When I first went vegan, I found sandwich fillers the hardest to find. What do you put in a sandwich that’s not tuna or a slice of ham? I’m all for lunches like couscous or soup or pasta but sometimes you just want to throw something together quickly and that’s where these vegan sandwich fillers come in. Here are 13 vegan sandwich fillers so good you won’t miss meat for lunch.
13 Vegan Sandwich Fillers
Mashed Chickpea Salad
Chickpeas are versatile and a staple in my diet, from replacing meat in curry dishes, to crunchy spicy chickpea snacks, to a protein-packed vegan sandwich filler like this one. Chickpeas count as one of your 5-a-day and are a great source of protein, so they’re already one of the best vegan sandwich fillers.
I’m a big fan of sunflower seeds, and a little spice so this vegan chickpea salad sandwich by Minimalist Baker sounds delicious!
Vegan tuna
Before veganism, I relied heavily on tuna and it really was the one thing I struggled to let go of. I will admit that vegan tuna alternatives aren’t quite as good as meat alternatives like Quorn or Beyond Meat, but there are some vegan tuna that satisfy the cravings. I came up with five vegan alternatives to tuna that might help you settle on something for lunch, from Tuno, to jackfruit, and tofu, there’s some kind of vegan tuna you’re bound to like.
Falafel & Tahini
Falafel is taking us right back to the humble chickpea, as that’s what it’s made of! Falafel and tahini is a match made in heaven, I’d recommend pairing this with dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, and cilantro.
Personally, I prefer homemade falafel or falafel from a restaurant because a lot of store bought versions tend to be a bit dry and bland. So if you don’t have the time to DIY some falafel, you might want to go heavy on the tahini.
Vegan Coleslaw
As convenient as store-bought vegan coleslaw would be, unforgettable, we’re not quite there yet! Thankfully, vegan coleslaw is super easy to make. Make a big batch, and quickly lather in on a sandwich with some lettuce for a quick lunch! You can then also enjoy it as a side lunch or dinner the next day.
Peanutbutter and Jelly
The humble PB&J is vegan depending on the particular brands of peanut butter and jelly you buy. Most peanutbutters are vegan, but unfortunately, a lot o seemingly plant-based foods have hidden animal products so you have to check. I bought frozen vegetables before that turned out to have fish sauce in them!
If you want to recreate Number 5’s peanut butter and marshmallow sandwich from the Umbrella Academy, you can use vegan marshmallows like Freedom Mallows (apparently it tastes like a stoner’s dreams come true).
Carrot, green pesto, and spinach
When I went to Shakespeare and Company in Paris we had lunch in their cafe. Their carrot, green perto, and spinach bagel didn’t actually sound super appealing to me but it was that or nothing as they were all out of avocado bagels. It was easily the best vegan thing we ate in all of Paris! This is so easy to make at home, the carrots give it a nice crunch, and there’s no harm in adding sunflower and pumpkin seeds for a little protein.
Spicy Cashews
Spicy cashew was the first vegan sandwich I would make when I started cutting out meat! Cashew’s are a great meat substitute because they have a meat-y texture but are natural, so this is a good vegan sandwich for the WFPB vegans out there!
For this one all you need is spicy vegan mayo, cashews, and spinach. I like to break up the cashews so they spread out nice and even.
Cucumber and avocado
For light refreshing sandwich, you might be drawn towards cucumber and avocado with some sort of salad. Simple, and no fuss but this isn’t one to make and eat in school or work later. We all know avocados get funny very fast!
You can also add spring greens and spinach along with vegan mayo like this recipe right here to fill up this vegan sandwich.
Smokey Tofu
Tofu is a great source of protein and calcium. One of the best things about it is that you can infuse it with any flavour because it’s so neutral-tasting by itself. With mustard, caramelized onions, and smokey tofu, I Love Vegan’s Smokey Maple Tofu Sandwich sounds so savoury and satisfying.
Curried Chickpea
The chickpea recipes above are yummy, but a little on the milder side. With spices like curry powder and turmeric, this is a spicy filling sandwich. This could also be enjoyed by itself as a curried chickpeas salad for a light lunch or on the side of a meal.
Tempeh Rueben Sandwich
Rueben sandwiches are usually made from corned beef, but obviously you won’t be reaching for that if you’re vegan. In this case tempeh is a great alternative as tempeh is full of protein. This is spiced up with vegan Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and horseradish like this tempeh rueben sandwich.
Vegan Ham & Cheese
I was never a ham and cheese person but it’s one of the easier sandwiches to make. With brands like Quorn selling vegan ham slices, and Violife you can make a vegan ham and cheese sandwich that tastes close to the real deal. Not everyone likes “fake meats” which is fine, but they are convenient for sandwiches like this one.
Mexican Kidney Bean
I’m a sucker for Mexican food for dinner, but you can have a Mexican inspired food for lunch too with this Vegan Mexican Kidney Bean sandwich. With beans for protein, and tomato puree and cumin to spicy it up, this sounds like such a filling savoury sandwich. It’s a little more exciting than beans on toast at least!
What do you think of these vegan sandwich fillers? Do you have any of these vegan sandwiches for lunch. What’s your favourite one of these vegan sandwiches?