How to Make Refreshing Cucumber and Pork Ear Salad at Home

Cucumber and pork ear salad is a refreshing and enticing dish that perfectly combines the crunchiness of pork ears with the fresh taste of cucumbers. Discover how to make this simple yet delicious salad right at home!

Ingredients for Cucumber and Pork Ear Salad for 4 People

• Pork ears: 300g
• Cucumbers: 3
• Onion: 1/2
• Carrot: 1
• Shallots: 3
• Garlic: 2 cloves
• Chili: 2
• Vietnamese coriander: a small bunch
• Lime juice: 3 tablespoons
• Vinegar: 4 tablespoons
• Fish sauce: 4 tablespoons
• Sugar: 3 tablespoons
• Common seasonings: Salt, MSG

Ingredients for cucumber and pork ear salad

How to Choose Fresh Ingredients

Tips for Choosing Quality Pork Ears

• Choose pork ears that are bright white and firm to the touch, not soft.
• When pressed lightly, the ears should bounce back and have no foul odor or unusual signs.

Tips for Choosing Fresh Cucumbers

• Good cucumbers are usually moderately long and firm, with fresh stems.
• Avoid cucumbers that are too large, have rough skins, or feel light as they may have been sprayed with chemicals.

Steps to Make Cucumber and Pork Ear Salad

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

• Wash the pork ears with vinegar and salt to remove any odor. Then, boil the pork ears with crushed shallots, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/3 teaspoon of MSG. Boil for about 15-20 minutes until the ears are cooked, then remove and let cool before cutting into bite-sized pieces.
• Rinse the onion, slice thinly, and soak in vinegar and sugar for 15 minutes to reduce its sharpness while maintaining its crunchiness.
• Wash the cucumbers, remove the seeds, and cut into bite-sized pieces. Peel and shred the carrot. Mince the garlic and chili. Rinse and finely chop the Vietnamese coriander.

Preparing ingredients for cucumber and pork ear salad

Step 2: Make the Salad Dressing

• In a bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of sugar, 4 tablespoons of fish sauce, and 3 tablespoons of lime juice, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
• Add the minced garlic and chili to the fish sauce mixture, and stir well to create a flavorful salad dressing.

Making salad dressing for cucumber and pork ear salad

Step 3: Mix the Salad

• Place the pork ears, cucumbers, carrot, and onion in a large bowl, and pour the salad dressing over them. Mix thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well-coated with the dressing.
• Finally, add the Vietnamese coriander and gently mix once more.

Mixing cucumber and pork ear salad

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

• Arrange the salad on a plate, and optionally sprinkle with fried shallots or garlic for added flavor.
• Enjoy the harmonious sweet and sour taste and the crunchy texture of this delightful cucumber and pork ear salad, perfect for a family meal.

Finished cucumber and pork ear salad

Conclusion

With the simple recipe for cucumber and pork ear salad provided above, you can easily prepare a delicious and nutritious dish right at home. Don’t forget to share your creations with us!

Wishing you success and enjoyable meals with your family!

References:

• YouTube Channel Wife’s Kitchen
• Benefits of Cucumbers