Five-Spice Pork and Cucumber Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that combines warm, aromatic spices with crisp vegetables. It’s perfect for summer meals, quick lunches, or a light dinner that doesn’t skimp on taste.
The star of the dish is the pork. Thinly sliced pork tenderloin or pork shoulder works best for this recipe. Marinate the meat in a mixture of Chinese five-spice powder, soy sauce, garlic, rice vinegar, and a touch of honey or brown sugar. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes to absorb the flavors. The five-spice blend brings a mix of sweet, savory, and slightly peppery notes, with hints of cinnamon, star anise, fennel, cloves, and Szechuan peppercorns.
Once marinated, quickly sear or grill the pork slices over medium-high heat until they’re golden and cooked through. The result is tender, juicy meat with a caramelized crust that contrasts beautifully with the crisp, cool cucumber.
For the salad, use thinly sliced cucumbers, preferably Persian or English, as they have fewer seeds and stay crunchy. Lightly salt the cucumbers to draw out excess moisture, then toss them with fresh herbs like cilantro or mint. Add sliced scallions, shredded carrots, and thin red chili slices for extra color and mild heat.
The dressing ties everything together. A mixture of rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and a bit of sugar gives the salad a tangy-sweet punch. You can also stir in some grated ginger for extra warmth.
To serve, layer the cucumber salad on a plate and top with warm slices of pork. Finish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and crushed peanuts for texture. This dish is delicious both warm and cold, making it ideal for meal prep or summer picnics. Serve on its own or with a side of jasmine rice or rice noodles for a more filling option.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork tenderloin thinly sliced
- 2 cucumbers thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp five-spice powder
- 2 tbsp cilantro chopped fresh
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the sliced pork tenderloin, cucumbers, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, five-spice powder, and chopped cilantro. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss well to combine and let marinate for at least 10 minutes.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the marinated pork tenderloin. Cook for 4-5 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Serve the cooked pork and cucumber salad immediately, garnished with additional cilantro if desired.
OMG, the pork was so tender! I can’t believe how fast it cooked. Love it!
I have no idea what five-spice is. Is that a real thing? I just went without it.
Cucumbers in a hot dish?? I was skeptical at first but I gave it a shot. Surprisingly good! 👍
Delicious! Just what I needed after a long day. Thanks for sharing! 🌟
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Perfect for unwinding after a busy day. 🌸
I dunno, I expected more from this. The pork was kinda dry and the cucumbers didn’t add much. Meh.
Wouldn’t recommend. My husband said it tastes like a salad from a cheap diner.
That sounds weird, how can a salad taste bad? It’s just pork and cucumbers… maybe he just doesn’t like five-spice?
I disagree! I thought it was delicious and fresh! Maybe your husband just doesn’t appreciate good food.
Not sure about the five-spice… never tased it before. Hope it ain’t too strong.
This was so good! The five-spice really made a difference.
Cook time question: 4-5 minutes on medium-high for thin sliced pork—seems easy to overcook. I’d start checking earlier. Still, the salad vibe is nice.
Looks too easy ngl 😅 Pork dries out so quick. I would cook it less then mix back? Like, 2-3 mins max or it’s pork jerky. Also, five-spice powder is strong—use less if you don’t like licorice vibes.
Totally—4-5 minutes can go fast with thin pork. I’d start checking at like 2-3 minutes. Even a little over and it gets chewy. But the flavor combo sounds great.
Not sure about the whole cucumber thing. They’re too watery for me.
I get that! Cucumbers can be kinda mushy. Maybe try adding some crunchy veggies instead?
One of the best recipes I have tried! So simple and fresh! I didn’t have five-spice, used Italian seasoning instead.
This recipe is amazing! The flavors are spot on, and it’s so easy to make.
I tried it and it was delicious! The pork was so juicy. Thanks for sharing!
Simple and easy to make! I had all the ingredients at home and it turned out great!
The measurements feel a little off to me, like 1 tbsp soy and only 1 tbsp sesame oil for a whole pound? Maybe it’s fine though. Also cilantro is a must right?
Cilantro is a must?? Mine always gets swapped for parsley sometimes and it’s still good. 2 tbsp cilantro sounds like a lot though—maybe use less if you’re not a fan. Also I think the oil should be more than 1 tbsp, but idk I’m no chef 😅
I wondered the same thing—1 tbsp sesame oil + 1 tbsp soy for 1 lb pork sounded light. But since it’s a tenderloin salad (thin slices) and only needs a quick toss/marinade, the combo is probably meant to be more “light and fresh” than heavy. If yours feels bland, just add a little more soy or a splash more vinegar.
Who put cilantro in a salad?? It tastes weird. Minus points for that! 😒
Yummy salad, but I’d recommend adding some nuts for a crunch. Thx for the recipe!
I don’t know about adding cucumbers to meat dishes… Seems weird. But my boyfriend loved it!
I used to think that too! But cucumbers can actually add a nice crunch and freshness to meat dishes. Glad your boyfriend liked it!
Total flop! The cucumbers went soggy and the pork was dry. Not making this again. 1 star.
Meh… just average. Wouldn’t make again. 😕
Tried it last night but I think I overcooked the pork. It turned out dry. 😕
It was alright I guess. Not sure what the fuss is about. The five-spice is kinda weird, isn’t it?
I added bell peppers and it was even better! Great for summer days!
This was amazing! The flavors mixed so well together. Definitely a 5-star recipe!
How long you let it marinate? I did 20 mins and was perfect! Yum!
Who needs marinating? Just cook it right away! 🤷♂️
20 mins sounds good! I usually do at least 30 to get more flavor. But if you liked it, that’s what matters!
Tastes good! My kids liked it, but next time I’ll use less vinegar.
Eh, it was kinda bland. Needed more seasoning. I would give it a 2.
Not even worth it. The flavor didn’t pop at all. Would rate it a 1 but I gave 2.
This was amazing! The flavors blended so well together. My family loved it!
Loved the cilantro! It really added a fresh taste. Good stuff! 4 stars.
I agree! Cilantro is the best! It really brightens up dishes!
This sounds like a really fresh twist—cucumber + five-spice is such a good combo. I’d probably marinate a bit longer than 10 min though, just to get more flavor into the pork.