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Flavorful Spicy Asian Smashed Cucumber Salad Recipe with Chili Crisp Easy

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A quick and easy Asian smashed cucumber salad featuring a spicy chili crisp dressing that delivers a crunchy, bold, and refreshing flavor perfect for warm weather or a fast side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large English cucumbers
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chili crisp (e.g., Lao Gan Ma brand)
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse and trim the ends off the cucumbers.
  2. Place one cucumber at a time on a cutting board and use a rolling pin or heavy pan to press firmly but gently to crack the cucumber evenly along its length into chunky pieces.
  3. Chop the smashed cucumber roughly into 1 to 1.5-inch pieces.
  4. Transfer smashed cucumbers to a large bowl, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt, and toss gently to coat. Let sit for about 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
  5. While cucumbers rest, combine rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, chili crisp, and toasted sesame oil in a small bowl and stir until sugar dissolves.
  6. After 10 minutes, gently squeeze the cucumbers by hand or press with a clean kitchen towel to remove extra moisture.
  7. Return drained cucumbers to the large bowl, pour the dressing over, and toss until evenly coated.
  8. Add sliced scallions and toss lightly again.
  9. Optionally, let the salad rest at room temperature for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

Do not skip the salting and draining step to avoid a watery salad. Adjust chili crisp amount to taste for desired heat level. Use English or Persian cucumbers for best texture; peel regular cucumbers if used. Letting the salad rest for 10 minutes enhances flavor. Store in airtight container in fridge up to 2 days; drain excess liquid before serving again.

Nutrition

Keywords: smashed cucumber salad, spicy cucumber salad, chili crisp salad, Asian cucumber salad, quick cucumber salad, easy side dish, vegan salad, gluten-free salad

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