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Smashed Cucumber Salad with Italian Dressing

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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

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    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.

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