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Fresh Gochugaru Smashed Cucumber Salad Recipe Easy Spicy Tangy Summer Side

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A quick and easy smashed cucumber salad with Korean gochugaru chili flakes, delivering a smoky, spicy, and tangy flavor perfect for summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large English cucumbers (about 500g / 1.1 lbs) – firm and fresh
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (for salting cucumbers)
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 to 1½ tablespoons gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes) – adjust based on heat preference
  • 1 tablespoon sugar or honey
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced finely
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Wash and dry cucumbers thoroughly.
  2. Trim the ends and place cucumbers on the cutting board. Using the side of a large knife or rolling pin, press down firmly to smash each cucumber until it cracks and splits into chunks roughly 1 to 2 inches wide.
  3. Transfer smashed cucumbers to a large bowl. Sprinkle with kosher salt and toss gently to coat. Let sit for 15 minutes to draw out excess moisture and intensify flavor.
  4. While cucumbers rest, prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, gochugaru, sugar or honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger if using. Taste and adjust for balance.
  5. Drain any liquid released from cucumbers, but don’t rinse. Toss cucumbers with the dressing until well coated.
  6. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions. Give a final gentle toss and transfer to a serving dish.
  7. Serve immediately or chill for 10 minutes to let flavors meld. The salad keeps well for up to a day refrigerated but tastes best fresh.

Notes

Use Korean toasted sesame oil and fresh gochugaru for authentic flavor. Adjust gochugaru amount to control heat. Avoid over-salting as soy sauce adds saltiness. Smash cucumbers to create uneven chunks for better dressing absorption. Salad keeps well refrigerated for up to 24 hours but is best fresh. For vegan version, substitute honey with sugar or maple syrup. For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: smashed cucumber salad, gochugaru, Korean salad, spicy cucumber salad, summer side dish, easy cucumber salad, tangy cucumber salad

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/fresh-gochugaru-smashed-cucumber-salad-recipe-easy-spicy-tangy-summer-side/