Chinese Cucumber Salad
type: Recipe
headline: Chinese Cucumber Salad with Garlic and Sesame
description: Make a crisp Chinese cucumber salad with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and easy chili crisp alternatives.
author: Chinese Food at Home
language: en
recipe cuisine: Chinese
recipe category: Side dish
keywords: no-cook, vegetarian, side, quick
recipe yield: 2 servings
prep time: PT12M
cook time: PT0M
total time: PT12M
recipe ingredient: cucumber: 1 large.
recipe ingredient: garlic: 1 clove.
recipe ingredient: rice vinegar: 1 tbsp.
recipe ingredient: soy sauce: 1 tbsp.
recipe ingredient: toasted sesame oil: 1 tsp.
recipe ingredient: sugar: 1 tsp.
recipe ingredient: chili crisp: 1 tsp (optional).
recipe ingredient: sesame seeds: 1 tsp (optional).
recipe instructions: Cut the cucumber
  type: HowToStep
  text: Slice, smash, or cut into chunks. Salt lightly and rest for 5 minutes if the cucumber is watery.
recipe instructions: Mix the dressing
  type: HowToStep
  text: Combine garlic, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and chili crisp if using.
recipe instructions: Toss and serve
  type: HowToStep
  text: Drain excess cucumber liquid, toss with dressing, and serve cold.
main entity of page: https://cnfoods.top/recipes/chinese-cucumber-salad/
about: Cucumber
about: Rice vinegar
about: Chili crisp
mentions: English cucumbers and mini cucumbers stay crisp and have tender skins.
mentions: Rice vinegar is common in larger supermarkets; white wine vinegar is the closest fallback.
mentions: Use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar if rice vinegar is unavailable.
mentions: Use chili flakes in warm oil instead of chili crisp.
mentions: Cucumber: English cucumber, Mini cucumbers, Persian cucumbers. Watery field cucumbers work too if you remove some seeds and salt briefly before dressing.
mentions: Rice vinegar: White wine vinegar, Apple cider vinegar, Lemon juice. Lemon juice is brighter and less traditional, so use a little less at first.
mentions: Chili crisp: Chili flakes warmed in oil, Sriracha plus sesame oil, Skip for a mild salad. Add chili at the end so the salad can stay mild for children or heat-sensitive guests.
suitable for diet: https://schema.org/VegetarianDiet

faq
type: FAQPage
main entity of page: https://cnfoods.top/recipes/chinese-cucumber-salad/
language: en
main entity: Do I have to smash the cucumber?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: No. Smashing creates rough edges for dressing, but sliced cucumber works when you want a cleaner presentation.
main entity: Can Chinese cucumber salad be made ahead?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: You can cut and salt the cucumber ahead, but add the dressing close to serving so it stays crisp.
main entity: What dishes go well with cucumber salad?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: It pairs well with mapo tofu, tomato egg stir-fry, scallion oil noodles, and other rich or saucy dishes.

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item list element: Chinese Cucumber Salad
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