Hunan-Style Pickled Cucumber Salad with Chili and Garlic

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-25 · Updated 2026-07-25

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A refreshing and spicy cucumber salad featuring crisp cucumbers pickled quickly with Hunan chili, garlic, and a tangy vinegar dressing. This Chinese-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 10 minutes, pairs English cucumber, garlic, dried red chili flakes into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 60 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 60 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 medium (about 14 oz), thinly sliced English cucumber
3 cloves, minced garlic
1 tsp dried red chili flakes
3 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp sesame oil
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

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Instructions

Step 1: Place 2 thinly sliced English cucumbers in a large bowl and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt. Toss and let sit for 15 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
Step 2: Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried red chili flakes, 3 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sugar, and 1 tsp sesame oil until sugar dissolves.
Step 3: Drain any liquid from cucumbers and pour the dressing over them. Toss well to coat evenly.
Step 4: Let the salad marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Step 5: Sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds on top just before serving for crunch and flavor.