Grilled Pork Salad with Cucumber

🥒 Refreshing Summer Salad Recipe to Beat the Heat! (Yum Moo Yang)

If you’re like me, summer is all about grilling, easy dinners, and keeping things light and refreshing.

And let’s be honest—summer salad recipes are my go-to when the weather gets hot and I don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

That’s where this Grilled Pork Salad with Cucumber comes in.

It’s not just any salad—this one is bursting with flavor, protein-packed, and totally satisfying for a summer dinner.

The cucumber in this dish is a total game changer.

It’s cool, crisp, and super hydrating—just what we need on those scorching days.

If you’re hunting for a summer salad with cucumber, this one checks all the boxes. 🥒

What You’ll Need

• Pork Shoulder – Juicy and flavorful when grilled; we’ll marinate it for extra taste.
• Fish Sauce – Adds that classic salty, umami Thai flavor.
• Cucumber – Cool and crunchy, helps balance the heat and acidity.
• Lime Juice – Bright and citrusy, brings the tang in the dressing.
• Sugar (optional) – A little sweetness to balance out the salt and sour.
• Water – Loosens the dressing slightly for a better mix.
• Bird’s Eye Chilies – Spicy kick! Adjust to your heat level.
• Shallots – Adds mild sweetness and depth. Can substitute with red onion.
• Tomato – Juicy and slightly acidic—adds color and texture.
• Green Onion – For a little sharp freshness.
• Cilantro or Mint – Fresh herbs that brighten up the whole dish.

Why You’ll Love This Grilled Pork Salad with Cucumber Recipe 🩷

✅ Light but packed with flavor

✅ Great for warm weather

✅ Quick to prep and cook

✅ Naturally gluten-free and easy to make low-carb

How to Make Grilled Pork Salad with Cucumber

1. Rub 1 tbsp fish sauce into 14 oz pork shoulder. Let sit for 10 mins.
2. Crush or chop Thai chilies. Peel and thinly slice cucumber. Slice shallots, tomato, and green onion. Chop cilantro or mint
3. Grill or pan-fry pork until cooked and charred. Let rest, then slice thinly.
4. Mix lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, and warm water. Stir until sugar dissolves. Adjust to taste.
5. Add chilies, shallots, and tomato to the dressing. Mix. Add cucumber and pork. Toss in green onion and herbs.
6. Plate and serve immediately while crisp and flavorful.

What to Serve With

Looking for the perfect sides to round out your meal? Here are some tasty ideas:

🥗 Starter: Fresh Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce

🥩 Main Course: Jasmine Rice or Thai Sticky Rice

🍛 Side Dish: Thai Papaya Salad (Som Tum) or Thai Eggplant Stir-Fry

🍰 Dessert: Thai Mango Sticky Rice or Coconut Jelly

What I love most is that this salad hits that perfect balance: spicy, tangy, salty, a little sweet—and then boom!

Cucumber brings that cooling crunch while the grilled pork adds bold, savory flavor.

Toss it all in a tangy Thai-style dressing and you’ve got one of the best summer salad ideas that actually fills you up.

The herbs and cucumber cool everything down. It’s kind of the best summer salad if you ask me.

And if you’re already firing up the grill for dinner, toss on some pork and turn this into a two-in-one meal. That’s what I call a win!

Whether you’re planning a backyard grilling night, searching for a go-to summer salad with cucumber, or need a quick easy summer salad that your family will love—this one’s for you. 🥗☀️

Want to switch things up? You could even play around with the dressing and turn it into your go-to summer salad dressing.

Add more lime, a drizzle of honey, or even a little sesame oil for something different.