This easy cucumber sandwich recipe is perfect for a light lunch or as an elegant party food. The satisfying crunchy texture is complimented by a wonderful herb spread that will make your mouth water.
When you think of cucumber sandwiches, you might picture those traditional appetizers served at tea parties and bridal showers. Sure, they’re great for that, but they also make a perfect go-to lunch sandwich for the summertime.
In our version, a blend of cream cheese, Greek yogurt, freshly chopped chives, dill, and ground black pepper are mixed together and then spread over whole grain bread. Thinly sliced cucumbers are stacked on top of the bread and then the refreshing sandwiches are ready to enjoy!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crunchy, Creamy Texture. Cucumber sandwiches have an incredible crunch thanks to the fresh, juicy cucumbers. The creamy herb spread is the perfect contrast and makes every bite of the sandwich truly satisfying.
- A True Classic. Cucumber sandwiches are a traditional sandwich with a long history. They started as a staple of British afternoon tea but are now popular around the world.
- Versatility. Cucumber sandwiches can be an easy lunch, a perfect picnic food, or a fancy finger food for formal gatherings. They can be made into a full-sized sandwich and enjoyed as a meal or cut into small, bite-sized pieces perfect as an appetizer. They really are perfect for any occasion!
- Quick to Make. It takes less than ten minutes to make a cucumber sandwich. This cucumber sandwich recipe can be broken down into three easy steps: Make the herbed cream cheese spread, cut the cucumbers, then assemble the sandwiches. Anyone can make this recipe!
- Budget Friendly. All of the ingredients used to make cucumber sandwiches are affordable and easy to find. (Check out this article about preserving fresh herbs so you can have the herbs you need on hand, ready to go, anytime you want to make this cucumber sandwich recipe!)
How to Make Cucumber Sandwiches
Cucumber sandwiches really are easy to make. Even a novice chef can make impressive cucumber sandwiches in a matter of minutes! Let’s take a look at how to make this recipe:
Key Ingredients
- Light Cream Cheese. Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature so it blends easily with the yogurt. Using light cream cheese helps cut back on some of the fats and calories that are typically in a classic cucumber sandwich.
- Low Fat Greek Yogurt. Many cucumber sandwich recipes use mayonnaise but the light texture and tangy flavor of Greek yogurt is spectacular in this recipe.
- Fresh Chives. Fresh herbs really are best in this recipe. You can use dried herbs in a pinch but fresh is best!
- Fresh Dill. Fresh dill has so much more flavor than dried dill. Once you have fresh dill, you’ll never go back! You may even want to start growing your own dill in a backyard herb garden.
- Whole Grain Bread. Whole grain bread is loaded with vitamins and minerals which helps make healthy cucumber sandwiches.
- English Cucumber. English cucumbers have smaller seeds and a very crunchy texture. The dark green skin is beautiful and nutritious.
Step by Step Instructions
Cut the cucumbers. Use a mandolin or sharp knife to cut 1/8″ slices.
Extract the moisture. Place the sliced cucumbers on a paper towel and sprinkle with salt. Let them sit for about 15 minutes, which will extract some of the moisture and give a nice flavor to the cucumbers.
Make the fresh herb spread. Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and stir until blended.
Apply the spread. Spread one side of each slice of bread with the cream cheese mixture.
Assemble the sandwiches. Top one slice of the bread with cucumber slices and then place the other slice on top.
If desired, cut the crusts of the bread and cut into quarters for tea sandwich style. Or just slice the whole thing in half diagonally for a refreshing and nutritious lunch sandwich.
Put everything together right before you are ready to eat. Then cut the sandwiches. You can make them any size or shape!
Serve them alongside a bowl of watermelon gazpacho and a cold glass of cucumber water for a true summertime treat. The simplicity and intense combination of flavors and textures of traditional cucumber sandwiches sure are delicious!
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Use mayonnaise. Replace the Greek yogurt with mayonnaise for a classic cucumber sandwich. They will be a little bit richer but that can be quite delicious!
- Change the bread. Any kind of bread will work. White bread is a classic choice while thinly sliced sourdough bread will add a unique flavor.
- No English cucumbers? Any kind of cucumber can be used to make cucumber sandwiches. Look for cucumbers that are firm and have a deep green color. Larger, fatter cucumbers tend to have more seeds which can make cutting the slices more difficult. Long, skinny types of cucumbers are best!
Make Ahead & Storage Recommendations
Fresh cucumber sandwiches really are best. It’s a good idea to assemble the cucumber sandwiches within an hour of when you’d like to enjoy them. Otherwise, the bread can get a little soggy from the herb spread.
If you want to do some preparation ahead of time, you can make the herb spread in advance. Store it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to one week. It will be ready to use whenever you crave a quick cucumber sandwich!
If you happen to have leftover cucumber sandwiches, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container. Leftover cucumber sandwiches will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Assembling the cucumber sandwiches right before serving is the best way to ensure they do not get soggy. Sprinkling the cucumber slices with salt will also help extract some of the extra moisture. Let the salted cucumber slices sit for about 20 minutes then pat them dry. They will still be crunchy and juicy, just not quite so wet!
Cucumber sandwiches have a long tradition and history. They have been associated with British high tea since the 19th century and this esteemed place at the table is what originally made them popular. Now, people tend to enjoy cucumber sandwiches because they are easy to make, satisfying to eat, and have a refreshing, interesting taste.
Assembling cucumber sandwiches the day you intend to serve them is best. This will keep the cucumbers crisp and the bread soft. You can make the herb spread the night before if you want to get ahead on your meal prep.
Try These Other Cucumber Recipes
- Quick Cucumber Kimchi – A tangy, nutritious side dish.
- Spicy Cucumber Salad – An interesting salad loaded with tasty heat.
- Watermelon, Cucumber and Mint Salad – A wonderful summer salad.
Cucumber Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 ounces light cream cheese at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon low-fat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives sliced
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 2 slices whole-grain sandwich bread
- 1/3 cup English cucumber thinly sliced
Instructions
- Cut the cucumber into 1/8-inch thin slices using a mandolin or sharp knife. Place the slices on paper towels and sprinkle with coarse salt. Let rest for 15-30 minutes to extract moisture. Pat dry with clean paper towels.
- Stir cream cheese, yogurt, chives, dill and pepper together in a small bowl until well blended.
- Spread one side of each slice of bread with the cream cheese mixture.
- Top one slice of the bread with cucumber slices and then place the other slice on top.
- If desired, cut the crusts of the bread and cut into quarters for tea sandwich style. Or just slice the whole thing in half diagonally for a refreshing and nutritious lunch sandwich.
