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.
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.