This cool, crisp, refreshing Korean cucumber salad is so easy to make and full of umami flavor!
Simple and satisfying, this easy side dish is made with sliced cucumbers tossed in a light soy garlic vinaigrette.
With a little kick of heat from hot chili oil, Korean salad has the perfect balance of flavors to complement any meal.
![This Korean cucumber salad recipe is a flavorful and easy-to-make side dish. It features crisp cucumber slices tossed in a soy sauce, chili oil, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil dressing. This light, refreshing, and low-carb cucumber salad pairs perfectly with any main course. Customize the spiciness and ingredients to your liking by adding grated carrots, pickled vegetables, seaweed flakes, or substituting gochujang sauce for soy. #ourzestylife easy Korean Cucumber Salad in a bowl](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2-Korean-Cucumber-Salad-Recipe-2-OurZestyLife-4.jpg)
What is Korean Cucumber Salad?
- Korean cucumber salad is a popular ‘banchan’ (side) served with Asian-style mains made with crispy cucumbers tossed in a salty, sweet, and spicy vinaigrette garnished with sesame seeds.
- This easy recipe has gluten-free, paleo, and low-carb options and tons of ideas for mix-ins! Top a burger, a bed of greens, or tuck it into a wrap!
- Healthy, refreshing Korean cucumber salad is delicious served with salt and pepper shrimp or sweet and sour ribs.
![This Korean cucumber salad is a quick, flavorful side dish that’s full of zest. Crisp cucumbers are thinly sliced and mixed with a dressing made from soy sauce, chili oil, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil. Light, low-carb, and refreshing, this Korean-style cucumber salad pairs perfectly with any meal. Adjust the spice level to your liking, and customize it by adding grated carrot, pickled vegetables, or seaweed flakes. #ourzestylife cucumber , soy sauce , chili oil , soy sauce , rice vinegar , sugar , sesame oil , sesame seeds , garlic , salt and pepper with labels to make Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/IG-Korean-Cucumber-Salad-Recipe-OurZestyLife-.jpg)
Ingredients and Variations
Cucumbers – It’s unlikely Korean cucumbers are available (but you can look!), so English, Persian, or standard garden cucumbers will all work.
Dressing – This salad is all about the dressing! No chili oil? No problem! Use vegetable oil and whisk it with gochujang, chili crisp, gochugaro (Korean red chili flakes), or sriracha to your preferred spice level. Use a teaspoon of your favorite sugar substitute if you like (or omit it altogether, it won’t change the flavor much).
Soy Sauce – Low-sodium or tamari can be used in place of regular soy sauce. Coconut aminos are a perfect switch for soy sauce in any application! They’re also soy and gluten-free, Paleo, and keto!
Vinegar – It’s tough to substitute the light and bright flavor of rice vinegar, but the closest match is apple cider vinegar. As another alternative use white wine vinegar.
Sesame Seeds – Cook sesame seeds in a dry saute pan until barely golden. This will make them extra crunchy and intensify their flavor. Black sesame seeds, crushed peanuts, or seaweed flakes are other great garnishes to try!
Variations – Korean cucumber salad is made even better with colorful matchstick or shredded carrots, sliced green onions, bean sprouts, sugar snap peas, edamame, water chestnuts, or baby corn.
![Try this Korean cucumber salad recipe for a fast and flavorful side dish. Fresh cucumbers are tossed in a delicious dressing made from soy sauce, chili oil, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil. This light, refreshing, and low-carb salad pairs perfectly with any main course. Customize the spice to your taste and consider adding ingredients like grated carrots, pickled vegetables, or seaweed flakes. You can also substitute gochujang for the soy sauce. #ourzestylife bow of Korean Cucumber Salad with chop sticks on top](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2-Korean-Cucumber-Salad-Recipe-2-OurZestyLife-1.jpg)
How to make Korean Cucumber Salad
Crispy Korean cucumber salad is a quick and easy salad packed with umami flavor!
- Prep cucumbers as described in the recipe below.
- Whisk dressing ingredients in a large bowl.
- Toss cucumbers with dressing and garnish with sesame seeds before serving.
![This Korean cucumber salad recipe makes a delicious and easy-to-prepare side dish. It combines crisp cucumbers with a flavorful dressing of soy sauce, chili oil, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil. This light and refreshing salad is low in carbs and complements any main course beautifully. Customize the spice level and ingredients to suit your taste. Consider adding grated carrots, pickled vegetables, seaweed flakes, or substituting gochujang sauce for soy sauce. #ourzestylife Korean Cucumber Salad with seasoning and sesame seeds](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Korean-Cucumber-Salad-Recipe-2-OurZestyLife-3.jpg)
Leftover Korean Salad
- Korean cucumber salad can be made up to a day ahead. Garnish with sesame seeds just before serving.
- Store leftover Korean cucumber salad in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Drain salad before serving as the cucumbers will release some liquid.
- Add leftovers to a bag of shredded cabbage and add extra dressing. Make a cold Korean cucumber noodle salad by tossing leftovers into chilled angel hair pasta and top with crushed peanuts and chopped fresh cilantro.
![Punch up the flavor in your next barbecue with this tasty Korean cucumber salad recipe. Crisp cucumbers are dressed with a flavorful mix of soy sauce, chili oil, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil. This light, refreshing salad is low carb and pairs well with any main dish. Adjust the spice to your preference and add extras like grated carrots, pickled veggies, or seaweed flakes. You can even substitute soy sauce with gochujang. #ourzestylife chopsticks with Korean Cucumber Salad](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Korean-Cucumber-Salad-Recipe-2-OurZestyLife-5.jpg)
More Tasty Side Salads To Try!
Did you try this recipe for Korean Cucumber Salad? Be sure to leave a comment and rating below!
![bow of Korean Cucumber Salad with chop sticks on top](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2-Korean-Cucumber-Salad-Recipe-2-OurZestyLife-1-500x500.jpg)
Korean Cucumber Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ pound cucumbers
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- water to cover
Dressing Ingredients:
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tablespoon chili oil
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½-1 teaspoon sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Cut ends off cucumbers, and cut into pieces (about 3” long).
- On a cutting board, place a piece of cucumber with chopsticks on either side. Using a sharp knife, cut straight down to the chopstick (not all the way through).
- Flip the cucumber piece to the other side and cut down at a 45 degree angle, down to the chopstick. Repeat with all cucumber pieces. Alternatively, slice cucumbers into thin rounds, or your desired shape.
- In a large bowl, add sliced cucumbers and sprinkle salt. Cover cucumbers with water and set aside for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, drain water and return cucumbers to the bowl.
- In a separate bowl, combine garlic, chili oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved and ingredients are combined.
- Add dressing mixture to cucumbers and toss to combine.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and serve.
Notes
- Make Korean cucumber salad up to a day ahead.
- Refrigerate in a covered container up to four days.
- Use leftovers in other recipes.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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![Try this Korean cucumber salad recipe for a simple and flavorful side dish. Crisp cucumbers are tossed in a tasty dressing made with soy sauce, chili oil, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil. This salad is light, refreshing, and low in carbs, making it a great complement to any main dish. You can make it as spicy as you like and customize it with grated carrots, pickled veggies, seaweed flakes, or gochujang instead of soy sauce. #ourzestylife easy plated Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe with a title](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SP-Korean-Cucumber-Salad-Recipe-OurZestyLife-2.jpg)
![close up of fresh Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe with writing](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SP-Korean-Cucumber-Salad-Recipe-OurZestyLife-1.jpg)
![Make this Korean cucumber salad recipe for a tasty and simple side dish. It features crisp cucumbers mixed with a flavorful dressing made from soy sauce, chili oil, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil. This refreshing and light salad is low in carbs and pairs perfectly with any main dish. You can adjust the spice level and ingredients to your liking. Try adding grated carrots, pickled veggies, seaweed flakes, or even swap the soy sauce for gochujang sauce. #ourzestylife close up of Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe in a bowl with sesame seeds](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NP-Korean-Cucumber-Salad-Recipe-OurZestyLife-2.2.jpg)
![This Korean cucumber salad recipe makes a simple side dish bursting with flavor. Crisp cucumbers are sliced and tossed with a soy sauce, chili oil, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil dressing. This low carb, light, and refreshing cucumber salad, Korean style, makes a complementary side to any entree. Make it as spicy as you wish and alter the ingredients to your preference. Toss in grated carrot, pickled veggies, seaweed flakes, or switch out the soy for gochujang sauce. #ourzestylife bowl of seasoned Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe with writing](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NP-Korean-Cucumber-Salad-Recipe-OurZestyLife-2.3.jpg)
![Make this Korean cucumber salad recipe for a quick and flavorful side dish. Crisp cucumbers are mixed with a tasty dressing made of soy sauce, chili oil, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil. It's light, refreshing, and low carb, perfect to pair with any main dish. Adjust the spice level to your liking and add ingredients like grated carrots, pickled veggies, or seaweed flakes. You can even use gochujang instead of soy sauce. #ourzestylife bowl of Korean Cucumber Salad and pieces in chop sticks close up with a title](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/LP-Korean-Cucumber-Salad-Recipe-OZL-1-.1.jpg)
![This Korean cucumber salad recipe is a delicious and easy side dish, guaranteed to enhance any grilled meat! It includes crisp cucumbers tossed in a flavorful dressing made from soy sauce, chili oil, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil. This light, refreshing salad is low in carbs and a great match for any main course. You can make it as spicy as you want and add extras like grated carrots, pickled veggies, or seaweed flakes, or swap out the soy sauce for gochujang. #ourzestylife Korean Cucumber Salad with sesame seeds and a title](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/LP-Korean-Cucumber-Salad-Recipe-OZL-2.3.jpg)