Smashed Cucumber Salad

Name: Smashed Cucumber Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 2 English cucumbers; 1 teaspoon white sugar; 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more as needed; 2 cloves garlic, finely crushed; 2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar; 1 teaspoon soy sauce; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; Red pepper flakes to taste; 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds

⏱️ Ready in 15 min 🥄 Prep 15 min 👥 6 servings

By crushing our cucumber before we cut it, we produce flavors that un-smashed cukes can't. When you crush the cells in a vegetable, as opposed to cutting cleanly through them, certain compounds get mixed together, which can result in a significantly different flavor. In cucumbers this is a good thing--onions, not so much. But this salad is one of my all-time favorite cold summer side dishes. 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.

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🔗 Recipe adapted from AllRecipes

#Salad #Under 1 Hour #Under 30 Minutes #Under 15 Minutes

📊 At a Glance

Prep 15 min

Serves 6

Difficulty Medium

🛒 Ingredients

2 English cucumbers

1 teaspoon white sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more as needed

2 cloves garlic, finely crushed

2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar

1 teaspoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon sesame oil

Red pepper flakes to taste

2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds

Nutrition Facts

Servings per recipe 6

Serving size 1 serving

Amount per serving

Calories 29

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 1.4g 2%

Saturated Fat 0g 0%

Trans Fat 0g

Cholesterol 0mg 0%

Sodium 530mg 23%

Total Carbohydrate 3.5g 1%

Dietary Fiber 1.2g 4%

Total Sugars 1.7g

Protein 1.3g 3%

Vitamin D 0mcg 0%

Calcium 0mg 0%

Iron 0mg 0%

Potassium 0mg 0%

* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

👨‍🍳 Instructions

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 1/2 -inch wide slices.

Transfer to a strainer set over a bowl.

Sprinkle cucumber with sugar and salt; mix until well combined.

Refrigerate bowl and strainer for 30 to 60 minutes so cucumber pieces can drain into the bowl.

Place garlic, seasoned rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes in a large bowl.

Whisk together thoroughly.

Transfer drained cucumbers into bowl with dressing.