauce With Spices

• Chili flakes
• Sesame oil
• Ground ginger
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir until spices distribute evenly throughout the sauce.

Step 8: Combine Vegetables And Sauce

Pour spicy peanut sauce over prepared vegetables. Gently toss to ensure complete and uniform coating.

Step 9: Allow Flavors To Develop

Let salad rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. This resting period allows flavors to meld and intensify.

Step 10: Garnish And Serve

Sprinkle reserved green onion tops over the salad. Serve immediately and enjoy the vibrant, spicy-sweet flavor combination.

Simple Tips For Cucumbers In Spicy Peanut Sauce

• Dry Ingredients Thoroughly: Pat cucumbers, bell peppers, and green onions completely dry to maintain crisp texture and prevent watery sauce dilution.
• Select Fresh Peanut Butter: Choose creamy, natural peanut butter without added sugars for a smoother, more authentic sauce consistency.
• Balance Sauce Spiciness: Adjust chili flakes according to personal heat preference, starting with small amounts and gradually increasing for desired kick.
• Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate salad for 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavor absorption and provide refreshing temperature.
• Substitute Ingredients Smartly: Replace honey with maple syrup for vegan option or use gluten-free soy sauce for dietary restrictions.

Ways To Switch Up Cucumbers In Spicy Peanut Sauce

• Asian Fusion Cucumber Roll-Ups: Wrap thin cucumber slices around julienned carrots and herbs, drizzle with spicy peanut sauce for a fresh, portable appetizer.
• Mediterranean Cucumber Salad: Replace bell peppers with cherry tomatoes, add crumbled feta cheese, and mix peanut sauce with Greek yogurt for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Grilled Protein Companion: Serve the spicy peanut cucumber salad alongside grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for a protein-rich main course with complementary flavors.
• Raw Vegan Buddha Bowl: Transform the recipe into a hearty Buddha bowl by adding quinoa, roasted chickpeas, and additional raw vegetables with the signature spicy peanut sauce.

Pairing Suggestions For Cucumbers In Spicy Peanut Sauce

• Pair with Crisp Riesling: Select a slightly sweet German Riesling with bright acidity that perfectly balances the spicy, nutty sauce and cuts through the richness of peanut butter.
• Complement with Jasmine Rice: Serve alongside fluffy jasmine rice to soak up the delicious sauce and provide a neutral, soft backdrop to the vibrant cucumber salad.
• Match with Grilled Tofu: Add marinated, grilled tofu slices to transform the dish into a protein-packed meal that enhances the existing peanut sauce flavors and adds substantial texture.
• Enhance with Cilantro Sprinkle: Top the salad with fresh cilantro leaves to introduce a bright, herbal note that lifts the heavy peanut sauce and adds a refreshing dimension to the overall taste profile.

How To Keep Cucumbers In Spicy Peanut Sauce Fresh

• Store leftover cucumber salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The sauce might become slightly watery, but flavors will remain delicious.
• Keep sauce and chopped vegetables separately to maintain crispness. Combine just before serving to prevent soggy cucumbers and preserve their fresh texture.
• Do not freeze this salad as cucumbers will lose their crisp texture and become mushy when thawed. Peanut sauce may also separate and lose its smooth consistency.
• Best enjoyed fresh within 24 hours for optimal taste, crunch, and vibrant flavors. Consume soon after preparing to experience the salad at its peak quality.

Your Questions On Cucumbers In Spicy Peanut Sauce

• Is this recipe spicy?

The sauce contains chili flakes, which provide a moderate heat level that can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the amount of chili flakes.

• Can I use a different type of nut butter?

Yes, you can substitute peanut butter with almond butter or cashew butter for a similar creamy texture and nutty flavor.

• How do I prevent the cucumbers from becoming soggy?

Slice cucumbers thinly, pat them dry before mixing, and avoid letting the salad sit for too long in the sauce to maintain crisp texture.

• Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, the recipe is vegetarian-friendly and does not contain any meat products.

Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 30-35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crisp cucumbers dance in fiery peanut sauce, creating a bold Korean-inspired sensation that electrifies taste buds. Cool crunch meets spicy warmth, inviting you to savor each tantalizing bite of this simple yet extraordinary dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables:

• 4 cucumbers
• 1 red bell pepper
• 2 green onions

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 cloves garlic

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 tsp chili flakes
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Wash and thoroughly dry cucumbers, red bell pepper, and green onions to ensure crisp texture and remove any dirt or residue.
2. Slice cucumbers lengthwise into thin, elegant half-moons using a sharp knife, creating delicate and uniform pieces.
3. Julienne red bell pepper into slender, matchstick-sized strips to provide vibrant color and crisp texture to the dish.
4. Finely chop green onions, separating white and green parts for layered flavor and attractive garnish.
5. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk peanut butter until smooth and creamy, creating a rich base for the sauce.
6. Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and minced garlic to the peanut butter, stirring vigorously until ingredients blend into a harmonious, glossy sauce.
7. Incorporate chili flakes, sesame oil, ground ginger, salt, and black pepper into the sauce, whisking until spices are evenly distributed.
8. Pour the spicy peanut sauce over prepared vegetables, gently tossing to ensure complete and even coating.
9. Let the salad marinate for 10-15 minutes at room temperature to allow flavors to meld and intensify.
10. Garnish with reserved green onion tops before serving, creating a visually appealing and aromatic dish.

Notes

• Select firm, fresh cucumbers for the best crunch and texture in the salad.
• Use unsweetened peanut butter to control sauce sweetness and prevent overwhelming sugariness.
• Adjust chili flakes according to personal spice tolerance for a customized heat level.
• Consider toasting sesame seeds or chopped peanuts as optional garnish for added nutty crunch.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 205
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 340 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg