Why You’ll Love this Recipe

• Quick and Easy: Takes just 30 minutes of prep time and 5 minutes of cooking, making it a quick and easy cucumber side dish.
• Healthy and Light: Low in calories, perfect for a side dish or light meal. This is a low-calorie cucumber salad recipe ideal for healthy eating.
• Customizable: Adjust ingredients like chili or coriander to suit your taste, offering endless healthy cucumber salad ideas.
• Versatile Pairing: Goes well with rice porridge, festive meals, or as a refreshing side to heavier dishes. It’s one of the best Asian-style cucumber salads to add to your meal rotation.

What Makes Chinese Cucumber Salad Unique?

Chinese cucumber salad stands out for its simplicity and the way it highlights the natural flavor of cucumbers. The pressing technique used in this recipe allows the cucumbers to absorb the marinade deeply, enhancing their crunchiness and flavor. Combined with a balance of tangy, savory, and mildly spicy notes, this dish captures the essence of traditional Chinese culinary techniques while remaining accessible to home cooks. This Chinese smashed cucumber salad recipe is an authentic take on a refreshing summer salad recipe.

Health Benefits of Cucumber Salad Ingredients

• Cucumbers: Low in calories and high in water content, they are excellent for hydration and aiding digestion. A core element in refreshing cucumber side dishes.
• Garlic: Packed with antioxidants and known for its immune-boosting properties, it’s a star ingredient in garlic and chili cucumber salad.
• Chili: Contains capsaicin, which may boost metabolism and improve circulation.
• Black Rice Vinegar: Rich in amino acids, aiding digestion and enhancing nutrient absorption. A staple in black rice vinegar recipes.
• Sesame Oil: A source of healthy fats and antioxidants, promoting heart health. Essential for sesame oil cucumber salad.
• Soy Sauce: Adds flavor but should be used in moderation due to its sodium content. Perfect for easy recipes with soy sauce.

Ingredients for Chinese Cucumber Salad

How to Cook Chinese Cucumber Salad

1. Prepare the Cucumbers:
   • Wash baby cucumbers and trim the tips. This recipe is perfect for showcasing the unique qualities of baby cucumbers.
   • Gently press them open using a knife or hand; this technique helps the cucumbers absorb flavors better.
   • Cut the pressed cucumbers into bite-sized pieces (3-4 equal parts).
2. Marinate the Cucumbers:
   • Sprinkle 1 tsp of salt and 1 tsp of sugar on the cucumbers.
   • Mix well and let them marinate for 20-30 minutes to enhance crunchiness and reduce water content. This step is key for marinated cucumber recipes.
3. Make the Sauce:
   • Slice garlic and chili, then place them in a bowl.
   • Add light soy sauce, vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, salt to taste, and sesame oil. Mix well to create a Chinese-style salad dressing.
4. Combine and Serve:
   • After marinating, gently squeeze the cucumbers to remove excess water.
   • Rinse under running water and pat dry.
   • Place the cucumbers in a large mixing bowl and optionally add chopped coriander.
   • Pour the prepared sauce over the cucumbers and mix thoroughly.
   • Let the salad sit for 10 minutes before serving to fully absorb the flavors. Serve as a cold Chinese appetizer or as a side dish to any stir-fry recipe.

Tips for Customization

• Spice Level: Adjust the amount and type of chili to make it milder or spicier.
• Add Fresh Herbs: Toss in fresh mint or cilantro for an added layer of flavor. Cucumber salad with coriander adds depth.
• Experiment with Vinegar: While black rice vinegar is ideal, apple cider or white vinegar can offer a different tang.
• Add Texture: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds or crushed peanuts on top for a crunchy finish. Perfect for crunchy cucumber salads with soy sauce.

Why this Dish Works

• Balance of Flavors: The tanginess of vinegar, umami of soy sauce, and sweetness of sugar create a harmonious taste. Ideal for authentic Chinese vegetable dishes.
• Texture Contrast: Crisp cucumbers pair beautifully with the rich, savory sauce.
• Ease of Preparation: Minimal cooking with maximum flavor impact. Perfect for a quick and easy cucumber side dish.

Pairing Suggestions

• Rice Porridge: A comforting companion, especially on cold days.
• Dim Sum: Complements dumplings or steamed buns perfectly.
• Grilled Dishes: Serves as a refreshing contrast to grilled meats or fish. Great for Asian-inspired side dishes.

Top Tips for a Perfect Cucumber Salad

• Choose Fresh Cucumbers: Baby cucumbers work best, but any firm and fresh cucumbers can be used for a crisp texture.
• Press Gently: Avoid smashing the cucumbers too hard to maintain their shape and structure.
• Don’t Skip the Marination: Allowing the cucumbers to marinate ensures they stay crunchy and flavorful.
• Serve Fresh: While the salad can be prepared ahead, it’s best served fresh for the optimal crunch and taste.
• Balance the Sauce: Taste the sauce before mixing to ensure the right balance of salty, sweet, and tangy.

Looking for Similar Recipes?

• Carrot and Celery Stir-fry
• Okra salad
• Cabbage and Zucchini Stir-fry
• Buddha’s Delight

Enjoy the refreshing crunch of this Chinese cucumber salad and pair it with your favorite dishes for a delightful dining experience. 请慢用 (qǐng màn yòng) – Bon appétit!

Chinese Cucumber Salad Recipe

Recipe by LinCourse: SaladCuisine: ChineseDifficulty: Very easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

5

minutes

Learn how to make a refreshing and crunchy Chinese cucumber salad with garlic, chili, and soy sauce. This quick and easy recipe is perfect as a light side dish or appetizer.

Ingredients

• Baby cucumbers 10-12

• Garlic 3 cloves

• Chili of your choice 1-2

• Coriander (optional) to taste

• Black rice vinegar 2 tbsp

• Light soy sauce 3 tbsp

• Toasted sesame oil 1 tsp

• Salt to taste

• Sugar 1 tbsp + 1 tsp

Directions

• Prepare the Cucumbers
• Wash baby cucumbers and trim the tips. This recipe is perfect for showcasing the unique qualities of baby cucumbers.
• Gently press them open using a knife or hand; this technique helps the cucumbers absorb flavors better.
• Cut the pressed cucumbers into bite-sized pieces (3-4 equal parts).
• Marinate the Cucumbers
• Sprinkle 1 tsp of salt and 1 tsp of sugar on the cucumbers.
• Mix well and let them marinate for 20-30 minutes to enhance crunchiness and reduce water content. This step is key for marinated cucumber recipes.
• Make the Sauce
• Slice garlic and chili, then place them in a bowl.
• Add light soy sauce, vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, salt to taste, and sesame oil. Mix well to create a Chinese-style salad dressing.
• Combine and Serve
• After marinating, gently squeeze the cucumbers to remove excess water.
• Rinse under running water and pat dry.
• Place the cucumbers in a large mixing bowl and optionally add chopped coriander.
• Pour the prepared sauce over the cucumbers and mix thoroughly.
• Add as many slices of your chilis as you like. Let the salad sit for 10 minutes before serving to fully absorb the flavors. Serve as a cold Chinese appetizer or as a side dish to any stir-fry recipe.

The post Chinese Cucumber Salad Recipe appeared first on Lin's Chinese Kitchen.

What makes this recipe so great is that it can be ready in under 10 minutes. Just boil it, chill it up in some cold water, then drizzle light soy sauce and you’ve got a side dish that’s both scrumptious and healthy.

Is Okra Salad Healthy?

What’s even better is that okra has tons of health benefits. It’s a nutrient-dense vegetable that’s low on calories and carbs, and high in vitamins C and K. Because it contains protein, a nutrient that many other fruits and vegetables don’t have, this exquisite vegetable is quite special.

Okra is also packed with many antioxidants that benefit our health. If you’re not familiar with antioxidants, just know that they may lower your risk of developing major illnesses, stop inflammation, and improve your general health. The icing on the cake is that okra also contains polyphenols which can support our heart and brain function (2 of our most important organs). Learn more about Okra’s health benefits.

How to Make Okra Not Slimy?

With all the benefits being said, okra’s unique taste and its slimy texture can be somewhat unappealing to some people. If you have tried a few ways of eating okra and it hasn’t been working out for you, yet you still hold on to hope, try our super easy okra salad recipe. If you’re already an okra lover like me, then you definitely should not miss this one!

How Do you Make Okra Salad?

To make this simple okra salad recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Fresh okra 175g
• Light soy sauce ½ tbsp
• Olive oil 1 tsp
• Salt 1 tsp

With just these few ingredients, you can make a side dish that works for many occasions and is easy to put together through the following quick steps:

• Carefully wash your okra and begin boiling a pot of water with 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
• Put your okra in the boiling water, add 1 teaspoon of salt, and let it boil for 4 minutes.
• Prepare a container of cold water (you can add ice to make it even colder) then place the boiled okra until cooled or chilled.
• Cut off the top part, then thinly slice or tear, removing as many seeds as you wish.
• Place okra on a plate then drizzle with light soy sauce before serving.

And there you have it! We hope you enjoy this lovely side dish. It’s refreshing and nutritious, making it perfect for hot days.

More Chinese Salads

Okra may not be for everyone but that doesn’t mean you can’t have options for your diners. We’ve got an amazingly delicious beef and coriander salad recipe that’s reminiscent of classic Chinese street food.

Easy Chinese Okra Salad Recipe

Recipe by LinCourse: SaladsCuisine: ChineseDifficulty: Super Easy

Servings

2

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

4

minutes

This recipe shows you how to make an easy and quick Chinese okra salad that’s refreshing for hot days and super healthy.

Ingredients

• Fresh okra 175g

• Light soy sauce ½ tbsp

• Olive oil 1 tsp

• Salt 1 tsp

Directions

• Carefully wash your Okra.
• Boil a pot of water with 1 tsp olive oil in it.
• Put okra in the boiling water, add 1 tsp salt and let it boil for 4 mins.
• Prepare a big enough container of cold water. You can put some ice in the water if you have some ready.
• Take your boiled okra, gently drain them then put them in the cold/ice water.
• Change the water if needed until your okra is completely cooled.
• Cut the top part, thinly slice them or tear them if you wish. I removed most of the seeds, but you’re welcome to keep them if you don’t mind.
• Place them on a plate.
• Drip ½ tbsp of light soy sauce evenly over the boiled okra.
• Ready to serve!

Try It Yourself!

And there you have it! This is how you can make a scrumptious and refreshing Chinese okra salad in under 10 minutes. Try it for yourself and let us know how it turned out by tagging us on Instagram.

The post Falling in Love With Okra? It’s Easy with This Chinese Salad Recipe appeared first on Lin's Chinese Kitchen.

A popular saying in China is “王者以民为天，而民以食为天”, which means “The kingdom depends on people, but people depends on food”. Also, it’s a common belief amongst travellers that the best way of understanding a country and its culture is through its food. If you’re planning a trip to China, check out China’s top 10 night markets for a deep dive into Chinese culture through your taste buds.

Back to the dish now which packs tender, spicy, refreshing and vibrant all in one bowl. This special dish is originated from the 湘 (xiāng) region in Hunan Province, and it will knock your socks off. Other than that, it’s easy to prepare and quick to put together.

Chinese Coriander Beef Salad Recipe

Recipe by LinCourse: SaladCuisine: Chinese

Servings

3

servings

Prep time

25

minutes

Cooking time

10

minutes

This recipe will show you how to make an authentic Chinese coriander beef salad just like in the night markets of Hunan province.

Ingredients

• Main

• 500g beef joint

• 30g fresh coriander

• Marinate sauce

• 1 tbsp light soy

• 2 tsp dark soy

• 1/2 tsp Shaoxing cooking wine

• ¼ tsp baking soda

• 2 tsp starch

• Salad Dressing

• 1 tbsp white sesame seeds

• 2 tsp chilli flakes

• ¼ salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• ½ tbsp sugar

• ½ tbsp Chinese dark rice vinegar

• ½ tbsp light soy

• 5 shakes of ground Chinese Sichuan pepper

• 2 cloves of garlic

• 2 fresh chillies

• 2 spring onions

Directions

• Cut your beef joint into thick pieces (around 3mm thick) and put them in a big container. I bought Sainsbury’s small fatted beef roasting joint and just removed the fat part, but you can use other cuts as well.
• Add 1 tbsp light soy, 2 tsp dark soy, ½ tsp Shaoxing cooking wine, ¼ tsp baking soda, 2 tsp starch to the sliced beef, massage well and set it aside. Let it marinate for at least 20 minutes.
• Finely slice the chillies, spring onions and chop 2 cloves of garlic. Put them in a bowl.
• Add 1 tbsp white sesame seeds, 2 tsp chilli flakes, ¼ salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, ½ tbsp sugar, ½ tbsp Chinese dark rice vinegar, ½ tbsp light soy, and 5 shakes of ground Chinese Sichuan pepper in the bowl.
• Heat up 3 tbsp of vegetable oil and pour it over the mixed dressing ingredients. You should be able to smell the fragrance by now; absolutely mouth-watering!
• Wash 30g fresh coriander and cut them in half. Set them aside on a plate for later use.
• Boil a pot of water.
• Boil the marinated sliced beef until it is thoroughly cooked. Drain the water and let the meat cool.
• Put the cooled meat in a big container, add the salad dressing and fresh coriander and mix well.
• Plate and serve. Hope this refreshing beef salad can bring you joy as all good food should do 您慢用 (nín màn yòng).

Try It Yourself!

And there you have it! You can now make an authentic Chinese coriander beef salad to bring a dose of Chinese night market to your table. Try it out and let us know how it went by leaving us a comment below. We also check the comments for questions so fire away if you need some guidance. Be sure to also follow us on Instagram for more photos of authentic Chinese dishes.

The post Beef and Coriander – Perfect Combo for a Refreshing Salad appeared first on Lin's Chinese Kitchen.