Skip to main content

Smashed Cucumber Salad with Italian Dressing

Image may contain Food Food Presentation and Produce
Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski

Smashing the cucumbers lets the crunchy veg soak up all the dressing—in this case, an easy Italian dressing of red wine vinegar, honey, and red onion.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

5 mini seedless or Persian cucumbers or 1 small English hothouse cucumber (about 12 oz.)
Kosher salt
6 Tbsp. red wine vinegar, divided
1½ tsp. honey, divided
½ small red onion, thinly sliced
3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper
Fresh mint leaves (for serving)

Preparation

  1. Step 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.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, mix 3 Tbsp. vinegar, 1 tsp. honey, a generous pinch of salt, and 3 Tbsp. water in a medium bowl to combine. Add onion and toss to coat. Let sit until softened, at least 5 minutes.

    Step 3

    Whisk 3 Tbsp. oil, remaining 3 Tbsp. vinegar, and remaining ½ tsp. honey in a medium bowl to combine; season dressing with salt and pepper.

    Step 4

    Image may contain Cooking Pan and Cookware

    Drain cucumbers, discarding any liquid they have released. Add to bowl with dressing and toss several times to coat. Drain onions; top cucumbers with pickled onions and mint leaves.

    Step 5

    Do Ahead: Onions can be pickled 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.

    Read More: The 29 New Essential Recipes from the Bon Appétit Test Kitchen

Read More
The golden, crunchy corners are worth fighting over.
Elegant enough for a dinner party centerpiece, sturdy enough to take the leftovers for lunch tomorrow.
Save this meal—with juicy chicken, warm pita, and crunchy veg—for your weeknight rotation.
A one-pot celebration of summer vegetables.
The secret to flavorful, never-greasy eggplant parm? Brine the eggplant first.
So much more affordable than ordering from those fast casual salad chains.
An oven-baked take on the Atlanta classic.
Add a bag of potato chips and you've got yourself a party.