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Smashed Cucumber Salad With Za'atar and Feta

5.0

(8)

Image may contain Plant Food Dish and Meal
Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski

Magic happens when toasted garlic oil meets fragrant za’atar. But if you don’t have za’atar on hand, dried mint is equally delicious infused into hot oil.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

5

mini seedless or Persian cucumbers or 1 small English hothouse cucumber (about 12 oz.)

Kosher salt

2

garlic cloves, lightly smashed

4

Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

2

Tbsp. za’atar or 1 Tbsp. dried mint and 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds

½

tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

2

Tbsp. fresh lime juice

Crumbled feta (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, cook garlic and oil in a small saucepan or skillet over medium-low heat, turning garlic once, until golden brown and very fragrant, 5–7 minutes. Add za’atar and red pepper flakes and remove from heat. Let cool until just warm and stir in lime juice; season dressing with salt. Transfer to a medium bowl.

    Step 3

    Drain cucumbers, discarding any liquid they have released. Add to bowl with dressing and toss several times to coat. Top with feta.

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

Explore Bon AppétitSaladCucumberVegetableZa'atarFetaCheeseQuickEasySideGluten-FreeVegetarianKetoHealthyishDinner
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Reviews (8)

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  • I made with one large shallot thinly sliced instead of the garlic. Fantastic. A great summer side dish, which I'll make again & again.

    • Boston MA

    • 7/8/2018

  • the Smashed Cucumber with Za'atar recipe as written here is different from the Smashed Cucumber Salad recipe shown in the accompanying video. the latter one has chili oil instead of garlic oil + za'atar, and there are other differences. luckily, i like both versions.

    • hollis5

    • Vero Beach, FL

    • 3/27/2019

  • Loved this! Would use less lime next time it was a little bit too acidic for me.

    • Anonymous

    • 12/4/2019

  • So many cucumbers this time of year. Delicious summer salad to go along with anything on the grill.

    • Minnesota

    • 8/1/2020

  • Excellent recipe. Added Toasted pine nuts and it was wonderful!

    • Anonymous

    • Northville, MI

    • 4/3/2022