Shake Shake Garlic Cucumbers (Printable Version)

Quick cucumber salad with garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili flakes. Ready in 10 minutes for a refreshing side.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large cucumbers, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
02 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced

→ Dressing

03 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
04 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
05 - 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
06 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
07 - 1 teaspoon sugar
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Garnish

09 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
10 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

# Steps:

01 - Place sliced cucumbers and minced garlic into a large sealable jar or container.
02 - Whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, chili flakes, sugar, and salt in a small bowl until sugar dissolves completely.
03 - Pour dressing over cucumbers, seal jar tightly, and shake vigorously for 30-60 seconds to coat evenly.
04 - Let stand 5-10 minutes for flavors to meld. Transfer to serving bowl, garnish with sesame seeds and green onions, and serve immediately or refrigerate for extra chill.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The shaking method releases more cucumber juice than tossing, creating its own light sauce
  • Ready in ten minutes but tastes like it marinated for hours
  • That garlic soy combo hits your tongue in three different waves
02 -
  • English cucumbers have thinner skins and fewer seeds. They stay crunchier longer than garden varieties.
  • The longer they sit, the more liquid they release. This creates a selfsauce but can make them soggy after a day.
  • Shaking creates more surface contact than stirring. Every cucumber piece gets coated from all angles.
03 -
  • Cut your cucumbers slightly thicker than you think you should. They shrink during the shake process.
  • Double the dressing and keep it in a separate jar. Leftover dressing works on noodles, rice, or grilled vegetables.
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