Description
A quick, budget-friendly, and refreshing side dish featuring smashed cucumbers tossed in a tangy, spicy, and sweet Asian-inspired dressing. Perfect for hot weather and meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large English cucumbers (or 6–8 Persian cucumbers)
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1–2 teaspoons Sriracha or chili garlic sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Wash cucumbers thoroughly. Lay them flat on a cutting board and press down firmly with the flat side of a chef’s knife to smash them slightly until they crack.
- Chop the smashed cucumbers into 1-inch bite-sized chunks and place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sea salt over the cucumbers and toss to coat. Let them sit for 10-15 minutes to draw out excess water.
- Drain the released water from the bowl. Optionally, gently squeeze the cucumbers with your hands to remove additional liquid.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, minced garlic, minced ginger, and Sriracha until the sugar is dissolved.
- Pour the dressing over the drained cucumbers and add chopped cilantro or green onions. Toss to coat evenly.
- Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Top with sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
Smashing the cucumbers creates more surface area for the dressing and improves texture. Salting and draining is crucial to prevent a watery salad. This dish tastes better after sitting for an hour. Do not freeze, as cucumbers will become mushy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the recipe
- Calories: 35
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
Keywords: cucumber salad, spicy asian salad, budget friendly recipes, summer side dish, vegan side dish, gluten free salad, quick recipes, meal prep