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Flavorful Viral Cucumber Salad Recipe with Rice Vinegar Sesame Chili Crisp

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A quick, fresh, and addictive cucumber salad featuring thinly sliced cucumbers tossed with rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, chili crisp, and sesame seeds. Perfectly crunchy, tangy, and spicy, this salad is a crowd-pleasing side dish ready in about 15 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 medium English cucumbers, thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar (seasoned or unseasoned)
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (or honey/maple syrup)
  • ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chili crisp (e.g., Lao Gan Ma or Fly By Jing)
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (optional)
  • 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
  • A small handful fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash and dry cucumbers thoroughly. Slice as thin as possible (about ⅛ inch or 3 mm) and place in a medium bowl.
  2. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon salt over the cucumbers and toss gently. Let sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.
  3. In a small bowl, combine rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, and sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves completely.
  4. Pour dressing over cucumbers and toss gently to coat evenly.
  5. Add chili crisp and toasted sesame seeds. Toss lightly to distribute evenly without overmixing.
  6. Add sliced green onions and chopped cilantro. Toss gently once more.
  7. Serve immediately or chill for 15-20 minutes to let flavors meld. Adjust seasoning with extra rice vinegar or sugar if needed.

Notes

Salting cucumbers is essential to prevent sogginess. Toast sesame seeds for extra aroma and crunch. Adjust chili crisp amount to taste, starting small if sensitive to spice. For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce. Can substitute zucchini ribbons for cucumbers in summer. Store leftovers up to 2 days in fridge; keep chili crisp separate to maintain crunch.

Nutrition

Keywords: cucumber salad, rice vinegar, sesame oil, chili crisp, quick salad, spicy salad, vegan salad, gluten-free salad, easy side dish

Find it online: https://tomyumy.com/flavorful-viral-cucumber-salad-recipe-with-rice-vinegar-sesame-chili-crisp/