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Side dish

Smash Hit: Chilli-Sesame Cucumber Salad

15 minutes · Very easy · Serves 4

Smashed cucumber salad in a pale ceramic bowl with chilli flakes, sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Crisp cucumber gets a quick smash, then soaks up a tangy chilli-sesame dressing. It is cool, crunchy and ready to wake up any lunch or dinner.

Grab this

  • 2 large English cucumbers
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon chilli crisp or chilli oil
  • 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Do this

  1. Trim the cucumbers and place them on a sturdy cutting board. Press down firmly with the flat side of a broad knife or the bottom of a small pan until they split in several places.
  2. Tear or cut the smashed cucumbers into bite-size pieces. Put them in a colander, sprinkle with the salt and let them drain for 5 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, whisk the rice vinegar, soy sauce, maple syrup, sesame oil, chilli crisp and garlic in a serving bowl.
  4. Pat the cucumber pieces lightly with a clean towel, then add them to the dressing and toss well.
  5. Finish with the green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately for maximum crunch, or chill for up to 30 minutes.

Easy swaps

  • Use four small Persian cucumbers instead of English cucumbers. Their thin skins and crisp texture work especially well.
  • For a gluten-free version, replace soy sauce with certified gluten-free tamari. Regular soy sauce commonly contains wheat.
  • For a soy-free version, use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. The standard recipe contains soy.
  • For a sesame-free version, replace sesame oil with a neutral oil and omit the sesame seeds. The standard recipe contains sesame, a priority allergen in Canada.
  • Adjust the chilli crisp to taste, and check its label for sesame, soy, wheat or other allergens because brands vary.
  • Agave syrup can replace maple syrup.

Estimated per serving

Nutrition at a glance

Calories
90
Fat
6.5g
Saturated fat
0.9g
Carbohydrates
9g
Fibre
1.5g
Sugars
5g
Protein
2g
Sodium
500mg

Cucumber keeps this side dish light, while sesame contributes a small amount of unsaturated fat.

Estimates vary with ingredient brands, substitutions and serving size.