Smashed Cucumber Salad with Hot Vinegar

Name: Smashed Cucumber Salad with Hot Vinegar
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 5 whole mini seedless or Persian cucumbers; 1 tsp Kosher salt; 4 whole Thai chiles; 2 cloves garlic; ½ cup unseasoned rice vinegar; 2 Tbsp fish sauce; 1 Tbsp sugar; ¼ cup roasted peanuts

A refreshing Asian-inspired cucumber salad featuring crisp smashed cucumbers in a spicy-tangy dressing made with Thai chiles, fish sauce, and rice vinegar. Topped with crunchy peanuts for extra texture.

4 servings

1 hr 10 min

Published October 4, 2025

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Ingredients

•5 whole mini seedless or Persian cucumbers
•1 tsp Kosher salt
•4 whole Thai chiles
•2 cloves garlic
•½ cup unseasoned rice vinegar
•2 Tbsp fish sauce
•1 Tbsp sugar
•¼ cup roasted peanuts

Cooking Instructions

1.
Gently smash cucumbers with a rolling pin or the back of a heavy knife just to break open. Tear into irregular 2" pieces and place in a medium bowl; season lightly with salt. Let sit at least 5 minutes and up to 1 hour.
60 min
2.
Meanwhile, whisk chiles, garlic, vinegar, fish sauce, and sugar in a medium bowl until sugar dissolves. Let sit while cucumbers macerate.
5 min
3.
Drain cucumbers, discarding any liquid they have released. Add to bowl with dressing and toss several times to coat. Top with peanuts.
5 min
4.
Dressing can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.