Tuna Cucumber Sandwich (Easy Lunch Recipe) (2024)

Published: September 9, 2023 · Updated: September 9, 2023 by Ieva Greber · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

What is one of the most popular sandwiches in the UK? A good old fashioned tuna mayo sandwich! Picture biting into a creamy tuna filling sandwiched between slices of bread together with thinly sliced cucumber… You have decadence, you have crunchy fresh veggies and comforting soft bread all in one bite with this Tuna Cucumber Sandwich! These budget-friendly and extremely easy-to-make sandwiches make a delicious lunch, or can be adapted to make fancy finger sandwiches for your next afternoon tea!

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Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Only 4 ingredientsare required for this delicious Tuna Mayo Sandwich with cucumber.
• Tuna Mayo filling (also known as Tuna Salad in the US) is possiblythe easiest sandwich fillingyou will ever make.
• There are plenty of things you can add to these regular tuna mayo sandwiches toadd a lot of variety and excitement(see sections below).
• Budget-friendly: One tin of tuna will make two sandwiches (or 4 triangles)!
• Perfect sandwich whenthere isn’t much left in the fridge! The only truly fresh ingredient that you’ll need is cucumber. Tuna and mayo have long shelf-life and we often thaw some bread we keep in the freezer.Don’t have anything fresh? Try our Tuna and Sweetcorn Sandwiches.

Ways To Serve Tuna Cucumber Sandwiches

Office Lunch:Tuna sandwiches make an easy option to take to work and enjoy at your desk, without needing to reheat your food for a delicious lunch.

Hikes and Picnics:The perfect sandwich to take on hikes and picnics. Tuna cucumber sandwiches can stay out of the fridge for a little longer than usual meat-filled options, and they are full of protein!

Open Sandwich:Serve it on small pieces of rye bread for an open sandwich option. Top them with alfalfa sprouts and chives for a fancy presentation and added nutrition!

Afternoon Tea:Small fancy tea party sandwiches are typically made with thinly sliced white bread. Make the sandwiches as normal and stack them on top of each other. Then using a sharp knife, cut the sides of each stack to remove the crusts. In a sawing motion, slice the crustless sandwiches into 4 or 6 pieces to make dainty tuna tea sandwiches.

Don’t Fancy A Sandwich?Serve the tuna mayo sandwich filling in a piece of lettuce to make a lettuce wrap. Although, try our Mexican Tuna Salad for lettuce wraps! Alternatively, wrap the filling in a tortilla wrap with some lettuce, or stuff the lot in pita bread! Or make our easy Tuna Rice Salad instead!

Ingredients and Substitutes

Here are the basic ingredients that you will need to make these Tuna Cucumber Sandwiches. However, have a look at the section below for suggestions for great additions to take your sandwich to the next level.

• Canned (Tinned) Tuna: Choose tuna chunks in spring water or brine (not oil). One can is typically 145-160g (105g drained weight).Find more lunch ideas using tuna here.
• Mayo: Both regular and low-fat mayo will work in this sandwich recipe.
• Bread: We love seeded whole grain bread as it adds extra texture to every bite, but white or brown (whole wheat bread) will work just fine.
• Cucumber: We typically use English cucumbers in our sandwiches but short cucumber varieties will also work.

Extras & Variations

​Here are some beautiful things you can add to your Tuna and Cucumber Sandwiches:

• Finely chop ⅛ of red onion and add it to the tuna mixture.
• Squeeze in ¼ of a small lemon juice for a tangy taste.
• Substitute half of the mayo with greek yogurt or sour cream to lighten up the filling.
• Add some finely chopped green onions to the tuna mayo filling.
• Add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard for extra savoury flavour and warming heat.
• Add capers (capers make everything better, in our opinion).

Method

Drain tuna well.

In a medium bowl, mix tuna and mayo. Season it with salt and black pepper.

​Lay out slices of bread. Spread the tuna on two of the slices, making sure to distribute the sandwich filling evenly.

Add the cucumber slices on top, slightly overlapping.

Top each sandwich with another slice of bread. Cut them in half (straight down the middle or into triangles – you choose!).

Enjoy immediately or wrap them in aluminium foil to take them with you for later!

Video

Storage & Making Ahead

Keep your sandwiches refrigerated in an airtight container, or wrapped in aluminium foil or plastic wrap. They should be eaten within 3 days, however, the bread will start getting slightly soggy the longer you leave them. See Recipe FAQs for ways to protect your sandwich from getting soggy.

These sandwiches can stay out at room temperature for up to 4 hours too. So if you are taking them on a longer walk, or don’t have a refrigerator at work, keep them in a bag with an ice pack to be safe.

Recipe FAQs

What To Serve With Tuna Mayo Sandwiches?

Whilst these sandwiches can be enjoyed on their own, you may choose some of the popular options to go with it. Serve them with:

• potato chips or fries (or try our Easy Roast Swede Recipe (Roasted Rutabaga).
• crisps.
• a small cup of .
• a fresh green salad like Courgette ribbon or Arugula (Rocket) Salad.

More Sandwich & Wrap Recipes

Here are some more ideas to help you get out of your lunch rut.

• Tuna Melt Wrap
• Classic Chicken Mayo Sandwich
• Coronation Chicken Sandwich (or Vegan Coronation Chickpea Sandwich)
• Halloumi and Aubergine Panini