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Cucumber Sandwiches are the perfect addition to your next brunch or afternoon tea. Made with thinly sliced cucumbers and a fresh dill cream cheese spread, they’re light, refreshing, and so delicious!
If you’ve ever been to a tea party, chances are you’ve had cucumber sandwiches. They’re a staple on every afternoon tea menu, and for good reason. They’re delicate, dainty, and perfectly bite sized… it’s no wonder they’re often called cucumber tea sandwiches!
I can still remember the first time I tried them. It was actually at a wedding shower, years ago, and I instantly fell in love. They’re the perfect finger food, and a delicious addition to all your other favorite tea party foods. We love serving them with Quiche Lorraine Bites, Chicken Salad, and Egg Salad Crostini, and of course some Lemon Bars and Mini Cheesecakes for dessert!
Made with soft bread slices, crunchy cucumbers, and a creamy herbed spread, this recipe is truly the best. It combines crisp English cucumbers with a dill cream cheese spread for the ultimate flavor combination everyone is sure to love!
what you’ll need for this recipe
White bread – I used 10 slices of soft white sandwich bread. Soft is key!
Cucumbers – I used 1 English cucumber, which is seedless and less watery than other varieties. If you’re using another variety, I would recommend patting them dry with paper towels before adding them to the sandwiches.
Cream cheese – I used 8 ounces of plain cream cheese, softened to room temperature. Substitute your favorite flavor as a shortcut!
Mayonnaise – Adding mayo to the cream cheese helps make it a little more creamy and a little less thick. I used 1/4 cup Hellman’s mayo, but you can use any brand you like.
Fresh dill – 1 Tablespoons fresh dill is what gives the cream cheese layer its delicious dill flavor.
Lemon juice – I added 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice to the cream cheese filling to help balance it out and give it an extra zip. As always, fresh is best, but bottled will work too!
Seasonings – I used 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and fresh pepper to taste.
how to make cucumber sandwiches
Make the filling. In small mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, mayo, dill, lemon juice, garlic powder, and salt. Use a hand mixer or spoon to mix well.
Peel & slice the cucumber. Peel the cucumber in stripes and cut into 1/8 inch thin slices using a mandoline or sharp knife.
Remove the crusts. Cut the crust off of the bread to make squares.
Assemble & cut the sandwiches. For each sandwich, spread about 1 tablespoon of cream cheese filling onto each slice of bread. Add thinly sliced cucumbers, fresh cracked pepper and additional fresh dill. Place the second slice of bread on top, then carefully cut into 4 triangles or squares.
Make Ahead Tips
Looking to make these sandwiches ahead of time? My best suggestion is to prep the individual components and wait to assemble them until close to the time you’e ready to serve them. You can prepare the filling, peel and slice the cucumbers, and cut the crusts off the bread up to one day in advance, then store them separately until you’re ready to use them. *Be sure to soften the cream cheese mixture before spreading it on the bread.
How to keep a Cucumber Sandwich from getting soggy
- Use English cucumbers, which have less water content than regular cucumbers due to their smaller seeds.
- Sprinkle the sliced cucumbers with salt and place them on paper towels to allow any excess moisture to drain before adding them to the sandwiches. (*You may want to omit the salt from the cream cheese filling if you go this route.)
- Spread cream cheese on both pieces of bread to create a barrier between the cucumbers and the bread.
how to cut cucumber sandwiches
There are a number of different options when it comes to how to cut a cucumber sandwich. Whichever option you choose, be sure to remove the crusts first!
Rectangles – Keep your cucumber sandwiches a little bigger by cutting each one into 2 rectangles.
Squares – Cut each sandwich in half and then in half again to make 4 squares.
Triangles – Cut each sandwich in half diagonally and then cross-diagonally to make 4 triangles.
Shapes – Use any shape of cookie cutter to make fun shapes. This cookie cutter set is my favorite for sandwiches.
Recipe Variations
- Substitute whole-wheat bread for white
- Add chopped fresh chives or thinly sliced red onion
- Substitute fresh parsley, mint, or any of your favorite fresh herbs for the dill
- Add thinly sliced radishes or tomatoes
- Make them open faced on cocktail bread
- Add thinly sliced lox for an extra pop of flavor and protein
More Delicious Cucumber Recipes
Have an abundance of cucumbers? These are some of our favorite ways to use them!
Cucumber Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 12 slices white bread
- 1 English cucumber
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Fresh pepper to taste
Instructions
- In small mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, mayo, dill, lemon juice, garlic powder, and salt. Use a hand mixer or spoon to mix well.
- Peel the cucumber in stripes and cut into 1/8 inch slices using a mandoline or sharp knife.
- Cut the crust off of the bread to make squares.
- For each sandwich, spread about 1 tablespoon of cream cheese filling onto each piece of bread. Add thinly sliced cucumbers, fresh cracked pepper and additional fresh dill. Place the second piece of bread on top, then carefully cut into 4 triangles or squares.
Dorothy Reinhold says
They are such a classic shower and party food! Simple and delicious ingredients shine through!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
These Cucumber Sandwiches are look so fun and tasty!
Alex says
These sandwiches look so tasty! Can’t wait to try them!
katerina @ diethood.com says
I LOVE Cucumber Sandwiches! I can’t wait to try this recipe! It looks incredibly delicious!
Beti | easyweeknightrecipes says
My family would love these Cucumber Sandwiches! I am so excited to try this recipe!
Catalina says
These sandwiches are perfect for our picnics and movie nights. My whole family loves cucumber!
Walt Justice says
As a former resident of Louisville KY, I was disappointed that you did not give credit to Jennie Benedictine for creating this sandwich in Louisville.It’s called “The Benedictine” and is a staple for Derby parties.
Cathy Trochelman says
That was an oversight, thank you for bringing that to my attention!
Nancy Bryan says
These sound very tasty. If you want to make them easier you can peel
Cot long ways and grate them on the big aide of a box grater after you remove the seeds. I then squeeze them out and add to thee cream mixture.
Kevin says
Great lunch option! Love the use of cucumbers!
Hank says
I just made these for lunch. This is really the perfect summer food. They are light, fulfilling, delicious and so fresh tasting. I’m fully energized and ready to get back outside in the sun and play!
Hank says
I forgot to say. Thank you for the recipe Cathy!!
Cathy Trochelman says
Glad you enjoyed them!
Kathi Dabel says
Yummy post of easy fast recipes I love them!
ELIZABETH DESPAIN says
WILL SHARE GOOD RECIPES WILLING
Margie says
the recipes are impossible to print
Cathy Trochelman says
There’s a print button on each recipe card.
Doris Czajkowski says
Great appetizer idea. I can’t wait to use it.
Kathryn Duke says
Our Southern church mothers taught us to wet a paper towel and wring lit well…place over the sandwiches then wrap in plastic wrap and put in the fridge…
This keeps them very well and even over night !!!
Kathi Dabel says
Love some easy yummy recipes
Please! Skd95@aol.com – kathi Dabel ty!