Smashed Cucumber Salad recipe

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Ingredients

2 English cucumbers
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, plus more as needed
2 cloves garlic, finely crushed
2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
Red pepper flakes to taste
2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds

Nutrition Info

28.5 calories
carbohydrate: 3.5 g
cholesterol: : -
fat: 1.4 g
fiber: 1.2 g
protein: 1.3 g
saturatedFat: 0.2 g
servingSize: -
sodium: 530.2 mg
sugar: 1.7 g
transFat: : -
unsaturatedFat: : -

Directions

  1. Wrap each cucumber in plastic wrap to minimize splattering. Place on a work surface and pound with a flat object (like a meat pounder) until cucumbers crack and are slightly flattened. Remove from plastic. Cut cucumbers in half, halve each side lengthwise. Slice into 1- to 1 1/2 -inch wide slices. Transfer to a strainer set over a bowl.

  2. Sprinkle cucumber with sugar and salt, mix until well combined. Refrigerate bowl and strainer for 30 to 60 minutes so cucumber pieces can drain into the bowl.

  3. Place garlic, seasoned rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes in a large bowl. Whisk together thoroughly.

  4. Transfer drained cucumbers into bowl with dressing. Toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate for about 30 minutes to allow flavors to mingle.

  5. Place cucumbers in serving bowl and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Recipe Yield

6 servings

Recipe Note

By crushing our cucumber before we cut it, we produce flavors that un-smashed cukes can't. When you crush the cells in a vegetable, as opposed to cutting cleanly through them, certain compounds get mixed together, which can result in a significantly different flavor. In cucumbers this is a good thing--onions, not so much. But this salad is one of my all-time favorite cold summer side dishes. The only decision you're going to have to make is how long to let the cucumbers marinate--half an hour or so or not at all.

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