Smashed Cucumber Salad with Garlic

Name: Smashed Cucumber Salad with Garlic
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 2 medium English cucumbers (or Persian cucumbers); 1 tsp kosher salt; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 2 tbsp Chinese black vinegar (or rice vinegar); 2 tbsp soy sauce; 2 tsp toasted sesame oil; 2 tsp chili oil (or chili crisp); 1 tsp granulated sugar; 2 scallions, thinly sliced; 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds

Crisp cucumbers are smashed to create jagged edges that absorb a bold garlic, black vinegar, and chili oil dressing in this refreshing cold appetizer or side.

10 minEasyServes 470 cal/serving

ChineseSaladNo-CookVeganLow CarbDairy-FreeEgg-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeCorn-Free

Ingredients

2 medium English cucumbers (or Persian cucumbers)
1 tsp kosher salt
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp Chinese black vinegar (or rice vinegar)
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tsp toasted sesame oil
2 tsp chili oil (or chili crisp)
1 tsp granulated sugar
2 scallions, thinly sliced
2 tsp toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

1

Place 2 medium English cucumbers (or Persian cucumbers) on a cutting board. Using the flat side of a knife or a rolling pin, smash each cucumber until it cracks and splits. Cut into rough 1-inch pieces.
2

Transfer cucumber pieces to a colander. Toss with 1 tsp kosher salt and let drain in the sink for 5-10 minutes. Pat dry with paper towels.
3

In a large bowl, whisk together 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp Chinese black vinegar (or rice vinegar), 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tsp toasted sesame oil, 2 tsp chili oil (or chili crisp), and 1 tsp granulated sugar.
4

Add the drained cucumbers to the bowl and toss well to coat. Taste and adjust seasoning.
5

Transfer to a serving plate and top with 2 thinly sliced scallions and 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

Questions

Can I make Smashed Cucumber Salad with Garlic gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 2 tbsp soy sauce. Swap the soy-based sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Smashed Cucumber Salad with Garlic keep?

Dressed, it is best the day it is made. Keep the components separate and refrigerated and they hold about two days; dress just before serving.

Can I halve or double Smashed Cucumber Salad with Garlic?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. There is no cooking pitfall here; the quantities simply scale.

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