Tea Sandwiches

Last Updated June 28th, 2023 at 11:02 am by Lisa

Elegant, dainty, crustless tea sandwiches are quintessential pinkies-up party food for a beautiful light lunch garden party, a bridal shower, or a Mother’s Day brunch.

Today, we will cover everything from bread choices to filling options, the best ways to make tea sandwiches ahead, and how to create incredible savory flavors.

Choose from over two dozen creative small bites from classic cucumber tea sandwiches from Buckingham Palace fit for a Queen, egg salad sandwiches, easy ham salad, and so much more...

Tea parties remind us of happy memories of fancy dresses and white gloves, just kidding we really don't wear those anymore but you can! And some of my favorite sandwich recipes are here to inspire you.

Whether you serve traditional English tea sandwiches for those white glove occasions (again just kidding!) or take tiny sandwiches to a shower, a church social, at bridge club, sorority ladies' luncheons, or an afternoon snack, all of these are the perfect finger foods...

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Tea Sandwich Recipes

A clever English duchess created tea time with savory finger sandwiches as a way to keep her energy up in the late afternoon before the main meal dinner was served, which is absolutely brilliant! Create the best finger sandwiches for your next tea party, with these step-by-step instructions and tried and true processes.

There are endless different ways to present a tray of gorgeous, fancy classic high tea savory recipes...

Best Things To Know!

Traditional afternoon tea sandwiches are usually served with an assortment of small-sized sweet desserts, hot tea, cream, and sugar.

Select a variety of tea sandwiches you wish to serve at your next event, go modern or with traditional choices. Plan on 4 sandwiches per lady, up to 6 for men, 2-3 for kids.

It's a good idea to make the fillings like a Boursin herb cream cheese recipe, egg, ham, or chicken salads up to 2 days ahead to save time and have everything ready to go for the day of your party.

Assemble your sandwiches the night before in an assembly line fashion or the morning of your event, there are lots of tips to keep them fresh in this post.

Bake or buy sweet treats and choose your teas, cups, plates, and saucers. It's also nice to have a 3-Tier Serving Tray. You can also serve your sandwiches stacked or in a single layer on nice glass, silver trays, or cake stands are good candidates.

The Best Tea Sandwich Menu

Choose your favorite tea sandwich recipes and make or buy some mini-sized desserts like scones, tiny cookies, little tarts or small size cakes, or macarons. There are so many options right at the grocery store, and this is a fun way to pull a tea together quickly. The main thing is to have fun!

MAKE AHEAD PRO TIP: The good news these savory sandwiches keep overnight. Cover with slightly damp doubled paper towels so the bread doesn’t dry out, then cover in plastic saran wrap. Keep sandwiches chilled overnight. The only exception, is its best to make the cucumber ones right before your party so they are super fresh!

Each of these simple recipes for party sandwiches has all the ingredients with and complete detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

This list of tea sandwich recipes works for garden parties, a bridal or baby shower, there are lots of options for you to choose a selection of favorite tea sandwiches from both the UK and the US as well...

Buckingham Palace Cucumber Sandwiches "The Queen's Favorite"

Smoked Salmon Sandwiches With Dill Spread

Roast Beef With Cream Sauce

Pear & Roquefort Butter

Turkey, Avocado, Cheddar Cheese

Egg Salad With Dill

Smoked Ham Salad

Goat Cheese & Minced Olives

Herb Cream Cheese Tea Sandwiches

Traditional Tea Sandwiches

While on a trip to the United Kingdom, I enjoyed a truly British cream tea with dear friends at the Grim's Dyke Hotel. That is what afternoon tea is all about. In addition, some of these are family recipes with a United States American flair that I learned from my Mother, and have served for decades.

Our family originally immigrated to the US from the UK, so we carry on a few traditions of low tea parties (aka served at the coffee table) over the years for all kinds of family celebrations.

British Cucumber Sandwiches

These sandwiches are featured on menus from Buckingham Palace and are reported to have been The Queen's favorite!

• 2 slices white bread crusts removed
• 2 slices brown bread
• ½ whole Regular or English cucumbers (peeled and sliced very thin)
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 1-2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh mint
• sea salt
• fine black pepper

1. First, freeze the bread slices for 20 minutes in a large zip-top bag to allow clean, neat slices. Set salted butter to soften at room temperature. Peel the cucumber with a vegetable peeler, then slice very thin paper-thin rounds. Place into a bowl or small colander and sprinkle a little sea salt on the slices, after for 15 minutes dab with paper towels. Cucumbers can release a lot of water, so this step keeps the sandwiches from getting soggy.
2. Spread slices of white bread and brown bread with soft butter. Buttering prevents soggy bread and adds flavor. If possible, it is best to add the cucumbers right before serving. Place a layer of cucumber slices on the bottom slice, sprinkle with finely chopped mint, and a tiny bit of black pepper. Top with another buttered slice. Press down lightly with the palm of your hand. Slice all crusts off with a sharp serrated knife. Cut sandwiches in half diagonally into halves, then again into small triangles. Serve in alternate rows of brown and white bread sandwiches, with the points facing up.

Parties To Serve Tea Sandwiches

There are so many good reasons to create a tray of really delicious classic combinations or use things you have on hand. Good food can be really easy for your next party hosting tea..

• Anniversaries & Special Occasions
• Birthdays
• Girls Night In
• Graduation Parties
• First Course Cheese Board Additions
• Summer Beach Picnics
• Baby or Bridal Showers
• Happy Hour Munchies
• Road Trips
• Afterschool Perfect Snacks
• Romantic Valentines Picnics
• Outdoor Music Special Events
• Holiday Appetizers

Kids Tea Sandwiches

It's super easy to create a simple easy menu for kids. Make a few easy finger sandwiches with savory fillings they love, or sweet sandwiches for kids' afternoon snacks or tea time.

• Kid Flavors: Make two of the children's favorite sandwiches in a mini sizes small hands can hold. Try P&J, Nutella with strawberries, or bananas. Make any kind of sandwich, slice off the sides creating crustless bread, and cut into shapes like long finger sizes or use cute cookie cutters like hearts or flowers.
• Type Of Bread: Kids usually like things very simple, use slices of white bread.
• Simple Finger Foods: Create Mini Crudites Cups, with Ranch Dip or Green Goddess Dip, and cut small pieces of string cheese, or crackers and cheese. Kids also love mini fresh fruit cups too.
• Desserts & Sweets: Mini desserts like mini cupcakes, small cut cake pieces, or shortbread cookies. American tea cakes, chocolate petit four mini cakes, or lemon tarts.
• Kids Drinks: Young children love a pot of cold lemonade or punch for their "pot" of tea. Older kids might like hot or iced-cold teas.

Making Tea Sandwiches Ahead Tips

PRO TIP: Make homemade fillings ahead of time at least a few hours and preferably overnight. Cover in bowls with cling film so the flavors combine, and chill in the refrigerator. Great fillings to make ahead are egg salad, ham salad, or chicken salads!

• Time Savers: To save a lot of time next time for yourf tea party, pick two flavors of small sandwiches. Go with a couple of popular choices like cucumber and herbed cream cheese, or a few chicken, tuna, or ham salads.
• Freshness: To keep your bread fresh and from drying out, put them close together in a single layer on a tray, a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or wax paper, or in a plastic container with a lid. Lay damp doubled paper towels over them, then tightly fit plastic wrap over the plate or platter, or snap on the container lid to prevent them from drying out.
• Cold Sandwiches: Place sandwiches on a beautiful tray in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. Keep them covered with a clean damp paper towel and clean towel. This helps keep the cold sandwiches moist and the various flavors to enhance. Place your serving tray out for guests just after they arrive because the bread will dry out quickly. Stacking them also keeps them moist and fresh on a tiered tray.

Easy Storebought Sandwich Fillings

Over the years, these are my top time-saving tips and ideas to host a beautiful tea party with sandwich appetizers.

PRO TIP: Buy store-bought ingredients like dips that make perfect sandwich spreads, and chicken salad. Look in the deli department, near the fish counter, or cooler where cold dips and prepared salads are sold. Grab a few of these and make one or two homemade items!

Years ago I hosted a large tea for a large group of ladies in my home and didn't have much time to prepare all those mini sandwiches for my party. So here is what I did.

You can make dozens of sandwiches very fast with mini bread rolls great nontraditional bread options, premade salads, spreads, and dips from Trader Joe's!

• Boursin or Allouette Cheese Spreads: My favorites to quickly make small sandwiches are to use Alouette or Boursin as a spread with sliced turkey or rotisserie chicken.
• Curry Chicken Salad: Pair it with some dark brown bread and that's it! You can sometimes find it sold in stores, or take a plain chicken salad, and stir in a small amount of curry powder, that's it!
• Storebought Chicken Salad: Great on any sourdough, white bread, or rye. Sometimes chicken salads have pecans and grapes in them or you can add some for additional flavor.
• Cold Shrimp (Prawn) or Crab Dips: Buy a small container, load it onto white bread, remove the crusts, and cut it into the shapes you want.
• Carmelized Onion Dip: Sour cream caramelized onion dip pairs incredibly well with sliced roast beef or turkey.
• Fresh Basil Pesto: Is a wonderful spread on simple white bread with juicy ripe tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil.

Tips To Create The Best Flavor Combinations

Fresh Highest-Quality Ingredients: Make all the difference. Get the best ingredients you can find for the finest flavors in your dainty sandwiches.

Flavor Pairings: Pair the bread and different fillings together. Balance flavors and textures, and consider offering some vegetarian or vegan gluten free options as well. Match spreads, fillings, and bread together. Stronger flavors like curry chicken, smoked salmon, or tuna salad will go on any bread, and really pairs great on dark breads like pumpernickel or squaw. Sweet pears or cucumber mint, or herbed cream cheese go best with lighter mild white bread or sourdough so their flavors come through.

Traditional Fillings: Cucumber, smoked salmon, and egg salad are classic choices, but it's fun to try new flavors and ingredients by mixing things up.

There are tons of ideas below in the recipe card for you to try!

Try my Creamy Horseradish Sauce with roast beef or turkey, and any of these compound butters like Fresh Garden Herb, Sun Dried Tomato, or Lemon Dill pair so well with smoked salmon, my healthy Italian Tuna Salad, or even chicken salad. Let them soften on the counter for an hour or so to spread easier, then butter the bread, add any toppings like meats or cheese, and slice it into small sandwiches.

Slicing Beautiful Tea Sandwiches

Spread the cream cheese side, thin layer of butter, and fillings in an even thin layer for best results. Resist the temptation to overfill the amount of filling, this ensures guests can eat them neatly with one hand in a couple of bites while sipping tea!

The best thing to do when making fillings is to make sure the mixture is in diced in small pieces so it spreads well on the bread. This is how you create sharp triangles, squares, or those posh and fancy layers.

The best way to get tidy neat edges and not crush them is to slice in straight even cuts with a sharp knife. Cold frozen bread and fillings also help make clean cuts. The best knife to use is a sharp serrated knife or a good chef's knife.

PRO TIP: Freeze the bread to get a clean slice, soft room temperature bread doesn't hold its shape as well when you cut it.

Round Cookie Cutters: Assemble your sandwiches first, freeze them for about 2O minutes, and make a straight cut down with large or small round cookie cutters. It works best to use a creamy filling to hold the bread in place as you cut out the shape.

Slicing Ideas: It looks so pretty to use different shapes. Slice little sandwiches into squares, elegant finger sandwiches, small triangles, and try triple layers with different color of light and dark bread slices!

Finishing Garnishes: Spread some extra butter or cream cheese on one side, and dip or sprinkle on chopped herbs like chives or dill, nuts-try toasted almonds or pistachios, or sesame seeds.

Triple Layer Sandwiches: First, freeze the bread slices for 20 minutes in a large zip-top bag to allow clean, neat slices. The best filling for these posh layered sandwiches is a creamy one like Herbed Cream Cheese, Boursin, or Goat Cheese which hold the layers together. Spread even layers of filling on each piece of bread. Alternate light and dark bread slices for a beautiful look. Next, stack the three slices of bread together on top of each. Place dark slices on the top and bottom and a light one in between. Carefully slice off all crusts into little long rectangles.

Serve the tea sandwiches immediately or store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator overnight. For food safety, you can serve these for no more than 3 hours at room temperature, or just a couple hours on a hot day.

Best Bread For Small Finger Sandwiches

Any different kind of sandwich bread will work, but it is nice to use thin bread for clean slices if you are doing stacked or layers.

What Kind Of Bread? Use good quality fresh bread. Don't follow the advice of day-old bread, I am sharing my techniques that work every time!

PRO TIP: Stronger flavors and fillings like smoked salmon or chicken curry are wonderfully paired with a full-flavor bread like Russian rye or dark brown pumpernickel.

• Sourdough Bread
• Country White Bread
• Russian Rye Bread With Carraway Seeds
• Pumpernickel Bread (Dark Rye Dark)
• Whole Wheat Bread
• Everything Bagel Whole Grain Bread
• Multigrain Seed Bread
• Squaw Brown Bread
• Walnut Raisin Bread
• Gluten-Free Bread
• Plain Soft White Bread

More Soft Bread Options

You can buy small prebaked bread from a bakery or grocery store, slice small rolls, or cut bread into different shapes. You can also bake homemade rolls or your own bread, check out my recipe for beautiful easy Dinner Rolls.

• Mini or Sliced Baguettes or Croissants
• Jalapeno Cheese Buns
• Potato Buns
• Hawaiian Rolls
• Sesame Seed Rolls
• Poppy Seed Rolls

More Tea Party Recipes

Take a look at my entire Tea Menu post with dozens of ideas for drinks and sweet desserts. And for Brides to be, I have 50+ Bridal Shower Food Ideas!

Bake a batch of Raspberry Scones studded with sweet berries, and white chocolate chips, and drizzled with vanilla icing, for light, soft fluffy results and serve with clotted cream and jam.

Classic French Madeleines are small signature shell-shaped butter cakes that are absolutely delightful. Pack them for picnics, in school lunch boxes, or enjoy them as snacks with a cup of tea or coffee.

Hibiscus Cocktails have under 100 calories each, enjoy these pretty sippers for tea, outdoor parties, picnics, bridal showers, or even the holiday season without the guilt of sugar, carbs, and calories.

Use this recipe for real Strawberry Cake to bake mini little individual cakes or slice a sheet cake into dainty bites or tiny cupcakes and decorate them with sweet juicy strawberries.