Viral Spiral Cucumber Salad
This stunning spiral-cut cucumber salad became a social media sensation thanks to its accordion-like presentation and addictive sweet, spicy, and tangy dressing. Each fan-cut cucumber soaks up the bold Asian-inspired marinade, making every bite crisp, refreshing, and deeply flavorful.
Accordion-cut cucumbers marinated in a sweet chili garlic sauce for a showstopping and crunchy salad.
Nutrition per serving
Ingredients
Salad
Dressing
Garnish
Instructions
Spiral Cut the Cucumbers
Place a cucumber between two chopsticks or wooden skewers to act as a cutting guide. Using a sharp knife, make diagonal cuts at a 45-degree angle along the entire length, then flip the cucumber over and repeat in the opposite diagonal direction. The chopsticks will prevent you from cutting all the way through, creating the spiral accordion effect.
Salt and Rest
Place the spiral-cut cucumbers into a colander and sprinkle evenly with kosher salt. Toss gently and let rest for 15 to 20 minutes. This draws out excess moisture so the dressing is not diluted and the cucumbers stay crisp.
Make the Dressing
While the cucumbers rest, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, chili oil, honey, and minced garlic in a small bowl until fully combined and the honey is dissolved.
Rinse and Pat Dry
Rinse the salted cucumbers briefly under cold water to remove excess salt. Pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
Dress and Marinate
Arrange the cucumbers in a shallow dish or bowl and pour the dressing over them. Gently open the spirals slightly so the dressing can penetrate between the folds. Let marinate for at least 10 minutes, then sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and serve.
Substitutions
Common mistakes
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