Vegan Cucumber Sandwiches
These aren’t your average vegan cucumber sandwiches. Our version skips the mayo and upgrades the beloved classic with a tangy dairy-free dill pickle cream cheese, bright citrusy notes, and layered savory flavor that makes each bite an absolute dream.
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There are plenty of vegan cucumber sandwich recipes out there, but this one’s in a league of its own.
Instead of defaulting to vegan mayo or keeping things basic with lemon and herbs, we stir in dill pickle juice, lemon zest, scallions, garlic, and a few savory spice rack favorites to build major flavor.
The result? A creamy, herby spread that’s bright, briny, and packed with personality.
Plus, there’s zero cooking involved, so it’s the ultimate lazy lunch or elegant snack.
The whole recipe comes together in one bowl (no blender needed!) and the payoff is high – perfect for hot summer days, last-minute get-togethers, or nostalgic tea time moments.
This one holds up whether you’re packing a sandwich for the beach or slicing it into finger sandwiches for your next tea party!
🥒 Ingredients for Cucumber Sandwiches (Vegan)
- Vegan cream cheese – Use your favorite brand (see section below for recommendations). Let it soften at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Dill pickle juice – Adds tang and depth without needing chopped pickles.
- Lemon juice + zest – Brightens the cream cheese and brings balance to the briny and savory flavors.
- Garlic – Minced fresh garlic adds a gentle punch. Sub 1/4 tsp garlic powder if needed.
- Scallion – Offers a mild, oniony bite. Chives also work well.
- Fresh dill – Key for that classic cucumber sandwich flavor. Use dried if needed.
- Celery salt + white pepper – Underrated spice combo that adds warmth and savory complexity.
- Cucumber – Thinly sliced for optimal crunch and even coverage. We love using our Microplane Jar Top Slicer for perfectly uniform slices with no cutting board needed.
- Bread – Use soft sandwich bread, rye, or whatever you love (see below for ideas).
🧀 Vegan Cream Cheese Options
We used Vevan cream cheese here and loved it!
For something that tastes just like traditional dairy-based cream cheese, Violife block-style is amazing. If you’re looking for something classic and budget-friendly, Tofutti is a nostalgic fav with fantastic flavor.
More options:
- Philadelphia Plant-Based (widely available, though taste/texture is a bit hit or miss in my opinion)
- Oatly Cream Cheese (rich and creamy, available internationally!)
- Nuts for Cheese (available in Canada and some parts of the US/EU, slightly tangier and European-style – I’m a big fan!)
- We also have a homemade vegan cream cheese you can use, but I would reduce or omit the celery salt if using in this recipe, since it’s already flavored.
Got leftovers? Use your extra vegan cream cheese to:
- Spread on toast or bagels (like our Homemade Vegan Onion Bagels!)
- Make our Vegan Clotted Cream (perfect for tea time!)
- Whip up our No-Bake Vegan Cheesecake
- Fold into our Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Top Vegan Cinnamon Roll Pancakes with cream cheese frosting!
🍞 Vegan Bread Options
As a vegan, you are not limited to Ezekiel or Dave’s Killer Bread (although they’re great too!). I say this because I see too many people mistaking these brands for the only vegan-friendly bread options out there, but that’s not true!
There are so many widely available classic-style vegan sandwich breads on the market. You just have to check the label for eggs, dairy, and honey.
Some of our favorites:
- Pepperidge Farm Rye – I’m a huge rye fan, so this is a go-to!
- Arnold, Sara Lee, Pepperidge Farm, etc. – Always check the ingredients, but many common brands like these have lots of vegan-friendly bread options
- Store-brand white or wheat breads – Again, always check ingredients, but most are accidentally vegan!
Words/Varieties to Look Out For:
- “Honey Wheat” – Check the ingredients, but most contain honey.
- Anything branded as “natural” including 365 by Whole Foods – A lot of these contain honey as a “natural sweetener”, so always read the ingredients here too.
- “Artisan” variety breads – This is a toss-up, but you’ll always want to check the ingredients for anything labeled “artisan” because they can sometimes include dairy and/or eggs.
TL;DR: Always check the ingredients on a brand or variety of sandwich bread with which you’re unfamiliar. There are a lot of “accidentally vegan” options out there, but it can be a little random. Don’t count one brand out or in until you’ve read the ingredients.
How to Make Vegan Cucumber Sandwiches
Let your vegan cream cheese sit out for 10–15 minutes to soften. This makes the mixing sooo much easier. Grab a medium bowl and your best rubber spatula (or a fork works too in a pinch).
Start by mixing together all your cream cheese ingredients. It may take a little stirring, but it’ll come together into a creamy, dreamy spread. See the photo below for reference!
If you’re in a hurry, you can use a small food processor or immersion blender here.
Next, thinly slice your cucumber. A Microplane Jar Top Slicer makes this step super fast and precise.
Then, spread a generous layer of the flavored cream cheese on your sandwich bread.
Layer the cucumbers on top of half the slices, then close them with the remaining bread.
Finally, just cut the sandwiches in half and serve. Or keep reading to learn how to turn these into vegan tea sandwiches!
🍽️ How to Serve Dairy Free Cucumber Sandwiches
These sandwiches are delicious as-is or paired with your favorite side!
Try them with:
- Our Air Fryer Pita Chips
- A bowl of Vegan Caesar Salad
- A glass of iced tea and a sunny patio!
Perfect for lunch, beach sandwiches, brunch spreads, or anytime you want something light, fresh, and satisfying.
🫖 How to Turn These Into Vegan Tea Sandwiches
These cucumber tea sandwiches are something my Nana and I would’ve devoured at one of our childhood teas – nostalgic and classy! 😉
To make them tea party-ready:
- Remove the crusts
- Cut each sandwich into quarters or long rectangular fingers
- Arrange on a tiered stand or platter for full tea-time vibes
If you’re serving them at a party, assemble just before guests arrive or within 1–2 hours of eating. For more tea party recipes and styling ideas, check out our Vegan Afternoon Tea Guide!
🧊 How to Store This Vegan Sandwich Recipe
If you want to prep ahead, store the cream cheese mixture and sliced cucumbers separately in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Assemble right before eating to keep the bread from getting soggy. Leftover sandwiches can be stored tightly wrapped in the fridge for a few hours, but they’re best fresh!
More Vegan Sandwich Recipes
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Cucumber Sandwich (vegan)
Ingredients
For the flavored vegan cream cheese:
- 4 oz vegan cream cheese softened
- 1 Tbsp dill pickle juice
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/2 scallion sliced thinly
- 3/4 tsp fresh dill
- 1/4 tsp lemon zest
- 1/8 tsp celery salt
- 1/8 tsp white pepper
For the sandwich:
- 1/2 medium cucumber thinly sliced
- 6 bread slices
Instructions
- Mix everything for the vegan flavored cream cheese in a bowl with a rubber spatula until completely combined.
- Spread the cream cheese on the bread slices generously.
- Top half of the bread slices with a layer of thinly sliced cucumbers.
- Cover the cucumber slices with the other slices of bread.
- Cut in half and serve.
- Or if making tea sandwiches: Remove the crusts and cut each sandwich into fours.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
