Spicy Asian-Style Cucumber Stir-Fry – Fresh, Crunchy & Flavorful! 🥒🔥
This Spicy Cucumber Stir-Fry is a quick and refreshing dish that transforms crisp cucumbers into a savory, slightly spicy, and aromatic side dish. The combination of garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and red chili flakes creates an irresistible flavor with just the right balance of heat, tang, and umami. Perfect as a side dish or appetizer, this recipe is simple, fresh, and ready in minutes!
Equipment
- Knife & cutting board
- Mixing bowls (for cucumbers & sauce)
- Large skillet or wok
- Cooking spatula
Ingredients
- 2 cucumbers (sliced thinly and diagonally)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 piece fresh ginger (thinly sliced)
- 2 cloves garlic (thinly sliced)
- 2 red chilies (thinly sliced)
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon red chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 50ml water
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil (for sautéing)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cucumbers
- Trim off both ends of the cucumbers and cut them into four lengthwise wedges.
- Use a spoon or knife to remove the seeds, creating long fillets.
- Slice the seedless cucumber wedges diagonally into thin pieces.
- Transfer the cucumber slices into a bowl and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt.
- Mix well and let sit for 15 minutes to remove excess moisture.
Step 2: Prepare the Aromatics & Sauce
- While the cucumbers are resting, thinly slice the ginger, garlic, and red chilies.
- In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, soy sauce, red chili flakes, black pepper, sugar, and water. Stir well and set aside.
- Drain the excess cucumber liquid before cooking.
Step 3: Sauté & Assemble the Dish
- Heat 1 tablespoon cooking oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add the sliced garlic, ginger, and red chilies, and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Pour in the prepared sauce and let it cook until slightly reduced (about 1 minute).
- Add the drained cucumbers to the pan and toss everything together.
- Stir-fry for 30 seconds to 1 minute, ensuring the cucumbers stay crisp while absorbing the flavors.
Step 4: Serve & Enjoy!
- Remove from heat and transfer to a serving dish.
- Serve warm or at room temperature as a side dish or appetizer. Enjoy this refreshing and flavorful Spicy Cucumber Stir-Fry!
Notes
💡 Pro Tips for the Best Spicy Cucumber Stir-Fry
✔ Keep cucumbers crisp: Only stir-fry for 30 seconds to 1 minute to keep them fresh and slightly crunchy.
✔ Balance the spice level: Adjust red chili flakes and fresh chilies based on your heat preference.
✔ For extra umami: Add a dash of sesame oil at the end for a deeper, nutty flavor.
✔ Use English or Persian cucumbers: These varieties have fewer seeds and stay crisp longer.
✔ Chill before serving: For a refreshing twist, refrigerate the dish for 10 minutes before eating.