Shellfish Free Vegan Smashed Cucumber Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Smashing cucumbers before salting them is the move that separates a truly great cucumber salad from a watery, underdressed one — the cracked, jagged edges soak up dressing in a way that neat slices never could. After a quick drain and pat-dry, every rough-cut piece gets coated in a lemon tahini dressing that's nutty, bright, and just a little smoky from the cumin. Maple syrup rounds out the acidity without tipping the whole thing sweet, and the scallion greens and torn cilantro keep it fresh and herbaceous. A finish of toasted sesame seeds and a drizzle of sesame oil adds crunch and depth that makes this feel like something you'd order at a restaurant. The whole dish is built entirely from pantry staples and fresh produce, so there's zero guesswork about hidden seafood-derived ingredients — no fish sauce, no oyster sauce, no surprises. It comes together fast and is best served right away while the cucumbers still have some snap and the dressing is glossy and clinging.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 1 ½ lb persian cucumbers (about 8–10 small)
- ¾ tsp kosher salt, divided
- 3 scallions, thinly sliced (green tops only)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly torn
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
For the dressing
- ¼ cup well-stirred tahini
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp water, plus more as needed
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
For serving
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Trim the ends off the cucumbers. Place them on a cutting board and smash each one firmly with the flat side of a chef's knife or the bottom of a heavy mug until the skin cracks and the flesh splits open. Tear or cut the smashed cucumbers into rough 1- to 1½-inch pieces and transfer to a colander set over the sink.
- 2
Toss the cucumber pieces with ½ tsp of the kosher salt and let them drain in the colander for 10 minutes, then pat dry with paper towels. This draws out excess water so the dressing clings rather than pools.
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