Healthy Recipes Ingredients Healthy Vegetable Recipes Healthy Cucumber Recipes Cucumber Sandwich 4.8 (48) 35 Reviews This creamy, crunchy cucumber sandwich recipe strikes a lovely balance between decadent and light. The cream cheese-yogurt spread complements the crisp refreshing cucumber, while the hearty flavor and texture of the whole-wheat bread hold everything together. By Amanda Stanfield Amanda Stanfield Amanda Stanfield is a Test Kitchen assistant in the Dotdash Meredith Food Studios. She completed her undergraduate degree in journalism and strategic communications at Hampton University. After graduation, Amanda worked in the nonprofit sector as a marketing associate for a global nonprofit organization. In 2018, she pivoted into the food industry and began training in fine-dining restaurants around Atlanta. Later she gained her culinary degree from Johnson & Wales University and went on to work in a variety of kitchens from boutique restaurants to conference hotels. As a true foodie, Amanda seeks out nutritious and unique flavors to inspire others to eat happily and healthfully. When she's not cooking up delicious recipes, you can find her lap swimming in the pool or watching a good sci-fi movie. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 20, 2024 Reviewed by Dietitian Elizabeth Ward, M.S., RDN Reviewed by Dietitian Elizabeth Ward, M.S., RDN Elizabeth Ward is a registered dietitian and award-winning nutrition communicator and writer. She has authored or co-authored 10 books for consumers about nutrition at all stages of life. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Tested by Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters." tabindex="0" data-inline-tooltip="true"> EatingWell Test Kitchen Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen The EatingWell Test Kitchen is comprised of a group of culinary professionals who develop and test our recipes. Our recipes go through a rigorous process, which includes testing by trained recipe testers, using different equipment (e.g., gas and electric stoves) and a variety of tools and techniques to make sure that it will really work when you make it at home. Testers shop major supermarkets to research availability of ingredients. Finally, a Registered Dietitian reviews each recipe to ensure that we deliver food that's not only delicious, but adheres to our nutrition guidelines as well. Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters. Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen Save Rate PRINT Share Active Time: 10 mins Total Time: 10 mins Servings: 1 Nutrition Profile: Nut-Free Soy-Free Vegetarian Egg-Free Jump to Nutrition Facts Jump to recipe We made this Cucumber Sandwich for when you just need something that’s easy, delicious and quick to pull together. Speaking of cucumbers, this refreshingly crisp vegetable is low in calories, and can help you stay hydrated, thanks to its ability to hold water. Find out how to make this easy sandwich in just 10 minutes, along with our recommendations, variations and ways to customize below. How to Make a Cucumber Sandwich 1. Make the Spread You’ll get a double dose of natural tanginess from using a combination of cream cheese and yogurt as the base of the spread, plus a healthy dose of calcium. Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature, which softens it and makes it easier to mix. 2. Spread the Cream Cheese Mixture The cream cheese mixture is intentionally spread edge-to-edge on the bread slices. Yes, it adds flavor, but it also provides a barrier that protects the bread from getting soggy. Plus, it helps hold the cucumbers in place. 3. Slice the Cucumbers Use a mandoline or a very sharp knife to make paper-thin slices of cucumber. The thin slices make the sandwich easier to layer and enjoy. Learn more about how to cut a cucumber here. Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell Variations to Try Give it a lemony twist. Lemon adds the perfect pop of brightness to this sandwich. It’s also an easy modification that won’t alter nutrition significantly. Simply add 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest and 1 teaspoon lemon juice to the cream cheese mixture and proceed with the recipe as written.Add more herbs. You can increase the herbs that are already in the recipe or you can add or swap. Fresh oregano, basil, tarragon, parsley or cilantro are all welcome additions. Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! We use an English cucumber for this recipe, which has a mild sweet flavor, thin delicate skin and crisp texture. You can substitute it with Persian cucumbers, which have a similar flavor and texture. Persian cucumbers, also known as mini cucumbers, are small cucumbers about 5 to 6 inches long. They're commonly sold in packs of six cucumbers in a tray. To safely soften cream cheese, pull out only the amount you need. Cut it into small cubes and place them on a plate. Cover and allow it to stand for 30 minutes. If you don’t have plain Greek-style strained yogurt, you can use regular yogurt. (The spread may be a little thin, but that's OK.) You can also leave out the yogurt and double the cream cheese, but keep in mind that will add saturated fat and calories. You’ll only need a small amount of dill and chives to make these Cucumber Sandwiches. Place extra dill and chives on damp paper towels. Roll up and store in a resealable bag in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. Use within 1 week. Nutrition Notes Thanks to their water content, cucumbers can add to your hydration status. They contain the mineral silica, which plays an important role in collagen synthesis and keeping your skin smooth and firm. There is also evidence that suggests the compounds in cucumbers may help prevent cancer and diabetes. Fresh herbs are a delicious way to add flavor without added calories or salt. Most fresh herbs are also packed with antioxidants that can help protect against disease and inflammation. Foods made with whole grains, like the whole-wheat bread in this recipe, are a great way to get more fiber into your diet. According to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, women should aim for at least 25 grams of fiber each day, while men should shoot for at least 31 grams. Look for bread with at least 3 grams of fiber per slice to help with meeting those goals. Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature 1 tablespoon low-fat plain Greek yogurt 1 tablespoon sliced fresh chives 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill ¼ teaspoon ground pepper 2 slices whole-wheat sandwich bread ⅓ cup thinly sliced English cucumber Directions Stir cream cheese, yogurt, chives, dill and pepper together in a small bowl until well blended. Spread the mixture evenly on one side of each bread slice. Top 1 slice with cucumber slices, then top with the other bread slice, cream cheese-side down. Cut the crusts from the sandwich and cut it in half diagonally. Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell Frequently Asked Questions Can Cucumber Sandwiches be made ahead? No, we don't recommend making cucumber sandwiches ahead of time. The moisture from the cucumbers will release and cause the sandwiches to become soggy. It’s best to serve cucumber sandwiches the day you make them. You can make the cream cheese mixture ahead and refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to one day. What goes well with Cucumber Sandwiches? Serve these cucumber sandwiches with your favorite store-bought or homemade potato chips, cauliflower chips, sweet potato chips or beet chips. They also pair well with a chilled soup and chopped salad. Can I use whole-grain bread instead of whole-wheat bread? Absolutely! As long as the label says 100% whole-grain, it’s a great alternative to 100% whole-wheat bread. The main difference is in the type of whole grains included in each kind of bread. Whole-grain bread typically contains a variety of grains, whereas whole-wheat bread uses just wheat. Can I make Cucumber Sandwiches vegan? Yes! Simply swap out the cream cheese and yogurt for your favorite vegan substitutes. Additional reporting by Sara Haas, RDN, LDN EatingWell.com, March 2022 Rate It Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 358 Calories 22g Fat 29g Carbs 12g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 1 Serving Size 1 sandwich Calories 358 % Daily Value * Total Carbohydrate 29g 11% Dietary Fiber 4g 14% Total Sugars 6g Protein 12g 24% Total Fat 22g 28% Saturated Fat 12g 60% Cholesterol 59mg 20% Vitamin A 889IU 18% Vitamin C 3mg 3% Vitamin E 2mg 13% Folate 37mcg 9% Vitamin K 19mcg 16% Sodium 439mg 19% Calcium 174mg 13% Iron 2mg 11% Magnesium 56mg 13% Potassium 309mg 7% Zinc 2mg 18% Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate. * Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.) (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.