Description
Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce: Refreshing cucumbers tossed in a zesty peanut sauce, perfect for a quick, flavorful, and crowd-pleasing dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large English cucumbers (about 1 pound or 450g)
- 1 teaspoon salt (5g)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (30ml)
- ⅓ cup natural creamy peanut butter (80g)
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce (30ml)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (15ml)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (15ml)
- 1–2 tablespoons chili oil or chili crisp (15-30ml, adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey (15g)
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced (about 6g)
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated (about 10g)
- 2–3 tablespoons warm water (30-45ml), to achieve desired consistency
- 2 tablespoons chopped roasted peanuts (20g)
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced (about 30g)
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds (5g)
- Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Cucumbers Start with clean, dry English cucumbers. Trim the ends and cut them into manageable 3-inch sections. Place each section on your cutting board and gently smash using the flat side of a cleaver or large knife until they split open but remain in one piece. Cut the smashed sections into bite-sized chunks, approximately 1-inch pieces. Place the cucumber pieces in a colander, sprinkle with salt, and toss to coat evenly. Let them sit for 10-15 minutes to release excess water, which prevents diluting your delicious sauce later.
- Step 2: Make the Spicy Peanut Sauce While the cucumbers drain, prepare your spicy peanut sauce. In a medium bowl, add the peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chili oil. Stir vigorously until the mixture starts to come together. Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and brown sugar, continuing to mix until well combined. The mixture will be quite thick at this point. Gradually add warm water, one tablespoon at a time, stirring between additions until you reach your desired consistency – ideally like thick cream that will coat the back of a spoon.
- Step 3: Dry and Season the Cucumbers Once the cucumbers have drained, gently pat them dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Transfer them to a mixing bowl and drizzle with rice vinegar, tossing to coat. This adds a bright, tangy flavor that will balance the rich peanut sauce while further enhancing the crispness of your cucumbers.
- Step 4: Combine and Marinate Pour half of your prepared peanut sauce over the cucumbers and toss gently to coat every piece. Allow this mixture to sit for about 5 minutes, letting the flavors begin to meld. This brief marinating period is the secret to creating Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce with depth of flavor while maintaining the cucumber’s signature crunch. After marinating, add the remaining sauce and toss again to ensure every piece is thoroughly coated.
- Step 5: Garnish and Serve Transfer your Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce to a serving plate or bowl, making sure to scrape all the sauce from the mixing bowl. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts, sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and optional cilantro leaves. These garnishes add textural contrast, visual appeal, and complementary flavors that elevate the dish. Serve immediately for maximum crunch and freshness, or refrigerate briefly (up to 30 minutes) to allow flavors to develop further.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280 calories per serving
- Sugar: 6 grams
- Sodium: 710 mg
- Fat: 21 grams
- Saturated Fat: 4 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 16 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Protein: 10 grams
- Cholesterol: 0 mg