Spicy Red Pepper Flake Bean Sprout Salad: A Perfect Side Dish
Easy Bean Sprout Salad Recipe with Red Pepper Flakes, Quick Korean Side Dish
Hello everyone! Today, I made a delicious bean sprout salad seasoned with red pepper flakes. While plain seasoned bean sprouts are tasty, adding red pepper flakes gives them a lovely vibrant color and a pleasant, mild spiciness. This salad boasts a satisfyingly crunchy texture that perfectly complements a bowl of warm rice. If you’re a fan of bean sprouts, this is a must-try recipe! Let’s get started on how to make this delightful bean sprout salad!
Ingredients- Bean sprouts 450g (about 1 large handful)
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Chopped green onion (scallion) 1/2 to 1/3 stalk
- Water (for boiling bean sprouts) as needed
- Coarse sea salt 1 tsp (for boiling bean sprouts)
- Red pepper flakes 2 Tbsp
- Salt 0.5 Tbsp (for seasoning)
- Sesame oil 2 Tbsp
- Toasted sesame seeds 1 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the bean sprouts. Rinse them thoroughly under running water. You can skip trimming the roots if you prefer, but if you notice any hulls that might cause a fishy smell, you can gently remove them.
Step 2
Next, prepare the aromatics for the seasoning. Mince 1 clove of garlic and chop about 1/2 to 1/3 of a stalk of green onion. To chop the green onion, first, cut it in half lengthwise, then slice it thinly.
Step 3
Fill a pot with enough water to boil the bean sprouts. The water should be sufficient to cover the bean sprouts.
Step 4
Once the water comes to a rolling boil, add 1 tsp of coarse sea salt. Then, add the rinsed bean sprouts. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become mushy and lose their crispness. Boil them for exactly 1 minute from the moment the water starts boiling vigorously.
Step 5
Drain the blanched bean sprouts completely in a colander. Letting the excess steam escape will help maintain their crunchy texture and prevent them from becoming watery.
Step 6
Now, it’s time to season and toss! In a bowl with the drained bean sprouts, add the minced garlic, chopped green onion, 2 Tbsp of red pepper flakes, 2 Tbsp of sesame oil, 1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds, and 0.5 Tbsp of salt. Gently toss everything together until the bean sprouts are evenly coated with the seasoning. Avoid mashing the bean sprouts; toss them lightly to combine.
Step 7
Voila! Your delicious, crunchy, and mildly spicy bean sprout salad is ready! This makes a fantastic side dish that’s wonderful served over a bowl of hot rice or as part of a larger Korean meal. Enjoy your cooking!
