These Smashed Pickled Cucumbers are crisp, tangy, and full of fresh flavor. A quick and easy no-cook snack that comes together in minutes — just smash, shake, and chill!
Lightly smashed and marinated in a garlicky, slightly sweet dressing, these Smashed Pickled Cucumbers are crunchy, punchy, and so refreshing. Perfect straight from the jar, but also fantastic with rice bowls, salads, or on toast. Made with just a few pantry staples, they’re a great way to level up your summer meals.
▶️ Video Tutorial
💚 Why You’ll Love Smashed Pickled Cucumbers
This one’s fast, flavorful, and endlessly versatile:
- 🌿 Fresh and vibrant – Tangy, lightly sweet, garlicky, and loaded with dill.
- 🥒 Super crunchy – Smashing helps the cucumbers absorb flavor while staying crisp.
- ⏱️ No cooking – Just prep and chill.
- 🥄 Small batch–friendly – Perfect for when you need just a jarful.
- 🍽️ Versatile – Enjoy on toast, in bowls, or straight from the fridge.
🧺 Ingredients You’ll Need
- 🥒 Cucumber – 1 long (300 g), crisp and juicy
- 🫒 Olive oil – 2 tbsp (30 ml)
- 🍎 Apple cider vinegar – 2 tbsp (30 ml)
- 🍬 Brown sugar – 1 tsp (4 g)
- 🧂 Salt – ½ tsp (3 g), or to taste
- 🌶️ Red pepper flakes – ¼ tsp (0.5 g)
- 🧄 Garlic – 1 clove (5 g), thinly sliced or crushed
- 🌿 Fresh dill – 2 tbsp (3 g), finely chopped (or ½ tsp dried dill)
📋 How to Make Smashed Pickled Cucumbers
1. Smash the cucumber. Wash and trim the cucumber. Using the flat side of a large knife or a kitchen mallet, gently smash it until it cracks open. Then cut into bite-sized chunks.
2. Add to jar. Transfer the cucumber pieces to a clean glass jar. Add olive oil, vinegar, brown sugar, salt, red pepper flakes, garlic, and dill.
3. Shake and chill. Seal the jar tightly and shake well to coat the cucumbers. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or longer for deeper flavor. Shake again before serving.
👩🍳 Cooking Tips
- 🔪 Don’t over-smash — you want cracks, not mush.
- 🫙 Use a wide jar so the marinade spreads evenly.
- 🌀 Shake well to get the dressing into every crevice.
- 🌿 Fresh dill gives the best flavor, but dried works if that’s what you have.
- 🌶️ Want it spicier? Add extra red pepper flakes or sliced chili.
🧠 Smashed pickled cucumbers aren’t just crisp and refreshing — they’re also hydrating, packed with nutrients, and a great addition to a healthy diet.
Read more about the health benefits of cucumbers.
🔀 Recipe Variations
- 🌶️ Spicy version – Add jalapeño slices or double the pepper flakes.
- 🍋 Lemon twist – Use lemon juice instead of vinegar for a citrusy flavor.
- 🧅 Add onion – A few slices of red onion or shallot add depth.
- 🌿 Herb swap – Try parsley or cilantro instead of dill.
- 🍁 Sweet variation – For sweeter smashed pickled cucumbers, swap brown sugar for maple syrup.
🫙 Storage & Marinating
🧊 Storage:
Store the smashed pickled cucumbers in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavor improves with time, but best texture is within the first couple of days.
⏳ Marinating:
Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes. Even better after a few hours or overnight!
🍽️ What to Serve With Smashed Pickled Cucumbers
🥔 Potatoes – Pair with Potatoes and Green Beans, Roasted Potatoes and Zucchini, or Perfect Baked Potatoes for a comforting, satisfying combo. The creamy texture and golden, crispy edges of these dishes balance beautifully with the bright, tangy bite of the cucumbers.
🥗 Salads – Serve with Vegan Potato Salad for a refreshing contrast. The crisp cucumbers add brightness and texture that pairs perfectly with the creamy, hearty base of a classic potato salad.
🍚 Rice dishes – Enjoy with Mushroom Rice, Spinach Rice, Vegan Rice and Beans, or Rice and Beans in the Oven. The fresh, punchy cucumbers bring balance and contrast to these cozy, satisfying rice-based meals.
💡 Tip: Add to meal-prep bowls with rice, tofu, or chickpeas for a flavorful, crunchy boost.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Rice vinegar, white vinegar, or red wine vinegar also work — just taste and balance with sugar.
Up to 3 days in the fridge. They’re best within 1–2 days for crunch, but still tasty after.
You can reuse it once within 1 day if clean (no fingers/spoons inside) and kept chilled.
No — you can leave it out or use another herb like parsley or cilantro.
📝 Final Thoughts
These smashed pickled cucumbers prove that fresh, simple ingredients can create bold flavor. Whether you snack on them solo or layer them onto bowls and toast, they’ll brighten up your meals in no time.
Tried the recipe? I’d love to hear how you served them! Leave a comment and let me know — in a bowl, on toast, or straight from the jar.
📄 Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and step-by-step instructions.
🥒 More recipes with cucumber:
Smashed Pickled Cucumbers
Ingredients
- 1 long cucumber
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp salt or to taste
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 clove garlic thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp dill chopped
Instructions
- Wash and trim the cucumber. Using the flat side of a large knife or a kitchen mallet, gently smash it until it cracks open. Then cut into bite-sized chunks.1 long cucumber
- Transfer the cucumber pieces to a clean glass jar. Add olive oil, vinegar, brown sugar, salt, red pepper flakes, garlic, and dill.2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp brown sugar, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, 1 clove garlic, 2 tbsp dill
- Seal the jar tightly and shake well to coat the cucumbers. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or longer for deeper flavor. Shake again before serving.
Video Tutorial
Notes
🔀 Recipe Variations
- 🌶️ Spicy version – Add jalapeño slices or double the pepper flakes.
- 🍋 Lemon twist – Use lemon juice instead of vinegar for a citrusy flavor.
- 🧅 Add onion – A few slices of red onion or shallot add depth.
- 🌿 Herb swap – Try parsley or cilantro instead of dill.
- 🍁 Sweet variation – Swap brown sugar for maple syrup.
These turned out awesome! Can’t stop snacking 😄
Yay! I am glad you enjoyed the recipe, Yulia!
These are so delicious! So crunchy and full of flavor — I couldn’t stop snacking on them straight from the jar
Yes, I agree! Thanks for the star rating, Pavlo!