• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Atta Girl Says
  • About
    • Contact me!
    • Advertise
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy
  • Shop
  • Home Tour
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Cooking
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Appetizers
    • Drinks
    • Soups & Salads
    • Desserts
    • Canning & Preserving
  • Decorating
    • Holiday & Seasonal
      • Fall Decor
      • Christmas Decor
      • Winter Decor
  • Crafting
    • Holiday & Seasonal Crafts
      • Fall Crafts
      • Christmas Crafts
    • Homemade Beauty
    • Printables
  • Entertaining
  • Homekeeping
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Cooking
      • Main Dishes
      • Side Dishes
      • Appetizers
      • Drinks
      • Soups & Salads
      • Desserts
      • Canning & Preserving
    • Decorating
      • Holiday & Seasonal
        • Fall Decor
        • Christmas Decor
        • Winter Decor
    • Crafting
      • Holiday & Seasonal Crafts
        • Fall Crafts
        • Christmas Crafts
      • Homemade Beauty
      • Printables
    • Entertaining
    • Homekeeping
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Cucumber Sandwiches with Benedictine Spread

    Appetizers, Cooking, Sandwiches Jump to Recipe

    photo collage of cucumber Benedictine and finger sandwiches
    photo collage of cucumber Benedictine and finger sandwiches
    cucumber sandwiches on a glass plate
    photo collage of cucumber Benedictine and finger sandwiches
    cucumber sandwiches on a glass plate
    cucumber sandwiches on a glass plate
    cucumber sandwiches on a glass plate
    cucumber sandwiches on a glass plate
    photo collage of cucumber Benedictine and finger sandwiches
    Benedictine Dip with cucumbers and dill in a cabbage bowl
    cucumber sandwiches on a glass plate
    Kentucky benedictine dip in a green cabbage leaf bowl
    cucumber sandwiches on a tiered tray

    There’s a reason why cucumber sandwiches are such a popular finger food. They’re delicious and very easy to make. This classic Benedictine spread, a Kentucky Derby favorite, is creamy and brightly flavored with fresh cucumbers, onion and dill.

    If you attend a wedding, tea party or shower in the south, you’ll probably find cucumber sandwiches on the menu.

    cucumber tea sandwiches with benedictine spread on a glass plate

    My version are slathered with a creamy Kentucky-inspired Benedictine spread made with cucumber, onion and dill. Each tea sandwich is finished with a thin slice of English cucumber and a fresh dill.

    Fill a tiered tray with cucumber sandwiches, homemade pimento cheese sandwiches and chicken salad sandwiches — and you’re almost ready to host some ladies for tea! Might I suggest adding this easy cream cheese pepper jelly appetizer spread, Grandma’s watermelon rind pickles and Mandarin Orange Salad to round out the menu?

    This post may contain affiliate links. AttaGirlSays.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Read my full disclosure policy here.

    Subscribe to Atta Girl Says!

    Get our delicious recipes, latest posts and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.

    Jump to:
    • What is Benedictine spread?
    • ❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
    • 🥒 Ingredients
    • 🥪 How to Make Benedictine Cucumber Sandwiches
    • 💭  Top tip
    • Substitutions
    • 📖 Variations
    • Storage
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More Sandwich Spread Recipes
    • 🎥 Recipe Card & Video
    • Cucumber Sandwiches with Benedictine Spread
    •  

    What is Benedictine spread?

    Benedictine spread is a suprisingly flavorful cream cheese and cucumber sandwich spread or dip. It’s typically served on thin white bread or cocktail bread, either open faced or cut into crustless finger sandwiches.

    Kentucky benedictine dip in a green cabbage leaf bowl

    Jennie Benedict, who ran a tearoom and catering business in Louisville, Kentucky, in the early 1900s is credited with creating the recipe. Hers used green food coloring, cucumber juice and onion juice to give the spread its distinctive cucumber-onion flavor and color.

    Benedictine sandwiches are traditionally served at Kentucky Derby parties or tailgates, along with Derby Pie and mint juleps.

    ❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    Benedictine spread comes together in just minutes in the food processor, using fresh herbs and vegetables.

    The spread can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve the cucumber sandwiches.

    You can also use Benedictine spread as a dip for vegetables, including carrots and celery sticks.

    Want to see a brief overview of the process before diving into the recipe? Click here to watch my web story on how to make Benedictine spread.

    🥒 Ingredients

    • Cream cheese – You can use regular full fat cream cheese or reduced fat for this recipe, but I don’t recommend using fat-free cream cheese.
    • English cucumbers – I prefer English cucumbers for this recipe because they have fewer seeds and are less bitter.
    • Fresh dill – Don’t subsitute dried dill in this recipe.
    • Green onion – I like the flavor and color that green onion provides, but you can also use grated white or sweet onion for this recipe.
    • Mayonnaise – Duke’s is my preferred brand.
    • Salt – I prefer to use a coarse grain salt.
    • Hot sauce – You can omit the hot sauce if you don’t like spicy food.

    bowl of Benedictine spread with cucumber tea sandwiches on a tray

    See recipe card at the end of this post for quantities.

    🥪 How to Make Benedictine Cucumber Sandwiches

    Slice one cucumber thinly to use as garnish. Set aside.

    Prepare the other cucumber by slicing it in half, lengthwise. Scrap out the seeds and discard them.

    using an ice cream scoop to remove the seeds from a cucumber

    Next, peel the cucumber and grate it in a food processor.

    Tip: Use an ice cream scoop to easily remove the seeds from the cucumber. Wait to peel the cucumber until after removing the seeds; it will be easier to hold.

    Place the grated cucumber in a fine mesh strainer over a bowl to drain off any excess liquid. Place a clean dry paper towel over the grated cucumber to soak up any liquid.

    Once the cucumber has drained, place it in the bowl of a food processor along with the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, green onion, dill, salt and hot sauce.

    ingredients to make cucumber Benedictine spread in a food processor

    Process until smooth and well combined.

    Spread a thin layer of Benedictine cream cheese mixture onto cocktail bread or thin bread.

    Cucumber sandwiches can be served open faced or cut into rounds or triangles.

    open-faced Benedictine sandwiches on a cutting board

    Garnish with thin cucumber slices and sprigs of fresh dill.

    💭  Top tip

    You may find it help to place the Benedictine spread into the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow it to firm up slightly before spreading onto bread.

    For best results, prepare sandwiches just before serving so the bread does not get soggy.

    cucumber tea sandwiches garnished with dill

    Substitutions

    Missing an ingredient? Try one of these substitutions:

    • Use grated sweet onion or white onion in place of green onions. Place the grated onion in the strainer with the grated cucumber to remove any excess moisture.
    • If you don’t have fresh dill, use fresh parsley instead.
    • Use a pinch of cayenne pepper in place of hot sauce.

    📖 Variations

    To serve Benedictine as a dip instead of as a cucumber sandwich spread, add sour cream to thin the mixture. Start with 2 Tablespoons, then add up to ¼ cup of sour cream until the mixture is the right consistency.

    Serve Benedictine dip with:

    • carrot sticks
    • broccoli
    • crackers
    • celery sticks
    • pita bread
    • toast points
    • pita chips
    • homemade tortilla chips

    Storage

    Store Benedictine spread in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week.

    Cucumber sandwiches are best served within a few hours of preparation so the bread does not become soggy. However, leftover sandwiches can be stored in the refrigerator.

    I do not recommend freezing this sandwich spread. The ingredients may separate and the texture may change.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do you keep cucumber sandwiches from getting soggy?

    There are a few things you can do to ensure your cucumber sandwiches do not get too soggy.

    First, don’t prepare them too far in advance, as the Benedictine can make the bread soggy.

    If you are planning to use cucumber slices as a garnish for your sandwiches, place them between dry paper towels. You can also sprinkle the cucumber lightly with salt to draw out any excess moisture.

    How far ahead can you make cucumber sandwiches?

    These sandwiches are best made just before you plan to serve them. This will keep the bread from getting too soggy.

    While you can make the Benedictine spread a few days ahead, I wouldn’t prep the sandwiches more than two or three hours before you plan to serve them.

    More Sandwich Spread Recipes

    bowl of homemade pimento cheese with a celery stick
    pimento cheese topped with jalapeno peppers
    scoop of chicken salad on lettuce with toast points

    If you liked this recipe, you may also enjoy:

    • Southern Style Pimento Cheese
    • Gourmet Pimento Cheese Spread
    • Easy Chicken Salad Recipe

    Pin This! Kentucky Benedictine Cucumber Sandwiches

    photo collage of cucumber Benedictine and finger sandwiches

    🎥 Recipe Card & Video

    cucumber tea sandwiches with benedictine spread on a glass plate

    Cucumber Sandwiches with Benedictine Spread

    A fresh, creamy sandwich spread made with cucmbers, dill and onions. Serve it as a dip or as a spread for cucumber tea sandwiches.
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Course Appetizer, condiments, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 48 sandwiches
    Calories 54 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 food processor
    • 1 strainer

    Ingredients
      

    For the Benedictine Spread

    • 8 ounces cream cheese
    • 1 English cucumber peeled, seeded, grated, drained
    • ¼ cup fresh dill
    • 2 Tablespoons green onion
    • 1 Tablespoon mayonnaise
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • Dash hot sauce or pinch of cayenne pepper

    For the Cucumber Sandwiches

    • 24 slices thin white bread
    • 1 English cucumber thinly sliced

    Instructions
     

    How to Make the Benedictine Spread

    • Prepare one cucumber by cutting it in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and discard.
    • Peel the cucumber and grate using a food processor or box grater.
    • Transfer the grated cucumber to a strainer and press with a clean, dry paper towel. Let it sit in the strainer until the excess moisture has drained off.
    • Once the grated cucumber has drained, place it in the bowl of a food processor along with the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, green onion, dill, salt and hot sauce.
    • Process until smooth and creamy.

    How to Make Cucumber Sandwiches

    • Cut one of the cucumbers into thin slices. Set aside to use as garnish.
    • Spread the Benedictine onto thin bread with crusts removed.
    • Top each sandwich with a cucumber slice and a sprig of dill. Serve open face or as sandwiches, cut into triangles with a serated knife.

    Video

    Notes

    Makes 48 tea sandwiches.
    For best results, prepare sandwiches just before serving.

     

    Variations

    To serve Benedictine as a dip instead of as a sandwich spread, thin with 2 Tablespoons to 1/4 cup of sour cream.
     
    Serve Benedictine dip with:
    • carrot sticks
    • crackers
    • celery sticks
    • pita bread
    • toast points
    • pita chips
    • homemade tortilla chips
     

    Substitutions

    • Use grated sweet onion or white onion in place of green onions. Strain grated onion with grated cucumber to remove any excess moisture.
    • Subsitute fresh parsley for fresh dill. 
    • Substitute cayenne pepper for hot sauce.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 54kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 2gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 89mgPotassium: 42mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 98IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword cream cheese, cucumber, dill, party food, sandwiches
    Did You Make This?Mention @AttaGirlSays or tag #attagirlsays!

    Filed Under: Appetizers, Cooking, Sandwiches

    Never Miss a Post!

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome! I'm Amy, your teacher and sassy southern sidekick, sharing easy crafts, home projects and delicious recipes you'll love to make.

    More about me →

    Reader Favorites

    • 5-Ingredient Easy Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
    • Better than Takeout Pork Fried Wontons
    • Mandarin Orange Salad is the Perfect Dessert for Any Occasion
    • 5 House Cleaning Tips When You’re Overwhelmed

    Sign up to receive my email newsletter




    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure
    • Advertise

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Shop Favorites
    • Blog

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Atta Girl Says

    220 shares