Dumpling and Smashed Cucumber Salad With Peanut Sauce
A quick and flavorful Dumpling and Smashed Cucumber Salad With Peanut Sauce featuring crispy dumplings, crunchy cucumbers, and a creamy peanut dressing perfect for easy weeknight meals.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Dumplings
1 package (20–24 ounces) frozen potstickers or dumplings
2 tablespoons neutral oil
½ cup water
For the Smashed Cucumber Salad
2 large cucumbers
1 teaspoon salt
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
For the Peanut Sauce
⅓ cup creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon chili crisp or chili oil
1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
1 clove garlic, grated
¼ cup hot water, plus more as needed
Instructions
Prepare the cucumbers by lightly smashing them with the flat side of a knife or rolling pin. Break into bite-sized pieces.
Toss cucumbers with salt and let sit for 10 minutes. Drain excess liquid.
In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili crisp, maple syrup, garlic, and hot water until smooth. Set aside to thicken slightly.
Toss the cucumbers with scallions, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
Arrange frozen dumplings flat-side down and cook for 2–3 minutes until lightly golden.
Carefully add water, cover immediately, and steam for 5–7 minutes until cooked through.
Remove the lid and continue cooking for 2–3 minutes until the bottoms are crisp.
Transfer dumplings to a serving platter.
Arrange the smashed cucumber salad alongside the dumplings.
Drizzle generously with peanut sauce or serve it on the side for dipping.
Notes
Frozen potstickers work best because their flat bottoms crisp beautifully.
If the peanut sauce becomes too thick, whisk in a little more hot water.
Add crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, or fresh cilantro for extra flavor and texture.
For a vegetarian version, use vegetable dumplings and maple syrup.
