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Chinese · Salads

Smashed Cucumber Salad

VegMedium

Diet: Veg · Vegan

Smashed Cucumber Salad is a Chinese dish. Drain salted cucumber so the dressing does not become watery.

Prep
15 min
Cook
0 min
Rest, soak, marinate or chill
10 min
Total
25 min
Servings
4
Difficulty
Medium
Cuisine
Chinese
Course
Salads

Estimated times for the original batch. Preparation, cooking and listed waiting time are included. Batch cooking can take longer.

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Representative photograph of Smashed Cucumber Salad.
Representative photograph of Smashed Cucumber Salad. Garnishes and presentation may differ. Photo credit and licence
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Ingredients

Metric weights use grams. US weights use ounces; liquids use fluid ounces. Conversions are rounded. Spoon measures use 5 ml teaspoons and 15 ml tablespoons; cups use 240 ml.

Serves 4

Cucumber

Dressing

Equipment

Kitchen scales; measuring jug and spoons; knife; cutting board; mixing bowls; rolling pin.

Check all product labels and cross-contact. Diet groups describe this listed recipe, not every substitution.

Steps

Crush · About 5 min

  1. Lightly crush 600 g cucumbers, ½ tsp salt with a rolling pin, cut into chunks and toss with its salt.

Drain · About 10 min

  1. Stand 10 minutes, then drain released liquid.

Dress · About 5 min

  1. Mix 20 ml rice vinegar, 15 ml soy sauce, 10 ml sesame oil, 10 g sugar, 10 g garlic, minced, 10 ml chili oil, toss with cucumber and serve cold.

Tips

  • Drain salted cucumber so the dressing does not become watery.
  • Judge Smashed Cucumber Salad by the texture and doneness signs in its steps. Your pan and heat affect how long Smashed Cucumber Salad takes to cook.

Substitutions

  • Omit chili oil and use a little extra sesame oil for less heat.

Storage

  • Get perishable Smashed Cucumber Salad into the fridge within two hours, or within one hour above 32°C / 90°F. Eat Smashed Cucumber Salad within two days, keeping it covered at 4°C / 40°F or colder.
  • Bring cooked Smashed Cucumber Salad to 74°C / 165°F, stirring or turning it for even heating. When Smashed Cucumber Salad is part of the meal, serve cold salads, dips and chilled desserts straight from safe refrigeration.

Make ahead

  • You can mix the dressing for Smashed Cucumber Salad one day early. Refrigerate the dressing for Smashed Cucumber Salad in a covered jar. Keep the prepared vegetables separate; combine Smashed Cucumber Salad close to serving so the texture stays fresh.

FAQ

What matters most when making Smashed Cucumber Salad?

Drain salted cucumber so the dressing does not become watery.

What can I substitute in Smashed Cucumber Salad?

Omit chili oil and use a little extra sesame oil for less heat.

Can I prepare Smashed Cucumber Salad ahead?

You can mix the dressing for Smashed Cucumber Salad one day early. Refrigerate the dressing for Smashed Cucumber Salad in a covered jar. Keep the prepared vegetables separate; combine Smashed Cucumber Salad close to serving so the texture stays fresh.

Food safety references

FoodSafety.gov: cooking temperatures · Food Standards Agency: rice storage and reheating

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