Best Spicy Cucumbers Recipes

SPICY ASIAN CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Place cucumbers into a colander, sprinkle with salt, and let drain at least 30 minutes. Shake off excess liquid but don't rinse the cucumbers.
• Whisk soy sauce, sugar, garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, hot chili oil, and red pepper flakes in a salad bowl. Stir in cucumbers to coat with dressing. Chill 2 to 3 hours before serving.

SPICY CUCUMBERS WITH YOGURT, LEMON AND HERBS

Steps:

• Toss the cucumber pieces with 1 teaspoon salt and set in a colander in the sink to drain.
• In a small pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the coriander and cumin, and toast until fragrant, stirring to avoid scorching, about 1 minute. Remove oil from heat, add red-pepper flakes and allow to cool.
• In a medium bowl, toss the salted cucumber pieces with the scallions, spiced oil and apple cider vinegar. Allow to marinate in the refrigerator for 15 minutes or overnight while you prepare the yogurt.
• In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, half of the herbs (mint, dill and parsley), zest and juice of the lemon and the olive oil. Stir to incorporate, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Spread the yogurt mixture on a plate or the bottom of a shallow bowl. Using a slotted spoon to drain the cucumbers and scallions of excess liquid, evenly place the cucumbers and scallions on top of the yogurt. Finish with the remaining chopped herbs and pine nuts (if using), and serve immediately.

SPICY MARINATED CUCUMBERS (OEE MUCHIM)

Steps:

• Brine cucumbers: Use a mandoline or a sharp knife to cut the cucumbers into ⅓-inch rounds. Place in a colander fitted over a bowl and add salt; mix well to ensure the cucumbers are evenly salted. Let rest at room temperature to drain, 20 minutes. While they drain, prepare the marinade (Step 2).
• Marinade: In a large bowl, combine the gochugaru, mirin, rice vinegar, sugar, and fish sauce. Smash and peel the garlic, then finely chop. Use the flat part of your knife to press down on the garlic to further break it down, then continue to mince. Add the garlic to the marinade.
• Marinate cucumbers: Rinse all the salt off the cucumbers with cold water. Whisk the marinade, then add the cucumbers; use a large spoon to toss, making sure the cucumbers are evenly coated with marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Cucumbers will have released more liquid, which helps the marinating process. At this point, they're ready to eat; however, refrigerating overnight will round out the flavors. Place the cucumbers, along with some marinade, in a lidded container and store in the fridge overnight; serve cold. (The cucumbers can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, or for as long as the cucumbers remain firm and crunchy.)

SPICY SLOW-ROASTED SALMON WITH CUCUMBERS AND FETA

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 300 degrees. In an ovenproof skillet large enough to hold the salmon, combine olive oil, red-pepper flakes, paprika, fennel seeds, coriander seeds and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and just simmering, about 5 minutes.
• Pat the salmon dry, then sprinkle with salt and place in the spiced oil flesh side up. Spoon some of the oil over the salmon, then bake, basting occasionally, until cooked through, 15 to 25 minutes. (You will know if the salmon is done when the fish flakes when cut into with a knife or fork or when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reaches 120 degrees.)
• While the salmon roasts, peel the cucumber and cut into bite-size pieces. Sprinkle with salt.
• Break the salmon into large pieces on a serving platter. (Alternatively, you can make the salmon in advance, and eat it at room temperature.) Scatter the cucumbers around the salmon, then top with feta and parsley. Drizzle chile oil over everything to taste. (You will have more than you need - dip bread into any remaining oil.)

GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH SPICY CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Place a chicken breast between a layer of parchment paper or plastic wrap and use a mallet, rolling pin or the flat side of a heavy knife to pound to a thickness of about 1/2 inch. Repeat with remaining breasts.
• Season chicken with salt, pepper and paprika. Place in a bowl and toss with lime zest, garlic and oil. Cover and marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator.
• Meanwhile, prepare the sauce: In a blender, combine cilantro, parsley, oil, jalapeños, garlic, salt and lime juice. Blend until smooth, adding 1 or 2 tablespoons water if necessary to blend. Taste and add more salt and/or lime juice if needed.
• Heat the grill to medium-high or heat up the broiler or a grill pan. Grill or broil until chicken is lightly browned at the edges and just cooked through, 2 to 4 minutes per side.
• In a medium bowl, toss cucumbers with a pinch of salt. Let sit for 5 minutes. Right before serving, toss cucumbers with sauce and serve alongside chicken, drizzling chicken with any leftover sauce from the bottom of the cucumber bowl, and a little olive oil.

SPICY ASIAN CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Chop 1 English cucumber. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon kosher salt; let sit 10 minutes. Whisk 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 2 teaspoons each sugar and soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil, 2 sliced scallions, 1 minced garlic clove and a pinch of red pepper flakes in a large bowl. Drain the cucumber and toss with the dressing; season with salt. Top with chopped cilantro.

CHINESE STYLE SPICY PICKLED CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Toss the cucumber wedges with the salt and let them stand in a bowl for 20 minutes.
• Drain the cucumbers in a colander, rinse them under cold water, and pat them dry on paper towels.In a bowl dissolve the sugar in the vinegar, stirring, add the cucumbers, and toss them to coat them with the mixture.
• In a small skillet heat the sesame oil and the vegetable oil over moderately high heat until the oil is just smoking, add the gingerroot and the redpepper flakes, and stir fry the mixture for 5 - 10 seconds, or until the red pepper flakes are several shades darker.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and let the oil cool to room termperature.
• Pour the spiced oil over the cucumbers, toss the mixture well and let it marinate at room temperature for 1 hour.
• Refrigerate and cover, stirring occasionally. Use within 5 days.

SPICY SHRIMP WITH BLISTERED CUCUMBERS, CORN AND TOMATO

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup lime juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus the ginger and garlic; season well with salt and pepper. Add the shrimp, toss to coat and set aside.
• Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup lime juice with the chile, chives, fish sauce and brown sugar until it dissolves. Taste and adjust seasonings accordingly.
• In a large bowl, gently combine the tomatoes and shallot and set aside.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high until very hot, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and when it shimmers, add the cucumbers and corn. Season with salt and pepper. Allow the vegetables to cook, undisturbed, until they begin to brown and caramelize in spots, 2 to 3 minutes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden all over, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly, then toss with the tomato-shallot mixture and half the dressing.
• Wipe out the pan and heat over medium-high. Leaving the marinade behind and discarding it, add shrimp to the pan and sear until just cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes each side. Alternatively, grill over medium heat, 2 to 3 minutes a side. Add the shrimp to the salad, gently toss to coat and serve on a large platter or in a large bowl. Drizzle with remaining dressing and scatter with cilantro and flaky sea salt, if using.

SPICY LIGHTLY PICKLED CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Toss cucumbers in a large bowl with vinegar, sugar, red pepper flakes, and 2 tsp. salt. Chill, tossing once, at least 1 hour and up to 6 hours.
• Just before serving, add dill and lemon juice and toss to combine. Taste and season with more salt if needed.

SPICY SMASHED CUCUMBERS WITH LIME, HONEY AND CROUTONS

Steps:

• Rinse cucumbers and pat dry. Cut crosswise into pieces about 4 inches long. Cut each piece in half lengthwise.
• On a work surface, place a piece of cucumber (or several) cut side down. Lay the blade of a large knife flat on top the cucumber and smash down lightly with your other hand. The skin will begin to crack, the flesh will break down and the seeds will separate. Repeat until the whole piece is smashed. Break or slice diagonally into bite-size pieces, leaving the seeds behind.
• Place the cucumber pieces in a strainer and toss with a big pinch of salt and a big pinch of sugar. Place a plastic bag filled with ice on top of the cucumbers to serve as a weight and place the strainer over a bowl. Let drain 15 to 30 minutes on the counter, or in the refrigerator until ready to serve, up to 4 hours.
• Make the dressing: In a bowl, mix yogurt, lime zest and juice, vinegar, oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper. This mixture should taste fiercely acidic and quite salty; add salt and vinegar as needed. Keep refrigerated.
• If making the spicy honey, combine hot sauce and honey in a small bowl and stir well until smooth.
• If making the croutons, toast the breadstick pieces in a toaster oven or skillet. Drizzle with olive oil and stir occasionally, until golden and crunchy.
• When ready to serve, shake cucumbers well to drain off any remaining liquid and transfer to a bowl. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and toss. Add scallions and half of the dressing and toss gently. Keep adding dressing until cucumbers are well coated but not drowned.
• Serve immediately. For each serving, scoop a large spoonful of cucumbers into a bowl, drizzle with spicy honey and sprinkle with a handful of croutons.

SWEET & SPICY CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine sliced cucumber + 2 tablespoons of salt and set aside.
• Slice onion and bell pepper and place in a separate bowl. To this bowl add the ingredients for the dressing and stir to combine.
• Rinse the cucumber under cold water and drain.
• Combine cucumbers, onion, pepper and dressing and stir to coat veggies then store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

SPICY BEEF FLATBREAD WITH YOGURT & CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat; thoroughly clean grates and brush with oil. Whisk yogurt and lemon juice in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Set aside until ready to assemble.
• Mix garlic, tomato paste, cinnamon, cumin, paprika, and 2 1/2 teaspoons salt in a large bowl. Mix in beef and 2 tablespoons olive oil until completely combined. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large cast iron skillet on the grill or stove over medium high. Cook beef mixture, stirring occasionally and breaking up large clumps, until browned and cooked through, 12-14 minutes. Add onion and cook until just beginning to soften, about 2 minutes; remove from heat and set aside until ready to assemble.
• Increase grill to high heat. On a clean work surface lightly dusted with flour, stretch or roll each piece of dough into a 12- x 10-inch oval and transfer to a pizza peel or cookie sheet dusted with cornmeal. (If dough springs back, cover and let rest 10 minutes, then stretch again, resting as needed). Transfer both pieces of prepared dough to grill over direct heat. Cook until first side is charred and dough is dry and stiff, about 2 minutes. Turn and cook just until second side is charred and cooked through, about 2 minutes. Transfer to baking sheet and let cool slightly. Top with cooked beef mixture, dividing evenly. Dollop with yogurt mixture and top with cucumber and cilantro.

SPICY CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Clean cucumbers and slice 1/4" thick (unpeeled).
• Sprinkle over with salt, stir and let sit for 10 minutes.
• Combine ingredients, toss and serve.

SWEET & SPICY CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Mix the cucumbers with sugar, salt, chile and vinegar. Cover and refrigerate.

SPICY ASIAN CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• 1. Chop the cucumber and put in a bowl and add the 1 teaspoon of salt. Let sit for 10 minutes.
• 2. Whisk the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl.
• 3. Drain the cucumbers and toss with the dressing; season with salt if needed.
• 4. Top with chopped cilantro if you want.

SPICY KOREAN RED PEPPER CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the sesame seeds, and cook until they turn golden brown and begin to pop, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and place into a large bowl.
• Whisk the kochujang, vinegar, sesame oil, and green onion into the toasted sesame seeds. Stir in the sliced cucumber until well coated with the dressing. Serve either chilled or at room temperature.

CRISPY PORK LETTUCE WRAPS WITH SPICY CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Diagonally score fat side of pork belly, cutting through fat but stopping at flesh and spacing about 1/4" apart. Season pork with salt and pepper and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon brown sugar. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and let sit at least 2 hours, or chill up to 2 days.
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Unwrap pork and place in the smallest baking dish you can. Add chiles de árbol, star anise, soy sauce, remaining 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and 1 1/4 cups water. Roast until most of fat has rendered, meat is tender, and top is browned and crisp, 2-2 1/2 hours.
• Meanwhile, toss cucumbers, scallions, red chile, and vinegar in a small bowl to combine. Mix gochujang and miso in another small bowl.
• Transfer pork to a cutting board; let rest 10 minutes. Pour off pan juices into a measuring glass. Skim fat from surface.
• Slice pork into 1/2" slices, transfer to a platter, and pour pan juices over. Serve with lettuce for wrapping and cucumber salad, mint, kimchi (if using), and gochugang-miso mixture for topping.
• Pork can be cooked 2 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill. Reheat before serving.

SPICY SHRIMP WITH BLISTERED CUCUMBERS, CORN AND TOMATO RECIPE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup lime juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus the ginger and garlic; season well with salt and pepper. Add the shrimp, toss to coat and set aside. Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup lime juice with the chile, chives, fish sauce and brown sugar until it dissolves. Taste and adjust seasonings accordingly. In a large bowl, gently combine the tomatoes and shallot and set aside. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high until very hot, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and when it shimmers, add the cucumbers and corn. Season with salt and pepper. Allow the vegetables to cook, undisturbed, until they begin to brown and caramelize in spots, 2 to 3 minutes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden all over, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly, then toss with the tomato-shallot mixture and half the dressing. Wipe out the pan and heat over medium-high. Leaving the marinade behind and discarding it, add shrimp to the pan and sear until just cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes each side. Alternatively, grill over medium heat, 2 to 3 minutes a side. Add the shrimp to the salad, gently toss to coat and serve on a large platter or in a large bowl. Drizzle with remaining dressing and scatter with cilantro and flaky sea salt, if using.