Description
This Smashed Asian Cucumber Salad is a quick, refreshing, and flavorful dish perfect for summer meals, BBQ sides, or healthy snacks. Made with crisp Persian cucumbers, sesame oil, chili oil, garlic, and soy sauce, this easy recipe brings bold flavors with minimal effort. A go-to for anyone looking for healthy side dishes, Asian salad ideas, or meal prep vegetables.
Ingredients
4 Persian cucumbers
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 garlic cloves minced
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon chili oil (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
1. Lay cucumbers on a cutting board and use the flat side of a knife or rolling pin to smash them until cracked.
2. Slice smashed cucumbers diagonally into chunks.
3. Transfer to a bowl, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 10 minutes.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, sugar, and chili oil.
5. Drain excess water from cucumbers and toss with dressing.
6. Let it marinate for 5 to 60 minutes in the fridge.
7. Sprinkle sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
Use Persian cucumbers for best texture—they’re crisp and less watery.
Adjust chili oil to taste if you’re heat-sensitive.
For extra crunch, garnish with crushed peanuts or fresh scallions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: smashed cucumber salad, easy salad, Asian cucumber salad, summer side dish, healthy snack