This popular Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad is so healthy and refreshing. Tossed in a zingy dressing, this beautiful salad comes together in just 10 minutes!
This beautiful side dish is perfect for the warm weather ahead. There are only a handful of ingredients in this salad making it beyond easy to prepare!
Why do you smash the cucumbers?
Smashing the cucumbers is a classic Chinese technique. When you smash (or bash) the cucumbers they burst open, allowing the flavors of the dressing to seep into all of those cracks and crannies. Use a meat mallet or large, flat knife to smash them.
Why persian cucumbers?
I chose Persian cucumbers because they have less seeds than other varieties, plus you don't have to slice them in half before smashing because they're little. And, I just think they're so crunchy, delicate, and adorable!
HELPFUL TIP: Feel free to substitute with English cucumbers. You'll need to slice them in half lengthwise and remove the seeds first!
In This Article:
- Why do you smash the cucumbers?
- Why persian cucumbers?
- Ingredients you'll need for smashed cucumber salad
- Why do you salt the cucumbers?
- How do you make smashed cucumber salad?
- What do you serve with this cucumber salad?
- Recipe notes
- If you liked this cucumber salad recipe, you're going to want these salad recipes too!
- Smashed Cucumber Salad
Ingredients you'll need for smashed cucumber salad
- Persian cucumbers (or English cucumbers)
- Kosher salt
- white sugar
- low-sodium soy sauce
- rice vinegar
- garlic cloves
- fresh ginger
- hot chili oil
- toasted sesame seeds
- fresh cilantro leaves
[*See recipe card for exact quantities.]
Slice the cucumbers on the diagonal, about 1-inch thick. If you're using English cucumbers, slice the whole cucumber in half lengthwise before slicing.
Why do you salt the cucumbers?
The salt helps release the liquid from the cucumbers so you don't end up with a watery salad. To make the cucumbers less watery, you need to sprinkle Kosher salt over the sliced cucumbers and let it drain in a colander over a bowl for about 30 minutes.
How do you make smashed cucumber salad?
- Cut the ends off of the cucumbers. Pound the cucumbers with a flat meat mallet, rolling pin, or large, flat knife until the cucumbers are slightly cracked. Slice the cucumbers on the diagonal, about 1 inch thick.
- Place the cucumbers in a large mixing bowl and toss with the salt and sugar. Transfer cucumbers to a strainer placed over the same bowl. Let sit for at least 30 minutes to drain the liquid.
- Meanwhile, make the dressing.
- Transfer the cucumbers to a large serving bowl. Coat with the dressing and toss in the chili oil to finish. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds and top with cilantro. Serve extra chili oil on the side if desired.
*[See recipe card for more detailed instructions.]
This fragrant dressing combines fresh garlic and ginger with Asian sauces and spicy hot chili oil. It's a lovely flavor-bomb finish to this refreshing cucumber salad!
HELPFUL TIP: Of course, you can make your own chili oil. But if you opt for the easy route, simply use store-bought hot chili oil. Anything to save some time, right?
Toss the cucumbers with the dressing right before you're ready to serve! You can make this dressing ahead of time and store in the fridge until you're ready to serve.
What do you serve with this cucumber salad?
This Smashed Cucumber Salad is ideal served alongside any Asian-style dish, including Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese food. It's also good with rice or rice noodles. I've added the leftovers on top of salads too!
Here are some great recipe ideas to serve these cucumbers with:
- Vietnamese Grilled Pork Tenderloin Skewers
- Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
- Grilled Beef with Green Curry Sauce
- Miso Glazed Salmon
- Rice Cooker Coconut Rice
Recipe notes
- I used Persian cucumbers for this salad. Feel free to use English cucumbers, but you'll need to slice them in half lengthwise before smashing.
- You can prepare the salad ingredients up to a day ahead. Just store the cucumbers and the sauce separately in the refrigerator.
- Don’t toss the cucumbers with the dressing until you're ready to serve. That way the cucumbers won’t become too soggy or limp.
- If you like it even hotter, sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top. Or, toss with some chopped Thai red chili peppers (super hot level!).
- Get creative with the toppings! You can garnish with basil, mint, chopped green onions, sliced red onions, etc.
If you liked this cucumber salad recipe, you're going to want these salad recipes too!
- Mushroom and Radish Salad with Yuzu Vinaigrette
- Japanese Seaweed Salad
- Avocado Edamame Kale Salad
- Arugula Salad with Asian Pears
- Japanese Bean Sprouts Salad
CHECK OUT ALL OF OUR SALAD RECIPES!
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Smashed Cucumber Salad
This popular Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad is so healthy and refreshing. Tossed in a zingy dressing, this beautiful salad comes together in just 10 minutes!
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 6 Persian cucumbers (or 2 English cucumbers)
- 1 ½ teaspoons Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, finely minced
- 2 teaspoons hot chili oil
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
- Handful fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Cut the ends off of the cucumbers. Pound the cucumbers with a mallet or large flat knife until the cucumbers are slightly cracked. Slice the cucumbers on the diagonal, about 1 inch thick.
- Place the cucumbers in a large bowl and toss with the salt and sugar. Transfer cucumbers to a strainer placed over the same bowl. Let sit for at least 30 minutes to drain the liquid.
- Make the dressing: Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger. Set aside.
- To assemble: Transfer the cucumbers to a large serving bowl. Coat with the dressing and toss in the chili oil to finish. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds and top with cilantro. Serve extra chili oil on the side if desired.
Notes
- I used Persian cucumbers for this salad. Feel free to use English cucumbers, but you'll need to slice them in half lengthwise before smashing.
- You can prepare the salad ingredients up to a day ahead. Just store the cucumbers and the sauce separately in the refrigerator.
- Don’t toss the cucumbers with the dressing until you're ready to serve. That way the cucumbers won’t become too soggy or limp.
- If you like it even hotter, sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top. Or, toss with some chopped Thai red chili peppers (super hot level!).
- Get creative with the toppings! You can garnish with basil, mint, chopped green onions, sliced red onions, etc.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Category: Salads
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 57
- Sugar: 4.5 g
- Sodium: 740.5 mg
- Fat: 2.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 8.4 g
- Protein: 1.7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Chad meagley says
Once the cucumbers had sit headset for 30 minutes, do you rinse the salt and sugar off of them because it doesn’t say what to do next
Asian Inspired Eats says
Great question, Chad! No, you do not rinse the cucumbers after straining them. You want to maintain the flavors of the salt and sugar. Hope that helps!
Caroline Manders says
Crunchy, spicy, refreshing! This salad is off the charts in flavor! Huge hit with the family. Thx for this great, easy recipe! 😍
Asian Caucasian says
So thrilled that you and the fam loved this smashed cucumber salad! It's the easiest recipe on the planet, and fun to smash the cukes when you're feeling stressed.