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Home Side Salads

Smashed Cucumber Salad

By:Nagi
Published:14 Nov '19Updated:14 Sep '20
73 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

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!

Close up of fork piercing Smashed Cucumbers

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!

Overhead photo of Asian Smashed Cucumbers in a bowl

How to make it

Here’s how to make Smashed Cucumber Salad:

  • 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);

  • 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;

  • 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!

How to make Smashed Cucumbers

What you need for Smashed Cucumber Salad

And here’s what you need.

What goes in Smashed Cucumbers

Difference between Telegraph / English cucumbers (long cucumbers) and Lebanese cucumbers, the most common variety

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.

Close up of Smashed Cucumbers in a rustic bowl, ready to be served

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:

  • Thai Chilli Basil Chicken

  • Sticky Baked Chinese Chicken Wings

  • Spicy Thai Chicken Stir Fry

  • Spicy Korean Pork Stir Fry

  • Spicy Chilli Prawn Pasta (Shrimp)

  • Asian Chilli Garlic Prawns (Shrimp)

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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Close up of Smashed Cucumbers in a rustic bowl, ready to be served

Smashed Cucumber Salad

Author: Nagi
Sides
Asian
5 from 34 votes
Servings4 - 5 people
Tap or hover to scale
Print
Recipe video above. This is an Asian way of making cucumber salad that's utterly addictive! Cooling salad for spicy food and hot weather, smashing the cucumbers so they burst open makes the dressing get into right into all those cracks and crevices. Plus, it's just really satisfying to make!!

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:

1. Cucumber type - use 2 long cucumbers (Telegraph/English Cucumbers) or 3 medium standard cucumbers (called "Lebanese" cucumbers in Australia, these are the most common variety).
2. Sesame oil - toasted sesame oil is brown and has more flavour than untoasted (which is yellow). Default sesame oil sold in Australia is toasted, untoasted is harder to find.
3. Coriander is optional. Green onion is ideal - can sub with finely sliced red onion, eschallots/shallots/French onions or chives.
4. Nutrition - the sodium level looks high because it includes all the salt used to draw excess liquid from the cucumbers. But much of this salt is discarded.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 41.49cal (2%)Carbohydrates: 4.23g (1%)Protein: 1.33g (3%)Fat: 2.25g (3%)Saturated Fat: 0.3g (2%)Sodium: 609.21mg (26%)Potassium: 216.13mg (6%)Fiber: 1.06g (4%)Sugar: 2.35g (3%)Vitamin A: 202.46IU (4%)Vitamin C: 10.47mg (13%)Calcium: 32.84mg (3%)Iron: 0.84mg (5%)
Keywords: cucumber salad, smashed cucumbers
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @recipe_tin.

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73 Comments

  1. Freya says

    December 9, 2023 at 4:29 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
  2. Jan says

    December 2, 2023 at 7:08 am

    5 stars
    Love this salad, easy, and a great match with the Vietnamese Shaking Beef.

    Reply
  3. sandy says

    December 1, 2023 at 3:16 pm

    5 stars
    My son, who believes cucumbers are the work of the devil, eats this salad and loves it! Nuff said. It’s amazing!

    Reply
  4. Emma W says

    November 30, 2023 at 6:56 pm

    5 stars
    A yummy side dish to the Asian glazed salmon or Vietnamese Shaking Beef

    Reply
  5. Peta says

    November 9, 2023 at 8:31 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
  6. Krys says

    October 9, 2023 at 3:38 pm

    5 stars
    So easy and delicious

    Reply
  7. Annie says

    September 17, 2023 at 4:45 am

    5 stars
    The dressing immediately took me back to childhood, thank you! To serve 4 people as a side dish, I needed to double the quantity.

    Reply
  8. Elaine says

    September 9, 2023 at 9:30 am

    5 stars
    I cannot get enough of this salad! It will be a sad day when my fresh cucumbers are finished for the season.

    Reply
  9. Marie says

    June 8, 2023 at 2:18 am

    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!

    Reply
  10. Tanya says

    January 25, 2023 at 8:39 am

    5 stars
    I am obsessed with this recipe, it has become my go-to lunch on super busy days!

    Reply
  11. Paul says

    December 30, 2022 at 9:10 am

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
  12. Aimy says

    September 16, 2022 at 7:11 am

    5 stars
    Super refreshing to go with spicy food, I made Laab Namtok tonight and it helped take the edge off. Would defo recommend 🙂

    Reply
  13. Nicole Lupton says

    July 2, 2022 at 2:18 pm

    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 ??

    Reply
    • Rochelle says

      August 3, 2023 at 8:01 pm

      5 stars
      If it’s why I’m here, its the Asian Chilli Garlic Prawns (Shrimp)

      Reply
  14. Kerry says

    June 20, 2022 at 8:09 pm

    5 stars
    “Bash” 😂😂 This is the only way my kids will eat cucumbers. We love this recipe and make it often.

    Reply
  15. Elaine Arrigo says

    June 5, 2022 at 6:33 am

    Your recipes are amazing. I have loved everyone that I’ve tried and the scale ingredients option is the best.

    Reply
  16. Jien says

    March 9, 2022 at 1:25 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
  17. Delphia says

    January 30, 2022 at 8:53 pm

    5 stars
    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

    Reply
  18. Suzin says

    November 8, 2021 at 9:38 am

    5 stars
    M new favourite meal; smashed cucumbers, your sautéed green beans with garlic, and karaage from Tineats Japan. Yum-o!

    Reply
    • Suzin says

      November 8, 2021 at 10:05 am

      Sorry, Recipe Tin Japan. My apologies to your mom.

      Reply
  19. Barb says

    November 5, 2021 at 10:39 am

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
  20. Steph says

    October 18, 2021 at 8:52 pm

    Is anyone else getting chicken rice vibes from this salad? I like this so much 😋

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      October 19, 2021 at 3:36 pm

      YES! Well spotted – the perfect match! N x

      Reply
      • steph says

        October 19, 2021 at 5:28 pm

        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 🙂

        Reply
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Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

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