Cucumber Shaker Salad Chili Crisp (Printer View)

Crunchy cucumber tossed with zesty dressing and bold chili crisp for a fresh, spicy side dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 3 medium Persian or English cucumbers, thinly sliced
02 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
03 - 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

→ Dressing

04 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
05 - 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
06 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
07 - 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
08 - 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
09 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

10 - 1 to 2 tablespoons chili crisp, adjusted to taste
11 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

# Method Steps:

01 - Place thinly sliced cucumbers and scallions into a large bowl or shaker container with a secure lid.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk rice vinegar, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, sugar, kosher salt, and black pepper until sugar dissolves.
03 - Pour the prepared dressing over the vegetables in the bowl or shaker.
04 - Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously for 20 to 30 seconds to evenly dress the vegetables.
05 - Transfer to a serving plate or bowl, top with chili crisp and toasted sesame seeds, and optionally sprinkle with chopped cilantro.
06 - Serve immediately for crisp texture, or refrigerate up to 30 minutes for a more pickled flavor.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes exactly 10 minutes and requires no cooking, making it perfect for nights when your kitchen feels too hot to turn on the stove.
  • The shake method coats every cucumber slice evenly and feels oddly satisfying to do—no tedious tossing required.
  • Chili crisp adds a spicy depth that keeps people coming back for more without ever tasting heavy or overdone.
02 -
  • If your shaker container isn't completely sealed, the dressing will leak everywhere—I learned this the hard way on a car ride to a potluck.
  • The salad is best within the first 30 minutes, after which the cucumbers slowly release water and become softer, which isn't bad but changes the whole appeal of the dish.
03 -
  • Lightly smash your cucumbers with the flat side of a knife before slicing to create more surface area for the dressing to cling to.
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes if you have time—the difference in flavor is remarkable and worth those few extra seconds.
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