Best 7 Smashed Cucumber Salad Recipes
Seeking a refreshing and vibrant side dish to elevate your culinary creations? Look no further than the Smashed Cucumber Salad, a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. This delectable salad features crisp cucumbers, zesty red onions, tangy vinegar, and a hint of sweetness from honey. With its vibrant green hue and medley of flavors, it's a feast for the eyes and the palate.
This versatile salad offers a delightful crunch in every bite, thanks to the technique of smashing the cucumbers. This simple yet effective method releases the cucumber's natural juices and enhances its flavor, creating a burst of freshness with each mouthful. The salad's dressing is a harmonious blend of vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper, providing a perfect balance of tanginess, sweetness, and savory notes.
In addition to the classic Smashed Cucumber Salad, this article presents a collection of variations that cater to diverse tastes and dietary preferences. The Spicy Smashed Cucumber Salad adds a touch of heat with the inclusion of chili flakes, while the Asian Smashed Cucumber Salad incorporates soy sauce and sesame oil for an umami-rich twist. For those seeking a vegan option, the Vegan Smashed Cucumber Salad utilizes tahini and maple syrup as a creamy and flavorful dressing.
Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue, preparing a weeknight dinner, or packing a lunch for work, the Smashed Cucumber Salad and its variations are sure to impress. Its refreshing taste and versatility make it a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats, fish, or tofu, and it also shines as a standalone side dish or light lunch. With its ease of preparation and customizable flavors, this salad is a delightful addition to any culinary repertoire.
SMASHED CUCUMBER SALAD
Steps:
- Quarter the cucumbers lengthwise. Put the slices on a cutting board, skin-side-up. Use the flat side of your knife to lightly smash along the length, then cut the cucumbers into 3/4-inch pieces. Toss the cucumbers with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and sugar, then drain in a colander for 20 minutes.
- Whisk together the vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and remaining 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Add the cucumbers and toss to coat. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper, if using.
SMASHED CUCUMBER SALAD RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: medium english cucumbers, red onion, kosher salt, sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds, red pepper flake
Provided by Betsy Carter
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, smash the cucumbers, then slice into bite-size pieces and transfer to a large bowl.
- Add the red onion, salt, and sugar, and toss to combine.
- In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
- Drizzle the dressing over the cucumbers, then toss to coat.
- Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and red pepper flakes.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 56 calories, Carbohydrate 9 grams, Fat 2 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 1 gram, Sugar 4 grams
SMASHED CHINESE CUCUMBER SALAD
Smashing cucumbers is a delicious and rustically beautiful preparation that is common across Asia. Smashing them creates a variety of different textures, and draining them concentrates the flavor. This is a simple-to-prepare dish but it packs personality!
Provided by Molly Yeh
Time 15m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Place the cucumbers in a resealable plastic bag. Seal and use the palm of your hand to lightly smash the cucumbers. Take the cucumbers out of the bag and cut into 1-inch chunks. Add to a bowl and season with salt. Toss to coat.
- Combine the soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, sugar and chile flakes in a medium bowl. Whisk to dissolve the sugar.
- Add the cucumbers, then toss and garnish with the toasted sesame seeds and cilantro.
SMASHED CUCUMBER SALAD
This refreshing, flavorful salad stars Chinese black vinegar with light soy sauce as its milder sidekick. Smashed cucumber salad (pai huang gua in Mandarin) is a staple side dish in many Chinese restaurants, and I've often ordered it along with soup dumplings for a light meal. Chinese black vinegar has a deep and slightly smoky flavor, mild acidity and faint sweetness. The salad usually includes garlic and sesame seeds or sesame oil, and some variations add chiles or Sichuan peppercorn; this version uses gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) for a touch of heat, which isn't traditional but gives the salad a nice red hue and balanced spiciness. Smashing the cucumber helps to create jagged edges so there is more surface area to absorb the dressing, while salting the cucumber softens the skin, firms up the flesh and releases some water, concentrating the cucumber's flavor.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 1h15m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Partially peel the cucumbers by removing alternate strips of the skin with a vegetable peeler. Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise, then use a spoon to scrape out the seeds. Smash the cucumber with a flat side of a cleaver or large knife or a rolling pin or meat mallet until it is flattened with jagged edges. Split each cucumber half in half again lengthwise. Cut the strips into 1-inch pieces diagonally.
- Toss the cucumber and salt together in a medium bowl. Let sit at room temperature until the cucumber releases some water, about 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, combine the oil, shallot and garlic in a small saucepan and cook over medium-low heat until the shallot is translucent, about 2 minutes. Mix in the gochugaru and allow it to bloom in the oil. Stir the vinegar, soy sauce, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds together in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves. Set aside.
- Strain the cucumbers and dry them with a paper towel. Return them to the medium bowl. Add the vinegar mixture and toss. Toss again with the garlic-shallot oil. Garnish with the remaining sesame seeds and the cilantro.
SMASHED CUCUMBER SALAD WITH MINT
Steps:
- Place the cucumbers in a large ziptop bag and smash them with a heavy skillet. Chop into 3/4-inch pieces, place in a colander with a pinch of salt and let sit for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the lemon juice and onion and let sit until the cucumbers are ready.
- Add the cucumbers to the bowl with the onion. Toss with the mint, olive oil, za'atar, radishes and a few turns of pepper. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
PESTO-RUBBED BAKED SALMON WITH SMASHED CUCUMBER AND GREEN APPLE SALAD
Provided by Geoffrey Zakarian
Categories main-dish
Time 35m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- For the salmon: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
- Brush a baking dish with a thin coat of softened butter and sprinkle a little salt and pepper over the surface. Set the salmon fillets upright (flat-side down) on the baking dish, brush a little soft butter over each fillet and sprinkle them with salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, whisk the pesto, mustard and lemon juice together and season it with salt and pepper. Spoon the mixture evenly over the salmon, covering the top surface only. Bake until the desired doneness, about 14 minutes for medium rare for 1 1/2-inch-thick fillets (cook longer for thicker pieces).
- For the salad: Meanwhile, put the cucumber into a clean towel on a cutting board and smash it with the heel of your hand. Unwrap the cucumber and slice it crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces; transfer them to a mixing bowl and sprinkle a little salt over them. Add the dates and apples and stir to mix. Add the pine nuts, olive oil, mint and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper, and toss until evenly combined.
- Serve the salmon fillets on warm plates with the salad on the side.
SMASHED CUCUMBER SALAD
By crushing our cucumber before we cut it, we produce flavors that un-smashed cukes can't. When you crush the cells in a vegetable, as opposed to cutting cleanly through them, certain compounds get mixed together, which can result in a significantly different flavor. In cucumbers this is a good thing--onions, not so much. But this salad is one of my all-time favorite cold summer side dishes. The only decision you're going to have to make is how long to let the cucumbers marinate--half an hour or so or not at all.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Salad Vegetable Salad Recipes Cucumber Salad Recipes
Time 1h15m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Wrap each cucumber in plastic wrap to minimize splattering. Place on a work surface and pound with a flat object (like a meat pounder) until cucumbers crack and are slightly flattened. Remove from plastic. Cut cucumbers in half; halve each side lengthwise. Slice into 1- to 1 1/2 -inch wide slices. Transfer to a strainer set over a bowl.
- Sprinkle cucumber with sugar and salt; mix until well combined. Refrigerate bowl and strainer for 30 to 60 minutes so cucumber pieces can drain into the bowl.
- Place garlic, seasoned rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes in a large bowl. Whisk together thoroughly.
- Transfer drained cucumbers into bowl with dressing. Toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate for about 30 minutes to allow flavors to mingle.
- Place cucumbers in serving bowl and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 28.5 calories, Carbohydrate 3.5 g, Fat 1.4 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 1.3 g, SaturatedFat 0.2 g, Sodium 530.2 mg, Sugar 1.7 g
Tips:
- Fresh Vegetables: Choose fresh, crisp cucumbers for the best flavor and texture. Look for cucumbers that are deep green and free of blemishes.
- Use a Sharp Knife: To get the best results, use a sharp knife to dice the cucumbers. This will help to create even pieces that will cook evenly.
- Add Some Acid: Adding a bit of vinegar or lemon juice to the dressing will help to brighten up the flavors and balance out the richness of the mayonnaise.
- Serve Immediately: Smashed cucumber salad is best served immediately, while the cucumbers are still crisp and refreshing. If you need to make the salad ahead of time, store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours.
Conclusion:
Smashed cucumber salad is a refreshing and easy-to-make side dish that is perfect for summer gatherings. It is made with fresh cucumbers, red onion, dill, mayonnaise, and a bit of vinegar or lemon juice. The cucumbers are smashed lightly with a fork, which helps to release their juices and create a flavorful dressing. Smashed cucumber salad can be served as a side dish to grilled meats or fish, or it can be enjoyed on its own as a light and healthy snack. It is a great way to use up fresh cucumbers from the garden and is a refreshing and delicious addition to any meal.
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