1-Minute Cucumber Sandwich Recipe

Name: My 1-Minute Cucumber Sandwich Couldn't Be Easier
Prep time: 1 min
Total time: 1 min
Ingredients: 1 Persian cucumber or a roughly 4-inch section cut from a hothouse cucumber; 2 slices bread, preferably whole wheat; 2 to 3 tablespoons vegetable or chive cream cheese, or to taste; Salt and freshly ground pepper, optional

I’m constantly looking for quick and easy lunches, and that’s never more apparent than in the summertime. While I’ll sometimes lean on a salad kit, I prefer a dish I can slap together in five minutes or less using a few key ingredients. It feels like I did something, but just barely. Plus, said lunch has got to get me through the rest of the work day—at least until the snacking hour (four p.m. on the dot).

My favorite go-to summer lunch is a veggie sandwich, and the most basic version that I lean on time and time again is a cucumber sandwich. It’s got a bright crunch from the cucumber, adding some veggie action to your meal. Then there’s the spread of choice, which adds flavor and creaminess (and possibly protein). Then there’s the bread, a delicious filler if there ever was one.

Over the years, I’ve perfected my cucumber sandwich. It takes about a minute to prepare, and it is satisfying every single time. Here’s how to make it.

1-minute cucumber sandiwch ingredients — Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph

A Note on Cream Cheese

The cream cheese is key here. You’re only using two items to fill this sandwich, so you’d better make them good. I’ve recently fallen in love with Tillamook Cream Cheese, and I love the Very Veggie and Chive & Onion flavors for this sandwich. They’re so rich and flavorful that you don’t need anything else.

You can use your favorite brand, just go for an easy-to-spread, flavorful option, like Trader Joe’s Onion & Chive Cream Cheese or Philadelphia Garlic & Herb Cream Cheese.

halved 1-minute cucumber sandwiches on a plate next to a cutting board with sliced vegetables and a opened tub of Tilamook Cream Cheese — Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph

Upgrade This Sandwich

This cucumber sandwich needs no accompaniment—it’s perfect just the way it is. But sometimes I toss in other ingredients because I have them lying around. Here are some of my favorites:

Sliced tomato, especially a ripe heirloom tomato
Sprouts
A sprinkle of Tajín seasoning, dukkah, or za'atar
Sliced radishes
Dill pickles
Slices of smoked or pepper turkey
A squeeze of lemon or lime

1-Minute Cucumber Sandwich

Prep Time 1 mins

Total Time 1 mins

Serving 1 serving

Yield 1 sandwich

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

1 Persian cucumber or a roughly 4-inch section cut from a hothouse cucumber
2 slices bread, preferably whole wheat
2 to 3 tablespoons vegetable or chive cream cheese, or to taste
Salt and freshly ground pepper, optional

Make the sandwich:

Slice the cucumber lengthwise into long, thin slices. Spread each slice of bread with about a tablespoon of cream cheese. Stack the cucumber up on one side, then sprinkle with salt and pepper (if desired). Place the other slice of bread on top, cream cheese-side down, and slice the sandwich in half. Enjoy.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
236	Calories
18g	Fat
10g	Carbs
11g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories	236
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 18g	23%
Saturated Fat 9g	44%
Cholesterol 247mg	82%
Sodium 194mg	8%
Total Carbohydrate 10g	4%
Dietary Fiber 1g	5%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 11g
Vitamin C 12mg	59%
Calcium 107mg	8%
Iron 2mg	10%
Potassium 451mg	10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.