20 Best Tea Sandwich Recipes – English Tea Sandwich Ideas

Tea sandwiches are charming, simple treats perfect for afternoon tea, light brunches, or relaxing gatherings. They feature delicate, crustless bread with fresh fillings, ideally served with tea to create a calming experience. These 20 recipes offer a mix of classics and creative variations for an unforgettable tea time. Nutritional info is approximate per small tea sandwich (1/4 of a full sandwich, crusts removed).

1. Classic Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

The quintessential tea sandwich: refreshing, light, and crisp. A staple in traditional English afternoon tea.

Ingredients (makes ~16-20 small sandwiches):

• 8 slices soft white bread
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced
• Fresh dill, chopped
• Butter, softened
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Spread a thin layer of butter on each bread slice to prevent sogginess.
2. Mix cream cheese with dill, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread cream cheese mixture on half the slices.
4. Layer cucumber slices evenly.
5. Top with remaining bread, trim crusts, and cut into triangles or fingers.
6. Serve immediately or chill briefly.

Nutritional Info (per small sandwich, approx.): 70-90 calories | 8-10g carbs | 2g protein | 4-5g fat | Low sodium if lightly salted | Refreshing and low-calorie option.

2. Egg Salad Tea Sandwiches

A creamy, comforting classic that's simple yet satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 6 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper
• 8 slices white bread

Instructions:

1. Mix chopped eggs with mayonnaise, mustard, parsley, salt, and pepper.
2. Spread on buttered bread slices.
3. Top, trim crusts, and cut into shapes.

Nutritional Info (per small sandwich, approx.): 100-120 calories | 10-12g carbs | 4-5g protein | 5-7g fat | Moderate cholesterol from eggs | Good source of protein.

3. Smoked Salmon Tea Sandwiches

Luxurious and savory, with a touch of cream cheese and dill.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz smoked salmon
• 1/2 cup cream cheese
• Fresh dill
• Lemon zest
• 8 slices rye or white bread

Instructions:

1. Mix cream cheese with dill and lemon zest.
2. Spread on bread, layer salmon.
3. Top, trim, and cut.

Nutritional Info (per small sandwich, approx.): 60-90 calories | 5-8g carbs | 3-5g protein | 4-6g fat | Higher sodium from smoked salmon | Omega-3 rich.

4. Ham and Mustard Tea Sandwiches

Simple, savory, and a British favorite with sharp mustard kick.

Ingredients:

• Thinly sliced ham
• Dijon or English mustard
• Butter
• White bread

Instructions:

1. Butter bread slices.
2. Spread mustard thinly.
3. Layer ham, assemble, trim crusts, cut.

Nutritional Info (per small sandwich, approx.): 80-110 calories | 10g carbs | 5-7g protein | 3-5g fat | Higher sodium from ham | Lean protein option.

5. Curried Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches

A flavorful twist with curry, nuts, and fruit for sweetness.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• Chopped walnuts, cranberries, apple
• Wheat bread

Instructions:

1. Mix chicken with mayo, curry, add-ins.
2. Spread on bread, assemble, cut.

Nutritional Info (per small sandwich, approx.): 100-130 calories | 10-12g carbs | 6-8g protein | 5-7g fat | Moderate calories with added fruit/nuts | Protein-packed.

6. Tomato Cheddar Tea Sandwiches

A simple yet flavorful combination of fresh tomatoes and sharp cheddar for a light bite.

Ingredients:

• 8 slices white or wheat bread
• 2 ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 8 oz cheddar cheese, thinly sliced
• Butter, softened
• Mayonnaise (optional)
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Butter bread slices lightly.
2. Layer tomato slices and cheddar on half the slices.
3. Season with salt and pepper, add mayo if desired.
4. Top with remaining bread, trim crusts, cut into fingers or triangles.

Nutritional Info (per small sandwich, approx.): 90-120 calories | 9-11g carbs | 4-6g protein | 5-7g fat | Calcium from cheese | Moderate sodium.

7. Butterfly Raspberry Fluff and Nutella Tea Sandwiches

A sweet, fun treat with raspberry fluff and Nutella, perfect for a whimsical tea party.

Ingredients:

• 8 slices white bread
• 1/2 cup Nutella
• 1 cup marshmallow fluff
• 1/4 cup raspberry jam
• Fresh raspberries for garnish

Instructions:

1. Mix fluff with raspberry jam.
2. Spread Nutella on half the slices, fluff mixture on the others.
3. Assemble, trim crusts, cut into butterfly shapes if desired.

Nutritional Info (per small sandwich, approx.): 120-150 calories | 18-22g carbs | 2g protein | 5-7g fat | Higher sugar from spreads | Treat-style indulgence.

8. Radish and Herb Butter Tea Sandwiches

Crisp, peppery radishes with creamy herb butter – a French-inspired classic.

Ingredients:

• 8 slices white bread
• 1 bunch radishes, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• Fresh herbs (parsley, chives, dill), chopped
• Salt

Instructions:

1. Mix butter with herbs and salt.
2. Spread herb butter on bread.
3. Layer radish slices.
4. Top, trim crusts, cut into fingers.

Nutritional Info (per small sandwich, approx.): 70-90 calories | 7-9g carbs | 1-2g protein | 5g fat | Low calorie veggie option.

9. Summer Afternoon Tea Sandwiches (Mixed Variety)

A refreshing mix including cucumber, tomato, and cheese for sunny days.

Ingredients:

• Assorted breads
• Cucumbers, tomatoes, cheese, spreads

Instructions:

1. Prepare fillings as in classics.
2. Layer seasonally fresh ingredients.
3. Assemble and cut neatly.

Nutritional Info (per small sandwich, approx.): 80-110 calories | 9-12g carbs | 3-5g protein | 4-6g fat | Varies by combo | Light and fresh.

10. Herbed Avocado Egg Salad Tea Sandwiches

Creamy egg salad elevated with avocado and fresh herbs.

Ingredients:

• 6 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 2 ripe avocados, mashed
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• Fresh herbs (dill, chives)
• Lemon juice, salt, pepper
• 8 slices bread

Instructions:

1. Mix eggs, avocado, mayo, herbs, lemon, seasonings.
2. Spread on buttered bread.
3. Assemble, trim, cut.

Nutritional Info (per small sandwich, approx.): 110-140 calories | 8-10g carbs | 4-6g protein | 8-10g fat | Healthy fats from avocado.

11. Prosciutto, Apple and Brie Tea Sandwiches with Sage Butter

Savory prosciutto, creamy brie, crisp apple, and aromatic sage butter.

Ingredients:

• Thin prosciutto slices
• Brie cheese
• Thin apple slices
• Butter mixed with chopped sage
• Bread

Instructions:

1. Spread sage butter.
2. Layer prosciutto, brie, apple.
3. Top, trim, cut.

Nutritional Info (per small sandwich, approx.): 100-130 calories | 8-10g carbs | 4-6g protein | 7-9g fat | Rich and indulgent.

12. Deviled Egg Ribbon Sandwiches

Layered sandwiches with classic deviled egg filling.

Ingredients:

• Hard-boiled eggs
• Mayo, mustard, paprika
• Bread

Instructions:

1. Make deviled egg mixture.
2. Spread thickly for ribbon effect.
3. Layer multiple breads, trim, slice into ribbons.

Nutritional Info (per small sandwich, approx.): 90-110 calories | 9-11g carbs | 4g protein | 5-6g fat | Similar to egg salad.

13. Cheesy Shrimp Tea Sandwiches (Canapés)

Creamy, cheesy shrimp filling for elegant canapés.

Ingredients:

• Cooked shrimp, chopped
• Cream cheese, mayo
• Cheese, seasonings

Instructions:

1. Mix shrimp with cheeses and seasonings.
2. Spread on bread.
3. Cut into small shapes.

Nutritional Info (per small sandwich, approx.): 80-110 calories | 7-9g carbs | 5-7g protein | 5g fat | Protein from shrimp.

14. Crab Salad Tea Sandwiches

Luxurious crab salad with light seasoning.

Ingredients:

• Crab meat
• Mayo, celery, lemon
• Bread

Instructions:

1. Mix crab salad.
2. Spread, assemble, cut.

Nutritional Info (per small sandwich, approx.): 90-120 calories | 8-10g carbs | 5-7g protein | 5-7g fat | Lean seafood protein.

15. Gouda and Tomato Tea Sandwiches

Smoky gouda paired with fresh tomatoes.

Ingredients:

• Gouda cheese slices
• Tomatoes
• Butter or mayo

Instructions:

1. Layer cheese and tomato.
2. Assemble and cut.

Nutritional Info (per small sandwich, approx.): 90-120 calories | 9g carbs | 4-5g protein | 5-7g fat | Similar to tomato cheddar.

16. Carrot Tea Sandwiches with Garlic and Cheese

Grated carrots mixed with cheese and garlic for a unique veggie option.

Ingredients:

• Grated carrots
• Cream cheese
• Garlic, herbs

Instructions:

1. Mix filling.
2. Spread, assemble.

Nutritional Info (per small sandwich, approx.): 70-100 calories | 8-10g carbs | 2-4g protein | 4-6g fat | Veggie boost with beta-carotene.

17. Ham and Pimento Cheese Tea Sandwiches with Pickled Okra Garnish

Southern twist with pimento cheese and ham.

Ingredients:

• Pimento cheese
• Ham slices
• Pickled okra for garnish

Instructions:

1. Spread pimento cheese.
2. Layer ham.
3. Garnish and cut.

Nutritional Info (per small sandwich, approx.): 100-130 calories | 8-10g carbs | 5-7g protein | 6-8g fat | Higher fat from cheese.

18. Curried Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches

Exotic flavors with curry-spiced chicken salad.

Ingredients:

• Cooked chicken, shredded
• Mayo, curry powder
• Raisins, nuts optional

Instructions:

1. Mix salad.
2. Spread on bread, assemble.

Nutritional Info (per small sandwich, approx.): 100-130 calories | 10-12g carbs | 6-8g protein | 5-7g fat | Flavorful protein source.

19. Sandwich Sushi Rolls

Fun rolled sandwiches mimicking sushi, with various fillings.

Ingredients:

• Soft bread, flattened
• Fillings like tuna, cucumber, avocado

Instructions:

1. Flatten bread.
2. Spread filling, roll tightly.
3. Slice into rounds.

Nutritional Info (per small roll, approx.): 80-120 calories | 10-14g carbs | 4-6g protein | 3-6g fat | Varies by filling.

20. Traditional English Tea Sandwich Recipes (Mixed Classics)

A selection of timeless favorites like watercress, roast beef, and more.

Ingredients:

• Various: watercress, roast beef with horseradish, etc.

Instructions:

1. Prepare as per classic methods.
2. Arrange on tiered stand.

Nutritional Info (per small sandwich, approx.): 70-120 calories | 8-12g carbs | 3-7g protein | 3-7g fat | Varies widely by type.

Enjoy these elegant tea sandwiches with your favorite brew for a perfect afternoon tea experience! Nutritional values are estimates—adjust based on your specific ingredients for accuracy.

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