Smacked Cucumber Salad with Chilli Oil
Why this recipe works
- Crisp, craggy texture: Smacking the cucumber splits the flesh and creates rough surfaces that hold the dressing better than neat slices.
- Sharp but balanced dressing: Chinese black vinegar brings depth and tang, while sugar, soy and sesame oil round out the acidity.
- Fast no-cook method: The salad comes together in minutes with no cooking, making it useful as a last-minute side dish.
Get the most out of this recipe
Adjust the heat
- For less heat: Use a lighter hand with the chilli oil and add more toasted sesame oil if the dressing needs extra roundness.
- For more heat: Add extra chilli oil just before serving so the cucumber stays crisp and the heat tastes fresh.
- Keep the dressing balanced: If the chilli oil tastes too dominant, adjust with a little more vinegar, soy or sweetness to restore balance.
Ingredient notes
- Choose firm cucumbers: Firm, fresh cucumbers give the best crunch and release less water once dressed.
- Chinese black vinegar: Black vinegar gives the salad its darker, malty tang; rice vinegar works as a lighter substitute but tastes sharper.
- Crush before cutting: Smack the cucumber first, then cut it into chunks so the pieces keep irregular edges for the dressing to cling to.
Texture tips
- Start with chilled cucumber: Cold cucumber stays firmer after dressing and makes the salad more refreshing.
- Dress close to serving: The salad can be stored, but it has the best crunch when served soon after mixing.
Make-ahead tips
- Prep ahead: The cucumbers can be chilled and the dressing ingredients measured in advance, then combined shortly before serving.
- Best the same day: It will keep in the fridge, but the texture is at its crispest within the first day.
- Serve cold: Do not reheat; stir well after chilling because the dressing naturally settles at the bottom.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Trim the cucumbers, then smack them firmly with the flat side of a knife or a rolling pin until split and lightly crushed. Cut into bite-sized chunks and tip into a mixing bowl.
- Finely grate the garlic into the bowl, then add the caster sugar, light soy sauce and Chinese black vinegar. Toss well until the sugar dissolves and the cucumbers look lightly dressed.
- Add the chili oil and toasted sesame oil, then toss again until glossy and evenly coated. Chill for 2 minutes, then sprinkle over the sesame seeds and serve cold.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Smacking the cucumbers creates cracks and crags that hold onto the dressing, so do not be shy with the first hit.
- For the best crunch, chill the cucumbers before you start, then keep the finished salad in the fridge until serving.
Substitutions
- Replace Chinese black vinegar with rice vinegar for a lighter, sharper tang.
- Replace caster sugar with honey for a rounder sweetness.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge. The salad is best within 24 hours for maximum crunch; stir before serving as the dressing settles.
Ratings & reviews
Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.
Tried this recipe?
Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.
Stay inspired
Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.
Recipe overview
- Servings: 2 servings
- Total time: 12min (10min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Chinese
-
Allergens:
Sesame Soybeans
Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.
Add to meal plannerEquipment you'll need
Got ingredients left?
Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.
Find recipes with these ingredients →
Chopped Greek-American Salad with Pepperoncini
Chopped romaine salad with feta, olives and pepperoncini
Som Tam Thai (Green Papaya Salad)
Som tam Thai green papaya salad with roasted peanuts
Insalata di Polpo e Patate (Octopus and Potato Salad)
Octopus and potato salad with lemon and capers
Taktouka (Moroccan Tomato and Pepper Salad)
Moroccan cooked tomato and pepper salad with warm spices
Vegetarian Taco Salad with Black Beans and Avocado
Taco salad with spiced black beans, avocado and tortilla chips
Turkish Cucumber Salad
Cucumber salad with cherry tomatoes, red onion, dill and lemon
Brazilian Rice and Beans
Rice with creamy black beans, lime and coriander
Mole Coloradito (Mild Red Mole Sauce with Dried Chillies and Nuts)
Mild red mole sauce with chillies, nuts and spices
Risotto alla Milanese con Midollo (Saffron and Bone Marrow Risotto)
Saffron risotto enriched with bone marrow and Parmesan
Spaghetti alla Cetara (Spaghetti with Anchovy, Garlic and Chilli)
Spaghetti with anchovy, garlic, chilli and parsley
Gluten-Free Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken and vegetables baked under a golden gluten-free pastry lid
Carne con Tomate (Andalusian Pork in Tomato Sauce)
Andalusian pork simmered in a thick tomato and paprika sauce
Sichuan Green Bean Salad
Green bean salad with black vinegar, chilli oil and peanuts
Sichuan Cold Chicken with Chilli Oil
Chilled poached chicken dressed with chilli oil and black vinegar
Lotus Root Salad (Modern Chinese Cold Dish)
Chilled lotus root salad with black vinegar, soy and chilli oil
Sesame Noodle Bowl with Cucumber and Carrot
Sesame noodles with cucumber, carrot and spring onion
Modern Korean Cucumber Salad
Chilled Korean cucumber salad with gochugaru and sesame oil
Oi Muchim (Korean Spicy Cucumber Salad)
Spicy cucumber salad with gochugaru, vinegar and sesame oil
You might also like
Polenta con Salsiccia (Polenta with Tomato and Sausage Ragù)
Soft polenta topped with tomato and pork sausage ragù
Jal Jeera (Spiced Cumin Drink)
Chilled jal jeera with roasted cumin, tamarind and mint
Pad Thai-Style Courgette Noodle Bowl with Prawns
Courgette noodle bowl with prawns, tamarind and peanuts
Warm Milk with Honey and Cinnamon
Warm milk sweetened with honey and finished with cinnamon
Kjøttboller i Brunsaus (Beef Meatballs in Brown Gravy)
Beef meatballs in brown gravy with boiled potatoes
Bánh Flan (Vietnamese Caramel Custard)
Silky baked caramel custard made with eggs, milk and condensed milk
Make this recipe easier next time
AdvertisementThese tools help you get better results with less effort.
Misen 8-Inch Chef Knife
- AUS-10 steel
- Balanced design
- Less traditional feel
Titanium & PP Double-Sided Cutting Board
- Separate surfaces for meat and produce
- Resists odors and stains
- Harder on knife edges than wood or plastic
OXO Good Grips Stainless Mixing Bowl Set
- Non-slip base
- Comfort grip
- Higher price
OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set
- Two useful sizes with reversible cutting surfaces
- Dishwasher safe and easy to clean
- Plastic surfaces will show knife marks over time
Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?
Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.
Add JustRecipes to GoogleEvery recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.
