Description
Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce is a fresh, crunchy, and zesty dish featuring crisp cucumbers coated in a creamy, tangy, and warmly spiced peanut sauce. Quick and easy to prepare, it delivers bold savory, sweet, and spicy flavors perfect as a snack, side, or light meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 large firm cucumbers
- 1/4 cup creamy natural peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or 1 teaspoon chili paste
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2–3 tablespoons water (adjust for desired consistency)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cucumbers: Wash and dry the cucumbers thoroughly. Slice them into thin rounds or sticks according to your preference. Optionally, remove the seeds to reduce water content and keep the crunch.
- Whisk Together the Peanut Sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes or chili paste, and sesame oil. Gradually whisk in water until the sauce is smooth and pourable but not too thin.
- Toss Cucumbers with the Sauce: Pour the spicy peanut sauce over the sliced cucumbers. Gently toss to coat every piece evenly with the creamy, zesty sauce that balances heat and flavor.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the dish for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and the cucumbers to stay crisp. Garnish with fresh herbs or nuts if desired.
Notes
- Use room temperature peanut butter for easier mixing and to prevent clumping.
- Add water gradually to control the thickness of the sauce and avoid diluting the flavors.
- Start with less chili paste or red pepper flakes and adjust for preferred heat levels.
- Check saltiness before adding extra salt, as soy sauce already provides salt.
- Thinly sliced cucumbers absorb the sauce better and maintain a great crunchy texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: cucumbers, peanut sauce, spicy peanut sauce, appetizer, snack, gluten free, vegan, Asian-inspired
