Smashed Cucumber Salad

Servings:

This smashed cucumber salad is one of my all-time favorite cold summer side dishes. By crushing our cucumber before we cut it, we produce flavors that un-smashed cukes can't. The only decision you're going to have to make is how long to let the cucumbers marinate — half an hour or so or not at all. Perfect with grilled meat or shrimp.

Prep
24 min
Cook
54 min
Servings
Difficulty
Medium

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1 Wrap each cucumber in plastic wrap to minimize splattering. Place on a work surface and pound with a flat object (like a meat pounder) until cucumbers crack and are slightly flattened. Remove from plastic. Cut cucumbers in half; halve each side lengthwise. Slice into 1- to 1 ½ -inch wide slices. Transfer to a strainer set over a bowl.
  2. 2 Sprinkle cucumber with salt and sugar; mix until well combined. Refrigerate the bowl and strainer for 30 to 60 minutes so cucumber pieces can drain into the bowl.
  3. 3 To make the dressing: Place garlic, seasoned rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes in a large bowl; whisk together thoroughly.
  4. 4 Transfer drained cucumbers into the bowl with dressing. Toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap. If you have time, refrigerate salad to allow flavors to mingle, about 30 minutes.
  5. 5 When ready to serve, spoon crushed cucumbers into a serving bowl and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Nutrition per serving

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