Description
A refreshing and easy-to-make Smashed Cucumber Salad featuring crisp cucumbers tossed in a tangy, savory dressing with sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and green onions. Perfect as a light side dish or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Cucumbers
- 2 large cucumbers
- 1 tablespoon salt
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
Garnish
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the cucumbers: Wash and peel the cucumbers thoroughly to remove the skin.
- Smash the cucumbers: Use the flat side of a knife or a rolling pin to gently smash the cucumbers; this breaks them into rough chunks while preserving their crunch.
- Salt the cucumbers: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of salt over the smashed cucumbers and let them sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
- Make the dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sugar until the sugar has fully dissolved to create a balanced tangy and slightly sweet dressing.
- Rinse and dry cucumbers: Rinse the salted cucumbers under cold water to remove excess salt, then pat them dry with a paper towel to avoid watery salad.
- Combine ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the cucumbers, prepared dressing, soy sauce, chopped green onions, and sesame seeds.
- Toss and serve: Gently toss all ingredients together to evenly coat the cucumbers. Serve the salad immediately for best freshness and texture.
Notes
- This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to a day.
- Adjust salt and soy sauce amounts to taste depending on dietary preferences.
- For extra crunch, add toasted peanuts or thinly sliced radish.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce if preparing for gluten-sensitive individuals.
- Chilling the salad before serving enhances its refreshing qualities.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Chinese
Keywords: smashed cucumber salad, cucumber salad recipe, easy cucumber side dish, Asian cucumber salad, sesame cucumber salad
