Crispy Smashed Cucumber Salad Recipe Easy Homemade Chili Oil Dressing
A refreshing and crunchy cucumber salad with a spicy, nutty chili oil dressing that is quick and easy to prepare, perfect for warm weather and pairs well with a variety of dishes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large English cucumbers or 4 Kirby cucumbers, washed and ends trimmed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons chili oil (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (white or black)
- 1 teaspoon sugar or honey (optional)
- 1 stalk green onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Rinse and trim the ends of cucumbers. Cut each cucumber lengthwise into halves or thirds depending on size. Place each piece flat side down on a cutting board.
- Using a rolling pin or meat mallet, gently press down on each piece until it cracks and splits open but stays mostly intact, about 2-3 minutes.
- Chop the smashed cucumbers into roughly 1 to 1.5-inch chunks and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt over the cucumbers and toss gently. Let sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess water, then drain any liquid.
- In a small bowl, mix minced garlic, chili oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and optional sugar or honey. Whisk until well combined.
- Pour the dressing over the drained cucumbers. Add toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions, then toss gently to coat evenly without breaking up the cucumber chunks.
- Let the salad rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
Do not over-smash cucumbers to avoid mushiness. Use good-quality chili oil for best flavor. Salt cucumbers and drain well to keep salad crisp. Toss gently to maintain cucumber texture. Salad tastes better after resting 5-10 minutes or longer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
Keywords: cucumber salad, smashed cucumber, chili oil dressing, sesame, easy salad, quick side dish, vegan, gluten-free