Cucumber Shaker Salad Chili Crisp (Printer version)

Crunchy cucumbers with zesty dressing finished by a bold spoonful of chili crisp seasoning.

# 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, adjust to taste
11 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

# Directions:

01 - Place thinly sliced cucumbers and scallions into a large bowl or shaker with a secure lid.
02 - Whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce or tamari, toasted sesame oil, granulated sugar, kosher salt, and black pepper until sugar dissolves.
03 - Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and scallions in the bowl.
04 - Seal the container and shake vigorously for 20 to 30 seconds to evenly coat the vegetables.
05 - Transfer the salad to a serving dish, top generously with chili crisp, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and chopped cilantro if desired.
06 - Serve immediately for optimal crunch or refrigerate up to 30 minutes for a more pickled flavor.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes less time than waiting for delivery and tastes twice as good.
  • The shaking part is weirdly satisfying, especially after a long day.
  • Chili crisp turns it from mild to completely addictive in one spoonful.
  • You can eat it immediately or let it sit and it gets better either way.
02 -
  • If you skip the shaking and just stir it, the dressing won't coat the cucumbers the same way and it'll taste flat.
  • Don't add the chili crisp before shaking or it'll all sink to the bottom and you'll lose the crunch.
  • Use a container with a real seal—I learned this the hard way when dressing went everywhere.
03 -
  • Taste the dressing before you pour it—if it's too salty or too sweet, fix it now because you can't undo it once it's on the cucumbers.
  • Let the salad sit for five minutes after shaking and the flavors will settle and deepen just enough.
  • If your chili crisp has settled in the jar, stir it first so you get oil and crunchy bits in every spoonful.
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