Smashed Cucumber Salad

Smashed cucumber salad is a delicious salad from China. Originating from the Northern parts of China, it has a vibrant and straightforward taste that coincides with the Spicy Sichuan flavours of Chinese cuisine.

When I first came across this salad, I was very curious about the taste, and I was rather pleased to discover that the smashed version of cucumbers is quite delicious. I am sure you’re wondering why anyone would want to smash up a cucumber. Well, it helps to soak up the salad dressings. Smashing the cucumbers results in a cool, zesty side dish that pairs well with spicy foods.

Ingredients

Cucumbers, Brown Sugar, Rice Vinegar, Garlic cloves, Dark Soy Sauce, Gochugaru, Sesame seed oil, Black and White Sesame seeds.

Choose firm and crunchy fresh cucumbers. Brown sugar adds a light sweetness to the cucumber salad and balances out the Dark Soy sauce. Sesame seed oil adds a nutty flavour.

Black and White Sesame seeds are used as garnish. Gochugaru is used as a garnish and gives the salad a slight touch of heat. You can use hot pepper flakes in its place or a light sprinkle of cayenne pepper.

Instructions

Prepare the ingredients: Rinse the cucumbers in running water and cut off both tips. Gather the ingredients, such as brown sugar, rice vinegar, dark soy sauce, black sesame seeds, and sesame seed oil.

Smash the cucumbers: Cut the cucumbers into one-inch random shapes and then place a piece on the chopping board. Use the side of the knife to hold down the cucumber. Firmly hold the knife sideways against the cucumber, and gently and accurately hit down on the knife to smash the cucumber. 

Be careful when performing this action. If you are unfamiliar with this technique, place the cucumber with the skin facing upward, then use the base of your palm to press down on the cucumber to smash it. Transfer the smashed cucumbers to a bowl. Note that smashing the cucumbers in this recipe mainly creates grooves between them, allowing the flavour to seep into the cucumbers.

Add the condiments: In a bowl, add the brown sugar, finely diced garlic, rice vinegar, dark soy sauce, black sesame seeds, and sesame seed oil, then toss to mix. Garnish with a little bit more sesame seeds and serve.

What to Serve with Smashed Cucumber Salad?

Smashed cucumber salad is a refreshing and light side dish. It pairs well with the main dish, complementing its nutty and tangy flavours. The best combination would be grilled or roasted meats, such as grilled chicken, grilled prawns, lamb koftas, or grilled steak. The salad also matches well with meals incorporating rice or grains. 

How to Store Smashed Cucumber Salad?

Storing smashed cucumber salad is super easy. Simply transfer the leftover salad into an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. Just make sure that the leftover salad is not contaminated by the used utensil while transferring it into the container. The liquid will be released from the smashed cucumbers while being stored, and it is best to consume the salad within 24 hours.