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Smashed Cucumber Salad

This traditional Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad (Pai Huang Gua) is famous for a reason! By smashing the cucumbers, you create jagged edges that soak up the intense, savory, and spicy garlic dressing for maximum flavor in every crunchy bite. The key to extra crunchiness is a crucial salting step that draws out excess moisture, ensuring a firm, crisp texture every time.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Chill time: 10-20 minutes
Total time: ~30-40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Cucumbers & Crunch:

  • 1.5 lbs English or Persian cucumbers (smaller seeds, thinner skin are best)

  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt (for drawing out water)

  • Optional: ¼ cup roasted peanuts for extra crunch

For the Dressing:

  • 3-4 cloves garlic, minced into a paste

  • 2 tablespoons light soy sauce (low sodium preferred)

  • 1 tablespoon Chinese black vinegar (Chinkiang) or rice vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil, toasted

  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar

  • 1-2 teaspoons chili oil or chili crisp, to taste

  • Optional: 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds and fresh cilantro/scallions for garnish

Directions

  1. Smash the Cucumbers: Wash the cucumbers and trim the ends. Place them on a cutting board. Use the flat side of a heavy cleaver, a rolling pin, or a meat mallet to firmly whack the cucumbers along their length until they crack and split open. Cut the smashed cucumbers diagonally into bite-sized pieces (about 1 inch). Discarding any large seeds can also help with crunchiness.

  2. Salt for Crunch: Place the smashed cucumber pieces in a large bowl or colander. Toss them thoroughly with the Kosher salt. Let them sit for 10-20 minutes to draw out the excess water. Drain and discard the accumulated liquid, and pat the cucumbers lightly with paper towels if needed. Do not skip this step for maximum crunch!

  3. Mix the Dressing: While the cucumbers drain, prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and chili oil (if using) until the sugar and salt dissolve.

  4. Combine and Serve: Add the drained cucumbers to a clean mixing bowl. Pour the dressing over them and toss well to ensure every piece is coated. Add optional peanuts, cilantro, and sesame seeds now.

  5. Marinate (Briefly): For the best flavor penetration while maintaining crunch, let the salad sit for just 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve immediately while cold and crisp.

Nutritional Information

Per Serving (approx. 1 cup):

Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredient brands and exact measurements, especially the amount of oil used.

  • Calories: ~100-140 kcal

  • Fat: ~5-8g

  • Protein: ~2-3g

  • Carbohydrates: ~10-15g

  • Sodium: ~400-600mg