{"id":1428,"date":"2019-10-17T17:05:47","date_gmt":"2019-10-17T17:05:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/?post_type=food&p=1428"},"modified":"2019-12-13T19:03:19","modified_gmt":"2019-12-13T19:03:19","slug":"vegan-sandwiches","status":"publish","type":"food","link":"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/food-drink\/vegan-sandwiches\/","title":{"rendered":"Vegan Sandwiches"},"content":{"rendered":"
The sandwich may just about be the best invention ever. Well, that may be pushing it a touch, but when it comes to the best foods in the world, we reckon the sandwich is right up there.<\/p>\n
Whether you are rustling up a quick snack, having lunch, making something to eat on the go or even having a sandwich as part of a larger evening meal or a hearty pub lunch, the humble, trusted formula of bread and a filling is a true winner. But what are the best vegan sandwiches going? How do you make a vegan sanger and what are the best vegan sandwich fillings known to humankind?<\/p>\n
Before we look at the best vegan sandwich fillings, let\u2019s make sure you don\u2019t fall at the first hurdle. A sandwich can be generally viewed as consisting of three parts: the bread, the filling and a sauce or spread that adds flavour and moisture.<\/p>\n
Many breads are vegan friendly but some are not and you can easily find out why in our Is Bread Vegan?<\/a> article. Picking a vegan bread is a very basic step but one that can be overlooked if you are too focused on your filling and\/or you weren\u2019t even aware that some bread isn\u2019t vegan.<\/p>\n In short, there are a number of things that could render bread non-vegan, with butter, eggs or egg derivatives, milk or milk-based products, and honey among the chief offenders. If the bread you are using doesn\u2019t state clearly that it is suitable for vegans then we recommend you check out our bread feature so you know exactly what to look out for.<\/p>\n As for spreads and sauces that are used on sandwiches, many of the most traditional ones are not vegan. Butter is the obvious one to avoid but also note that some margarine is vegan but some isn\u2019t<\/a>. Mayonnaise is another very common condiment that vegans should avoid, although these days there are some excellent vegan mayos available.<\/p>\n Once again, we have a dedicated article that covers vegan condiments<\/a> and will help you choose which is the perfect addition to your vegan sandwich of choice. Perhaps more crucially, it makes it very clear which to avoid and what ingredients you should be aware of on labels.<\/p>\n Now the basics are covered, let\u2019s look at some cracking vegan sandwiches that are sure to put a smile on your face and a feeling of satisfaction in your belly. These are all delicious and the majority are also very easy to make, as well as tending to be highly nutritious and healthy.<\/p>\n Hummus is an absolute vegan staple and, indeed, pretty much a staple for many non-vegans too nowadays. But, is hummus<\/a> vegan? Well, if made to our incredibly simple recipe<\/a> it most certainly is. Most shop-bought hummus is also vegan, but not all; you also can\u2019t be certain that hummus in a pre-made sandwich is vegan.<\/p>\n Make it yourself though and this delicious chickpea and tahini spread is 100% vegan and highly nutritious, packing in loads of fibre, being a complete vegan protein<\/a> and also offering lots of micronutrients on top. Add some roast vegetables and you really do have an absolutely delightful vegan sandwich filling. Peppers, onions and aubergine are our favourites but courgettes, mushrooms, carrots and loads of other veg also work extremely well.<\/p>\n Quorn<\/a> has developed some tasty and convenient vegan products and their vegan fillets are perfect for this tasty sandwich that you can easily pass off to meat-eaters as chicken, if that\u2019s what floats your boat.<\/p>\n Tandoori or tikka spice mix is widely available and, whilst a traditional marinade would use yoghurt, there are vegan alternatives. You can either use a non-dairy vegan yoghurt or, our preference, mix the spices with a little lemon juice and tomato puree to form a paste.<\/p>\n You can marinade the fillets if you choose but they taste great with the mix simply spread on before cooking. Grill under a high heat to get some charring and then slice into thin strips. Cucumber completes this tasty vegan treat, with a vegan mayo, butter substitute or sweet chilli sauce all great options if you fancy any of them.<\/p>\n Many of the vegan sandwich fillings in this feature can be mixed and matched and tweaked and adjusted to create any number of options and this one combines elements of the first two. As an alternative to the Indian spicing above for Quorn fillets, instead, use a mix of your favourite North African spices. Once again, you can buy pre-mixed Moroccan style spices, or simply use Harissa but we like a blend of cumin and coriander seed, garlic, lemon zest and a little cinnamon.<\/p>\n Make the Quorn in the same way described above and then simply add it to a hummus sandwich for a really delicious, high protein lunch. Of course, for added nutrients and to make your sandwich even more filling, you can leave those deliciously soft and sweet roasted veg on there too if you want!<\/p>\n Pulled jackfruit is a vegan barbeque<\/a> classic and its texture makes it a winner in this sandwich if you\u2019re a vegan who (whisper it\u2026) misses meat. Mix the cooked jackfruit with your favourite vegan BBQ sauce, slop a very generous dollop onto your bread and then top with a vegan cheese substitute. Sheese, available from TheVeganKind Supermarket is one option that works well.<\/p>\n A quick blast under the grill (Sheese melts nicely due to the coconut oil they use) and you\u2019re almost done. All you need now is a crunchy vegan slaw to top it off and away you go. This is another one that might well fool an unsuspecting meat aficionado (especially if they\u2019ve had a drink or two!).<\/p>\n Sandwiches can be light and refreshing, as well as hearty and they can also be incredibly sophisticated or very simple. This one falls into the latter category and, as a \u201cbutty\u201d rather than sandwich, it is really comforting, like a big hug on a rainy Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n Most major supermarkets, as well as vegan specialists, now sell \u201cNo Fish Fingers\u201d, \u201cFishless Fingers\u201d or \u201cVish Fingers\u201d and they can be made in a range of ways. Quorn<\/a> have a product, whilst some are made of tofu<\/a> or even banana blossom. Most are very good, packing a decent texture on the inside and the same crunch you\u2019re used to, plus a reasonable flavour. We love ours with some vegan tartare sauce. Or why not add a bit of shredded seaweed for that extra flavour of the sea and a welcome boost in your iodine intake?<\/p>\n If the sandwich is a humble dish then the salad sandwich is the humblest of them all on paper (to use the lexicon of Premier League football\u2026and Love Island<\/em>!). However, it doesn\u2019t have to be that way and a well-made salad sandwich can be a genuine delight. The secret, much the same as with making a salad, is getting a good combination of flavours and textures and also using the best ingredients you can find and afford.<\/p>\n The ripest, sweetest tomatoes make a great sandwich almost by themselves but add a little rocket, basil and a light balsamic dressing (making sure your balsamic vinegar is vegan) and you really take it to a whole new level. Herbs are great in sandwiches and they are packed with healthy phytochemicals (which are antioxidants) and these same molecules give them their rich flavours.<\/p>\n Another favourite of ours that is also nice and simple is beetroot and cucumber. Crisp and refreshing, if the beets are cooked just right, the resistance and bite they offer is almost reminiscent of meat (a little like a cauliflower \u201csteak\u201d). This tastes lovely with a really hearty crack of black pepper.<\/p>\n Last of all, and a little bit of a go-to option for us when there\u2019s not much else left in the house, is the \u201cwhatever you\u2019ve got salad sandwich\u201d. Subtle flavour and texture combos are all well and good but more or less any range of salad ingredients housed between two slices of decent bread with a bit of salt and pepper tastes fresh and delicious to us!<\/p>\nSpreads<\/h3>\n
Best Vegan Sandwich Fillings<\/h2>\n
Hummus & Roast Veg<\/h3>\n
Quorn Chicken Fillets<\/h3>\n
Vegan Quorn Tikka & Cucumber<\/h4>\n
Moroccan Quorn with Hummus<\/h4>\n
Pulled Jackfruit Melt in BBQ Sauce<\/h3>\n
\u201cFish\u201d Fingers<\/h3>\n
Salad Sandwich<\/h3>\n
Sausage Sandwich<\/h3>\n