Published: April 19, 2021 Modified: July 1, 2026 by Cathy Trochelman 24 Comments

Cucumber Sandwiches

Clock icon 20 minutes

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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!

Cucumber Sandwiches cut in squares on a light blue plate

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!

Overhead image of Cucumber Sandwiches on a light blue plate with fresh lemons

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.

Cucumber Sandwich ingredients on a marble board

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.

Thinly slice cucumbers on a wooden cutting board

How to keep a Cucumber Sandwich from getting soggy

  1. Use English cucumbers, which have less water content than regular cucumbers due to their smaller seeds.
  2. 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.)
  3. Spread cream cheese on both pieces of bread to create a barrier between the cucumbers and the bread.

Cucumber Sandwich assembly photo

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

Hand grabbing a Cucumber Sandwich square

More Delicious Cucumber Recipes

Have an abundance of cucumbers? These are some of our favorite ways to use them!

Cucumber Sandwiches

Cucumber Sandwiches are the perfect addition to your next tea party, bridal shower, or Mother's Day brunch. Made with just a handful of ingredients, they're simple, fresh, and so delicious! 
4.50 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 24
Calories: 91kcal
Author: Cathy Trochelman

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

  1. 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.
  2. Peel the cucumber in stripes and cut into 1/8 inch slices using a mandoline or sharp knife.
  3. Cut the crust off of the bread to make squares.
  4. 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.

Notes

How to keep a Cucumber Sandwich from getting soggy

1. Use English cucumbers, which have less water content than regular cucumbers due to their smaller seeds.
2. Sprinkle the sliced cucumbers with salt and place them on paper towels to allow any additional 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.)
3. Spread cream cheese on both pieces of bread to create a barrier between the cucumbers and the bread.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 91kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 143mg | Sugar: 1g

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Recipe Rating




24 Comments

  1. They are such a classic shower and party food! Simple and delicious ingredients shine through!

  2. I LOVE Cucumber Sandwiches! I can’t wait to try this recipe! It looks incredibly delicious!

  3. My family would love these Cucumber Sandwiches! I am so excited to try this recipe!

  4. 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.

    1. 4 stars
      Cucumber sandwiches have been included in High Tea in the UK since the early 1800s. They may be served at the Derby, but their origin was LONG before that!

  5. 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.

  6. 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!

  7. 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 !!!

  8. 5 stars
    Didn’t have any white bread, so used a poppy seed hot dog bun instead. It worked great. This was so delicious. Everything blends together correctly, the cucumber tastes better than when they’re just plain. We’ll be making this a lot because our cucumbers are exploding this year!