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Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad 
5 from 3 votes

Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad 

Chinese Cucumber Salad is a refreshing dish in Chinese cuisine. It features thinly sliced cucumbers with a sweet, sour, and savory dressing, often garnished with sesame seeds or cilantro. Perfect as a side or snack, it's easy to make and offers a burst of flavors.

Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 47 kcal
Course: Side Dish, Salad
Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

  • 2 English cucumber seeded or unseeded, ends removed, medium
  • 1 clove garlic finely grated
  • 4 teaspoons Chinkiang vinegar or rice vinegar
  • 4 teaspoons soy sauce low sodium or regular
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil adjust to taste
  • 1 tablespoon Chili oil or peanut oil, homemade or store-bought
  • cilantro leaves small handful, whole, for garnish

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Wash and dry the cucumbers, then place them in a resealable plastic bag. Seal and use the palm of your hand or a rolling pin to lightly smash the cucumbers.
  2. Take the cucumbers out of the bag, remove the ends, and sliced them or cut them into 1-inch chunks. Add to a bowl and season with kosher salt. Toss to coat.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine the Chinkiang vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and chili oil. Whisk to dissolve the sugar.
  4. Add the cucumbers, then toss and garnish with the toasted sesame seeds and cilantro, if desired.
  5. Serve the Chinese cucumber salad immediately or store it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

  • How to Store 
  • How to Store 
  • Place it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The salad may release some liquid as it sits, so you may need to drain off any excess before serving. The flavors will intensify as the salad marinates, so it may taste even better the next day.
  • Place it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The salad may release some liquid as it sits, so you may need to drain off any excess before serving. The flavors will intensify as the salad marinates, so it may taste even better the next day.
  • Make-Ahead
  • Make-Ahead
  • Chinese Cucumber Salad is a great make-ahead dish as it can be prepared several hours or even a day in advance. To make it ahead of time, prepare the salad as instructed, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to serve. You can also prepare the marinade and slice the cucumbers beforehand, then combine them just before serving. If the salad releases excess liquid while it sits, drain it off before serving. 
  • Chinese Cucumber Salad is a great make-ahead dish as it can be prepared several hours or even a day in advance. To make it ahead of time, prepare the salad as instructed, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to serve. You can also prepare the marinade and slice the cucumbers beforehand, then combine them just before serving. If the salad releases excess liquid while it sits, drain it off before serving.