Asian Cucumber Salad (Smashed Cucumber Salad)
Fresh, crunchy, and packed with flavor, this Asian cucumber salad is the perfect side dish for Asian-inspired dinners!
Dish: Cucumber Salad
Variant: Asian Cucumber Salad (Smashed Cucumber Salad)
Source: ASIAN CUCUMBER SALAD
- Total time
- 25 min
- Active time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 4, 4 servings
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Equipment
- 2 required
Ingredients and Constraints
Ingredients
Ingredient watchpoints4 watchpoints
Short requirements and tradeoffs to check while gathering ingredients; detailed source notes stay expandable.
Green Onions
2 green onions (thinly sliced)
The source row includes a form, size, temperature, preparation, or handling detail.
Details and source
Source: ASIAN CUCUMBER SALAD
Cilantro
¼ cup finely chopped cilantro
The source row includes a form, size, temperature, preparation, or handling detail.
Details and source
Source: ASIAN CUCUMBER SALAD
White Sesame Seeds
2 teaspoons white sesame seeds (toasted (plus extra for garnish))
The source row includes a form, size, temperature, preparation, or handling detail.
Details and source
Source: ASIAN CUCUMBER SALAD
Garlic
2 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
The source row includes a form, size, temperature, preparation, or handling detail.
Details and source
Source: ASIAN CUCUMBER SALAD
Additional ingredient notes
ASIAN CUCUMBER SALAD INGREDIENTS
Persian cucumbers: These are ideal for smashing!
They’re thin-skinned, crisp, and seedless. The smaller size also helps the flavors absorb better. Green onion and cilantro: Not traditional in classic Chinese cucumber salad, but I love the fresh, vibrant flavor they add. Sesame seeds: They add a nice nutty finish and visual appeal. Always a great topper for Asian veggie sides. Sesame oil, tamari soy sauce, and rice vinegar: This trio is a staple in Asian dressings. I use tamari soy sauce instead of regular soy sauce to keep it gluten-free. Honey: A touch of sweetness balances the tang and heat. Chili crisp or chili oil: I prefer chili crisp for its crunchy texture and layers of flavor from fried chili flakes, garlic, and onions.
Required setup
Equipment
Great for mixing a variety of things.
My favorite chef's knife!
Method Overview
Structured method notes that are separate from the step timeline.
HOW TO MAKE ASIAN CUCUMBER SALAD
Step one: Smash the cucumbers.
Lay the side of your knife against the cucumber and gently press down with your hand until the skin splits. You can also use a meat mallet if you’d like. Then, slice the cucumbers on a diagonal and place them in a colander. Step two: Sprinkle the cucumbers with salt and gently massage them in while tossing. Let them sit in the sink to drain for 10 to 15 minutes. Then rinse under cold water to remove excess salt and drain again thoroughly. Step three: Transfer the cucumbers to a large mixing bowl. Add the green onion, cilantro, and sesame seeds. Step four: In a small bowl, whisk together sesame oil, tamari soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and chili crisp.
Do you have to salt the cucumbers beforehand?
Yes, salting is an important step!
It draws out excess moisture from the cucumbers, which helps keep the salad crisp and prevents it from becoming watery. Just salt for 10 to 20 minutes before rinsing and draining.
Is this cucumber salad spicy?
It has a mild kick from the chili crisp, but it’s not overwhelmingly spicy.
If you’re sensitive to heat, start with a small amount of chili crisp and add more to taste. You can also skip it entirely for a milder version, though it does add amazing flavor and texture!
Source video
Source video
Method Timeline
Prep
ActivePrep
10 min
Prep time from the source recipe card.
Total
PassiveTotal
25 min
Total time from the source recipe card.
Step 1
Smash and slice the cucumbers. Lay the side of your knife on the cucumber and gently smash it with your hand, just enough to break the cucumber skin down the full length of it. You could also use a meat mallet. Then slice each cucumber on an angle and add to a colander.
Image detailsSmash and slice the cucumbers. Lay the side of your knife on the cucumber and gently smash it with your hand, just enough to break the cucumber skin down the full length of it. You could also use a meat mallet. Then slice each cucumber on an angle and add to a colander.Downshiftology · ASIAN CUCUMBER SALADDev reference Inputs and tools1
Uses
- 6 medium Persian cucumbers
Step 2
Salt and drain the cucumbers. Place the colander in your sink. Sprinkle the salt over the cucumbers, massaging it in as you toss, and let drain for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse the cucumbers in cold water, to remove the salt, and drain again.
Image detailsSalt and drain the cucumbers. Place the colander in your sink. Sprinkle the salt over the cucumbers, massaging it in as you toss, and let drain for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse the cucumbers in cold water, to remove the salt, and drain again.Downshiftology · ASIAN CUCUMBER SALADDev reference Checks1
TimingInfoTimingfor 10 to 15 minutes
Target: 10-15 minute
Expected state: Sprinkle the salt over the cucumbers, massaging it in as you toss, and let drain for 10 to 15 minutes.
Inputs and tools1
Uses
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
- Source: ASIAN CUCUMBER SALAD
Step 3
Make the salad. Place the cucumbers in a large mixing bowl. Add the green onions, cilantro, and sesame seeds.
Image detailsMake the salad. Place the cucumbers in a large mixing bowl. Add the green onions, cilantro, and sesame seeds.Downshiftology · ASIAN CUCUMBER SALADDev reference Inputs and tools3
Uses
- 2 green onions (thinly sliced)
- ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro
- 2 teaspoons white sesame seeds (toasted (plus extra for garnish))
Step 4
Make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, tamari soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, and chili oil.
Image detailsMake the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, tamari soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, and chili oil.Downshiftology · ASIAN CUCUMBER SALADDev reference Inputs and tools5
Uses
- 2 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon tamari soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
Step 5
Mix the salad together. Pour the dressing on top of the salad, and toss together. Garnish with extra toasted sesame seeds.
Handling and Storage
Reviewed hold, storage, make-ahead, and service-timing guidance.
STORAGE TIPS
This salad will keep well in the fridge for 3 to 4 days when stored in an airtight container.
Just note that the cucumbers may soften a bit over time, so it’s best enjoyed fresh within the first day or two.
LISA’S TIPS
Storage tip: This salad will keep well in the fridge for 3 to 4 days when stored in an airtight container.
Just note that the cucumbers may soften a bit over time, so it’s best enjoyed fresh within the first day or two. You can use chili crisp or chili oil.
Learn More
Extra cooking notes, tests, and source details kept out of the step-by-step method.
Why this works
Quick kitchen reasons behind the main choices.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS ASIAN CUCUMBER SALAD
While I love a classic cucumber salad for summer cookouts, this smashed Asian cucumber salad is what I find myself craving whenever I’m planning Asian-inspired dinners for the week.
It’s savory, crunchy, and spicy, like a quick “kimchi-style” veggie side dish that pairs perfectly with mains like my fan-favorite fried rice, teriyaki chicken, Mongolian beef, and miso salmon (my favorite!). Here are a few more reasons why I make this salad often: It’s incredibly fast and easy.
BEHIND THE SCENES
The first time I made this salad I was a bit overly aggressive in smashing the cucumbers, lol.
They had lots of cracks on the outside, but when I sliced them up, I found that they broke into smaller pieces in the bowl after stirring. So just know that you don’t have to really smash them that hard.
Article photos
Photos used with the article notes.
Source: ASIAN CUCUMBER SALAD
Testing notes
Useful tests and side-by-side notes after the method is clear.
Can I make this Asian cucumber salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prep it a few hours in advance.
In fact, letting the cucumbers marinate in the dressing for a bit enhances the flavor. Just note that the longer it sits, the softer the cucumbers will get.
Recipe structure
Components and intermediate outputs created by the method.
Main recipe
Recipe card ingredients and steps.
4, 4 servings
Dressing
Source step 4 creates or uses dressing.
Garnish
Source step 5 creates or uses garnish.
Sauce
Source step 4 creates or uses sauce.
Recipe Utilities
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Source and Origin
Origin declaration
Adapted from source
Imported from the downshiftology page for dev review.
Copy risk: Unchecked
ASIAN CUCUMBER SALAD
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