Cucumbers are a common ingredient found in many different types of sandwiches. From classic deli sandwiches to more gourmet creations, thinly sliced cucumbers often make their way in between slices of bread. But why exactly do so many people choose to top their sandwiches off with cucumbers? Here are some of the main reasons why cucumbers have become such a staple sandwich topping.
Cucumbers Provide Crunch and Texture
One of the main appeals of adding cucumbers to sandwiches is the added crunch and texture they provide. Cucumbers have a very crisp, crunchy texture that gives sandwiches a pleasant mouthfeel. The crunch of fresh cucumber slices adds an extra dimension to a sandwich, contrasting nicely with softer ingredients like cheese, meat, or condiments.
Especially in sandwiches that contain a lot of soft ingredients like tuna salad or egg salad, cucumbers can provide a welcome textural element. They balance out the texture profile and make the sandwich more interesting to eat. The same goes for sandwiches layered with soft meats like roast beef or turkey. Cucumbers give each bite a satisfying crunch.
Cucumbers Have a Mild, Refreshing Flavor
In addition to texture, cucumbers bring a fresh, mild flavor to sandwiches. Cucumbers have a light, cool, and crisp flavor that is not overpowering. When sliced and added to a sandwich, they impart subtle flavors of melon and grass, creating a clean, refreshing taste.
The light cucumber flavor integrates well with other sandwich ingredients like meats, cheeses, veggies, and condiments without overshadowing them. Cucumbers complement these ingredients rather than compete with them. They act as a palette cleanser between bites, allowing the flavors of the other ingredients to shine through.
Cucumbers Add Moisture and Prevent Dryness
The high water content in cucumbers also helps add needed moisture to sandwiches. Cucumbers are made up of about 96% water, making them naturally juicy and moist. When layered into a sandwich, cucumber slices help hydrate the bread, meats, cheeses, and other ingredients. This prevents the sandwich from becoming too dry or getting stuck in your throat as you eat it.
Adding cucumber is an easy way to make sandwiches like turkey, chicken salad, or egg salad more moist and easier to swallow. The moisture in the cucumbers helps balance out sandwich ingredients that absorb more moisture, like bread and meat.
Cucumbers Have a Cooling Effect
In addition to providing moisture, cucumbers have a cooling effect when eaten. The high water content and naturally cool temperature of cucumbers make them great for cooling down hot sandwiches.
During the hot summer months, pairing cucumbers with hot deli meats like roast beef or pastrami can help temper the heat. The cucumber slices create a cooling contrast against the warmth of the other ingredients. This makes cucumber-topped sandwiches more refreshing and enjoyable to eat during warm weather.
Cucumbers Add Nutrition
Cucumbers provide some useful nutrition in sandwich form as well. They contain vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and antioxidant polyphenols. Adding cucumber slices to a sandwich helps you ingest some of these nutrients and gives your sandwich more nutritional balance. The vitamins and minerals in cucumbers complement the protein, carbs, and fat coming from ingredients like meat, cheese, and condiments. This makes cucumber sandwiches a more well-rounded mini-meal.
Cucumbers Offer Versatility
Cucumbers pair well with a wide variety of sandwich ingredients, making them a versatile topping choice. Their mild flavor and crunchy texture complement both cold cut and vegetable sandwiches alike. Cucumbers go well with cheese, meat, egg salad, tuna salad, hummus, or avocado. Pretty much any sandwich can be upgraded with the addition of cool, crisp cucumber slices.
Whether you are making a classic triple decker club sandwich or an artisan panini, cucumbers typically work. They provide textural contrast and moisture no matter what other ingredients you choose to include. This versatility makes cucumbers a handy sandwich topping to keep on hand.
Cucumbers Have Visual Appeal
Let’s not overlook the visual appeal of adding cucumbers to sandwiches too. Bright green cucumber slices stand out against other ingredients and make sandwiches look more appetizing. They provide color contrast and visual interest, especially on sandwiches with beige ingredients like turkey, bread, cheese, or mayo.
Both kids and adults are more likely to enjoy a sandwich if it looks appealing. Layering on vibrant cucumber slices helps upgrade the visual presentation. This makes cucumber sandwiches both fun and pretty to look at.
Cucumbers Are Low in Calories
Cucumbers are one of the lowest calorie vegetables around, with only about 8 calories in a 1-inch thick slice. Adding cucumbers to your sandwich helps bulk it up with fiber, nutrients, and moisture without tacking on extra calories. This can help make sandwiches more filling and satisfying.
Cucumbers work well as a low-calorie substitution for higher calorie toppings like cheese, mayo, or salad dressings. They provide volume without the excess calories. For anyone watching their calorie intake or trying to lose weight, cucumbers make an ideal sandwich topping.
Cucumbers Are Kid-Friendly
Cucumbers are one of the vegetables that even picky kids are more likely to eat. Their mild flavor and juicy crunch appeal to kids’ palates. Cucumber slices on sandwiches help kids get more nutrients into their diet without a battle.
The juiciness of cucumbers also makes them easier for some kids to chew and swallow. Cucumber sandwiches can help tide kids over until dinner without the complaints that vegetables often bring. They provide just enough satiating fiber as well.
Cucumbers Lend Themselves to Sandwiches
Cucumbers are perfectly suited for sandwich making. Their cylindrical shape with a hole in the middle makes cucumbers ideal for slicing into nice, thin rounds. These thin slices lay flat and neatly stack into sandwiches, unlike other crumbly or messy vegetables. Cucumbers are the perfect “cut and layer on” vegetable.
Plus, cucumbers hold up well to being cut ahead of time. The slices maintain their texture and don’t get soggy, so you can prep cucumber-topped sandwiches in advance. Their suitability for slicing, stacking, and prepping makes cucumbers a sandwich maker’s dream.
Cucumbers Are Familiar and Common
Most people keep cucumbers on hand, so they are an accessible sandwich topping to use. Cucumbers are a high-use vegetable with long storage life. They are easy to find year-round at any grocery store. Having an abundant supply of cucumbers makes it easy for anyone to add them to sandwiches on a regular basis.
Their familiarity also means that people expect and enjoy the taste of cucumbers. Unlike more novel vegetables that can seem odd on a sandwich, no one bats an eye at cucumber slices. Using a common ingredient like cucumbers creates sandwiches with familiar, welcome flavors.
Pickling Cucumbers Adds More Flavor Options
While fresh cucumber slices are most common, pickled cucumbers also make great sandwich toppings. Pickles, or pickled cucumber slices, provide all the same textural crunch as fresh cucumbers. But they add salty, tangy, briny flavor as well.
Pickled cucumbers pair especially well with meat sandwiches. A few tart pickle chips complement sandwiches layered with ham, salami, corned beef, roast beef, or turkey. The acidity and seasoning of the pickles cut through the richness of these meats. They balance out the flavors.
Even just a few pickle chips tucked into a sandwich make a tangy flavor impact. Pickled cucumbers expand the possibilities of cucumber sandwiches.
Cucumbers Can Be Infused With Flavor
Plain cucumber slices are not the only way to add cucumbers to sandwiches. Infusing cucumber slices with other flavors makes them even more enticing sandwich toppings.
For example, tossing cucumber slices with Italian dressing gives them robust flavor. Chilling cucumber slices in lemon juice or vinegar lends tartness. Mixing sliced cucumbers with herbs, garlic, onion, or spices amps up their flavor profile.
Infusing the cucumbers before sandwich making allows you to add bolder flavors without overpowering the entire sandwich. It keeps the other ingredients tasting fresh and light. Flavor-infused cucumbers broaden the possibilities even more.
Cucumber Sandwich Combinations
Now that you know why cucumbers make great sandwich toppings, let’s look at some winning flavor combinations:
Classic Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
– Cucumber slices
– Cream cheese or whipped cream cheese
– Soft white bread slices, crusts removed
Deli Cucumber Sandwiches
– Cucumber slices
– Sliced deli meat (turkey, ham, roast beef)
– Cheese slices
– Lettuce
– Tomato
– Mustard, mayo, or hummus
Greek Cucumber Sandwiches
– Cucumber slices
– Hummus
– Feta cheese crumbles
– Tomatoes
– Red onion
– Lettuce
– Tzatziki sauce
– Pita bread
Caprese Cucumber Baguette Sandwiches
– Cucumber slices
– Fresh mozzarella slices
– Tomato slices
– Fresh basil leaves
– Balsamic glaze
– Baguette or ciabatta bread
Southwest Cucumber Sandwiches
– Cucumber slices
– Black bean spread
– Roasted red peppers
– Avocado
– Cilantro
– Jalapeño (optional)
– Lime juice
– Whole grain bread
Bang Bang Cucumber Sandwiches
– Cucumber slices
– Crab or shrimp salad
– Lettuce
– Bang bang sauce (mayo, Sriracha, rice vinegar)
Pickled Cucumber Sandwiches
– Pickled cucumber slices
– Mayo or mustard
– Salami, ham, or corned beef
– Swiss cheese
– Rye or sourdough bread
Conclusion
Crunchy, crisp cucumber slices are classic sandwich toppings for many excellent reasons. They add texture, moisture, nutrients, color, and visual appeal to sandwiches while still being kid-friendly and low calorie. Cucumbers also come in convenient sandwich-ready form and lend themselves well to infusion with bolder flavors. Pickled cucumbers expand the possibilities even more.
Overall, people put cucumbers on sandwiches because they simply make most sandwiches taste better. Their mild flavor and cool crunch complement nearly any sandwich ingredients you can imagine. So next time you build a sandwich, don’t forget to layer on some refreshing cucumber slices. They may just become your new favorite sandwich topping.