Heart-Healthy Spicy Cucumber Salad

Cool, crisp, and packed with bold flavors, this Heart-Healthy Spicy Cucumber Salad is the perfect fusion of fresh ingredients and zesty seasoning. Featuring crunchy cucumber slices, vibrant red onion, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, this salad comes to life with a tangy, homemade dressing of low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and a touch of maple syrup. A hint of heat from crushed red pepper flakes and the crunch of unsalted roasted peanuts make every bite irresistible, while sesame seeds add a nutty finish. Ready in just 15 minutes with no cooking required, this low-fat, nutrient-rich recipe is ideal as a quick side dish or a refreshing light lunch. Whether served fresh or chilled for a deeper marinade, this salad delivers on bold flavor without compromising your heart-healthy goals.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 medium cucumber
• 0.5 small red onion
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• 1 small garlic clove
• 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons unsalted roasted peanuts
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Wash and dry the cucumbers. Slice them thinly into rounds, or use a mandoline slicer for consistent cuts. Place the sliced cucumbers in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2

Peel and thinly slice half of a red onion. Add the onion slices to the bowl with the cucumbers.

Step 3

Finely chop the fresh cilantro and add it to the bowl.

Step 4

In a small bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, fresh lime juice, maple syrup, and crushed red pepper flakes. Grate the garlic clove into the mixture and stir well.

Step 5

Pour the dressing over the cucumber and onion mixture and toss until the vegetables are evenly coated.

Step 6

Roughly chop the unsalted roasted peanuts and sprinkle them over the salad. Top with sesame seeds for added crunch and garnish.

Step 7

Season the salad with a pinch of salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste.

Step 8

Serve immediately for the freshest flavor or let the salad marinate in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(578.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	375.7

Total Fat 25.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 3.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1605.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 33.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.0g	0%
Total Sugars 14.4g
Protein 12.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 109.0mg	0%
Iron 3.6mg	0%
Potassium 863.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 55.2%

Protein: 12.3%

Carbs: 32.5%