Twelve veggie sandwiches to inspire you to eat better

Vegetable sandwiches are on the rise. Not only because they’re a healthy alternative to the good old ham & cheese, but because they’re a way to express your creativity. If you think about it, a sandwich is a blank canvas; there are no rules, and the sky’s the limit.

Something feels right about enjoying a veggie sandwich; you feel good like you’re going in the right direction. You know you want to eat healthier, but you don’t want to be hungry all day either. The v-sandwiches kind of life in between both realms, healthy and satisfying, but are they tasty? Sure, they are.

These are the rules, not every vegetarian sandwich is vegan, nor every veggie sandwich vegetarian. The idea is to honor the produce of the land and enjoy better health through a greener diet. To get your inspiration going, here are twelve of our favorite veggie sandwiches (because ten are not enough.) Good for you and just plain good.

1. Falafel Sandwich

Falafel is a meatiest of vegetable-based foods. It’s hearty texture, and intense flavor is unmatched; these are the true vegetarian meatballs. Sandwich Falafel balls are made with chickpeas or fava beans and are usually served inside a loaf of pita bread, that’s a sandwich, right? Of course, you can treat falafel as any meatball and stuff a hoagie roll for an extraordinary east-meets-west sandwich. Don’t forget the hummus, we can’t tell you why, but the falafel-hummus combo is close to perfection.

2 Lentil Burger

Burgers are on top of the sandwich pyramid. And it’s the beef patty what makes it so special, so, could a vegetarian patty rise to the occasion? The search for the perfect meatless patty is the modern cold war arms race. While we wait for the perfect beef patty substitute, you can enjoy a perfectly textured lentil patty burger. You won’t even know the difference.

3. Avocado Toast

A toast is an open sandwich, there, we said it. And there’s no better toast than the avocado toast. Present in all Instagram accounts, the deliciously smooth texture of the avocado, with any other topping makes this sandwich a delight at all hours. Top it with a fried egg, and you have yourself a whole meal. Avocado is an excellent source of good fats, and it’s just so good.

5. Mushrooms and Fried Egg Sandwich

Egg mushroom

Talking about fried eggs, something magical happens when you put together a beautiful sunny side up and a whole bunch of sautéed mushrooms. Ok, this isn’t strictly a vegan sandwich, but mushrooms actually play the lead role in a mushroom and fried egg sandwich. Add some caramelized onions and garlic to the shrooms and enjoy an umami loaded sandwich.

4. Caprese Sandwich

Caprese

Mozzarella, tomato, and basil. This is all you need to create a beautifully layered Caprese sandwich. Fresh and light, this sandwich is an instant classic. For better results source the ripest tomatoes and the finest mozzarella you can find. Use an artisanal, sourdough bread and add a drizzle of olive oil, it makes the whole thing come together.

6. Cucumber Sandwich

Cucumber Sandwich

The British tradition of afternoon tea would not be complete without the most royal of sandwiches, the shy, but precise cucumber sandwich. The secret is the smudge of butter and a sprinkle of salt to enhance the flavors. Fine-tune this beauty and become a perfect host. Don’t forget to lift your pinky finger.

7. Veggie Bagel

Bagel sandwich

Bagels are versatile and are very vegetable compatible. Kale, lettuce, and especially sprouted grains work beautifully inside a good old bagel. Tomato lox, a smart alternative to salmon, and a spread of cream cheese will do the trick. You won’t miss the meat with this one.

8. Banh Mi

Bánh mì

A traditional Vietnamese banh mi sandwich is filled with delicious vegetables: fresh or pickled carrots, daikon, cilantro, and onions. A little pâté gives it body, but you can go all vegan with tofu. The all popular street food sandwich is inspired by French baguettes but has rightfully earned its place as a Vietnamese staple.

9. Rainbow Sandwich

Sandwich

There are many ways to make this colorful sandwich work. We recommend adding roasted bell peppers to add yellow, green and red colors, and purple onion or purple kale for the full spectrum. Be creative and don’t be shy; it’s hard to mess this one up.

10. Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich

Eggplant

An Italian-inspired sandwich is full of flavor and personality. Roasted eggplants in tomato sauce, delicately scented with Italian herbs, and a lovely layer of Parmesan cheese make this sandwich a hearty, whole meal. You’ll want to make it extra-large because no one can resist the warm, homey feel of this instant classic.

11. BLT Sandwich

Ok, we’re kinda cheating with this one, because of bacon. But a few crunchy strips of bacon serve only as a complement for the bright green lettuce leaves and the fattiest, juiciest tomato slices you can imagine. Two-thirds vegetarian, this sandwich is a crowd pleaser and is as easy to make as it is easy to spell.

12. Pizza Wrap

Pizza wrap

If it’s wrapped it’s a sandwich, sort of. Take a fresh flatbread, spread some tomato sauce, sprinkle with cheese, and top with your favorite veggies. Think of mushrooms, olives, peppers, and onions; this sandwich has some serious potential. Perfect for lunchtime, it’s an ideal on-the-go light meal, packed with flavor and color. Let’s wrap it up.

There you have it, some of the most exciting and creative veggie sandwiches around, did we miss your favorite? Either way, now we’re hungry, and we hope you are too! Hit the farmer’s market and make yourself a beautiful veggie sandwich. Share your creation with us and don’t forget to comment below.