Sides & Snacks Vegetarian

Spicy Sesame Cucumber Crunch

Crisp cucumber salad with spicy chilli oil dressing, toasted sesame seeds, and Asian flavours that cuts through rich dishes beautifully.

By Ricky Robinson Updated August 12, 2025

Cucumbers are overlooked most of the time. They sit quietly in salads, doing their thing without much fuss. But give them the right treatment and they become something worth paying attention to.

The secret is in the salting - it draws out all that excess water that usually makes cucumber salads a soggy mess.

This salad takes those mild, watery cucumbers and turns them into something with proper bite. What you're left with are cucumber pieces that actually hold onto the dressing instead of diluting it.

Spicy Sesame Cucumber Crunch recipe image
Spicy Sesame Cucumber Crunch

The dressing itself brings together some brilliant Asian flavours. Soy sauce adds savoury depth, while the apple cider vinegar gives it a clean sharpness. The crispy chilli oil does the heavy lifting for heat and texture - those little crispy bits are what make this salad interesting. A touch of honey balances everything out without making it sweet, and sesame oil brings that nutty richness that ties it all together.

The marinating time matters here. Half an hour gives the cucumbers chance to absorb all those flavours properly, and the sesame seeds get a chance to soften slightly whilst still keeping their crunch. The spring onions go on at the end to keep them bright and sharp. It's the sort of side dish that works with loads of different meals, but it's particularly good when you want something cooling and crunchy.

Spicy Sesame Cucumber Crunch

Chilli oil Cucumber Sesame seeds
Total Time 45 min
Servings 4 servings
Calories 65 cal
Protein 2g

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Colander

Instructions

  1. 1
    Cut the cucumber into bite-sized chunks and place in a colander. Sprinkle with salt and toss well. Leave for 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture, then rinse briefly and pat dry with kitchen paper.
  2. 2
    In a mixing bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, crispy chilli oil, honey, sesame oil, and minced garlic until well combined.
  3. 3
    Add the drained cucumber pieces to the dressing and toss thoroughly to coat. Sprinkle over the sesame seeds and mix gently.
  4. 4
    Cover and leave to marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes, allowing the flavours to develop.
  5. 5
    Just before serving, garnish with the finely chopped spring onion.
Ricky Robinson - Recipe Author
Ricky Robinson

Home cook sharing delicious recipes with a focus on flavour and simplicity.

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Serving Suggestions

Perfect alongside rich, spicy dishes like Sichuan beef noodles or Korean fried chicken. Also excellent as part of an Asian mezze spread with dumplings and spring rolls.

Variations

For a milder version, reduce the chilli oil and add more sesame oil. You can also try adding thinly sliced radishes or carrots for extra crunch and colour.

Spicy Sesame Cucumber Crunch

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