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Chunky smashed cucumber salad with cilantro and sesame ginger dressing on a white plate.

Smashed Cucumber Salad

Crisp smashed cucumbers tossed with cilantro, green onions, and a savory sesame ginger dressing made with soy sauce and rice vinegar.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
rest time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Asian-Inspired
Calories: 43
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Video Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Cucumber Salad
  • 1 pound cucumbers about 4 medium cucumbers or 2 English cucumbers (500 g)
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons roughly chopped cilantro 8 g
  • ¼ cup sliced green onions 30 g
  • Sesame Ginger Dressing
  • 1½ tablespoons rice vinegar 22 ml
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil 10 ml
  • 1½ teaspoons freshly grated ginger 5 g
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce 10 ml
  • ½ teaspoon granulated sugar 2 g

Equipment

  • Cutting board
  • Chef’s knife
  • Meat mallet, rolling pin, or sturdy jar
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small bowl
  • Whisk
  • Colander

Method
 

  1. Add the rice vinegar, sesame oil, grated ginger, soy sauce, and sugar to a small bowl. Whisk until combined and set aside.
  2. Place the cucumbers on a cutting board. Gently smash each cucumber using the smooth side of a meat mallet, rolling pin, or jar until the sides crack open.
  3. Cut the smashed cucumbers into rough 1-inch pieces and transfer them to a large bowl.
  4. Sprinkle with salt, toss well, and let stand for 20 minutes.
  5. Drain the excess cucumber liquid from the bowl.
  6. Add the cilantro, green onions, and sesame ginger dressing.
  7. Toss well and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 43kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 390mgPotassium: 220mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 210IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 0.8mg

Notes

  • The salt draws moisture out of the cucumbers, so discard the liquid before dressing.
  • Use toasted sesame oil, not plain sesame oil, for the best flavor.
  • Replace ginger with 1 minced garlic clove for a garlic cucumber salad.
  • Green onions can be replaced with chives, sliced shallots, or finely diced red onion.
  • Serve immediately for the crispiest texture.
  • Nutrition is estimated per serving. Sodium may be lower than shown because some salted cucumber liquid is discarded.

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