Last updated on August 11th, 2019
For me, nothing says “Summer’s here!” quite like a Cucumber and Mint Sandwich. This British classic is deliciously cool and refreshing to eat during hot, sticky weather. I make the sandwich in the traditional manner, with good bread, good butter, English cucumber, and freshly-snipped mint from my garden. Need a chic-and-easy course for your next garden party or Afternoon Tea? This recipe is for you:
Note #1: Use an English cucumber for this sandwich. English cucumbers are long, straight, virtually seedless, and thin skinned. To protect the delicate skin during transit, the cucumber is usually sold shrink-wrapped in plastic. The cucumber has a pleasant crunch and a non-bitter flavor.
Note #2: The best bread for any “tea”-type sandwich is Pain de Mie (French Sandwich Bread — click here for my step-by-step recipe). Alternatively, you can use Pepperidge Farm white bread. It’s texture is somewhat similar to that of pain de mie.
Note #3: Let’s make our sandwich already!
To start, cut off a length of English cucumber that matches the length of the sandwich bread. I cut my cucumber 3 1/2 inches long.
If you are a finicky queen like me, then go ahead and peel the cucumber. Commoners can leave the skin intact. The skin of an English cuke is thin enough for pleasant eating.
Now grab a mandoline…
And, while using the hand guard that came with the mandoline, slice the cucumber lengthwise into thin (approximately 1/16-inch) strips, or “rectangles.”
Why rectangles? Well, speaking from experience, rectangles stay in place while a sandwich is being eaten. Round slices routinely dislodge themselves and land on unsuspecting laps.
Next, run out to the garden…
And fetch a large, leafy sprig of mint.
Pinch off 2 or 3 of the herb’s largest leaves, and tightly roll them, from stem to tip, as if you were rolling a cigar.
Thinly slice the cigar crosswise to make a “chiffonade of mint.”
Then grab 2 slices of bread, and generously spread one side of each slice with softened butter. An offset spatula is helpful here.
Arrange 1 or 2 layers of cucumber on one slice of bread.
Dust the cucumbers with kosher salt and fresh grinds of black pepper…
And finish with a flurry of mint!
Close the sandwich with the remaining bread, and seal it with a firm press of your impeccably clean palm. If the food police are watching, you can seal the sandwich with the help of a flat spatula.
Now cut off the crusts…
And eat them. Waste not, want not.
Cut the sandwich diagonally in half…
And then cut again on the diagonal, to produce 4 triangles.
Repeat the above steps for the remaining cucumber rectangles. You should have enough cucumber and mint left for a second sandwich!
If you are serving your sandwich triangles to tiara-wearing guests at a garden party, you might like to arrange them in some decorative way on a platter. The sandwich triangles, I mean. I can’t advise on the arrangement of guests.
However you present ’em, Cucumber and Mint Sandwiches are as refreshing as a cool breeze. Don’t make me beg you to try them!
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And here, in case you need it, is the printable:
Cucumber and Mint Sandwich
Equipment
- a mandoline ( for slicing the cucumber)
Ingredients
- 4 thin slices of good quality white bread
- 2 generous tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- A 3 1/2-inch length of English cucumber, peeled and cut lengthwise on a mandoline to create 1/16-inch-thick strips or "rectangles"
- Salt and freshly-ground black pepper
- 3 large mint leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Generously butter two slices of bread. Top the bread with one or two layers of the cucumber strips. Dust the strips with the salt, pepper, and half of the chopped mint. Close the sandwich with the other buttered slice of bread, and press down gently to seal. Cut off crusts, and then cut the sandwich diagonally two times to produce four sandwich triangles. Repeat the preceding steps with the remaining ingredients.
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Colleen Carroll-Nisbett says
This sounds delish, I will try adding mint! My favorite cucumber sandwiches are made with Hellman’s mayo instead of butter, in which case the stay put rectangular slices would definitely be an asset!!
Lol
shirley welch says
Thank you for the recipe, love cucumber sandwiches in the summertime but have never used mint. This recipe sounds delicious ~
Candace Geary says
On hot summer days, my husband loves cucumber sandwiches made with Pepperidge Farm bread. We change it up a little by using soft spread cream cheese with chives. Then, a little salt and pepper and he is a happy guy. He spends part of his day in his office and part of his day visiting job sites. It is the perfect refreshing sandwich, for him, on a hot day.
Beverly, zone 6, eastern PA says
I can smell this sandwich! We just enjoyed cucumber/mint/yogurt soup last evening. This time of year is so bountiful with what can land on the plate for every meal. Great visuals here, very inspiring Kevin! Shopping for a mandoline now. What I have been waiting for, I don’t know.
Sandra Payette says
This will be my go to sandwich for the next tea party. Thanks, Kevin. xo
Maraya says
I think I will bake some pain de mie and try these sandwiches! I’ll keep the crusts intact, but I wonder why you don’t cut them off before making the sandwich so you can save them for crumbs or croutons. Perhaps you just eat them anyway…
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Maraya – For a “tea” sandwich, it’s important to fill the sandwich before cutting off crusts. This way, the sandwich will have a neat edge. I’m with you on homemade pain de mie. Awesome loaf!
Kathy says
I do like the idea. However, I have to have a little of Helman’s mayonnaise and I prefer a very fresh loaf of a bread with some pecans in it. I am no longer a white bread fan. And I like the idea of stacking the cucumber. Most people don’t put enough cucumber in the sandwich. I also like the cucumber to be ice cold.
Samantha Gray says
I loved reading this, and it brought to mind one of my favourite movies: The Importance of Being Ernest, with it’s quote “Heavens, Lane, why are there no cucumber sandwiches?!” I really needed a smile this morning, so thank you on several levels!
Julie R says
This is SO simple and looks so yummy. I think I will add fresh Basil to the tiny sandwich too. No tiara wearing guests here right now, so I guess I’ll have to eat all of the sandwiches that I make. = )
Elke says
Inspired by you, Kevin, I made those delicious sandwiches and invited a friend for lunch!
Success! Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Erica says
Cucumber sandwiches have never looked so appealing! I will definitely give these a try, maybe the bread recipe as well, because the white bread is always the turn-off for me. Thanks for the inspiration!
Abby says
That was great! I had one yesterday and one today. Nice summer sandwich and easy to fix.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Elkie – Happy to know that you and your friend enjoyed the sandwich. Thanks for the 5 stars!
Hi Erica – Pain de mie is awesome.
Hi Abby – Thanks so much for the 5 stars — I’m so glad you are enjoying this sandwich!
Jacqueline Guest says
Nothing I want to grow will winter where I live. (Rocky Mountain high foothills with snow from September to May.) I love mint and have been unsuccessfully trying to grow it for years. I was excited to see how you have elevated the lowly cucumber by added splendiforous mint for your special sandwich. While walking the dog and thinking about buying mint to go with my cucumber for a special treat, I was halted by the smell of, yes, MINT! I looked down and there were dozens of mint plants! Growing and thriving – fresh mint everywhere. Had a plant I thought had died actually soldiered on and taken root? Perhaps, maybe, could it be? Then I realized where I was… I was walking across our septic field. YIKES!!! Ah, no thanks on the fresh mint. Sigh – back to buying at the store.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Jacqueline – Ha ha! Great story!
Pat says
delightful instructions- nice to have a smile when I read a recipe! Thanks!
Phyllis says
You are the cat’s meow….lovely sandwich.
Jay Oldridge says
Kevin, Can you recommend a mandolin brand? I have never used one! Thank You so much for this sandwich idea!!
A Definite Follower of your Great Cooking!
Jay
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Jay – I have a Zyliss Mandoline. Great gadget! Click here for more details: Zyliss Mandoline Slicer