I’ll take my cucumbers SMASHED thanks!! This Cucumber Salad is made using an Asian technique – bashing the cucumbers so they burst open and the sesame ginger dressing creeps into all those cracks and crevices.
It’s a unique way to prepare cucumbers that creates unique textures and flavours. Try it once and you’ll be addicted for life!
Smashed Cucumber Salad
While one might assume this is a bit of gimmick – because seriously, who thinks to BASH cucumbers for a salad, bruising them into oblivion, smushing this otherwise crisp, juicy vegetable – Smashed Cucumbers is genuinely a way of preparing cucumbers that’s used across much of Asia.
In fact, I was prompted to share “my” version after my mother recently shared her Japanese version of Smashed Cucumbers.
It also helps that she brought some around as part of a bento box lunch set she delivered to me and my team one day! After seeing how obsessed everyone was with the cucumbers (seriously, they went before the Karaage!), it prompted me to share my version. 🙂
Smashing the cucumbers until they burst open lets the dressing get right into all those cracks and crevices!
How to make it
Here’s how to make Smashed Cucumber Salad:
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Use anything heavy to bash the cucumbers until they burst open. I use a meat mallet (the smooth side, not ridged faced). Rolling pin, pestle or even a can will do. Don’t bash to the point of oblivion. They just need to bust (see the video);
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Salt lightly – this is mainly to draw excess liquid out. We don’t squeeze out every drop of liquid, but we do want to draw some of the water out, otherwise it ends up really watery;
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Toss with dressing. I also like to add green onions and coriander – I find it give it that extra tasty factor. But I still make it without!
What you need for Smashed Cucumber Salad
And here’s what you need.
You can make this with long cucumbers (Telegraph / English cucumbers) or the more common standard cucumbers (called Lebanese cucumbers in Australia).
The difference between the two types is that the long cucumbers are not as watery / juicy inside so they have a slightly more intense cucumber flavour. It’s useful when you don’t want the natural juiciness of cucumbers to water down the flavour in a salad when you munch your way through it.
For this particular Cucumber Salad, either will work. Use 2 long ones, or 3 to 4 standard cucumbers.
What to serve with Cucumber Salad
This is a cucumber salad with Asian flavours so it is ideal served with anything Asian. Chinese, Japanese food (see my mother’s website RecipeTin Japan), Thai, Vietnamese.
The big chunks of cucumber make it ideal hot weather food and because it’s so refreshing, it’s my natural choice for spicy foods such as:
It’s fantastically satisfying, making this Cucumber Salad. Just think – bad day at work, the kids are driving you mad, come home to prepare dinner and you get to vent your frustration by BASHING the food.
So therapeutic.
And really, really tasty. I’m confident you’ll love this! – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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Smashed Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 500g/ 1 lb cucumbers (4 medium or 2 long cucumbers, Note 1)
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp coriander/cilantro , roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup green onions , sliced
Dressing:
- 1.5 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tsp sesame oil , toasted (Note 2)
- 1.5 tsp ginger , freshly grated
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp sugar
Instructions
- Bash the cucumbers until they split open on the sides (see video) using something heavy like the smooth side of a meat mallet, rolling pin, pestle or even a can.
- Cut into 2.5cm/1" chunks then place in a bowl.
- Sprinkle with salt, toss, leave for 20 minutes.
- Drain excess liquid in the bowl.
- Shake or mix Dressing well.
- Drizzle over cucumbers, sprinkle with coriander and green onions. Toss and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Life of Dozer
Feeling sleepy in the warm afternoon sun….
This recipe is soooo good, quick and super simple. A top pick if needing an Asian style side. Hit it with a tablespoon of chilli crisp oil for a hint of spicy deliciousness.
Love this salad, easy, and a great match with the Vietnamese Shaking Beef.
My son, who believes cucumbers are the work of the devil, eats this salad and loves it! Nuff said. It’s amazing!
A yummy side dish to the Asian glazed salmon or Vietnamese Shaking Beef
Made this tonight. Easy, tasty. Great accompaniment to the Kofta’s, along with the red cabbage salad. So, a Recipetineats triple recipe dinner for the family. Tops!
So easy and delicious
The dressing immediately took me back to childhood, thank you! To serve 4 people as a side dish, I needed to double the quantity.
I cannot get enough of this salad! It will be a sad day when my fresh cucumbers are finished for the season.
Can I use baby/mini cucumbers for this? I have some from Costco and want to use them before they go bad. Also is it just as good without the coriander? I never have any at home!
I am obsessed with this recipe, it has become my go-to lunch on super busy days!
After bashing the cucumber, I drag a peeler across the skin to remove about half of it as I find too much cucumber skin can be bitter. Love this recipe. Thank you Nagi.
Super refreshing to go with spicy food, I made Laab Namtok tonight and it helped take the edge off. Would defo recommend 🙂
There was a recipe that mentioned would pair well with this cucumber salad, we made it but now cannot find it ! The main recipe had Thai red curry paste, can you help ??
Pairs well with chicken adobo.
If it’s why I’m here, its the Asian Chilli Garlic Prawns (Shrimp)
“Bash” 😂😂 This is the only way my kids will eat cucumbers. We love this recipe and make it often.
Your recipes are amazing. I have loved everyone that I’ve tried and the scale ingredients option is the best.
The most refreshing, easy and very tasty cuc-salad! Ms.Tin (as I reference Nagi to my dog, Mochi) is amazing as is the ever-loyal-loving-DOZER! I’ve made this numerous times. Though as I cook for one, I have typically bottled this up and put a few spoons of the vinaigrette on the smashed cucumbers (sometimes I’ll salt them, other times I just smash them w/ the palms of my hands). I don’t add salt, but do add some hot sliced chilis for kicks. Unfortunately, because it is not meat, Mochi did not want to try a plain cucumber.
Made this tonight to serve with Cheesy Potato Gratin Stacks & leftover asian salad. Another hit although I was worried at first it was going to be too salty but not. TY yet again
M new favourite meal; smashed cucumbers, your sautéed green beans with garlic, and karaage from Tineats Japan. Yum-o!
Sorry, Recipe Tin Japan. My apologies to your mom.
This is so refreshing, we thoroughly enjoyed it with barramundi.
I included fresh mint, coriander and spring onion from my herb garden.
This is a real keeper.
Is anyone else getting chicken rice vibes from this salad? I like this so much 😋
YES! Well spotted – the perfect match! N x
I usually put the chicken rice dressings all over the cucumber it’s my favourite part.. Actually no the rice is my favourite part but the cucumber is close second. Now I can have a cheeky fix of the flavour when I am too lazy to make chicken rice because if I’m making chicken rice I am making it properly which takes time 🙂