Deli-Style Cucumber Sandwiches

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These Deli-Style Cucumber Sandwiches are a delicious combo of juicy cucumbers and tomatoes, savory sliced meats, and your choice of condiment. And let’s not forget a slice or two of lettuce for that extra crunch! {Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free}

If I could live on deli sandwiches in perpetuity, I think I probably would. And if I can make my own at home, then COUNT ME IN. WHERE DO YOU WANT ME IN THE ASSEMBLY LINE? Because I WILL slice the deli meat or rinse the lettuce or scoop those seeds and pulp out of the cucumbers. 

For sandwiches, I am most definitely a team player. 

Spiriteds, have you made these Deli-Style Cucumber Sandwiches before? Because we’re ditching the bread in favor of a cucumber boat and then adding layers of deliciousness on top. These are not delicate little party treats. Although, to be fair, you can definitely enjoy them at a get-together as easily as you can at work.

Let’s dig in and start scooping, because these sandwiches are just waiting to be made. For whatever occasion you’re planning!

Ingredients to make your own Deli-Style Cucumber Sandwiches

• Sliced meat. The thickness and size of the slice is important. The more you can layer the meat flat in the cucumber, the more likely it will stay in place when you take a bite. I usually make one sandwich first as a test-run to see what will work for folding the meat into place. Once I have it the way I want it, then I go about assembling the remaining sandwiches. I like a combo of turkey or chicken with salami. Choose what you normally would for your sandwiches, cucumber-based or otherwise.
• Lettuce. I use romaine hearts because they fit into the cucumber well. If they are considerably longer than the cucumber, I’ll trim them.
• Tomatoes. How you slice your tomatoes will depend on the size of the cucumbers. I err on the side of thinner so the tomatoes are more likely to fit inside the sandwich. You can also trim them into small strips and layer them side by side in the cucumber cavity.
• Sauce or spread. Choose your sauce or spread based not only on flavor but also on its consistency. If the chosen ingredient is too watery or thin, you’re sandwich will be more likely to fall apart. See the next section on options that work well with this recipe. 

Side note: In place of slice meat, you could also use a creamy salad filling, such as an egg salad or chicken salad. And feel free to add other ingredients you normally enjoy in a deli sandwich!

Sandwich condiment suggestions

• Mashed avocado. Mash an avocado and add a pinch of sea salt. Then scoop it into the empty cucumbers.
• Tzatziki Sauce. Thicker tzatziki sauces work best in this recipe because they hold the sandwich ingredients in place. For inspo, try Paleo Tzatziki Sauce. It’s *chef’s kiss*!
• Avocado mayo. Honestly, is it even possible to go wrong with avocado mayo? No, no it is not. Add liberally and enjoy! Try our Avocado Mayo, if you want a starting point.
• Olive oil. You can use olive or another oil here. However, keep in mind it’ll likely run right out the sandwich. What I like to do is either brush the olive oil on the inside of the scoped out cucumbers and then add another sauce or spread, or use it more for dipping my finished sandwiches into. 

How to make Deli-Style Cucumber Sandwiches

1. Rinse the cucumbers and pat them dry. Then trim off and discard the ends. Use a sharp knife to slice through each cucumber lengthwise and then again crosswise. Use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds and cucumber pulp. Either discard the pulp and seeds or add them to a juice recipe like Green Apple Ginger Juice. Scrape out any remaining pulp in the cucumber cavity and try to smooth the surface as much as possible.
2. Next, add your condiment of choice to both cucumber halves. Remember, the thicker the condiment the more likely your ingredients will stay in place. Now tuck the sliced meat into one cucumber cavity and the tomatoes into the other cavity. Then place one half on top of the other. If you find there are still gaps in your sandwiches, then add more slices of meat.  
3. These are best enjoyed the same day they are made.

Recipe questions and tips

• How do I scoop the pulp out without ruining the cucumber? Make sure you’ve trimmed off the edges of the cucumbers. Then use a small spoon to gently loosen the pulp and seeds. If they are really stuck inside the cucumber, then run a sharp knife along where the pulp and seeds meet the side of the cucumber. You don’t need to run the knife deep or a very long distance. Just enough to jostle the center so you can then use a spoon.
• Why are my ingredients splattering all over the place? It’s possible the condiment is too runny or the ingredient slices are too thick. If necessary, add more mayo, guac, or sauce in between the sandwich layers so they are more likely to stick together.
• Can I make these in advance? Possibly, sort of, a little bit. You may want to prepare the ingredients in advance, including the cucumbers, but assemble the sandwiches at the last minute or morning of. This will hopefully prevent your sandwiches from turning watery or soggy. 
• Can I slice the cucumbers into small rounds and layer the ingredients in between two slices? Yes, and that’s actually how we used to enjoy these. They were little finger foods. We found it was difficult to keep the ingredients tucked inside each cucumber round. But they were definitely tasty!

More delicious vegetable lunch recipes to enjoy!

If, like me, you are continually on the prowl for delicious, creative ways to enjoy your greens, then may I highly suggest these tasty bites?

• Chicken Avocado Collard Wraps
• One-Skillet Spicy Chicken Fajitas
• Spicy Salmon Roll-Ups
• Loaded Shrimp Tacos
• Mediterranean Collard Wraps
• Deli Sandwich Lettuce Wraps

Spiriteds, stay well and stay wild. Jump into the fun when you can. And remember I’m glad you’re here. 🩷

Deli-Style Cucumber Sandwiches

Print Recipe

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• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 sandwiches 1x
• Category: Main Dishes
• Method: Assembly
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cucumber, sliced lengthwise and again crosswise
• 1 package gluten-free deli-sliced turkey or chicken
• 1 package gluten-free deli-sliced salami
• 4 narrow lettuce slices
• 2 small tomatoes, thinly sliced
• Mashed avocado, tzatziki sauce, avocado mayo, or other spread

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Instructions

1. Rinse the cucumbers and pat them dry. Then trim off and discard the ends. Use a sharp knife to slice through each cucumber lengthwise and then again crosswise. Use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds and cucumber pulp. Either discard the pulp and seeds or add them to a juice recipe like Green Apple Ginger Juice. Scrape out any remaining pulp in the cucumber cavity and try to smooth the surface as much as possible.
2. Next, add your condiment of choice to both cucumber halves. Remember, the thicker the condiment the more likely your ingredients will stay in place. Now tuck the sliced meat into one cucumber cavity and the tomatoes into the other cavity. Then place one half on top of the other. If you find there are still gaps in your sandwiches, then add more slices of meat.  
3. These are best enjoyed the same day they are made.

Notes

• In place of slice meat, you could also use a creamy salad filling, such as an egg salad or chicken salad. And feel free to add other ingredients you normally enjoy in a deli sandwich!
• For sandwich inspiration, use Paleo Tzatziki Sauce, Avocado Mayo, Lemon Avocado Dip, or Veggie Guacamole in your sandwich.
• If using olive oil as a sandwich base ingredient, brush it along the insides of the cucumber cavities and then layer with remaining sandwich ingredients. Alternatively, use one of the other spreads mentioned inside the sandwich and olive oil for dipping the sandwich into.