18 best vegan sandwiches with creative filling ideas for healthy lunches

Author: Rachel Smith

Make lunch the most delicious meal of the day with these recipes for tasty vegan sandwiches that are easy and healthy.


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Make lunch the most delicious and exciting meal of the day with these tasty vegan sandwiches.

Don’t get us wrong, classic vegan sandwich fillings such as hummus, falafel and roasted peppers are classics for a good reason – they’re delicious!

However, if you want to shake it up and try something new this lunchtime then there are plenty of ways to get creative with your sandwich fillings.

Vegan sandwich-filling ideas

When it comes to vegan sandwiches, there are plenty of ways you can get creative with your sandwich fillings. You can mix and match ingredients from the list below to find your perfect flavour combination.

Here are a few things we like to include in our sandwiches to help get you started:

  • Classic PB&J
  • Vegan cheese and chutney
  • Hummus
  • Falafel
  • Roasted vegetables
  • Grilled cheese
  • Vegan bacon
  • Pesto
  • Vegan Reuben
  • Smoked tofu
  • Caramelised onion
  • Meat-free sausages
  • Vegan cheese & tomato
  • Smashed chickpeas
  • Avocado & veggies
  • Vegan BLT with mushroom bacon or vegan bacon
  • Vegan deli slices

Now that you’ve taken a look at a few ideas of what you can use, here’s a mouth-watering selection of vegan sandwiches and vegan sandwich filling ideas that make lunch the best meal of the day.

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1. Vegan Pulled Jackfruit & Coleslaw Sandwich

If you really want to level up your lunch game, this pulled jackfruit sandwich with vegan coleslaw will do just that. The sweet and smokey flavour of the BBQ jackfruit is a real treat when paired with creamy coleslaw and avocado.

Vegan Pulled Jackfruit & Coleslaw Sandwich

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2. Grilled Vegetable Tahini Vegan Sandwiches

This sophisticated, plant-based version of grilled cheese made with fresh veggies and buttery tahini is a delicious way to make lunchtimes more delicious.

Grilled Vegetable Tahini Vegan Sandwich Fillings

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3. Carrot ‘Salmon’ & Cream Cheese Bagel

Capers and dill give this vegan smoked ‘salmon’ bagel the taste of the sea without the cruelty whilst the creamy cheese adds a delicious creaminess.

The ultimate lunch for when you’re feeling fancy.

Carrot ‘Salmon’ & Cream Cheese Bagel

4. Vegan Mushroom Reuben Sandwich

Traditionally, Reuben sandwiches feature corned beef with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and a Russian dressing.

We’ve adapted the recipe to make a vegan lunchtime showstopper, without losing any of the flavours of this iconic sandwich. Spicy mushrooms replace the corned beef alongside pickled red cabbage, dairy-free cheese and vegan-style Russian dressing to add creamy and tart flavours. It’s a must-try vegan sandwich filling recipe!

Vegan Mushroom Reuben Sandwich

5. Vegan BLT Sandwich with Tempeh Bacon

Beautifully crisp, marinated tempeh crowns a bed of lettuce, tomato and mayo to create a sensational vegan BLT sandwich that’s even more delicious than the classic sandwich.

Vegan BLT Sandwich with Tempeh Bacon

6. Chargrilled Vegan Sausage Paninis with Kale Pesto and Chilli Oil

The name of this vegan panini alone is enough to make our mouths water! With herby kale pesto, chilli oil and vegan sausages, this is one vegan sandwich you’ll be looking forward to all morning.

Chargrilled Vegan Sausage Paninis with Kale Pesto and Chilli Oil

7. Vegan Yuba Bacon Sandwich

Sometimes simple is best, and for those times a ‘bacon’ sandwich is the only thing that will hit the spot. To make this vegan bacon, we’ve used yuba – the skin that forms when soy milk is boiled.

We’ve infused the yuba with smoky, umami flavours that mimic the salty, smokey flavour of bacon. Serve it between two thick slices of fluffy bread and top with your favourite sauce.

Vegan Yuba Bacon Sandwich 

 

8. Spiced Cauliflower, Chickpea and Tahini Wrap

This perfectly spiced cauliflower and tahini wrap is packed with flavour and will leave you feeling full and satisfied at lunchtime thanks to the addition of chickpeas.

Spiced Cauliflower, Chickpea and Tahini Wrap

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9. Vegan Coronation Chickpea Sandwich

A vegan take on the classic Coronation chicken dish, this vegan sandwich uses chickpeas to make this iconic filling.

The chickpeas are mashed and flavoured with onion, mayonnaise, curry powder and mango chutney to make a fantastically flavoured sandwich.

Vegan Coronation Chickpea Sandwich

10. Tofu ‘Egg’ Patty Vegan Breakfast Sandwich

Who says sandwiches are just for lunch? This epic vegan breakfast sandwich features a tofu ‘egg’ patty with hot sauce, avocado, and tomatoes in a fluffy toasted English muffin and is a great way to start your day.

Tofu ‘Egg’ Patty Breakfast Sandwich

11. Vegan Tuna & Kimchi Grilled Cheese Sandwich

One of the best things about the rise in vegan fish alternatives hitting the market is it means we can now enjoy the delights of a tuna melt sandwich guilt-free.

This vegan grilled cheese sandwich is taken to the next level with kimchi that gives it a sweet, salty, and spicy flavour you won’t be able to get enough of.

Vegan Tuna & Kimchi Grilled Cheese Sandwich

12. Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomato Vegan Toastie

Now we have more time to spend on making a lovely lunch, why not treat yourself to this epic sun-dried tomato toastie with creamed spinach and melty vegan cheese.

If you really want to push the boat out then we recommend spreading a little pesto on your sandwich to give it even more flavour!

Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomato Vegan Toastie

13. Smoked Tofu & Vegetable Baguette

Smoked tofu is one of our favourite vegan sandwich fillings because its smokey taste and texture make it a great replacement for meat. Plus, it’s high in protein to keep you fuelled all afternoon long.

We’ve paired it with heaps of roasted veggies to ensure it’s packed with flavour and good-for-you ingredients.

Smoked Tofu & Vegetable Baguette

14. Vegan Mushroom & Pesto Panini

Meaty mushrooms are paired with pesto and onions and flavoured with parsley to create a fresh-flavoured vegan panini that’s rich in vitamin B, D and selenium.

Vegan Mushroom & Pesto Panini - Vegan sandwich fillings ideas

15. Vegan Pulled Mushroom Hoisin Wraps & Crispy ‘Seaweed’

If you love the classic Chinese duck pancake recipe then treat yourself to it this lunchtime with this super ‘seaweed’ and mushroom wrap.

The mouth-watering combination of sweet Hoisin sauce, smoky mushrooms and the fresh flavour of cucumber will ensure your lunch is the best meal of the day.

Vegan Pulled Mushroom Hoisin Wraps & Crispy ‘Seaweed’

16. Beanie Banger Sarnie with Homemade Mayonnaise

You can’t beat a sausage sarnie for a proper lunchtime feast! This banger of a recipe features homemade vegan chickpea sausages and aquafaba mayonnaise to show you how to make the most of a humble can of chickpeas.

Beanie Banger Sarnie with Vegan Aquafaba Mayonnaise

17. Vegan Tofu Egg and Cress Sandwich

Egg and cress sandwiches are a classic British afternoon tea staple, and they’re easy to make vegan by swapping the egg for tofu. Not only is tofu a great egg substitute, but it’s also packed with plant-based protein so will keep you full and energised until dinner.

Vegan Tofu Egg and Cress Sandwich

18. Vegan Smoked Tofu BLT Sandwich

We guarantee this is the best vegan BLT sandwich you’ll ever make! With crispy fried slices of smoked tofu in a salty, smoky marinade, fresh lettuce, tomato and creamy vegan mayonnaise, it’s got all the elements of the classic sandwich but is better for you and the planet.

Vegan Smoked Tofu BLT Sandwich

Want more inspiration for affordable vegan recipes like these vegan sandwich filling recipes that won’t break the bank but still taste delicious?

Try these tasty cheap vegan recipes.

Written by

Rachel Smith

Having launched the brand's digital presence in 2015, Rachel shares her love for animals and the planet through her work as Vegan Food & Living’s Digital Editor. As a passionate vegan for over ten years, Rachel loves creating delicious vegan dessert recipes for her award-winning blog, Rawberry Fields. Rachel's recipes and photography have been featured in numerous international print and digital publications including the Daily Mail, Huffington Post, Thrive, and Buzzfeed. You can follow Rachel at @rawberryfields

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