Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad Recipe

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:

• 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!