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    Home » Recipes » Salads and Vegetables » Cold Spicy Cucumber Bites

    Cold Spicy Cucumber Bites

    Published: Mar 13, 2021 · Modified: Mar 15, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads.

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    These cold spicy cucumber bites are tasty morsels that combine savory, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors all in one bite! Crisp and refreshing, they make a great side dish or appetizer to heavier dishes!

    Close-up of thick cucumber slices topped with red chili flakes

    Sometimes we need something to balance slightly heavier dishes or meals...

    ...something that is cold, refreshing and crisp...

    ...and that tastes good, of course.

    These cold spicy cucumber bites satisfy all the criteria...

    ...their tastiness coming from a bit of savory, sweet, sour, and spice all at once.

    On top of that, they are very simple to make!

    How To Make Cucumber Bites

    Obviously, you're going to need a cucumber. I prefer using English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers, mainly because their skin are not as thick or tough as regular cucumbers.

    Slices or Smashed

    Slice the cucumber about ½" thick so you get nice bite-fulls and so that they hold their shape. Next comes a sprinkling of salt over the slices.

    Thick slices of cucumbers, mixed with white salt, and rinsed under running water

    Why the salt? Through some scientific action called osmosis, the salt's job is to draw out some of the water/moisture from the cucumber that would otherwise end up diluting the marinade later. It also helps to crisp up the cucumbers a bit.

    As an alternative to thick cucumber slices, you can also smash the cucumber and simply make random chunks. While not as perfect looking as the cucumber discs, it tastes just as good and is another great way to enjoy the dish. I also think that the crushing the cucumber chunks allows more of the marinade to soak into the flesh better.

    Cucumber chunks being crushed with the side of a knife, salted, and rinsed in running water

    For smashed cucumbers, cut the cucumber down the lengthwise into halves or quarters, then cut each length into rough chunks. Crush them by laying the flat side of a wide knife on to of each chunk and pressing down with the other hand. You can also use the back of a big spoon or a meat tenderizer will also work in a pinch. Do the same salt preparation as you would with the discs.

    Marinating the Cucumber

    Pat the cucumbers dry with paper towels, place into a sealable container or dish, and they are now ready for the dressing. The dressing is a simple combination of soy sauce (tamari for gluten-free), unseasoned rice vinegar, honey, mirin, sesame oil, and dried chili flakes.

    A clear brown liquid being poured over thick slices of cucumber with red chili flakes

    Adjust the amount of each of the ingredients for the dressing according to your test. Prefer more sour? Add a bit more vinegar or reduce the other ingredients. Do you like it sweeter? Add a bit more honey. Do you like it with more spice? Add more chili flakes or, alternatively, finely chop a red Thai chili pepper and use that instead of the dried chili flakes.

    Add the dressing to the cucumber bites and let them marinate in the fridge for at least 4 hours to really let those flavors soak in (remembering to stir them occasionally). If you have the time to let them marinate overnight, they'll be even more flavorful!

    A pair of wood chopsticks picking up a thick cucumber slice with red chili flakes

    Serving Ideas

    As I mentioned above, these cucumber bites partner really well with heavier dishes. They provide a nice refreshing balance to dishes like Crispy Baked Oven Wings, Crispy Roast Pork Belly, Slow-Roasted Dry Rub Ribs, or Chicken Skewers with Thai Curry Dipping Sauce.   

    Since this recipe was inspired by Din Tai Fung's Cucumber Salad in Vinaigrette Dressing, serve it up alongside some soup dumplings or pan-fried potstickers!

    A grey bowl containing crushed cucumber chunks with red chili flakes

    These also go really well with shredded cooked chicken if you want to enjoy the cucumber bites as a meal with a bit more substance.

    Simply poach a couple of chicken breasts, shred up the meat and serve it with the marinated cucumber bites. Lay the chicken and cucumbers on a bed of fresh greens, sprinkle some sliced almonds and sesame seeds on top, drizzle some extra dressing on top, and you've got a really nice Asian style salad!

    A pair of black chopsticks holding a crushed chunk of cucumber topped with white sesame seeds and red chili flakes

    These cool, crisp, refreshing morsels will hit the spot on warm weather days, they'll be a welcome contribution to potluck social gatherings, and they'll be a perfect partner to entrees, dumplings, or greasy finger foods. How ever you decide to serve them up, these cucumber bites are going to be a hit!

    ~ Lisa.

    Cold Spicy Cucumber Bites

    These cold spicy cucumber bites are tasty morsels that combine savory, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors all in one bite! Crisp and refreshing, they make a great side dish or appetizer to heavier dishes!
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizers, Side Dish
    Cuisine: Asian
    Keyword: cold Asian dishes
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Chill: 30 minutes
    Makes: 4 servings
    Author: Lisa from A Day in the Kitchen

    Ingredients

    • 1 English cucumber (or 3-4 Persian cucumbers)
    • ½ teaspoon Kosher or sea salt

    Dressing:

    • 2 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons honey
    • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (tamari for gluten-free)
    • 1 tablespoon mirin
    • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
    • ¼ teaspoon dried crushed red pepper flakes (or fresh finely chopped red Thai chili pepper for more spice)

    Instructions

    Dressing:

    • Whisk the unseasoned rice vinegar, honey, soy sauce (tamari), mirin, sesame oil, and dried red chili flakes in a bowl.
    • Adjust dressing ingredients according to taste. Set aside.

    Preparing the Cucumbers:

    • Slice cucumber into slices, about ½-inch thick. Alternatively, cut the cucumber in half lengthwise, chop them into rough-cut pieces, and crush with the side of a knife, back of a spoon, or tenderizer.
    • Mix the cucumber with salt and let sit for 20-30 minutes.
    • Rinse the cucumber and pat dry with paper towels.
    • Combine the cucumbers dressing in a bowl or resealable container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight for better flavor). Stir occasionally.
    • Serve chilled.

    Notes

    • This recipe works with thick sliced cucumbers or smashed cucumber chunks.
    • Adjust the marinade/dressing ingredients based on your personal preference for flavor.
    • If you use seasoned rice vinegar (which contains sugar), omit the honey to start and taste the dressing before deciding to add any extra.
    • For a spicier kick, use a finely chopped red Thai chili pepper in the dressing instead of the dried chili flakes.
    • Marinate for at least 4 hours in the fridge, stirring occasionally. Letting the cucumber marinate overnight will make the bites more flavorful.
    Have you tried this recipe?Mention @dayinthekitchen or tag #adayinthekitchen!

    Close-up of several slices of cucumbers with red chili flakes in a round bowl, the words cold spicy cucumber bites on the bottom

    ** This recipe was original published on July 16th, 2017 and republished on March 13th, 2021 with recipe updates, new photos, and writing.


    « Cold Asian Greens and Mushrooms with Sesame Vinaigrette
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Bob S.

      August 25, 2021 at 7:15 pm

      5 stars
      These are a terrific summertime snack.

      Reply
      • Lisa

        August 26, 2021 at 2:21 am

        Thanks for trying the recipe, Bob! So glad you liked it!

        Reply
    2. Terri Gilson

      May 03, 2021 at 9:32 pm

      5 stars
      This is such an awesome, healthy, quick and easy side dish!

      Reply
    3. NANCY

      May 03, 2021 at 1:54 am

      i love this refreshing appy!! we always make this at home especially in the summer!

      Reply
    4. Colleen

      April 29, 2021 at 12:56 am

      5 stars
      These bites are a delicious way to use cucumbers from the garden, which are not ready yet. But we used a store-bought one and loved this recipe!

      Reply
      • Lisa

        April 29, 2021 at 6:45 am

        Thanks, Colleen! I'm so glad you liked it, and how awesome that you grown your own cucumbers!

        Reply
    5. Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady

      April 28, 2021 at 10:51 am

      5 stars
      What a delicious way to use cucumbers. Planning on making these for the cottage this summer!

      Reply
      • Lisa

        April 29, 2021 at 6:44 am

        Sounds perfect, Cindy!

        Reply
    6. Bernice Hill

      April 28, 2021 at 10:48 am

      5 stars
      This is one of our favourite salads. So easy to make and we always have a few cucumbers in the fridge. My favourite part is the smashing lol

      Reply
      • Lisa

        April 29, 2021 at 6:43 am

        The smashing is definitely a fun step, Bernice. Nice way to release some energy before you enjoy the cucumbers! 🙂

        Reply
    7. amyg

      April 28, 2021 at 7:55 am

      5 stars
      This is a great idea when all my cucumbers starting coming from my garden. I'm always looking for different things to do with them and ways to incorporate them into lunches and dinners. Definitely PINNING for later!

      Reply
      • Lisa

        April 29, 2021 at 6:43 am

        That sounds lovely, Amy...I would love to be growing cucumbers to enjoy whenever I want! I hope you like this recipe for them!

        Reply
    8. Joss

      April 28, 2021 at 7:17 am

      5 stars
      I really like the flavor of these cucumber bites. They went well with our ribs.

      Reply
      • Lisa

        April 29, 2021 at 6:41 am

        Thanks, Joss. They sound perfect with ribs!

        Reply

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    I cook up big ideas in my small kitchen in Hong Kong! My recipes are big on healthy eating, real food, and international flavors that you can create in any size kitchen. I also specialize in gluten-free cooking and baking, demystifying gluten-free and showing you how easy and delicious it can be!

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