Cucumber Shaker Salad Chili Crisp (Printable)

Crunchy cucumber and scallions in a zesty dressing finished with spicy chili crisp and sesame seeds.

# What You 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
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

# How-To 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 together rice vinegar, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, granulated sugar, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until sugar dissolves.
03 - Pour the prepared dressing over the cucumbers and scallions in the container.
04 - Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 20 to 30 seconds to evenly coat all vegetables.
05 - Transfer the salad to a serving dish, topping generously with chili crisp, toasted sesame seeds, and cilantro if desired.
06 - Serve immediately for optimal crunch or refrigerate up to 30 minutes for a more pickled flavor.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It takes less time than waiting for delivery and tastes better than anything youd order.
  • The shaking trick coats every piece without wilting the cucumbers or dirtying extra dishes.
  • Chili crisp turns it from plain to craveable in one spoonful.
  • You can make it as mild or as fiery as your mood demands.
02 -
  • If you let it sit too long before shaking, the cucumbers will release water and dilute the dressing.
  • Shake it hard enough that you hear the cucumbers tumbling around inside—thats how you know theyre getting coated.
  • Chili crisp brands vary wildly in heat, so start with one tablespoon and add more after tasting.
03 -
  • Use a container just big enough to hold the cucumbers with a little room to move—too much space and they wont coat evenly.
  • If youre making this ahead, keep the dressing and cucumbers separate until right before serving so they stay crisp.
  • Double the chili crisp if youre serving it to people who like heat—it disappears fast.
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