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Peanut & Chili Oil Cucumber Salad

25 min

Snack

Salad

Side

10 ingredients or less

No-bake

This salad is inspired by the classic Pai Huang Gua, it brings together crunchy cucumbers, roasted peanuts, and spicy chili oil. It's a lively and texturally pleasing salad, perfect as a zingy appetizer or a flavourful side dish.

Servings

Total

25 min

Prep

15 min

Rest

10 min

Contains

Soy symbol

soy

Peanut symbol

peanut

Sesame symbol

sesame

Swap out

Gluten symbol

gluten

Free from

Treenut symbol

tree nut

Ingredients

Salad base

  • 9
    mini cucumbers, cut into wedges
  • ¼ cup (4 g)
    fresh cilantro, chopped
  • ¼ cup (36 g)
    roasted unsalted peanuts, chopped
  • 1 Tbsp (9 g)
    toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Dressing

Topping

  • 1 Tbsp (15 g)
    crispy chili oil, plus more to taste

Directions

  1. Prep the cucumber, cilantro, and peanuts. Transfer to a bowl along with the sesame seeds.
  2. Add all of the dressing ingredients to a small bowl and mix.
  3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss*. Let sit for at least 10 minutes for the flavours to infuse and for the cucumber to soften slightly .
  4. Taste test and adjust the seasoning as desired. Plate, drizzle over the chili oil, and garnish with more cilantro, peanuts, and sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

  • * Add more water if a thinner consistency is desired. Note, though, that the cucumber will release some liquid as it sits in the dressing.

Storage

  • Best on the day it's made, but can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Let us know what you think

Nutrition info

We believe that focusing on numbers can harm our relationship with food. Instead, our philosophy is to Nourish the Cells & the Soul. If you require specific nutrition information due to a medical condition, please consult with a dietitian or physician. The nutritional information provided is composed with the utmost care. However, we cannot guarantee the correctness of the displayed values, see also our disclaimer.

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Discussion & Rating

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Karen - Dec. 5, 2023, 4:51 a.m.

I don’t remember when I came across that catchy title. Pick up limes!! Maybe 7 years ago when I returned from Abu Dhabi. I was living and teaching there. I love food! I love food from other cultures! I love cooking and especially eating.
I started following your shows and recipes and reading up behind the scenes on you etc- life happened- change of job but still teaching in Ny now where I’m from .
I’m all caught up! Congratulations! Welcome to auntie world! Ure beautiful talented and every recipe is amazing.
Making this tomorrow !!
Invite me/ I’d love to be a guest, co-host and taster 😋

Xx Karen gist

PUL Team - Dec. 6, 2023, 2:04 a.m.

Aww it sounds like you may have been here right from the start, Karen 🥰 we're so grateful that our paths crossed and a very warm welcome back to the PUL community! We hope you've been doing well and enjoy the Peanut & Chili Oil Cucumber Salad 🤗


李岱珺 - Dec. 5, 2023, 3:44 a.m.

I'm so glad you made this cucumber salad. It's really a popular dish for Chinese people!


CB - Dec. 4, 2023, 9:52 p.m.

Delicious! (And and I don’t even love cucumbers that much.)

One warning: it is far better freshly prepared. Don’t try and meal prep with this one unless you enjoy soggy cucumbers! : )


Jaya - Dec. 3, 2023, 4:34 a.m.

Very fresh. Added sriracha to the dressing


Genevieve - Dec. 1, 2023, 6:52 p.m.

Amazing salad! Super crunchy! 🥜It’s the second time I’m making it. Super easy for a quick working from home lunch!
Warm hello from Montreal!

PUL Team - Dec. 2, 2023, 3:14 a.m.

Yayy we're so happy to hear, Genevieve! Sending all our love to Montreal 💛


José - Nov. 28, 2023, 5:25 p.m.

Hi! Where do you get the chili oil in the Netherlands? 😁🦩

PUL Team - Nov. 29, 2023, 2:11 a.m.

Hey there, José, we get ours from our local Asian supermarket - the Amazing Oriental or the Amazing Sang Lee in Eindhoven 🤗


Bahar - Nov. 21, 2023, 3:48 p.m.

I think I actually like it! I was not having the habit of having salad, but I'm kinda enjoying it. Thanks for sharing. :)

PUL Team - Nov. 21, 2023, 6:14 p.m.

We’re glad the cucumber salad is being enjoyed, Bahar! Thanks for sharing the review 🤩


katha - Nov. 14, 2023, 2:44 a.m.


Nikisha - Nov. 10, 2023, 6:06 a.m.

This was so refreshing and simple to make. I've told everyone i know about it. Whilst we are not a vegan household I quite enjoy your recipes and find it adaptable to any sort of diet (PS: i have even tricked my husband a couple of times- more specifically your ceaser salad dressing blew his mind). We had your cucumber salad with chicken wings and my parents in South africa have had it along with a cheese platter (as a side snack).

PUL Team - Nov. 10, 2023, 4:08 p.m.

Thanks for sharing the recipe, Nikisha, the kind words and support mean a lot! 😊


Lisa - Nov. 9, 2023, 3:33 a.m.

I made this today. It was soooo good. I had regular english cucumbers that were on its way out so i made this and hubby and i devoured it. I topped the salad with additional cilantro, roasted peanuts, sesames and homemade chili oil. Didnt have lime so i used lemon. Do not leave the chili oil out! It elevated this already great salad to another level. Thanks PUL.

PUL Team - Nov. 9, 2023, 9:37 a.m.

So glad you both enjoyed it Lisa! 🫶


Carla Poot - Nov. 3, 2023, 7:24 p.m.

So simple and yet soooo delicious! This will become a regular salad here. Absolutely perfect!


Jshah - Nov. 3, 2023, 7:17 p.m.

Absolutely in love with the recipes. Makes my life so much easier. Thank you


Leo - Nov. 1, 2023, 2:14 p.m.

I literally can't get enough of this!!!! So glad my partner already ate, so I can have his portion, too :D

PUL Team - Nov. 1, 2023, 7:13 p.m.

Whoop whoop!! So glad it was a hit, Leo! 🙌


Caitlin - Oct. 31, 2023, 3:06 a.m.

Yum! Love the crunch of the cucumber with the creaminess of the dressing. Will make again.


Cade - Oct. 30, 2023, 6:40 p.m.

WOW this was incredible! Completely devoured it! Used crushed garlic instead of the powder. Will be making it again!


Franziska - Oct. 30, 2023, 6:23 p.m.

Dear PUL team, this looks very delicious and I’d love to try the recipe. If I can’t find the mini cucumbers, how many regular cucumbers could I use instead? Also, a recipe or alternative for a quick home-made crispy chili oil would be handy, as I don’t want to extra buy one just for this recipe (chances are it gets rancid before I can finish it). Thank you for all your inspiring recipes. Take care.

PUL Team - Oct. 30, 2023, 7:10 p.m.

Hey Franziska, if I had to guess I'd say around 1.5 to 2 English cucumbers would be suitable to use instead. We'll also make a note to make a homemade Chili Oil one day, thanks so much for the request! I hope you love the cucumber salad if you're able to give it a try 🤗