For those embracing a plant-based diet, sandwiches can be a delightful and versatile meal option. Forget the misconception of bland vegan sandwiches; with the right ingredients and creative combinations, you can create sandwiches that are packed with flavor, satisfying, and easy to pack for lunch. Whether you're craving a vegan twist on a classic or looking for something entirely new, there's a plant-based sandwich recipe to suit every palate.
Very Veggie Vegan Sandwiches
If you're a veggie lover, these sandwiches are a great way to load up on nutrients and flavors.
Avocado Sandwich
If you enjoy avocado toast, you'll love this hearty avocado sandwich! It's perfect for summer picnics or a gourmet weekday lunch, and it tastes even better when made ahead of time.
Vegan Riffs on Classic Sandwiches
Craving familiar flavors but sticking to your plant-based lifestyle? These vegan sandwiches put a creative spin on classic favorites.
Vegan "Egg" Salad Sandwich
This vegan tofu sandwich is a delicious alternative to traditional egg salad. Turmeric provides the egg-like color, while vegan mayo creates a rich and creamy texture. Capers, chives, and dill add a burst of briny and bright flavors.
Read also: Delicious Plant Paradox Breakfasts
Vegan French Pan Bagnat
This sandwich is a vegan version of the classic French pan bagnat. It features a tuna-like chickpea salad made with tahini, Dijon mustard, lemon, and capers. Crisp veggies, olives, and fresh basil complete this flavorful sandwich, all served on a good-quality baguette.
Vegan Sandwiches for PB&J Lovers
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are already a vegan staple, but these recipes offer a unique twist on the classic.
Pecan Butter and Strawberry Jam Sandwich
This recipe puts a spin on the traditional PB&J by using pecans instead of peanuts. Toasted hazelnuts and pecans create a rich and luxurious nut butter that pairs perfectly with sweet strawberry jam.
Wrap Vegan Sandwich Ideas
Wraps are a convenient and versatile alternative to traditional sandwiches.
Hummus and Veggie Wraps
These simple wraps are a quick and easy way to enjoy a plant-based meal. To sneak in extra veggies, pulse spinach into the hummus. For a vegan option, simply skip the yogurt sauce.
Read also: Nutritious Granola Recipes
Chickpea Salad Sandwiches
This chickpea salad sandwich recipe is a standout among vegan sandwiches.
Ingredients:
Chickpea Salad:
- 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ garlic clove
- 1 teaspoon capers
- 1 green onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the Sandwiches:
- 1 handful thin green beans, trimmed
- 1 soft baguette, sliced in half lengthwise
- 8 to 10 Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- Thinly sliced red onion, rinsed and dried
- Vegan mayo, or regular mayo, for spreading
- ¼ English cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 radish, thinly sliced
- 6 to 8 fresh basil leaves
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions:
- Make the chickpea salad: In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, tahini, Dijon mustard, garlic, capers, green onions, cilantro, lemon juice, and pinches of salt and pepper. Pulse until combined, but do not puree. Season to taste.
- Blanch the green beans: Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil and place a bowl of ice water nearby. Drop the green beans into the boiling water for 1 ½ minutes, then scoop into the ice water to stop the cooking process. Once cool, drain, pat dry, and chop into 1-inch pieces.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Spread the chickpea salad on one side of the baguette. Press the chopped green beans into the chickpea salad and top with the olives and red onion slices. Spread a layer of mayo on the other half of the baguette and top with the sliced cucumbers, radishes, and basil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Other Plant-Based Sandwich Ideas
Triples de Palta (Peruvian Avocado Sandwich)
This triple-layer vegetarian sandwich features three layers of white bread with a simple spread of mayo mixed with lime juice and mustard powder, plus hard-boiled eggs, avocado, and plum tomatoes.
Vegetarian Muffuletta
This veggie sandwich is packed with colors and flavors, including cauliflower, carrots, provolone cheese, arugula, and roasted red bell peppers. The sesame seed-studded Italian bread is a signature element of a muffuletta.
Japanese 7-11 Egg Salad Sandwich
This three-ingredient vegetarian sandwich is a convenience chain staple in Japan, made with soft white bread, hard-boiled eggs, and umami-rich kewpie mayonnaise.
Indian Club Sandwich
Chaat masala and cilantro chutney add Indian flavors to this vegetarian club sandwich, which is filled with thinly sliced red potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, beets, and cheese.
Read also: Advantages of a Plant-Based Cleanse
Marinated Green Bean Sandwiches
Marinated, vinegar-y green beans are layered with fresh mozzarella cheese on ciabatta bread for a unique lunchtime special.
Spicy, Garlicky Broccoli Sandwich
This sandwich features paprika-spiced broccoli and a Sriracha mayonnaise on a fresh baguette.
Grilled Brie Sandwiches with Honey, Pistachio & Kale Pesto
This grilled cheese sandwich features brie cheese on French bread with a pesto made from kale, roasted pistachios, honey, and lemon zest.
Mustardy Grilled Cheese
Two kinds of mustard-stone-ground mustard and sauteed mustard greens-add to this otherwise classic grilled cheese sandwich. Cheddar cheese is a recommended choice.
Balsamic-Roasted Eggplant and Arugula Sandwiches
Balsamic vinegar adds extra flavor to this veggie sandwich, which comes together in just 20 minutes.
Smoky Tempeh & Hummus Sandwiches
Marinated tempeh and homemade hummus create a filling vegan sandwich. The tempeh is glazed with a salty-sweet mixture of tamari, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, olive oil, and paprika.
Egg Sandwich With Mayo & Chile Paste
This egg sandwich is made with a spicy mayonnaise that gets its heat from crushed Calabrian chiles.
Nashville Hot Cauliflower Sandwiches
Crispy cauliflower takes the place of fried chicken in this spicy sandwich inspired by a Tennessee classic.
Bless This Pickle Sandwich
This simple sandwich is made with whole wheat bread, mustard and mayo, pickles, and cheddar cheese.
Crispy Tempeh Sandwich With Avocado & Beets
Pan-fried tempeh drizzled with tamari is placed on a slice of bread with red onion, avocado, marinated beets, and mayo.
Lemony Broccoli & Mozzarella Sandwiches
This vegetarian sandwich features lemony broccoli and mozzarella cheese.
Loaded Scrambled Egg & Mushroom Toast
This open-faced vegetarian egg sandwich is topped with scrambled eggs and mushrooms.
Latke, Egg & Cheese Sandwich, Inspired by B&H
This breakfast sandwich features a latke between the bread with egg and cheese.
Herby Biscuit Tomato Sandwiches
Cheesy herby buttermilk biscuits are used as the base for this tomato sandwich.
Open-Faced Asparagus Sandwich
Blanched asparagus is layered on top of a mayonnaise spread and baguette.
Marinated Tofu Steak Sandwiches
Frozen and re-pressed tofu is marinated and used as a hearty entree in this vegetarian sandwich.
Indian Railway Omelette Sandwich
Cilantro, turmeric, chile powder, and finely chopped ground chiles add flavor to a plain omelette for this twist on an egg and cheese sandwich.
Roasted Eggplant Rolls
Roasted eggplant tossed in a lemony mayonnaise and sprinkled with finely chopped celery is used as a meat-free version of a New England classic lobster roll.
Tofu Bánh Mì
Crispy fried tofu, pickled vegetables, and cilantro are tucked between two pieces of bread, like a sliced baguette or sub roll.
Plant-Based Italian Sub
This hearty sub is made with smoky tempeh, pepperoncini, thick tomato slices, plant-based cheese, and vegan mayo.
3-Ingredient Veggie Burgers
These vegan burgers are made with dried chickpeas, sundried tomatoes, and marinated artichokes.
Eggplant-Harissa Sandwiches With Tahini
Roasted eggplant schmeared with homemade harissa is used as the filling for this vegetarian sandwich.
Fried Tomato Sandwich With Lemon-Basil Sour Cream & Chile Oil
Fried tomatoes are stacked between two slices of bread with Lemon-Basil Sour Cream and a drizzle of chile oil.
Garlicky Beet & Chickpea Sandwiches
These vegetarian sandwiches combine flavors and textures to create a perfect whole.
Vada Pav (Potato Fritter Sandwich)
This popular Indian street food features flaky white buns filled with a giant potato fritter, smeared with coconut and green chile chutneys.
Additional Tips for Delicious Vegan Sandwiches
- Bread: Choose a nutritious whole grain bread (or gluten-free option) as the foundation of your sandwich. Hearty breads that can withstand the pressure of a panini press are best. Sandwich bread options like Silver Hills Soft Wheat Sprouted Bread work well for panini sandwiches. Ciabatta bread and French Baguettes are also good options.
- Spread: Hummus is a great spread option, with many varieties to choose from.
- Protein: Use ingredients like baked tofu, tempeh, chickpeas, lentils, seitan, or hummus for a protein boost. Adding nuts, seeds, or spreads like peanut butter or tahini also helps pack in extra protein.
- Flavor: Layer flavors by using fresh herbs, spices, zesty sauces, and spreads like homemade vegan mayo, pesto, or mustard. Add pickled veggies, roasted garlic, or caramelized onions for extra punch.
- Gluten-Free Options: Use gluten-free tortillas, collard greens, lettuce leaves, or rice paper wraps as alternatives to traditional wraps. Many gluten-free bread options are also available for sandwiches.
Vegan Panini Recipe
Ingredients:
- Soft Wheat Sprouted Bread
- Extra firm tofu, pressed
- Soy sauce
- Mustard
- Italian seasoning
- Oregano
- Garlic powder
- Nutritional yeast
- Mushrooms, sautéed
- Onions, sautéed
- Avocado, mashed
- Vegan butter
- Miso
Instructions:
- Marinade the tofu: Slice the tofu into slabs and place in a container with soy sauce, mustard, Italian seasoning, oregano, garlic powder, and nutritional yeast.
- Prepare the vegetables: Sauté mushrooms and onions in a heated skillet with salt and pepper.
- Prepare the sandwich: Add mashed avocado to a slice of bread. Top with spinach, tofu slices, and sautéed mushrooms and onions.
- Cook the sandwich: Mix vegan butter and miso and spread on the outside of the bread. Place the sandwich butter side down on a griddle. Spread some of the butter mixture on top of the sandwich bread and then close the griddle down between your sandwich. Gently press down to help seal the sandwich and allow to cook for about 2 minutes or until you get some nice grill marks.
Tips for Making a Perfect Panini
- Don’t use too many wet ingredients. Cook mushrooms and onions down to remove excess liquid.
- Heat up the pan first to make sure it is hot before placing your sandwich on the plate.
- Butter the bread to help create crisp edges and beautiful browning.
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