A lot of people are embracing veganism for a variety of reasons. Some are on this path to improve their health. Others have become vegans because of their love for animals. Some are also choosing this way of life due to the impact of a meat-based diet on our planet.
If you are a vegan looking for meal ideas for work, school, or a picnic, the sandwiches in this post may inspire you to create something tasty and wonderfully healthy for your next meal.
For those who are curious as to what vegan food tastes like, this post can help you discover sandwich ideas that have a low environmental impact and are packed with both flavor and nutrients your body needs.
Enjoy a nutrient-dense lunch with this crunchy-creamy combo. For those not familiar with tempeh, it’s made from fermented soy and is a popular plant-based meat substitute.
Tempeh is usually seasoned or marinated to enhance the flavor. It has numerous health benefits, such as helping reduce cholesterol levels, fighting free radicals that cause oxidative stress, and strengthening bones.
In this sandwich, the tempeh is sliced thinly before baking, giving you a nice crunch.
It can be challenging to find the perfect vegan egg salad substitute.
Usually, tofu is the go-to ingredient, but many find that it lacks the texture of real eggs. However, the creator of this recipe has found an effective substitute for making the perfect vegan egg salad sandwich. It tastes best when chilled for a few hours before serving.
The BLT is a classic, so you will be happy to know that there’s a vegan version available. It is very quick and easy to make, and is a nutritious lunch to take to work or school.
Pro tip: The thinly sliced tempeh can easily break while being marinated. Make sure to handle gently when turning the pieces in the marinade.
Get extra nutrients and fiber in your sandwich by using sprouted grain bread. In this recipe, this type of bread serves as a tasty base for a delicious vegan buffalo sandwich.
The hummus gives this sandwich a creamy texture. Furthermore, its spiciness gives just the right zing to the sandwich. The chickpea salad filling can be kept in the fridge for days, letting you have tasty sandwiches on demand.
In this healthier spin on a classic, Portobello mushrooms are used as a substitute for the beef slices. Portobello mushrooms have a juicy, meaty texture that is very satisfying, even for non-vegans.
Use any vegan cheese you like to substitute for mozzarella, and consume as soon as possible for the best tasting, plant-based lunch. (For more ideas, check out The Plant-Based Recipe Cookbook!)
Name a popular sandwich, and there’s most likely a vegan version of it. Take this BBQ sandwich as an example. We’ve already talked about how Portobello mushrooms are a favored meat alternative, due to their texture and flavor. In this sandwich, Portobello mushrooms slathered in BBQ sauce take center stage to give you a delicious, satisfying, healthy lunch.
This sandwich is fully loaded with nutrients and flavor. One of the main ingredients is chickpeas, which are a good source of vitamins and fiber. Moreover, chickpeas are high in protein, giving you energy to get through the rest of the day.
This sandwich does not take long to make. You’ll have a delicious, healthy lunch ready in minutes.
Tofu is another popular ingredient in many vegan dishes, and is very versatile. You can fry, bake, and grill it. It absorbs flavors very well, making it a wonderful substitute for meat and eggs.
This recipe yields two hearty sandwiches that taste so good you might not want to share.
Many vegans occasionally crave a melty, gooey grilled cheese sandwich. Fortunately, these days, there are a lot of non-dairy cheeses available so that this craving can be easily satisfied.
The recipe featured here uses tapioca flour as the main component to give vegan cheese its stretchiness when it melts. Now that’s guilt-free indulgence!
Take your avocado toast to the next level by giving it a bit more zest. The explosion of flavors in this sandwich comes from the lemon garlic aioli. It’s super simple to prepare, but offers a meal bursting with flavor and healthy goodness. This sandwich works well when you use sourdough bread. Slice up the avocado, add fresh basil and other salad greens, and you’re good to go.
11. Blackberry, Basil, and Ricotta Pressed Sandwich
Looking for something salty, creamy, sweet, tangy, fresh, and crunchy all at the same time? Here’s a delicious sandwich that will satisfy all of your cravings. The best part is that prep time takes less than 10 minutes.
Blackberries are the main ingredient of this sandwich. They are loaded with vitamin C to help boost immunity, hasten wound healing, and fight oxidative stress. Moreover, a cup of blackberries contains almost half of the daily recommended allowance for manganese, a mineral essential for bone health.
Here is another vegan version of a grilled cheese sandwich that is really decadent. It is filled with good green stuff such as vegan pesto (basil, walnuts, and garlic), avocadoes, jalapeños, kale, and broccoli.
As mentioned earlier, there are a lot of vegan cheeses that mimic the way dairy-based cheese stretches when it melts. The creator of this recipe lists a couple of great recommendations.
For this Mediterranean-inspired dish, the medley of cashew mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, and basil creates a true crowd pleaser. And if you don’t have a Panini press, you can still make this at home in a frying pan.
Taking your own vegan sandwich to work or school ensures that you’re eating better quality food compared with something that you would buy on the go. Furthermore, you’re assured of better portions and more of the stuff you need and love.
Enjoy a flavorful and satisfying lunch with this combination of crispy and soft textures, creating a wonderful experience for your mouth with every bite.
The key to this sandwich is using quality bread, such as sourdough. Also use the freshest produce you can find, and you’re all set for a nutritious and delicious lunch.
Craving Asian flavors? This banh mi might be just what you’re looking for. It’s a delicious break from your regular sandwiches. The tofu and pickle fillings can be made ahead of time, but definitely make a large batch, because you’ll surely want more than one sandwich.
Lentils offer amazing health benefits. They are known to boost energy levels, help regulate blood sugar, and promote healthy digestion. Making them the main ingredient in your vegan sandwich gives you a tasty and nutritious alternative to meat-based lunches.
The vegan version of Frisco sauce and cheese adds more deliciousness to this sandwich. It also makes the filling gooey, just as you’d expect in a traditional cheese melt sandwich.
This is another version of a vegan banh mi, only this time, it has a sticky BBQ sauce with a spicy kick.
Although the creator of this recipe thinks that the sandwich is borderline unhealthy, there are still a lot of benefits you can get from it. It contains a host of nutrients that are essential to the human body. Tofu may help prevent certain cancers in men, and its high calcium content promotes bone health.
This slow-cooked recipe for vegan sloppy Joes makes a budget-friendly, tasty lunch. Made from red lentils, it is high in fiber and packed with essential vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, it is a high-protein, low-calorie sandwich that’s great for your weight loss goals.
Jackfruit is a tropical fruit that, depending on its state of ripeness, can be a key ingredient in savory or sweet dishes. It has recently become a favorite vegan alternative to meat. Although it does not taste anything like meat, its texture mimics pulled pork or chicken.
Considering that it’s naturally sweet, jackfruit is the go-to meat alternative for dishes that have a sweet side to them, such as this kimchi melt.
This colorful, delicious sandwich has a hint of caramel in it, courtesy of the caramelized sweet potato. It also comes with a kick of spiciness from the jalapeños.
The avocado cream sauce adds another dimension of flavor. Serve this sandwich with purple cabbage slaw for that added crunch. Yum!
This vegan meatball sub is further proof that you can make a meat-free version of virtually any sandwich.
The “meatballs” use oats and kidney beans for their base. The sub also requires vegan cheese sauce, tomato sauce, and your bread of choice (in this case, a baguette). Have some napkins ready, because this is going to be a messy meal—just how eating a meatball sub should be.
Are you looking for a fancy sandwich? Don’t let this recipe’s dainty appearance deceive you. This beautiful sandwich is packed with nutrients and flavor.
It is composed of tomatoes, lettuce, and tofu, and has just the right balance of sweet and savory. It has 20 grams of protein and 29 percent of the daily recommended amount of iron.
This sandwich has been designed as the perfect on-the-go meal. You can make the pesto and tofu ahead of time, then assemble the sandwich for your lunch at work any day of the week, quick and easy.
This vegan sandwich encourages you to be creative in using any type of raw vegetable filling you want. The veggies give the crunch. Meanwhile, the avocado in the spread contributes to the creaminess. The sandwich’s tanginess comes from the lemon-flavored tahini sauce. It is a flavorful, healthier alternative to other food options you can get at the workplace or school cafeteria.
Final Thoughts on Vegan Sandwich Ideas
Well, that’s a wrap (or a sub, or a Panini!). Feel free to try these sandwich ideas to give you healthier and more ethical options for lunch and other meals.
