Description
Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce is a refreshing yet flavorful side dish or appetizer. The crisp, cool cucumbers are paired with a rich and tangy peanut sauce that’s perfectly balanced with a little heat from chili flakes. Topped with toasted peanuts and fresh parsley, this dish makes a great complement to Asian-inspired meals or as a healthy snack.
Ingredients
-
2 large English cucumbers, sliced about 1/3-inch thick
-
1/2 teaspoon salt
-
1/2 cup chopped peanuts, toasted
-
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
-
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
-
2 tablespoons peanut butter
-
1 tablespoon honey
-
2 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 teaspoon dried red chili flakes
-
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
-
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
-
Prepare the cucumbers:
-
Slice the cucumbers into about 1/3-inch thick rounds and sprinkle with salt. Set them aside for 10 minutes to draw out excess water.
-
After 10 minutes, pat the cucumbers dry with a paper towel to remove any moisture.
-
-
Make the spicy peanut sauce:
-
In a small bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, peanut butter, honey, minced garlic, red chili flakes, and ground black pepper until smooth and well combined.
-
-
Assemble the dish:
-
Toss the cucumber slices in the spicy peanut sauce until they are evenly coated.
-
Top with toasted chopped peanuts and chopped fresh parsley for garnish.
-
-
Serve:
-
Serve immediately as a refreshing side dish or appetizer. For an extra touch, you can chill the dish in the fridge for about 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
-
Notes
Adjust the amount of chili flakes to your preferred spice level. You can also use fresh chili if you prefer.
This dish can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
For a vegan version, ensure that the honey is substituted with maple syrup or another plant-based sweetener.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (no cooking required)
- Category: Side Dish, Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Keywords: Spicy cucumber salad, peanut sauce cucumber, Asian cucumber dish, healthy cucumber appetizer, spicy peanut cucumber, cucumber salad, easy cucumber side dish