Vegan sandwiches often get a bad rap, but they don’t have to be bland or boring. In fact, with a little creativity, you can create delicious and filling plant-based meals that are perfect for lunch or on-the-go. From jackfruit to chickpea, vegan cheese to sweet potatoes, the options are endless.
Here, we’re sharing 40 of the best vegan sandwich recipe ideas from around the web. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just looking for some inspiration, these recipes are sure to satisfy your cravings and keep you coming back for more. With fillings like buffalo cauliflower, tomato and artichoke, grilled dairy-free cheese, and even eggplant bacon, there’s something for everyone. So why settle for the same old boring sandwich when you can get creative and try something new?
Fried Green Tomato
Experience the quintessential Southern delight reimagined as a plant-based masterpiece! Swap traditional egg batter for a mixture of flour, water, and turmeric powder, creating a flavorful and crispy exterior that’s surprisingly free from animal products. Simply slice and coat fresh green tomatoes in this innovative vegan batter, then indulge in the satisfying crunch that comes with deep-frying. Pair your masterpiece with toasted bread and a dollop of creamy vegan mayonnaise for an unforgettable taste adventure.
Garden Sloppy Joes & Cole Slaw
The quintessential messy sandwich has finally found a plant-based equivalent. The key to this vegan adaptation is substituting traditional meat with textured vegetables of your choice, seasoned to perfection. Simply cook the filling in a skillet for an effortless meal. Serve warm buns alongside the mixture and top it off with a refreshing serving of vegan coleslaw. If you’re not a fan of TVP, there are plenty of alternatives, such as lentil patties or chickpea-based options. Check out these variations to find your new favorite vegan sandwich.
Smashed Chickpea Salad
Imagine sinking your teeth into a sandwich that captures the nostalgic essence of classic chicken salad sandwiches from summers past. To bring this comfort food to vegan life, blend boiled chickpeas with tangy pickles, savory onions, and creamy veganaise. Serve on top of fresh greens between slices of multigrain bread for a satisfying and familiar flavor experience.
Garlic Dairy-Free Butter Grilled Cheese Sourdough
There’s nothing quite like the comforting combination of a grilled cheese sandwich paired with a warm bowl of tomato soup on a crisp day. And the best part? Vegans can enjoy this indulgent treat too! By opting for plant-based alternatives such as Daiya pepper jack or Tofutti cheddar, you can replicate the cheesy goodness without compromising your dietary choices. Add some fresh tomato and spinach to the mix, then serve it all on a crusty sourdough bread for a truly satisfying meal.
Grilled Dairy-Free Cheese
For a creative twist on classic vegan grilled cheese, try this recipe that offers three unique variations. Building upon the flavors of jalapeño poppers, the first option combines tender jalapeños and creamy vegan cream cheese for a spicy kick. Next up is a spinach-infused delight, featuring fresh greens, rich vegan pesto, and melted Swiss Daiya cheese. For a Thanksgiving-inspired treat, try the third variation, which pairs sweet cranberry sauce with crunchy pecans and melted Daiya Provolone. Check out all three options here!
Balsamic Sweet Potato
For those who delight in harmonizing sweet and savory flavors, this recipe is sure to satisfy. By combining sweet potato slices, drizzled with coconut oil, topped with crisp green onions, and finished with a rich balsamic reduction, you’ll create a tantalizing blend of flavors that will leave you wanting more. Feel free to customize the sandwich with your preferred vegan cheddar, veganaise, and bread for a truly unique experience.
Buffalo Chickpea Salad
Indulge in a flavorful and nutritious treat with this unique recipe that combines the creaminess of chickpeas with the crunch of vegetables. The medley of carrot, celery, and thinly sliced green onion adds a delightful freshness, while the peppers bring a pop of color and spice. To take it to the next level, drizzle on buffalo sauce and serve on sprouted grain bread for a satisfying and healthy snack or meal.
Eggplant Bacon & Aquafaba Mayo
Transforming a classic into a plant-based delight, this vegan take on the beloved bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich swaps crispy pork for the option of grilled eggplant or coconut slices. With only six essential ingredients, this recipe can be prepared in just 10 minutes. Elevate the flavors with vegan mayo or hummus and serve it all on your preferred bread. Experience the simplicity and versatility of this innovative sandwich by visiting the link provided.
Non-Egg Salad
Discover a game-changing alternative to traditional egg salad that just so happens to be egg-free! By blending firm tofu with yogurt, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, crunchy celery, fresh green onions and parsley, and a pinch of seasonings, you’ll create a tangy and satisfying spread that’s perfect for serving on whole-grain bread with your favorite toppings. The best part? This recipe is vegan-friendly and offers all the flavor of egg salad without the eggs!
Gluten-Free Strawberry Avocado Chickpea Salad
Combining sweet, savory, and creamy elements, this summer sandwich recipe offers a delightful vegan and gluten-free experience. To create the bread, combine chia seeds, tapioca starch, and Simple Mills bread mix for a unique and flavorful base. For the salad component, mash chickpeas with crunchy additions of celery, bell pepper, and carrots. The addition of creamy avocado and sweet strawberries takes this sandwich to new heights!
Smashed White Bean & Avocado
This delectable open-faced sandwich is a masterclass in balance, blending creamy textures with light and refreshing flavors. The best part? It’s not only gluten-free but also incredibly quick to prepare, taking a mere 5 minutes from start to finish. A harmonious blend of white beans, basil, avocado, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice creates a symphony of tastes that’s further elevated by the addition of crisp greens and juicy tomato on top. Experience it for yourself
Jackfruit Pulled Pork
The versatility of jackfruit as a substitute for pulled pork lies in its unique texture, which makes it an ideal candidate for this role. To sidestep the overpowering natural sweetness of fresh jackfruit, we’ve opted to use canned jackfruit instead. Check out our recipe here for a delicious and innovative twist on traditional pulled pork.
Spinach Pesto Grilled Dairy-Free Cheese
When looking for a speedy lunch solution, consider using your preferred vegan cheese as the base. To take it up a notch, layer slices of the cheese with vegan pesto spread in between, resulting in an authentic Italian flavor profile that’s sure to satisfy.
Homemade TTLA
When discussing TTLA, it’s essential to understand that it stands for tempeh bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, and avocado. While it’s easy to rely on store-bought tempeh bacon, the recipe linked below provides a simple guide to making your own at home. For those looking to elevate their culinary skills, this DIY approach allows for complete control over flavor and texture.
Wakame Seaweed & Chickpea
The incorporation of dried Wakame seaweed into the recipe successfully captures the essence of the ocean’s flavors, complemented by the satisfying chickpea filling. With its substantial nature, you might find yourself opting for utensils like a knife and fork to savor each bite and minimize any potential mess. Experience it firsthand here.
Plant-Based Philly Cheesesteak
Portobello mushrooms are renowned for their meaty texture, making them an ideal substitute for beef. In this recipe, we leverage that characteristic by marinating the mushrooms in a tangy blend of vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and homemade Dijon mustard to create a vegan take on the iconic Philly cheesesteak flavor. The result is a mouthwatering, satisfying dish that’s perfect for those following a plant-based diet.
Thai Peanut
Experience the velvety smoothness of this sandwich recipe, where peanut butter and hoisin sauce harmonize to create a profound flavor profile. For those who prefer a touch of heat, add a dash of sriracha to balance out the sweetness. And for those with dietary restrictions, simply swap the bread for a gluten-free alternative.
Tofu & Kale Pesto
The versatility of tofu is truly remarkable, as it absorbs the essence of marinades and infuses dishes with an array of flavors. In this particular recipe, its creamy texture harmonizes beautifully with kale pesto enriched by nutritional yeast, yielding a delightfully cheesy flavor profile.
Easy Maine Lobster Rolls
The foundation of this dish lies in Hearts of Palm, carefully chopped into chunky pieces that evoke the tender flavor and succulent texture of lobster. To amplify the sensory experience, add a dash of crispness with the inclusion of celery hearts.
Chickpea Sloppy Joes
In just 20 short minutes, this unassuming sandwich bursts with flavor and nutrition. A generous helping of chickpeas lends a boost to its health profile, while the trifecta of tomato sauce, ketchup, and yellow mustard combine for a nostalgic taste experience reminiscent of classic sandwiches. Try it out!
Tofu Egg-Free Salad
While traditional egg salads often rely on eggs as their star ingredient, this innovative take substitutes in a clever twist: extra-firm tofu. The absence of eggs is more than made up for by the bold flavors contributed by sun-dried tomatoes, briny olives, and tangy capers. These ingredients work together to create a harmonious balance that elevates the dish beyond mere blandness, injecting it with a much-needed burst of acidity.
Cashew Mozzarella & Fig Jam
Indulge in the harmonious union of sweet and savory flavors by pairing creamy vegan cheese with succulent figs on a crunchy bread foundation. This satisfying combination is perfect for a filling snack or meal, whenever hunger strikes. For an added layer of complexity, you can prepare your own fig jam according to a recipe, or opt for a store-bought alternative. A simple yet delightful experience awaits discovery!
BBQ Tofu with Pineapple Relish
Indulge in a flavorful fusion as this sandwich harmoniously blends sweet and spicy elements – juicy pineapple, crunchy jalapeños, tangy red onions, and crisp bell peppers. For those seeking a milder taste experience, simply omit the jalapeños from the mix.
Coconut Bacon with Sliced Peaches
When crafting this recipe, unsweetened coconut flakes were the chosen ingredient, lending a unique aroma reminiscent of crispy bacon thanks to the robust spices involved. Beyond its intended purpose, this coconut ‘bacon’ proves to be an excellent addition to various dishes, such as vegan mac and cheese, where it can be used to add a satisfying crunch. For inspiration, feel free to explore the full recipe here.
Smoky Tofu Lettuce Tomato
Combining tamari, smoked paprika, and maple syrup, this recipe crafts a marinade that imbues the tofu with a flavor profile remarkably similar to that of maple-smoked bacon. To elevate this simple yet satisfying meal, consider adding a dollop of vegan mayonnaise atop crisp lettuce and juicy tomatoes.
Caesar Smashed Chickpea
In this recipe, the chickpeas are mashed with a flavorful boost courtesy of homemade Caesar dressing. Spread generously onto crusty bread, it’s a match made in heaven. But don’t worry if you’re short on time – a store-bought Caesar dressing is more than capable of delivering the same delicious results.
Homemade TTLA
Imagine sinking your teeth into a mouthwatering sandwich that combines the freshness of homemade ingredients with the convenience of store-bought favorites. That’s exactly what you’ll get when you recreate Whole Foods’ ‘TTLA’ sandwich, which boasts a flavorful union of tempeh bacon, ripe tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and creamy avocado. The pièce de résistance is the rich aioli that brings everything together in perfect harmony. This satisfying creation is sure to hit the spot and leave you feeling full and content.
Fried Tofu & English Muffin
To elevate your scrambled tofu, this unique sandwich combines the warmth of turmeric with the earthy essence of black sulfur salt. For added depth of flavor, consider preparing the tofu ‘egg’ the night before. Simply assemble the ingredients within an English muffin and you’ll be rewarded with a delicious brunch option that can be ready in just 15 minutes.
Garlic Butter Chickpea
A game-changer in the world of vegan sandwiches, this recipe brings together the humble chickpea and a blend of aromatic spices with dairy-free mayonnaise. The result is a velvety, buttery flavor profile that’s just begging to be elevated. Feel free to get creative by adding your favorite sauces – whether you’re in the mood for a spicy kick from sriracha or chili sauce, or a sweet and caramelized twist from sautéed onions. Whatever your taste buds desire, this versatile sandwich base is ready to accommodate.
