Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce

Cool, crunchy cucumbers tossed in a rich, spicy peanut sauce for the easiest refreshing side.

This Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce recipe is everything you want in a quick side dish: crisp, juicy cucumber slices coated in a creamy, nutty, salty, garlicky, and gently spicy sauce. Toasted peanuts add depth and crunch, while soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey balance the flavors with umami, tang, and sweetness.

Served cold or at room temperature, this spicy peanut cucumber salad works beautifully as a side dish, light lunch, or party snack. It comes together with simple pantry ingredients in just a few steps, and it’s easy to scale for potlucks or meal prep.

Why You’ll Love This Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce

• Fast and fuss-free: Minimal chopping and no cooking required.
• Incredible texture: Juicy cucumbers meet crunchy toasted peanuts and creamy peanut sauce.
• Flavor-packed: Nutty, savory, tangy, garlicky, and spicy in every bite.
• Versatile: Serve as a salad, side, snack, or part of a larger Asian-inspired spread.
• Make-ahead friendly: Can be prepped a few hours in advance, perfect for entertaining.

Ingredients

Cucumbers

• 2 large English cucumbers, sliced about ⅓ inch thick
• ½ teaspoon salt

Spicy Peanut Sauce

• ½ 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
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Finishing

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or cilantro, if preferred)

Instructions

1. Salt and Drain the Cucumbers
   • Place sliced cucumbers in a large mixing bowl.
   • Sprinkle with salt and toss to coat evenly.
   • Transfer cucumbers to a colander and let drain for 1 hour to release excess water.
2. Make the Spicy Peanut Sauce
   • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, peanut butter, honey, garlic, red chili flakes, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
3. Assemble the Dish
   • After an hour, transfer drained cucumbers to a clean bowl.
   • Add toasted chopped peanuts, chopped parsley, and the spicy peanut sauce.
   • Toss thoroughly until every slice is coated.
4. Serve
   • Serve immediately at room temperature for the best crunch and flavor.
   • If needed, adjust seasoning with extra soy sauce or chili flakes to taste.

Tips / Storage / FAQs

Tips for the Best Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce

• Salt first for extra crunch: Draining the cucumbers removes excess water so your salad stays crisp and the sauce doesn’t get watered down.
• Use natural peanut butter if possible: Smooth or creamy peanut butter works best. If using natural, stir well so the oil is fully combined before measuring.
• Adjust the heat: Add more or less dried red chili flakes depending on your spice preference.
• Toast the peanuts: Lightly toasting the peanuts in a dry pan over medium heat for a few minutes enhances their flavor and crunch.

Storage

• Make ahead: You can prepare and mix the cucumbers and sauce up to 8 hours in advance.
• Refrigeration: Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 8 hours. Toss well before serving, as the peanut sauce may settle at the bottom.
• Best texture: This dish is at its best served the same day; cucumbers will soften the longer they sit.

FAQs

Can I use regular cucumbers instead of English cucumbers?
Yes. If using regular cucumbers, peel them if the skin is thick and scoop out any large seeds before slicing.

Can I make this vegan?
Absolutely. Replace the honey with maple syrup or agave for a fully vegan version.

Can I use another nut or seed butter?
Yes. Almond butter or cashew butter will work, and for nut-free, try sunflower seed butter. Flavors will vary slightly.

Is this dish gluten-free?
Use a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari to make this gluten-free.

Final Thoughts

This Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce recipe is the kind of simple, bold-flavored dish you’ll find yourself making on repeat. It’s fresh, crunchy, and full of satisfying peanut flavor with just the right amount of heat. Serve it as a side to grilled meats, alongside rice bowls, or on its own as a light snack. However you plate it, it’s an easy way to add big flavor to your table with very little effort.

📖 Recipe

Print Pin

Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce

Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce are a quick, no-cook side dish with crisp cucumbers, toasted peanuts, and a creamy, spicy peanut dressing. Ready in 15 minutes of prep, perfect as a cold salad, side, or snack.

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Draining Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Servings 10

Ingredients

Cucumbers

• 2 large English cucumbers sliced about ⅓ inch thick
• ½ teaspoon salt

Spicy Peanut Sauce

• ½ 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
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Finishing

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or cilantro, if preferred

Instructions

Salt and Drain the Cucumbers

• Place sliced cucumbers in a large mixing bowl.
• Sprinkle with salt and toss to coat evenly.
• Transfer cucumbers to a colander and let drain for 1 hour to release excess water.

Make the Spicy Peanut Sauce

• In a small mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, peanut butter, honey, garlic, red chili flakes, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.

Assemble the Dish

• After an hour, transfer drained cucumbers to a clean bowl.
• Add toasted chopped peanuts, chopped parsley, and the spicy peanut sauce.
• Toss thoroughly until every slice is coated.

Serve

• Serve immediately at room temperature for the best crunch and flavor.
• If needed, adjust seasoning with extra soy sauce or chili flakes to taste.

Notes

Salt first for extra crunch: Draining the cucumbers removes excess water so your salad stays crisp and the sauce doesn’t get watered down.

Use natural peanut butter if possible: Smooth or creamy peanut butter works best. If using natural, stir well so the oil is fully combined before measuring.

Adjust the heat: Add more or less dried red chili flakes depending on your spice preference.

Toast the peanuts: Lightly toasting the peanuts in a dry pan over medium heat for a few minutes enhances their flavor and crunch.