Today TasteVN will share with you 3 recipes for delicious and light vegetarian cucumber salads. Go to the kitchen and make these simple vegetarian dishes easily at home!
1. Vegetarian Green Mango Cucumber Salad
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Preparation
35 minutes
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Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients for Vegetarian Green Mango Cucumber Salad Serves 3 – 4 people
Cucumber 500 gr Green Mango 1 fruit Carrot 1 root (small) Chili 1 fruit Roasted Sesame 2 teaspoons Calamondin 2 fruits Soy Sauce 3/2 tablespoons Chili Sauce 1 tablespoon Herbs A little Sugar/Salt A little
How to Choose Fresh Green Mangoes
- You should buy very green and sour mangoes; the finished dish will be crunchier and tastier. Do not choose mangoes that show signs of ripening or are ripe, as they will get bruised when mixed in the salad and won’t taste good.
- For green mangoes, select firm ones with a white powdery skin, dark green color, fresh green stem, and possibly some sap.
- Avoid choosing green mangoes that are soft, as these are usually unripe fruits that have been left for too long. These fruits will taste bland, not fragrant, and the flesh will be mushy.
- If you prefer less sourness, you can choose four-season mangoes or glue mangoes.
See details: How to choose fresh green mangoes safely for cooking
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How to make Green Mango and Cucumber Salad
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Prepare the ingredients
First, use a knife to cut off the two ends of the cucumber, then cut the cucumber in half. After that, cut the cucumber into small bite-sized pieces.
Next, add 1/3 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of sugar to the cucumber and mix well. Let it marinate for about 20 minutes, then gently squeeze to extract the juice and place it in a colander to drain.
For 1 mango, wash it, peel it, and then shred it into thin strips.
For 1 carrot, wash it and then shred it into thin strips.
For 1 chili, use a knife to chop it finely.
Tip:
- To enhance the salad’s flavor, marinating the cucumber with salt to extract its water will help keep the salad crispy and prevent it from becoming soft due to the moisture from the other ingredients.
- You can mix the carrot with a little sugar to maintain its crispness.
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Make the salad dressing
Place a pot on the stove, add 2 tablespoons of water, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1.5 tablespoons of soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of chili sauce, then cook on low heat, stirring continuously until the dressing thickens for about 3 – 5 minutes, then turn off the heat.
After that, squeeze the juice of 2 calamondins into the pot and mix well.
Tip: If calamondin is not available, you can use lemon as a substitute.
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Mixing the salad
Add cucumber, mango, and shredded carrot into a bowl, along with 1 minced chili and the salad dressing, then mix well and let it sit for about 5 minutes for the salad to soak up the flavors.
Transfer the salad to a plate and add a little fresh herbs and 2 teaspoons of roasted sesame seeds to finish.
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Final product
The green mango cucumber salad is crispy and sweet with a rich tangy dressing. Enjoy this dish with your family for a truly delightful experience!
2. Pickled cucumber with vegetarian chicken slices
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Preparation time
40 minutes
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Difficulty level
Easy
Ingredients for Pickled cucumber with vegetarian chicken slices Serves 3 – 4 people
Cucumber 700 gr Vegetarian chicken slices 30 gr Chili 1/2 teaspoon (chopped finely) Lemon juice 3/2 tablespoons Soy sauce 1 teaspoon Cooking oil 100 ml Common seasoning A little (sugar/ vegetarian seasoning/ salt)
Image of ingredients
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How to make Pickled cucumber with vegetarian chicken slices
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Prepare the cucumber
First, wash the cucumber thoroughly, then use a knife to cut off both ends of the cucumber and cut the cucumber in half. Next, use a spoon to remove the seeds from the cucumber.
After that, cut the cucumber into bite-sized pieces.
To marinate the cucumber, add 2 tablespoons of sugar to the cucumber and mix well, let it marinate for 20 minutes, then put it into a cloth bag to drain the water.
Tip: Marinating cucumber with sugar will help the cucumber become clearer and not salty like marinating with salt.
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Prepare and marinate vegetarian chicken slices
First, soak the vegetarian chicken slices in water for about 30 minutes, then take them out and squeeze out the water with your hands.
Next, tear the vegetarian chicken slices into thick strands according to your preference.
Then marinate the vegetarian chicken slices with 1/2 teaspoon of vegetarian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon of sugar, and 1/3 teaspoon of soy sauce, mix well, and let it marinate for 15 minutes for the chicken to absorb the seasoning.
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Make the salad dressing
In a bowl, add 3/2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 5 tablespoons of water, and 3/2 tablespoons of sugar, then stir well until the sugar dissolves.
After that, add 1/2 teaspoon of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of finely chopped chili, then mix well.
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Fried chicken slices
Place a pan on the stove, add 100ml of oil to the pan and heat it up. When the oil is hot, add the chicken slices and fry over medium heat for about 5 – 7 minutes until the chicken is golden and crispy.
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Mix the salad
Add 2 tablespoons of salad dressing to the cucumber and mix well.
Then, add the fried vegetarian chicken slices and mix well to finish.
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Final product
The cucumber salad with vegetarian chicken slices is extremely simple but very delicious, fragrant with a rich fish sauce, sour and crunchy from the vegetarian chicken slices. This is a delicious vegetarian dish you should try!
3. Cucumber salad with tofu
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Preparation
30 minutes
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Difficulty level
Easy
Ingredients for Vegetarian Cucumber Salad with Tofu Serves 3 – 4 people
Cucumber 2 pieces White Tofu 150 gr Carrot 1/2 piece Chili 3 pieces Garlic 3 cloves Lemon 1 piece Peanuts 1 tablespoon Fried Onions 1 tablespoon Fresh Herbs a little Vegetarian Fish Sauce 3 tablespoons Cooking Oil 150 ml Sugar a little
How to Choose Good White Tofu
- You should buy tofu pieces that are ivory white and feel light when held.
- Tofu made from soybeans feels soft and smooth to the touch and has a distinctive aroma when smelled.
- Do not buy firm tofu, which feels heavy when held, because this tofu contains gypsum.
- Tofu that has been chemically processed will have a pure white color, which should absolutely be avoided.
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How to Prepare Vegetarian Cucumber Salad with Tofu
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Prepare the Ingredients
First, wash the carrot and then shred it.
For the cucumber, use a knife to cut off both ends of the cucumber, then cut it in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Next, cut the cucumber diagonally into bite-sized pieces.
For the tofu, cut it into pieces about the thickness of a finger.
Chop 3 cloves of garlic, 1 chili, and slice 2 chilies into small pieces.
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Fry the tofu
Place a pan on the stove, add 150ml of cooking oil and heat it up. When the oil is hot, add the tofu and fry over medium heat for about 5 minutes, occasionally flipping the tofu to ensure it is evenly golden.
After frying, use a knife to cut the tofu into thick strips.
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Make the salad dressing
In a bowl, add 3 tablespoons of fish sauce and 2 teaspoons of sugar, then mix well.
Next, squeeze the juice of 1 lemon, add minced garlic and chili, and mix well.
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Mixing Salad
Add the tofu to a large bowl along with 2 tablespoons of salad dressing and mix well.
Next, add cucumber, carrot, and the remaining salad dressing to the bowl and mix thoroughly with your hands.
Finally, add a little herbs, chopped chili, 1 tablespoon of peanuts, and 1 tablespoon of fried onions, then mix well again to finish.
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Final Product
With such simple ingredients, the delicious and attractive cucumber tofu salad is complete. Enjoying this light vegetarian dish on hot days is simply wonderful!
How to choose fresh and delicious cucumbers
- You should choose cucumbers that are bright green in color, fairly uniform, without dark spots or yellowing, as these are signs that the cucumbers have been stored for too long and are starting to spoil.
- You should choose straight cucumbers, with minimal or no bending. Cucumbers that are long and evenly sized are the type that has a crunchy texture, which is tastier than short and round cucumbers.
- It is advisable to choose heavier cucumbers with a smooth skin, without bumps, and opt for smaller ones as they tend to be sweeter than larger cucumbers.
- You should not buy cucumbers that bulge out, have a large middle or a large head with a small tail (and vice versa) because these are older cucumbers, with a lot of seeds, hard, and not tasty.
How to prepare cucumbers without bitterness
- You can cut cucumbers lengthwise, sprinkle a little salt on them, and then rub the two cucumber pieces together until white foam appears. Rinse them off before use.
- You can also cut off both ends, then rub the ends in a circular motion many times until white foam appears, then wash them clean.
See more
It’s really simple to make 3 recipes for vegetarian cucumber salad that are incredibly appealing, isn’t it? Let’s get cooking right away!
*Refer to images and recipes from 3 YouTube channels: Healthy Living, Delicious Meals Every Day, and Family Food.
