Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜)

Are you looking for a refreshing appetizer? You won’t want to miss this Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜). Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s a perfect light side dish for everyday meals. With its delicious, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor, it’s a great addition to any family meal.

12 Reviews
13 Comments
POSTED:08/19/2024
Level:Easy
Yield:2-3 servings
Total:10 min
(includes chilling time)
Active:3 min

Today's Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜) is very simple to make. Just smash the cucumbers, then add soy sauce, light soy sauce, vinegar, and homemade chili oil. To perfect this dish, it’s important to know all the little tips to fully bring out its flavor.

1. About Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜)

Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜) is a popular cold dish in Chinese households, known for its refreshing taste and suitability for summer.

In Chinese dietary practices, cucumbers are considered cooling foods that help clear heat, relieve summer heat, and detoxify the body. Additionally, this dish aids digestion.

Not only is Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜) appetizing, but it is also rich in dietary fiber, which promotes toxin elimination and helps lower cholesterol. The malic acid in cucumbers also supports weight loss by inhibiting the conversion of sugar into fat.

Overall, Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜) is a delicious and highly regarded dish in China, enjoyed by many.

2.Best Cucumbers for Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜)

In China, the cucumbers used for Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜) are a specific variety with a darker color, thin skin, and small spines, which makes them crisper than other types. This is the variety I’m using for this recipe.

If you can’t find this variety, you can also use English cucumbers, Persian cucumbers, Kirby cucumbers, or American cucumbers to make this dish.

3. How to Smash Cucumbers

There are several methods to smash cucumbers. Here are the most common ones:

Plastic Bag Method: Place the cucumber in a plastic bag and smash it with a knife. This helps to avoid splashing and adds flavor.

Cutting Board Method: Clean and dry the cucumber, then use the back of a knife to gently smash it. This method is simple and effective. (This is the method I used.)

Side Method: Smash the cucumber on a cutting board using the side of the knife. This method keeps the cucumber more intact, allowing the seasoning to penetrate better.

4.What to Pair with Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜)

Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜) is a great appetizer that pairs well with various main dishes. You can enjoy it with rice or noodles, main courses, or simply as a refreshing side. I often pair it with the following dishes:

- Homemade Egg Drop Soup

- Roasted Crispy Pork Belly

- Braised Pork Belly

- Wonton Mee

- Yangzhou Fried Rice (Simple Version)

5.How to Store Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜)

Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜) is a simple cold dish that’s best enjoyed fresh. However, if you want to prepare it in advance, store the salad in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator. It can be stored for about 1-2 days. Chilling it for a while can actually make the salad even crisper.

6.More Simple and Delicious Chinese Recipes

- Delicious Poached Chicken

- Chinese Crepes Recipe (Tianjin-style Jianbing)

- Beijing-style Shredded Pork

Let's make this tangy and crispy appetizer together!

INGREDIENTS

MAIN INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cucumbers

ACCESSORIES

  • 1 piece of ginger
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 scallion
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 sprig cilantro
  • 3 small chili peppers

SEASONINGS

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon steamed fish soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • Olive oil to taste
  • Sichuan peppercorns to taste

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Prepare all the ingredients: 2 cucumbers, 3 small chili peppers, 1 clove each of ginger and garlic, 1 sprig each of cilantro and scallion, and all the seasonings.

Recipe ingredient list: 2 cucumbers, 3 chili peppers, ginger, garlic, cilantro, scallion, seasonings.

STEP 2

Wash the cucumbers under running water and trim the ends.

Wash cucumbers, trim ends.

STEP 3

Use the back of a knife to smash and slightly break the cucumbers, then cut them into small pieces.

Smash cucumbers with knife, then cut into small pieces.

STEP 4

Add a pinch of salt and let the cucumbers sit for 5 minutes.

Tip:

Salting the cucumbers helps draw out moisture, making them crisper and allowing the flavors to penetrate better.

Salt cucumbers for 5 mins to draw out moisture and enhance flavor.

STEP 5

While the cucumbers are being salted, prepare the other ingredients: wash and finely chop the ginger, garlic, cilantro, and scallion. Also, wash the Sichuan peppercorns and set them aside.

Prepare ingredients: chop ginger, garlic, cilantro, scallion, wash Sichuan peppercorns.

STEP 6

Heat a pan with a suitable amount of olive oil. Add the Sichuan peppercorns to cold oil, and cook until fragrant. Then add the chopped ginger, garlic, and small chili peppers, and sauté until aromatic. Set aside.

Tip:

All the seasonings can be purchased at the store.

Heat oil, add Sichuan peppercorns, ginger, garlic, chili, sauté for aromatic flavors. Store-bought seasonings recommended.

STEP 7

Drain the excess moisture from the salted cucumbers and add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce.

Remove cucumber moisture, add soy sauce.

STEP 8

Add 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar.

Add 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar for flavor enhancement.

STEP 9

Add 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar.

Add 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar.

STEP 10

Add 1 teaspoon of steamed fish soy sauce.

Add 1 tsp steamed fish soy sauce for flavor enhancement.

STEP 11

Pour the hot ginger, garlic, cilantro, and chili pepper mixture over the cucumbers, and add 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds.

Pour hot ginger, garlic, cilantro, chili mixture over cucumbers & add sesame seeds.

STEP 12

Mix everything thoroughly.

Mix everything thoroughly.

STEP 13

Your delicious Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜) is ready to enjoy!

Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜) recipe is now ready to savor!

Recipe analyzer

  • Recipes: Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜)
  • Main Ingredients:13
  • Servings per recipe:1
  • Servings size:688 g
Nutritional Summary of Recipe
Amount per 639 g= 1 serving(s)
  • Energy (calories):287 kcal
    21%
  • Protein:9.21 g
    18%
  • Fat:10.58 g Why gray?
    66%
  • Carbohydrates:41.9 g
    15%
Calorie breakdown
  • Protein: 11%
    31 kcal
  • Fat: 33%
    93 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 57%
    161 kcal
The chart shows the percentage of calories intake (energy) coming from the respective macronutrients (fats, protein and carbohydrates).
Omega 6 : Omega 3
1:1
20:1
18:1
Both fatty acids are essential, but nowadays the majority of western diets include excessive amounts of Omega 6 acid.

The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.

12 REVIEWS

Review
Your rating:
SpiceSizzleSpectacleDecember 20, 2024

This is my go-to recipe for a quick and healthy side dish. It’s always a crowd-pleaser!
BiteBurstDecember 07, 2024

How can I make the salad less spicy?
reply:
December 10, 2024
Reduce the amount of chili oil or omit it altogether if you prefer a milder taste.
GourmetGaloreTreatsNovember 26, 2024

Can I add other vegetables to this salad?
reply:
November 28, 2024
Absolutely! You can add thinly sliced radishes, carrots, or bell peppers for extra crunch and color.
CulinaryCraftHubNovember 13, 2024

I made this salad for a BBQ, and it was a hit! Everyone loved the crunchy texture and fresh taste.
GourmetGleeOctober 31, 2024

Such an easy and delicious recipe! My family couldn’t stop eating it.
SpiceSavorSphereOctober 20, 2024

How long can I store this cucumber salad in the fridge?
reply:
October 23, 2024
It’s best enjoyed fresh, but you can store it in the fridge for up to 2 days.
SavorySnackSpectacleOctober 10, 2024

I love the balance of flavors in this salad—tangy, savory, and a bit spicy.
FlavorFablesFanSeptember 29, 2024

Do I need to peel the cucumbers before making the salad?
reply:
October 02, 2024
It’s up to your preference! If the skin is thick or waxy, peeling might improve the texture.
GourmetGaloreSeptember 18, 2024

Can I use a different type of cucumber for this salad?
reply:
September 21, 2024
Yes, you can use English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers. Just make sure to adjust the seasoning to taste.
SavoryShowSeptember 06, 2024

My cucumber salad had a great balance of flavors, and the cucumbers stayed nice and crunchy.
CulinaryCanvasFanSeptember 02, 2024

This cucumber salad is so refreshing! Perfect for a light summer side dish.
kikoAugust 21, 2024

This cucumber pat has a crunchy texture and is an indispensable summer treat!
jiaojiaoAugust 21, 2024

I was pleasantly surprised by this cucumber pat, the texture was really great!
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