Cucumber Chili Crisp Smashed Salad Cups
Cool smashed cucumbers get tossed with chili crisp, lime, and herbs, then spooned into crisp lettuce cups for a quick, crunchy bite.
Prep: 15 · Cook: 5 · Total: 20 · Serves: 4 · Difficulty: Easy · Rating: 4.8/5 (214 reviews)
INSPIRED BY
I wanted a snack that hits the same spicy-crunchy note as takeout cucumber salads, but with pantry staples and zero stove time.
Story
If my kitchen is already warm and the day is moving fast, this is the kind of little bite I can still pull off without stress. Smashing the cucumbers looks silly, but it is the trick that makes every piece soak up the dressing. I like setting out a platter of crisp lettuce leaves and letting everyone build their own cups at the table. It feels like a small treat, even on an ordinary weeknight.
By Casey
Ingredients
- 2 large cucumbers, Persian or English
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 2 tbsp chili crisp
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp honey or sugar
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro or mint
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 8 to 12 butter lettuce leaves or romaine hearts
Instructions
- Smash the cucumbers: Place cucumbers on a cutting board, lightly smash with the side of a chef's knife or a rolling pin, then cut into bite-size chunks. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and let sit 5 minutes.
- Mix the dressing: In a medium bowl, stir together chili crisp, rice vinegar, lime juice, and honey until glossy.
- Drain and toss: Tip off any pooled cucumber liquid, then add cucumbers to the dressing and toss well.
- Add the crunch: Fold in scallions, herbs, and sesame seeds. Taste and adjust with a pinch more salt or an extra squeeze of lime.
- Prep the cups: Arrange lettuce leaves on a platter, pat them dry so they stay crisp.
- Serve: Spoon the cucumber salad into the lettuce cups and serve right away, with extra chili crisp on the side if you like.
Chef Tips
- Use English cucumbers for fewer seeds and a cleaner crunch.
- Pat the lettuce leaves dry so the cups do not get slippery.
- For more heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper or more chili crisp.
- Leftovers keep 1 day in the fridge, store salad and lettuce separately.
Cook's Notes
- **Make it milder:** Swap half the chili crisp for toasted sesame oil.
- **Protein add-on:** Add shredded rotisserie chicken or edamame.
- **Serving idea:** Pair with grilled salmon or a simple rice bowl.