Kentucky Derby Tea Sandwich Trio (Printable)

A trio of Southern-style tea sandwiches featuring cucumber, creamy egg salad, and savory ham fillings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cucumber Sandwiches

01 - 6 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed
02 - 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced
03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
04 - 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
06 - Pinch of salt and black pepper

→ Egg Salad Sandwiches

07 - 3 large eggs
08 - 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1 teaspoon chives, minced
11 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 6 slices whole wheat bread, crusts removed

→ Ham Sandwiches

14 - 6 slices rye sandwich bread, crusts removed
15 - 3 ounces thinly sliced deli ham
16 - 2 tablespoons Dijon or honey mustard
17 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# How To:

01 - Place eggs in a saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pan, remove from heat, and let stand for 10 minutes. Transfer eggs to cold water, cool completely, peel, and chop finely.
02 - In a bowl, combine chopped eggs, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, minced chives, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well blended and set aside.
03 - Stir together softened cream cheese, butter, fresh dill, salt, and pepper until well combined. Spread this mixture thinly on each slice of white bread. Arrange cucumber slices evenly on three bread slices, top with remaining bread slices, press gently, and cut each sandwich into two or three finger sandwiches.
04 - Spread softened butter on one side of each rye bread slice. Spread mustard over the butter on three slices, layer with ham and a sprinkle of parsley, top with remaining bread slices, press gently, and cut each sandwich into two or three finger sandwiches.
05 - Spread prepared egg salad evenly over three whole wheat bread slices. Top with remaining bread slices, press gently, and cut each sandwich into two or three finger sandwiches.
06 - Arrange all sandwiches on a serving platter. Cover with a damp paper towel and plastic wrap until serving to maintain freshness.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Three distinct flavors means every guest finds their favorite, plus you look like a Southern hostess extraordinaire without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Everything comes together in under an hour, which means you can actually enjoy your own party instead of stress-cooking in the background.
  • These sandwiches taste like celebration—they're the kind of thing people remember and ask you to make again.
02 -
  • Remove your bread crusts before assembling—they get tough when exposed to fillings, and soft edges are what make tea sandwiches feel refined.
  • Thin is everything with these sandwiches; spread fillings like you're icing a delicate cake, not filling a lunch box, because excess moisture makes bread fall apart.
  • Cold egg salad holds together better than room temperature, so make it ahead and let it chill while you prepare the other fillings.
03 -
  • Lemon zest scattered on cucumber sandwiches just before serving adds brightness that makes people wonder what you did differently—it's your secret weapon.
  • Chill your serving platter fifteen minutes before arranging sandwiches; cold plates keep butter from softening too fast and help everything stay fresh longer.
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