Low Carb Keto Cucumber Subs Recipe

I used to crave a sandwich with that cold crunch + creamy bite combo… but every lettuce wrap left me soggy and sad. Then I met the cucumber sub.

These are fresh, crisp, and give you that hand-held sandwich feel without the bread or the bloat. And they’re way easier than trying to wrestle iceberg lettuce into submission.

Why This One Works So Well (Keto Edition)

The cucumber is doing a lot of heavy lifting here—and doing it well. It’s acting like a bread stand-in without being bitter or wet if you prep it right (I’ll walk you through that below).

The key to making this not fall apart or taste like a salad gone rogue?

• Scoop + dry the cukes like you mean it
• Layer with high-fat, high-flavor ingredients
• Let the lettuce act as a moisture barrier

It’s a quick lunch, snacky dinner, or on-the-go option that keeps you in ketosis and out of the drive-thru.

What I Used (And Why It Worked)

• 2 large cucumbers – The “bread.” Go firm and straight (English cucumbers or large garden cukes work well). You want something that won’t bend, break, or turn into mush.
• 8 tsp mayonnaise – Adds fat, keeps things creamy. I used avocado oil mayo for better fats and no weird seed oils.
• 2 Roma tomatoes – Lower in carbs than beefsteak tomatoes. Thin slices = flavor without a soggy mess.
• 4 leaves of lettuce – Acts as a buffer between cucumber and wet fillings. I like green leaf or romaine for better foldability.
• 4 oz turkey slices – Lean protein. You can go heavier on this if you’re aiming for more protein.
• 4 slices provolone – Mild, melty, and gives that satisfying sandwich chew. Adds fat to keep your ratio in check.

Low-Carb Substitutions That Hold Up

Want to make it your own? You’ve got options:

Swap This	For This	Notes
Turkey	Chicken, ham, roast beef	Watch sodium and added sugars in deli meats
Provolone	Cheddar, pepper jack, Swiss	Any firm cheese works—avoid super crumbly ones
Mayo	Cream cheese spread	Adds thickness but less fat per gram
Tomatoes	Roasted red pepper strips	Still juicy, slightly sweeter, but slightly higher carb

What I Got Wrong (The First Time)

What Went Wrong	Why It Happens	How to Fix It
Cucumber was soggy	Didn’t scoop deep enough or dry the inside	Use a spoon to really hollow out and pat dry
Sub kept sliding apart	Overstuffed or wet ingredients	Stack lettuce first, then layer strategically
Flavors felt flat	Skipped salt and fat	Add salt, use full-fat cheese, and don’t skimp on mayo

How to Make It (Step-by-Step)

1. Prep the cucumbers: Cut off both ends. Slice lengthwise, then scoop out seeds with a spoon. Pat the insides dry with a paper towel.
2. Spread the mayo: 1 tsp inside each cucumber half. Trust me—don’t skip this step.
3. Layer the fillings: Start with lettuce, then tomato, then fold a provolone slice, then 2 turkey slices.
4. Pack the other half: Roll a third turkey slice and tuck it into the top cucumber half (it helps with shape and holding).
5. Close it up: Sandwich the two halves together. Use toothpicks if needed.
6. Repeat: You’ll get 4 subs from this—great for meal prep or sharing with your skeptical spouse.

Smart Moves I Always Use

• Make it right before eating – Cucumbers get weepy fast.
• Pre-scoop cucumbers in advance – Store dry halves in the fridge in a paper-towel-lined container.
• Track by ingredient – I log each item separately in Carb Manager to catch deli meat carbs and cheese variations.

How I Store and Track It

• Storage: Best eaten fresh. If you must store, keep fillings and cucumber halves separate and assemble right before eating.
• Fridge life: 1 day, max.
• Freezer: Don’t. Cucumbers freeze like sad, spongy regrets.

What I Googled Before Making This

Will this spike my blood sugar?
Unlikely. Each sub clocks in around 5g net carbs, with healthy fats from mayo and cheese to slow absorption.

Can I use mini cucumbers?
You can, but they’re harder to stuff and close. Great for party bites though!

Is there a dairy-free version?
Skip the cheese, use more mayo or mashed avocado for fat, and load up on flavor from deli meats or pickled veggies.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 sub (recipe makes 4 servings)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	204 kcal
Total Fat	14g
└ Saturated Fat	6g
Cholesterol	40mg
Sodium	500mg
Potassium	250mg
Total Carbohydrates	5g
└ Dietary Fiber	1g
└ Sugars	3g
Net Carbs	4g
Protein	13g

Check out More Recipes:

• Low Carb Keto Cold Crab Dip
• Low Carb Keto Cheese Sauce Recipe
• Low Carb Keto Fathead Dinner Rolls Recipe