Smashed Cucumber Salad
Smashed cucumber tossed with garlic, soy, vinegar, and chili oil.
Ingredients
- 2 Cucumber
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 1 tbsp Light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Chinkiang black vinegar
- 1 tsp Toasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Chili oil (optional)
Method
- Smash the cucumbers with the flat of a knife, then tear into bite-sized chunks. Toss with the salt and rest 5 minutes.
- Mince the garlic and whisk it with the soy, black vinegar, sesame oil, and sugar.
- Drain off the cucumber liquid, then toss the cucumbers with the dressing.
- Pile into a bowl and finish with chili oil if you like. Serve cold.
Tap “Start cooking” for live timers that flag what to get ahead on while something simmers.
About Smashed Cucumber Salad
Smashed cucumber salad, or pai huang gua, is a cold Chinese side prized for its crunch and its punch. Smashing the cucumbers with the flat of a knife rather than slicing them isn't just for looks: the ragged, torn surfaces grab far more dressing than clean-cut coins, and the technique fractures the flesh so it stays crisp while drinking in flavor. A salting-and-resting step draws out excess water first, which keeps the finished salad from turning watery.
The dressing is a compact balance of Chinese pantry staples: garlic for heat, light soy for salt, Chinkiang black vinegar for its mellow malty tang, sesame oil for aroma, and a touch of sugar to round it, with chili oil for those who want a kick. The result is bracing, garlicky, sour, and cooling all at once, low in calories and high in volume. It's a standard counterpoint to rich or spicy mains, cutting through fatty grilled meats or braises, and it's best served straight from cold so the crunch stays intact.
Smashed Cucumber Salad: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Smashed Cucumber Salad?
A serving has about 46 calories — 1.6g protein, 8.1g carbs, 1.3g fat, 0.8g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is Smashed Cucumber Salad gluten-free?
As written, no — it contains Light soy sauce. You'd need a certified gluten-free swap for that ingredient to make it gluten-free.
How long does Smashed Cucumber Salad take to make?
About 12 minutes start to finish, but only around 5 of those are hands-on — the rest is cooking time. In the Homecooked app the timers and parallel steps are sequenced for you so the hands-on part feels even shorter.
Do I need every ingredient to make Smashed Cucumber Salad?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out chili oil — it's optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Smashed Cucumber Salad make?
This recipe makes 4 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.