Description
This Grilled Pork Salad with Cucumber is a fresh and flavorful dish combining tender grilled pork slices with crisp cucumbers and a tangy, spicy dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, this salad balances smoky, savory, and refreshing tastes with a satisfying crunch and a hint of heat.
Ingredients
For the Pork:
- 1 lb pork shoulder or pork loin, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
For the Salad:
- 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced or julienned
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1-2 fresh red chilies, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, crushed
For the Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes or fresh chili (optional, to taste)
Instructions
- Marinate the Pork: In a bowl, combine thinly sliced pork with minced garlic, soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, black pepper, and vegetable oil. Mix well to coat and let marinate for at least 30 minutes to infuse flavors.
- Prepare the Salad Ingredients: While the pork marinates, thinly slice or julienne the cucumber and slice the red onion and fresh chilies. Set aside fresh cilantro leaves and crush the roasted peanuts.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, minced garlic, and chili flakes until sugar dissolves. Adjust seasoning to your preference for balance of salty, sour, sweet, and spicy.
- Grill the Pork: Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill over medium-high heat. Place marinated pork slices on the hot grill and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until pork is cooked through and has nice grill marks. Remove and let rest briefly.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the grilled pork slices with cucumber, red onion, chilies, and cilantro. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine all elements evenly.
- Serve: Transfer the salad to serving plates or a large bowl. Sprinkle crushed roasted peanuts on top for added texture and serve immediately for the freshest flavor.
Notes
- Use pork shoulder for juicier, more flavorful meat or pork loin for a leaner option.
- Adjust chili levels in the dressing to accommodate your spice preference.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be chilled for 15-20 minutes before serving for a cooler dish.
- Substitute fish sauce with soy sauce for a less pungent flavor.
- For gluten-free, ensure the soy sauce used is gluten-free or substitute with tamari.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Thai
