A Summer Staple: Refreshing Cucumber Salad

In the heat of summer, cucumber salad is a go-to side dish that tantalizes the taste buds with its refreshing flavor and cooling effect, perfect for beating the heat. Today, I'm sharing my top tips for making a cucumber salad that stays perfectly crisp without getting watery!

Ingredients for Your Cucumber Salad

Here's what you'll need to make this delicious cucumber salad:

• 1 Cucumber
• 1/2 Onion
• A pinch of Salt
• 1 tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
• 1/2 tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 1 tbsp Plum Extract (or sugar)
• 1 tbsp Vinegar
• A sprinkle of Sesame Seeds

How to Make Cucumber Salad

The biggest challenge when making cucumber salad is the excess water that forms over time. Even with careful mixing, it often ends up swimming in liquid. Here are a few steps to tackle this common issue.

First, thinly slice half an onion and soak it in cold water to remove its pungent bite. This mellows the sharpness and adds a delightful crunch, making it perfect for raw consumption.

Next, wash the cucumber thoroughly and slice it into bite-sized pieces. Place it in a bowl, sprinkle generously with coarse salt, and let it sit for 20 minutes. This crucial step draws out the cucumber's moisture beforehand, preventing a watery salad later and firming up the cucumber's texture.

Preparing the Seasoning and Mixing

Drain the water that has accumulated from the salted cucumbers and check the saltiness. If it tastes too salty, rinse it lightly under cold water and squeeze out the excess moisture.

Now, combine the drained cucumbers and the prepared onion in a large bowl. First, add 1 tablespoon of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) and mix well to ensure an even coating. This also helps to absorb any remaining micro-moisture.

Next, add half a tablespoon of gochujang (Korean chili paste) for a spicy, savory depth. Then, stir in 1 tablespoon of plum extract to maximize the refreshing sweetness. If you don't have plum extract, regular sugar can be used as a substitute. Finally, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of vinegar, adjusting to your preference for a tangy kick.

Your Perfectly Crisp Cucumber Salad

Once all the ingredients are well combined, finish with a sprinkle of fragrant sesame seeds. The cucumber salad prepared this way won't become watery over time, allowing you to enjoy its signature crisp texture and sweet-and-sour flavor down to the last bite. Make this refreshing and spicy cucumber salad today to awaken your appetite!