Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad Recipe (with Peanuts)

Why do Chinese smash cucumbers for their salads instead of slicing them? The answer may surprise you and elevate your taste buds to a whole new level! You will absolutely love this Smashed Cucumber Salad recipe!

Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad Recipe

Serving: 2 to 4
Prep time: 15 minutes
Rest time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes

For the salad:
6 mini cucumbers
½ teaspoon sugar
3 tablespoons toasted peanuts
1 tablespoon cilantro

For the dressing:
1 tablespoon roasted sesame seeds
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ medium shallot, finely diced
1 medium red finger hot pepper
1 tablespoon red chili flakes
3 tablespoons oil
1 tablespoon Chinkiang vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce

Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad Instructions

1. Prepare the cucumbers:

• After thoroughly cleaning the cucumbers, cut out the tips. With the flat side of a knife, smash each cucumber. Cut the cucumber into small pieces. Do the same with the rest.
• On a plate, place the cucumbers inside, and season them with sugar.
• Mix together. Rest for 10 minutes. Discard the liquid.

2. Make the dressing:

• In a bowl, mix together the sesame seeds, garlic, shallot, red finger hot pepper, and red chili flakes.
• In a small pan over high heat, pour the oil inside, and heat it until smoking hot.
• Carefully pour the hot oil over the sesame seeds, garlic, shallot, red finger hot pepper, and red chili flakes. Mix in the Chinkiang vinegar and soy sauce.

3. Serve the cucumber salad:

• Scoop the sauce over the cucumbers. Then add the toasted peanuts and cilantro. Mix well and enjoy!

Tips & notes

• Chinese people love to eat cucumber during summer because it’s a type of cooling food. It helps us beat the summer heat.
• According to traditional Chinese medicine, eating a little spicy food in the summer can help the sweat to come out and cool down the body naturally.
• Smashing the cucumbers creates jagged edges and more surface area — they absorb more dressing and release excess liquid, giving you a crunchier, more flavorful salad.
• A little sugar draws out moisture without softening the cucumbers too much, unlike salt.
• This dish is cooling, satisfying, and especially popular during hot weather. Pair it with something warm like egg drop soup for balance!