The Secret Flavor Upgrade For Better Cucumber Sandwiches

Cucumber sandwiches are a classic tea party snack enjoyed for their simplicity, mellow flavor, and refreshing bite. However, when it comes down to selecting your favorite sandwich of all time, soft white bread filled with plain cream cheese and sliced cucumbers might not make the cut. While there's nothing wrong with traditional cucumber sandwiches, giving these dainty foods a bit more flavor can transform them into an exciting everyday snack. To upgrade your next batch, simply add extra ingredients to your cream cheese.

A while before you assemble your sandwiches, soften your cream cheese and add your pick of flavorful extras. Ingredients like lemon zest and dried spices like granulated garlic, onion powder, and dill can all give cream cheese an upgrade, without overpowering the refreshing taste of the sliced cucumbers. Fresh herbs like parsley and chives also give your sandwiches an extra burst of color and bright flavor.

To make your cucumber sandwiches more filling, consider including some protein in the mix. Cream cheese mixed with crumbled bacon gives these classic snacks a more savory flavor. On the other hand, since seafood and cheese are meant to be together, smoked salmon can give your sandwiches a much-welcome salty and smoky taste.

Once you've tried a few simple additions to your cuke sandwiches, get creative with more complex flavors. Try creating a Greek-inspired cream cheese with lemon zest, feta cheese, and dried oregano. Alternatively, give your cream cheese some Mexican flair by adding in chopped poblano and jalapeño peppers, grated cotija cheese, and smoky seasonings like chili powder and smoked paprika. Whichever ingredients you use, just make sure to pay close attention to their moisture content to avoid sogging up the bread.

To prevent soggy sandwiches, Ina Garten's simple trick to prevent watery cucumbers is a start: just salt and drain your cucumber slices. After that, avoid adding liquid condiments to your cream cheese, or ingredients that have too much moisture (like watery fresh tomatoes). Also, make sure to chop your added ingredients extra small, so your cream cheese stays easily spreadable.

Once you've tried several variations of flavored cream cheese, feel free to upgrade your cucumber sandwiches with more add-ins for extra flavor and texture. Thinly-sliced lunch meat such as ham or turkey; fresh lettuce; raw sprouts; or peppery watercress are all tasty options. Alternatively, to keep cucumbers as the primary ingredient, simply change the variety of bread you're using. Instead of simple white bread, try rye or pumpernickel. You can also use potato bread, which has a mild and sweet flavor, or oatmeal bread for a nuttier, more earthy taste.