This list features over 20 of the best vegan sandwich ideas for a delicious lunch. If you’re a sandwich lover, you’ll devour the recipes shared in this list!
By now, it should be pretty clear that being vegan doesn’t have to mean sacrificing on taste – and that includes sandwiches. Just as I’m sure many of us have experienced a few soggy, limp sandwiches – there are countless delicious, moreish, amazing vegan sandwich recipes out there that anyone, plant-based or not, will love.
The key to the best vegan sandwiches is variety. Don’t be afraid to play with textures, and tastes, and even draw influence from other cuisines. Even just the addition of some fresh herbs or a twist of salt and a squeeze of lemon can make all the difference in vegan cooking.
Below, I’ve rounded up over 20 of the best vegan sandwiches you’ll ever make. From roasted veggies and creamy hummus to vegan BLTs and Philly cheesesteaks – these vegan sandwich ideas have every option you could imagine.
Coronation Chickpea Open Sandwiches
A vegan twist on a classic, this coronation chickpea recipe is so easy to make and a fantastic healthy, flavour-packed lunch.
Grilled Avocado Sauerkraut Sandwich
This is a very delicious way to eat sauerkraut. It’s an easy lunch sandwich that can be brown bagged too.
Vegan Banh Mi With Marinated Tempeh
This vegan bánh mi recipe is made with punchy marinated tempeh. It’s stuffed inside a crusty baguette alongside pickled vegetables, mayonnaise and fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves.
Bombay Vegetable Grilled Sandwich
This Indian street food favourite is filled with spiced cilantro chutney and delicious vegetables, then grilled to perfection. If you’re in the market for a new veggie-laden sandwich, try this Bombay Sandwich recipe today!
Vegan Reuben Sandwich
The classic Reuben sandwich is easy to make meatless as well as dairy-free. This vegan Reuben sandwich recipe is a quick-to-fix lunch and a fantastic choice for a soup-and-sandwich dinner.
Smoked Tofu Ciabatta Sandwich
This smoked tofu ciabatta sandwich is made with some flavorful ingredients that go perfectly together. Smokey, crispy tofu, a sweet and tangy tahini sauce, creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, and peppery arugula. Every mouthful is pure joy!
Roasted Veggie Sandwich
A hearty roasted vegetable sandwich with a diary-free pesto and garlic cashew cream cheese.
Vegan Tuna Sandwich
This Vegan Tuna Sandwich is satisfying, delicious, and completely customizable. It takes just 20 minutes to prepare and it's perfect for make-ahead lunches.
Vegan Sandwich Pinwheels
These bite-sized colourful Sandwich Pinwheels make terrific little appetizers or a quick tasty lunch, and they are very kid-friendly!
Roasted Cauliflower Sandwich
This roasted cauliflower sandwich is the BEST vegan sandwich recipe, topped with spicy, crispy sweet potato chips, and a creamy cilantro dressing.
Fried Red Tomato Sandwich
Fried red tomato sandwiches are perfect for summer. They're delicious and so easy to make!
Edamame Salad Open Sandwich
Big on flavour and super simple to make. This smashed edamame sandwich is delicious and healthy!
Vegan French Dip Sandwich
Jackfruit French dip sandwiches are full of deep, umami flavours. They're topped with caramelized onions, horseradish mayo, and au jus for dipping.
Best Vegan Shawarma
This mushroom shawarma sandwich is big on flavour. The filling consists of spiced mushrooms, fresh vegetables and fries.
Vegan Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich
This easy Vegan Philly Cheesesteak recipe is ridiculously delicious and makes a fun lunch or dinner to share -- or not! Packed with melty, gooey vegan cheese, a realistic but healthy homemade meat substitute, and some yummy veggies, this is a truly satisfying seitan sandwich recipe.
Vegan Breakfast Sandwich
This tofu-based vegan breakfast sandwich is a twist on the classic egg and cheese popular in New Jersey and New York delis. Also made gluten-free using gluten-free rolls.
Copycat Panera Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich
If you're a fan of Panera Bread's Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich, then you will love this copycat recipe! This vegan-friendly version can be whipped up in just minutes.
Spicy Vegan Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
This easy vegan buffalo "chicken" sandwich features crispy fried tofu, smothered in homemade buffalo sauce. It has layers of flavour and is delicious any day of the week!
Vegan Chickpea Salad Sandwich
This best-ever vegan chickpea salad recipe is ready in 10 minutes and filled with chickpeas, celery, cilantro, pickles, red onion, dill, vegan mayo and lime!
Chickpea Avocado Sandwich
This vegan chickpea and avocado sandwich is packed with protein and full of cilantro, celery, dill, green onion, lime and more! The perfect lunch recipe!
Vegan Egg Salad
This vegan egg sandwich is made from tofu, with turmeric, capers, and dill to give it plenty of flavour.
Vegan BLT
This vegan BLT has homemade marinated smoky maple tempeh bacon, lettuce, tomato and vegan mayo. The best simple vegan sandwich recipe!
What can a vegan eat in a sandwich?
There options vegans have for a plant-based sandwich are wide and varied. Of course, they simply can’t have meat or any products that have come from an animal (dairy, eggs, etc) in them. A few simple, classic vegan sandwich fillings include:
- Hummus and roasted vegetables
- Plant-based cheese/cream cheese and cucumber slices
- Smashed chickpeas to make coronation ‘chicken’ or fake ‘tuna’
- Vegan bacon, tomato, and lettuce
- Smoky tofu, salad, and pickled onions
- Peanut butter and jam
What vegan lunch meat options are there?
There are a vast number of vegan lunch meat options these days – a far cry from even five years ago! Some vegan lunch meat options to consider include:
- Fake bacon
- Vegan ham
- Vegan chick’n deli slices (I’ve seen cajun, bbq, and shawarma flavours advertised)
- Vegan pepperoni
What is the most delicious sandwich?
Of course, the most delicious vegan sandwich really depends on your tastes! For me, I don’t think you can beat a hot sauce-coated crispy tofu sandwich with vegan mayo and crispy lettuce.
Is a peanut butter sandwich vegan?
Yes, most peanut butter is vegan (always check the label to be sure), so this is a simple but delicious vegan sandwich recipe you could serve.
Vegan Sandwich Ideas: 22 Best Vegan Sandwiches
Vegan Sandwich Ideas: 22 best vegan sandwiches to try - including this open coronation chickpea sandwich.
Ingredients
- 1 red onion
- 1 x 400g tin of chickpeas (drained)
- 2 tsp medium curry powder
- 2 tbsp vegan creme fraiche
- 1 tbsp mango chutney
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Salt and pepper
- Handful of coriander, chopped
Instructions
- Heat a little oil in a pan, then add your chickpeas and curry powder, stirring to coat. Cook the chickpeas for about 5 minutes to help them soften. This isn't an essential step but I find it really helps the curry flavour deepen as well.
- Remove the chickpeas from the heat and mash about two-thirds of them with a fork, then stir in the lemon juice, creme fraiche and mango chutney, mashing more chickpeas as you need to so you have a nice creamy but chunky texture.
- Stir in the finely chopped red onion, coriander, and salt and pepper. Adjust your ingredients according to taste.
- Serve in an open-faced sandwich or bagel
Is ciabatta vegan?
Yes, ciabatta is most often vegan. It is characterised by its hard crust and soft, airy inside with larger air gaps. Most recipes use just flour, water, yeast and salt for ciabatta, so it’s just about one of the most vegan-friendly bread you can get. Just be aware that ciabatta a la latte replaces the water with milk, which makes it not vegan-friendly.