Smashed cucumber salad is light, refreshing and perfect for summer. You’ll be making this salad on a weekly basis as it’s so simple and delicious!
Smashing the cucumber results in a tastier salad as it absorbs the seasonings. Salting the cucumber helps with the crunch, intensifies dressing flavors and softens the skins.
For spice, you can also add red pepper flakes, chili sauce, or chili oil.
Smashed Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
5 Persian cucumbers or 2 English cucumbers
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon sugar
2 garlic cloves, minced
Optional: red pepper flakes, chili oil, chili sauce or sesame seeds
Directions
Smash the cucumbers with rolling pin, knife or back of a wooden spoon. Slice into bite sized pieces. Transfer to a strainer and sprinkle with salt and mix until combined. Set aside on a plate or sink for 15–20 minutes while you prep the dressing.
In a bowl, add soy sauce, rice vinegar sesame oil, sugar, garlic and optional ingredients such as red pepper flakes, chili oil or sesame seeds and mix together.
Transfer cucumbers into the dressing bowl and toss to coat. Taste to adjust seasonings to your taste. You can eat right away or let marinate for about 30 minutes before eating.