10-min. Easy Spicy Smacked Cucumber Salad
Refreshing cucumbers seasoned in a savory, spicy, and garlicky sauce. This quick and easy spicy smacked cucumber salad recipe uses minimal ingredients and is ready in 10 minutes! A delicious vegetable side dish that's budget-friendly, restaurant quality, and meal prep friendly.
- Prep time
- 10 min
- Cook time
- No separate cook time
- Yield
- 2 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 6 mini cucumbers
- 1/2 tsp salt (to drain water)
- 2 tbsp regular soy sauce (or light soy sauce)
- 1.5 tbsp sesame oil (toasted)
- 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar (or rice vinegar / apple cider vinegar)
- 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds (toasted)
- 1 tbsp white granulated sugar (or cane sugar)
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
- 1 tbsp Chinese chili oil
Instructions
- 1
Slice off the ends of the mini cucumbers. Then with the side of the knife, smash cucumbers until they’re slightly flattened and split down the middle. Don't over-smash.
- 2
Then chop the cucumbers on an angle into 3/4-inch wide strips.
- 3
Then transfer the sliced cucumbers to a large bowl. Add the salt and gently massage it into the cucumbers. Let them sit for 5-10 minutes to draw out excess liquid, then discard the released liquid.
- 4
Rinse the cucumbers under cold running water a few times to remove excess salt.
- 5
Next, strain the cucumbers and shake out any excess water.
- 6
Add the dressing ingredients as listed above to the cucumbers and mix well. Enjoy as is, or chill in the fridge for 1 hour before enjoying.