Asian Smash Cucumber Salad is the crunchy, refreshing side dish you didn’t know you needed. With bold flavors and a unique texture, this salad offers the perfect balance of tangy, savory, and lightly spicy notes. Smashing the cucumbers instead of slicing them creates rough edges that soak up the dressing, making each bite burst with flavor.
This salad is easy to make yet feels sophisticated at any table. The dressing blends soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and rice vinegar for a classic Asian balance of salty, nutty, and tangy. A touch of chili crisp adds gentle heat, while cilantro and scallions give a fresh, vibrant finish.
Smashed cucumber salads trace back to Chinese cuisine, where they are loved for their texture and simplicity. Today, they’re popular worldwide for being both refreshing and effortless.
Serve this Asian Smash Cucumber Salad with grilled meats, noodles, or enjoy it alone as a light snack. It’s a dish you’ll return to again and again.
Recipe Yield: 4 servings
INGREDIENTS
1 ½ lb Persian or English cucumbers
1 tsp kosher salt
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp honey
1 tsp chili crisp or chili oil (optional)
1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
2 tbsp fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
2 tbsp scallions, thinly sliced
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Smash and salt cucumbers:
Place cucumbers on a cutting board. Using a rolling pin, meat mallet (flat side, not spiked), or the bottom of a heavy pan, gently smash until they split. Cut into bite-size pieces. Toss with salt and set aside for 15 minutes to draw out excess water.
2. Make the dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk garlic, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, and chili crisp until combined.
3. Drain cucumbers:
After 15 minutes, drain cucumbers and pat lightly with a paper towel to remove extra moisture. This ensures maximum flavor absorption.
4. Toss and finish:
Add cucumbers to a bowl with dressing. Toss well to coat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, cilantro, and scallions before serving.
Helpful Tips to Perfect This Recipe
- Smash for flavor: Smashing creates rough edges, allowing the dressing to cling to every cucumber piece and enhancing the salad’s bold taste.
- Drain well: Removing water from salted cucumbers prevents a watery salad and helps the dressing stay rich and flavorful.
- Adjust the heat: For a spicier kick, add extra chili crisp, while omitting it entirely makes this salad refreshing and mild.
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