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    Home » Recipes » Vegan Cucumber Sandwiches

    Vegan Cucumber Sandwiches

    May 16, 2022 by The Pesky Vegan | 4 Comments

    15 shares
    Jump to Recipe >
    Vegan Cucumber Sandwiches with Tofu Cream Cheese Pin

    Welcome to the world of vegan cucumber sandwiches, where afternoon tea is getting a plant-based makeover!

    Now don't worry – I'm not here to ruin the fun and high-tea vibes. You can still be all posh with your fascinators, top hats, monocles, porcelain tea sets, and whatever else you feel is important for the occasion.

    But let's leave the cow products out of it, eh?

    Vegan Cucumber Sandwiches with Tofu Cream Cheese and Dill

    This dairy-free recipe is more than just cucumber in between slices of bread – it's all about delicious tofu cream cheese (or any other vegan cream cheese product you'd like to use).

    For more plant-based inspiration, check out these recipes for vegan haggis toastie, vegan haggis quesadilla, and vegan rice paper rolls.

    I create new content every single week. Subscribe to keep in touch and get a free download of The Vegan Kitchen – My Top 10 Tips.

    Jump to:

    • History 📜
    • Veganise 🌱
    • Ingredients 📋
    • Step by step 📷
    • FAQ ❓
    • Variations 🔀
    • Recipe 👨‍🍳

    Where did cucumber sandwiches originate?

    The cucumber sandwich can be traced back to Victorian Britain during the 19th century, and is often associated with the upper-class tradition of afternoon tea.

    Originally made with cucumber slices in between thin slices of lightly buttered white bread, modern variants see the sandwiches include other ingredients such as cream cheese and fresh dill.

    How to make cucumber sandwiches vegan

    Cucumber sandwiches might sound like the most vegan thing ever, but it's the dairy cream cheese (and butter) that means they're usually not.

    While it's becoming increasingly easy to find vegan cream cheese products on supermarket shelves (at least here in the UK), you could also try making your own.

    Call me biased, but I'd say my recipe for homemade tofu cream cheese is a good place to start.

    Tofu Cream Cheese in Bowl with Bread and Dill

    Is bread vegan?

    Many regular sliced bread products are vegan by default, however you may want to double check the ingredients to be sure.

    Gluten-free bread in particular can be a bit of a minefield, with the ingredients sometimes including things like egg white or honey.

    What you'll need

    Here are the things you'll need to create your fancy schmancy vegan cucumber sandwiches:

    • Sliced bread (because sandwiches are terrible without it)
    • Cucumber (because cucumber sandwiches are terrible without it)
    • Vegan cream cheese (as well as optional plant-based butter)
    • Fresh dill (if not already included in your cream cheese)
    Ingredients to Make Vegan Cucumber Sandwiches

    How to make vegan cucumber sandwiches

    Slice the cucumber into thin slices. If you prefer the cucumber without skin, you can peel them before slicing.

    Recipe Process Shot - Slicing Cucumber on Chopping Board

    Lay out all of the bread slices on a board. Spread plant-based butter on two of the slices, and generously spread vegan cream cheese on the other two.

    Recipe Process Shot - Buttering Bread and Spreading Vegan Cream Cheese

    On the slices with butter, layer the sliced cucumber and sprinkle over a little salt and pepper.

    On the slices with cream cheese, sprinkle over the chopped dill (if not already included in the cream cheese).

    Place the slices with cream cheese face-down on top of the slices with cucumber.

    Using a sharp knife, cut into triangles or rectangles and serve. You could also cut off the crusts before slicing, but I prefer to leave them on.

    Vegan Tea Sandwiches with Cucumber and Vegan Cream Cheese

    Recipe FAQ

    Which cucumbers are best?

    I'd recommend using English cucumbers (the variety you'd usually find in the supermarket here in the UK). They're also good for a cucumber salad, cucumber raita, or cucumber stir-fry.

    Which bread is best?

    I'd suggest using soft, thinly sliced wholemeal bread or white bread (just like in this recipe for vegan haggis toasties). Many shop-bought sliced bread products are vegan by default, however you may want to double check the ingredients to be sure.

    Do I need to peel the cucumber?

    It's completely up to you. I don't feel the need to peel the cucumbers (or remove the bread crusts), but you'll get a more delicate final sandwich if you do both of these things.

    Is this recipe gluten-free?

    To make this recipe gluten-free, you'll need to use a bread that is certified or labelled as such. Bear in mind that gluten-free bread is not always vegan, as ingredients such as egg white or honey may be used (frustrating, I know).

    Variations and tips for vegan cucumber sandwiches

    • Dill: Your vegan cream cheese may already include dill, in which case you won't need to add any more here (unless you want to).
    • Other herbs: Fresh herbs such as chives, parsley, or tarragon would also work well.
    • Other spreads: If you want to substitute the vegan cream cheese for another spread, you could try hummus, guacamole, or lemony butter bean dip.
    Vegan Cucumber Sandwich Recipe Feature

    Hey you – let me know what you think

    If you made this recipe and enjoyed it – or did anything differently – I'd love to hear from you down below in the comments 👇

    You can also find me and let me know on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook @thepeskyvegan 🌿

    Keep in touch

    Subscribe below to get your free download of The Vegan Kitchen – My Top 10 Tips, featuring 10+ pages of personal experience and advice to set you up for success with your plant-based cooking. 👇

    More vegan recipe ideas

    If you liked this recipe, you may also enjoy:

    • Vegan Haggis Toastie
    • Vegan Mushroom Pâté
    • Fried Cucumber with Five Spice
    • Vegan Haggis Quesadilla
    • Vegan Waldorf Salad
    • Broad Bean Dip with Mint and Lemon
    • Vegan Haggis Fritters
    • Vegan Slaw with Sesame Ginger Dressing

    You can also check out my full list of vegan snack recipes.

    Vegan Tea Sandwiches with Cucumber and Vegan Cream Cheese

    Vegan Cucumber Sandwiches

    The Pesky Vegan
    Grab your top hats and monocles folks – vegan cucumber sandwiches are here! Sliced cucumber meets dairy-free cream cheese for a plant-based twist on the afternoon tea classic.
    5 from 2 votes
    Rate this Recipe Print Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Appetizer, Main Course
    Cuisine British
    Servings 2 sandwiches
    Calories 269 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 4 slices bread (white or wholegrain, see notes)
    • 6-8 tablespoons tofu cream cheese (or other vegan cream cheese)
    • 2 tablespoons plant-based butter
    • ¼ large cucumber, thinly sliced
    • 2 sprigs fresh dill, chopped (optional, see notes)
    • Salt and pepper, to taste
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Lay out all of the bread slices on a board. Spread plant-based butter on two of the slices, and generously spread vegan cream cheese on the other two.
    • On the slices with butter, layer the sliced cucumber and sprinkle over a little salt and pepper.
    • On the slices with cream cheese, sprinkle over the chopped dill (if not already included in the cream cheese).
    • Place the slices with cream cheese face-down on top of the slices with cucumber.
    • Using a sharp knife, cut into triangles or rectangles and serve. You could also cut off the crusts before slicing, but I prefer to leave them on.
      📸 Recipe steps >
      📖 Table of contents >
    Rate this recipe 👇

    Notes

    Bread: I'd suggest using soft, thinly sliced wholemeal bread or white bread. Many shop-bought sliced bread products are vegan by default, however you may want to double check the ingredients to be sure.
    Dill: My recipe for tofu cream cheese already includes dill, so if you're using this you won't need to add any more here (unless you want to).
    Other herbs: Fresh herbs such as chives, parsley, or tarragon would also work well.
    Getting fancy: I don't feel the need to peel the cucumbers or remove the bread crusts, but you'll get a more delicate final sandwich if you do. I'm all for keeping them in (and reducing food waste).
    Other spreads: If you want to substitute the vegan cream cheese for another spread, you could try hummus, guacamole, or lemony butter bean dip.
    Gluten-free: To make this recipe gluten-free, you'll need to use a bread that is certified or labelled as such. Bear in mind that gluten-free bread is not always vegan, as ingredients such as egg white or honey may be used.
    If you liked this recipe, you might also enjoy:
    • Vegan Haggis Toastie
    • Mediterranean Couscous Salad
    • Cucumber Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing
    • Mashed Potato Pancakes
    • Three-Bean Salad
    • Easy Homemade Hummus
    • Vegan Haggis Fritters
    • Vegan Rice Paper Rolls
     
    * The nutrition info below is for one sandwich (two bread slices), based on a total of two sandwiches and using wholemeal bread.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 269kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 11gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.1gSodium: 394mgPotassium: 317mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 765IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 126mgIron: 2mg
    Nutrition Facts
    Vegan Cucumber Sandwiches
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 269 Calories from Fat 99
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 11g17%
    Saturated Fat 2.5g16%
    Trans Fat 0.1g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 4g
    Monounsaturated Fat 4g
    Sodium 394mg17%
    Potassium 317mg9%
    Carbohydrates 28g9%
    Fiber 4g17%
    Sugar 4g4%
    Protein 11g22%
    Vitamin A 765IU15%
    Vitamin C 4mg5%
    Calcium 126mg13%
    Iron 2mg11%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Keyword vegan high tea sandwiches, vegan tea party, vegan tea sandwich
    Did you make this recipe?Leave a comment down below or tag me on Instagram @thepeskyvegan along with the hashtag #thepeskyvegan

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Lisa

      March 22, 2023 at 7:07 pm

      5 stars
      this looks great; although.. you never mentioned mint. Must be a Southern thing; but it is really fantastic with a cucumber sandwich.

      Reply
      • The Pesky Vegan

        March 28, 2023 at 7:31 am

        I can see how that would work, thanks for the suggestion!

        Reply
    2. Naomi

      October 30, 2022 at 9:13 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent, my kids loved these! 🙂

      Reply
      • The Pesky Vegan

        November 01, 2022 at 8:55 am

        Great to hear, thanks for leaving a review!

        Reply

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