Smashing cucumbers rather than slicing them creates jagged edges that catch the dressing and stay crunchier longer. Fresh garlic — the kind that just came out of the ground — is noticeably sweeter and less sharp than cured garlic, and it makes this simple salad something worth eating on its own. Twenty minutes is all it takes.
Details
Time: 20 minutes (plus 10 minutes resting) | Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 4 medium cucumbers (Brenneman's Country Store)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced or grated (Abundant Pastures)
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp honey or sugar
- ½ tsp chili flakes (or more to taste)
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Place cucumbers on a cutting board. Use the flat side of a large knife or a rolling pin to smash them firmly — they should crack and split open. Cut into rough 1–2 inch pieces.
- Toss smashed cucumbers with kosher salt in a colander. Let drain for 10 minutes to draw out excess water. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Whisk together the minced garlic, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, and chili flakes.
- Combine cucumbers and dressing in a bowl. Toss well to coat. Let sit for 5–10 minutes so the cucumbers absorb the flavors.
- Top with fresh cilantro, sesame seeds, and green onions if using. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to an hour — the cucumbers will soften slightly but remain pleasantly crisp.
Variations
Add a spoonful of chili crisp for more heat and depth. Swap cilantro for fresh mint if you prefer. A few drops of black vinegar instead of rice vinegar adds a more complex, slightly smoky note. This also works as a side alongside grilled steak or pork.
From Your Box
Cucumbers are from Brenneman's Country Store. Store unwashed in the crisper and use within 5–7 days — they go soft quickly once cut. Fresh garlic is from Abundant Pastures. Freshly harvested garlic has higher moisture content and a noticeably sweeter, more nuanced flavor than the cured bulbs you find at the grocery store. Use it within 2 weeks.
