Crunchy Chinese Cucumber Salad
Transform your summer salads with this vibrant and refreshing Crunchy Chinese Cucumber Salad! Featuring crisp smashed cucumbers infused with a savory-sweet dressing of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil, this dish delivers bold flavors in every bite. A sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes adds a hint of heat, while toasted sesame seeds and fresh cilantro provide irresistible texture and aromatic flair. Ready in just 15 minutes with no cooking required, this easy cucumber salad is perfect as a light appetizer, side dish, or an accompaniment to your favorite Asian-inspired meals. Perfect for warm-weather gatherings or quick weeknight dinners, this salad is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 medium-sized English cucumber
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
- 1.5 tablespoons Rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Sesame oil
- 0.5 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Toasted sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro
Instructions
Wash the cucumbers thoroughly and pat them dry with a kitchen towel.
On a sturdy cutting board, use the side of a large knife or a rolling pin to gently smash the cucumbers until they crack and split. Cut the smashed cucumbers into bite-sized chunks.
Place the cucumber pieces in a large bowl and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt. Toss well to evenly coat. Let the cucumbers sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess water.
While the cucumbers are resting, finely mince the garlic and place it in a small bowl.
In the same small bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes. Whisk until the sugar is fully dissolved and the dressing is well mixed.
Drain the cucumbers and gently pat them dry with a clean towel to remove excess moisture.
Add the cucumbers to a serving bowl and pour the prepared dressing over them.
Gently toss to coat the cucumbers evenly in the dressing.
Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped fresh cilantro on top as garnish.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
278 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 15.4 g | 20% | |
| Saturated Fat | 2.2 g | 11% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 3530 mg | 153% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 31.4 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.1 g | 18% | |
| Total Sugars | 14.5 g | ||
| Protein | 8.1 g | 16% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 150 mg | 12% | |
| Iron | 2.6 mg | 14% | |
| Potassium | 1083 mg | 23% | |
*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.
