A round up of 8 epic vegan (vegetarian + plant based) sandwich ideas. Everything from healthy chickpea salad sandwiches to indulgent saucy vegan sub sandwiches. You don't need meat and dairy cheese to make an incredible sandwich.
What sandwiches do vegans eat you ask? Keep reading for 8 of the best, most memorable vegan sandwiches everyone loves . . .
My mother is the Queen of delicious and interesting sandwiches. She can transform the simplest ingredients into something extraordinary every time.
Below are some top tips and suggestions I've learned along the way for how to make your own epic vegan sandwich!
Anatomy of the Perfect Vegan Sandwich
Here's a roadmap for building a delicious vegan sandwich. Remember to include a variety of flavors and textures and always some crunch and something pickled!
- Bread - it should be substantial enough to stand up to the filling you choose. That could be a grainy bun, chewy ciabatta, toasted sourdough, bagel or pita bread. Also, keep the bread to filling ratio balanced.
- Sandwich fillings - anything from cauliflower crumbles, chickpeas, tofu, tempeh, jackfruit, avocado, and all the fresh crunchy, juicy vegetables. No meat or cheese required - meat eaters love these vegan sandwiches too!
- Freshness - include leafy greens, arugula, cilantro, sprouts, and microgreens.
- Sandwich toppings - add a variety of textures from creamy, crunchy, crisp, soft, tender, chewy, and chunky.
For example choose creamy avocado, hummus or dairy-free vegan cheese.
For crunch, try lettuce (esp. romaine and iceberg), celery or carrots, crisp cucumbers, pickled onions or chips.
Soft and tender textures from sweet potatoes, pillowy pitas or mashed chickpea/crab salad.
Chewy textures could come from soy curls, ciabatta or sourdough.
Add a few nuts, seeds or try sprouted lentils or fried capers!
Cutting the vegetables and filling into a variety of shapes and sizes will keep the texture interesting as well (eg. chunks of mushrooms v. slices, grated carrot v. julienne, whole lettuce leaves v. chopped, cucumber ribbons v. coins, avocado slices or cubes v. guacamole).
Consider how all the ingredients will play together and cut accordingly. - Flavor - tangy, spicy, sour, sweet, salty, and pickled. Season each component (eg. add garlic and hot pepper flakes or EBTB to the to tofu when grilling, then brush with BBQ sauce. Substitute hummus for butter and a drizzle of spicy mayo. Add a pinch of salt to enhance tomatoes and cucumbers. Top with sour-sweet gherkins or pickled onions.).
- Sauce - hummus, dijon mustard, Vegenaise, and pesto are nourishing and flavorful choices to sub for butter. Plus add any additional sauces or drizzles for extra flavor!
Let's make some vegan sandwiches for work, brunches, weekday lunches and fancy parties.
Vegan (Vegetarian) Sandwich Ideas
California Veggie Sandwich (easy+healthy)
Vegan California sandwich with layers of crunchy vegetables, avocado, sprouts, and cheese on multigrain bread. This fresh, healthy sandwich will appeal to everyone - vegan or not!
Check out this recipe
- This is an easy, customizable California vegetarian sandwich - perfect vegan lunch sandwich! Add any vegetables - this one includes tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, avocados and spinach with spicy hummus on grainy bread. When I'm craving a BLT sandwich, this is a great vegan option (just add tempeh bacon).
Vegan Shawarma Recipe with Two Epic Sauces!
The most succulent, Middle Eastern seasoned, vegan shawarma recipe! This high protein, saucy vegan shawarma wrap is made with marinated soy curl tenders and crispy chickpeas. Topped with your choice of tomatoes, cucumbers, pickled onions, and shredded romaine all wrapped in warm pita bread then drizzled with two craveable shawarma sauces. So addictively delicious! YIELD: 3-4 people depending on appetite!
Check out this recipe
- This vegan shawarma is one of the most delicious vegan recipes I've ever created!! Succulent spicy soy curl tenders and crunchy chickpeas served in a pita wrap stuffed with fresh vegetables, drizzled with two addictive sauces and topped with pickled onions. This vegan wrap sandwich will knock your socks off!
Epic Veggie and Tofu Sandwich
This vegetarian sandwich is loaded with ALL our favorite things. It's an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink kinda sandwich!! When you're feeling fancy or want to impress, this is the vegan sandwich to do it! It's the perfect combination of tofu, guacamole, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, hummus, pickled onions and so much more. Customize this to your own taste adding some or ALL of the fillings - open wide and pass the extra napkins!
Check out this recipe
- This epic veggie sandwich is stuffed with all the goodies (a vegan riff on a classic club sandwich). Choose one or two of the main ingredients - baked tofu, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, guacamole (with a flavor twist) or go all in and make this epic big boy!l
Spicy Vegan Chickpea Salad
Ready in under 10 minutes, this Spicy Chickpea Salad Sandwich (vegan version) is packed with plant protein, lots of crunchy veggies, and tons of flavor. It's a healthy, hearty and filling vegan lunch or dinner idea that whole family will love. Great for meal prep too!
Check out this recipe
- This simple chickpea salad sandwich is a creamy and satisfying vegetarian lunch idea that's quick and easy to whip up. Blend until it resembles chickpea tuna salad or leave some texture - either way, it's a healthy, hearty, and tasty vegan sandwich for lunch or dinner. Great recipe for meal prep, high protein, and totally plant based too!
The BEST Vegan Egg Salad Sandwich
This Vegan Egg Salad is the closest you’ll taste to traditional egg salad without eggs, not even kidding! It is absolutely incredible, takes under 20 minutes to make, is packed with plant protein, and is super creamy and eggy.
Check out this recipe
- Growing up egg salad sandwiches were my favorite! So I was super motivated to find a vegan replacement that would satisfy me. Nailed it!!! This tofu salad sandwich came about almost by accident. I had some leftover tofu scramble, and I was in the mood for a sandwich - that's when the magic happened. This is by far the BEST VEGAN EGG SALAD SANDWICH I've ever had - nothing compares. Try it, I think you'll agree!!!
Succulent Cauliflower Burger (saucy + spicy)
This spicy cauliflower burger recipe is second to none! Made with cauliflower clusters slathered in creamy, spicy harissa mayo baked to tender, crispy perfection. Topped with crunchy slaw and tangy vegan tzatziki sauce, they're THE BEST veggie burger ever! The whole family agrees.
Check out this recipe
- My favorite part of this ultimate vegetarian sandwich is the creamy, seasoned cauliflower tenders with a totally irresistible spicy crust. Biting into the succulent tender creamy roasted cauliflower paired with tangy, crunchy slaw is an experience you won't soon forget. Next level vegan sandwich recipe for sure!
Easy Vegan Meatball Sub with Pesto
Succulent and saucy, these plant-based meatballs are smothered in rich marinara, garlicky pesto, melty cheese and greens on a crusty roll. Serve them for a quick vegan weeknight meal, on game day or at your next family gathering. Crowd favorite by far!
Check out this recipe
- Saucy, cheesy, meaty goodness - this plant-based, vegan meatball sub is simply irresistible. Made with tangy garlicky pesto, rich red marinara sauce, dairy-free cheese, and vegan meatballs - it's irresistibly delicious!
What people are saying . . .
'This is definitely in my top 5 sandwiches ever eaten. This is like secret food truck level good. I can't say enough good things about this sandwich.' Scott
BBQ Jackfruit Sliders Recipe with Creamy Crunchy Slaw
These smoky sweet and saucy BBQ jackfruit sliders are simply incredible. Piled high with crunchy, creamy slaw and juicy grilled pineapple skuces, these sliders will knock your socks off!
Check out this recipe
- Big, bold, saucy BBQ 'pulled pork' jackfruit is perfectly paired with creamy tropical slaw. Juicy and bursting with flavor, grilled pineapple takes these vegan slider sandwiches over the top!
Easy Falafel Pita (with 3 sauces!)
Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, these easy vegan falafel are a super versatile, Mediterranean type plant-based dinner for weeknights!. Serve these healthy, protein rich, falafel in a pita, falafel bowl or salad with dairy free tzatziki, tahini or hummus!
Check out this recipe
- When it comes to vegan pita sandwiches - this falafel pita stuffed with crunchy veggies and drizzled with spicy tahini sauce is at the top of the list! Oil-free, gluten-free adaptable, protein rich, these vegan falafels freeze well and are also delicious served as an appetizer or in a Buddha bowl.
Easy Vegan Grilled Cheese Sandwich (2 ways!)
Super quick and easy to make on the stove or in the air fryer, these vegan grilled cheese sandwiches are the perfect lunch or dinner served with deep fried picked, fries, salad or soup! The kids LOVE these grilled cheese!
Check out this recipe
- The best vegan grilled cheese sandwich has a gooey, cheesy filling between two buttery golden crunchy slices of bread. Made in the air fryer (or stove top), this dairy-free version of a childhood classic is incredible served with a bowl of vegan tomato soup for lunch or dinner.
Did you make any of these Vegan Sandwich Ideas?
Let me know below which is your favorite.
Tag me on Instagram, I love seeing your food!
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Post updated October 2021.
Arleigh
Oh my goodness all these sandwiches look amazing. I have to say egg salad was a favourite growing up as well. Tofu scramble sounds great to me. Will try it ASAP on some African Seed Bread from a local bakery