Crunchy smashed cucumbers tossed with a punchy sesame, soy and chilli dressing. Fresh, fast and ready in 10 minutes!
When dinner needs something fresh but I cannot be bothered making any complicated sides, the answer is very often the humble cucumber. 😂 My kids love them, they’re inexpensive, they’re available everywhere and, with a few pantry ingredients, you can turn them into a side dish that is anything but boring.
This Quick Smashed Asian Cucumber Salad takes 10 minutes to make and is crunchy, tangy, savoury, a little sweet and as spicy as you want it to be. The cucumbers are smashed rather than neatly sliced, which isn’t just an excuse to whack something with the side of a knife (although, bonus!). Smashing creates cracks and rough edges for the soy, sesame, ginger, garlic and chilli dressing to cling to. I make it even easier by cutting the cucumbers into long quarters first, cracking them with the side of my knife, then chopping them into little chunks.
I originally made these cucumbers to serve with my Air Fryer Sticky Pork Belly Bites, and the combination is SO good. The cool, crunchy, tangy cucumber cuts straight through the rich, sticky pork belly. That’s really where this salad shines: next to anything sticky, saucy or rich. Try it with my Chicken Adobo, Sticky Soy Chicken Wings or Crispy Sesame Chicken and Fried Rice. They’re all the sort of dinner where something fresh and crunchy on the side makes the whole meal feel complete.
And because it’s basically chop, smash, mix, done, this is one of those side dishes that looks like you’ve made considerably more effort than you actually have … my favourite kind.
What can you serve Quick Smashed Asian Cucumber Salad with?
Quick Smashed Asian Cucumber Salad is particularly good with rich, sticky, sweet or spicy dishes. The cold, crunchy cucumber and tangy dressing provide a fresh contrast and help cut through richer sauces and meats.
Some of my favourite Simple Home Edit recipes to serve it with are:
- Air Fryer Sticky Pork Belly Bites – This is actually the recipe I originally made these cucumbers to go with. The fresh, tangy cucumber is SO good with the sticky pork belly.
- Chicken Adobo – The soy, vinegar and garlic flavours work beautifully with the sesame, ginger and cucumber. My Chicken Adobo already includes a simple sesame-ginger cucumber side, so you can simply swap this salad in instead.
- Sticky Soy Chicken Wings – Sweet, sticky chicken wings love something cool and crunchy alongside them.
- Korean Chicken Bao – Serve the salad on the side or pile some of the smashed cucumber into the bao with the sticky Korean chicken.
- Crispy Sesame Chicken and Fried Rice – A really easy way to add something fresh to this fakeaway favourite.
- Sticky Hoisin Beef Noodles – The sharp, crunchy salad is a great contrast to the rich, glossy hoisin noodles.
- Chicken Teriyaki Bowl – Serve it on the side or add it straight to the bowl with the rice and teriyaki chicken.
You could also serve it alongside dumplings, fried rice, noodle dishes, barbecued meats or as part of a larger Asian-inspired spread.
Do I need to salt the cucumbers for Quick Smashed Asian Cucumber Salad?
No. Some smashed cucumber salad recipes salt the cucumbers first, then leave them to drain, which draws out excess moisture and can give them a firmer texture. I skip that step here because I wanted this recipe to be as quick and easy as possible. Using Lebanese (short/Persian) cucumbers and dressing them just before serving gives you plenty of crunch without the extra waiting time.
What’s the difference between chilli oil and chilli oil crisp?
Chilli oil is generally smoother and more oil-based, while chilli oil crisp contains crunchy pieces of chilli and other aromatics, such as shallots and garlic. Either works beautifully here. Chilli oil crisp adds extra texture as well as heat, but use whichever you already have in the fridge and adjust it to taste.
You can leave out the chilli oil or chilli oil crisp out completely for a mild version, or serve them at the table so everyone can add their own. This is what I like to do when serving it to kids – the soy, sesame, ginger and garlic dressing still gives the cucumber plenty of flavour without the heat.
If you enjoyed Quick Smashed Asian Cucumber Salad, I think you’ll love:
Creamy Garlic Cucumber Side Recipe – Cool, creamy, garlicky and ready in minutes, this is a side dish that works with just about everything.
Cucumber Raita Recipe – Fresh, creamy and ready in minutes, raita balances rich curries and doubles as a dip for naan or veggie sticks.
Chinese Broccoli (Yum Cha Style!) Recipe – Glossy greens with a garlicky oyster sauce – the easiest side to pull any meal together. Perfect next to stir-fries, fried rice or dumplings.
Quick Broccolini Side (Steamed, Boiled or Microwaved) Recipe – Three ways to cook broccolini (tenderstem broccoli), your new go-to green side – zero fuss, and it works with absolutely everything.
Easy Fried Rice Recipe – Whip up your own fried rice at home in 15 minutes for a flavoursome fakeaway experience. The perfect side to an Asian-inspired meal.
Quick Smashed Asian Cucumber Salad
Share Pin Recipe PrintIngredients
- 2 Lebanese (short/Persian) cucumbers
- 2 spring onions (scallions), finely sliced
- ½ tsp freshly grated ginger
- ½ tsp freshly grated garlic
- 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tsp light soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp chilli oil or chilli oil crisp (or to taste, optional, see note 1)
Instructions
- Smash the cucumbers – Cut the cucumbers lengthways into quarters. Place them cut-side down on a chopping board and firmly press with the flat side of a large knife until cracked and slightly split (see note 2). Chop into small, bite-sized chunks.
- Mix and serve – Add the smashed cucumber to a bowl with the remaining ingredients and toss well to combine
Nutrition information
Disclaimer re gluten-free and dairy-free recipes
