Smashed Cucumber Salad with Lemon & Cumin

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Don't skip salting the cucumbers in this quick cucumber salad recipe—just 10 minutes pulls out some of their excess moisture, concentrating the flavor and keeping the salad from being watered down. Serve this smashed cucumber salad at a summer cookout alongside burgers and hot dogs.

By
Carolyn Malcoun
Carolyn Malcoun
Carolyn Malcoun

As EatingWell's Associate Editorial Director, Carolyn Malcoun searches for cool farmers, chefs and other food stories to tell. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin and a culinary arts degree from New England Culinary Institute. She started at EatingWell as an intern in the Test Kitchen in 2005 and joined the editorial team soon after.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on April 18, 2024
Tested by
EatingWell Test Kitchen
Eating Well Bio Page
Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen

The EatingWell Test Kitchen is comprised of a group of culinary professionals who develop and test our recipes. Our recipes go through a rigorous process, which includes testing by trained recipe testers, using different equipment (e.g., gas and electric stoves) and a variety of tools and techniques to make sure that it will really work when you make it at home. Testers shop major supermarkets to research availability of ingredients. Finally, a Registered Dietitian reviews each recipe to ensure that we deliver food that's not only delicious, but adheres to our nutrition guidelines as well. Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters.

Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen
Reviewed by Dietitian
Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD
A portrait of Breana Killeen, M.P.H., RD
Reviewed by Dietitian Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD

Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H, RD, is a Chinese and Jewish chef and dietitian who has worked in all facets of the food world. She is a recipe developer, culinary nutritionist and marketing specialist with more than 15 years of experience creating editorial and digital content for top food and kitchen brands.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
15 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings
Nutrition Profile:
Low-Carb Diabetes-Friendly Nut-Free Dairy-Free Low-Sodium Soy-Free Heart-Healthy Vegan Vegetarian Egg-Free Gluten-Free Low-Calorie Mediterranean Diet
Jump to Nutrition Facts
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Ingredients

  • 2 English cucumbers, cut into thirds

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

Directions

  1. Place cucumbers on a cutting board and cover with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel. Smash with a meat mallet or heavy pot until they start to break apart. Tear into bite-size pieces and place in a colander; sprinkle with salt and stir. Let stand 10 minutes.

  2. Meanwhile, whisk lemon juice, oil, cumin and pepper in a medium bowl.

  3. Shake the cucumbers in the colander to drain any liquid. Turn the cucumbers out onto a clean kitchen towel and pat dry. Add the cucumbers to the dressing and toss to coat.

    bowl of Smashed Cucumber Salad with Lemon & Cumin

Tips

To make ahead: Refrigerate for up to 1 day.

Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, July/August 2017

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

81 Calories
7g Fat
4g Carbs
2g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 3/4 cup
Calories 81
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 4g 1%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 2g 3%
Total Fat 7g 9%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Vitamin A 306IU 6%
Vitamin C 12mg 13%
Folate 2mcg 0%
Sodium 73mg 3%
Calcium 34mg 3%
Iron 1mg 3%
Magnesium 1mg 0%
Potassium 224mg 5%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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