35 Fantastic Vegetarian Sandwiches

Updated March 28, 2008
Credit: John Autry; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Taking the meat out of these vegetarian sandwiches leaves room for a whole lot of sensational fillings and toppings. These sandwiches are bursting with flavor and are a hearty and satisfying addition to any meatless meal. With flavor this good, you won't miss the meat! 

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The Best "Beefy" Vegan Burgers

Credit: Daniel Agee; Styling: Rishon Hanners and Audrey Davis

The Best "Beefy" Vegan Burgers Recipe

This umami-rich burger is unabashedly attempting to imitate a beef burger in flavor, texture, and appearance. Mushrooms and grains form the bulk of the burger--the mushrooms are tender, and the grains stay firm to give the impression of protein which has been cooked. The fat helps coat the separate elements so that it holds together nicely and isn't piecey like most veggie burgers. The patty absorbs lots of grill flavor to deliver a charred, smokey patty just like a traditional beefy backyard burger.

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Tempeh Reubens

Credit: Alison Miksch Styling: Lindsey Lower

Tempeh Reubens Recipe

Braising may destroy some of the good bacteria on the surface of the tempeh. But as long as the internal temp doesn't get too high, most of the probiotics will survive.

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Avocado, Sprout, and Cashew Spread Sandwich

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Kira Corbin

Avocado, Sprout, and Cashew Spread Sandwich Recipe

Top bread with a cashew spread, sprouts, radishes, avocado, arugula, and more to make this fresh and flavorful sandwich.

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Egg and Tomato Open-Faced Sandwiches

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Egg and Tomato Open-Faced Sandwiches Recipe

Meaty, briny kalamata olives and a splash of vinegar punch up a quick red pepper sauce for these vegetarian sandwiches. Use slightly thicker (about 1 1/2-oz.) bread slices to build a sturdy sandwich base. You can slice your own, or ask to have it sliced on the thicker side. 

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Apple and Cashew Spread Sandwich

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Kira Corbin

Apple and Cashew Spread Sandwich Recipe

Spread a cashew mixture over bread and top with apple, lemon juice, and black pepper to prepare this sandwich. 

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Hummus in Pita

Credit: Ryan Benyi

Hummus in Pita Recipe

Spread our Classic Hummus  in pita halves and fill with a fresh vegetable mixture to make an easy lunch. 

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Grilled Margherita Sandwiches

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Grilled Margherita Sandwiches Recipe

This quick five-ingredient entrée transforms a favorite pizza combo into a melty grilled sandwich. To thinly slice fresh mozzarella with ease, freeze the cheese for about 30 minutes before cutting.

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Hummus-Veggie Sandwich on Whole Grain

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Lydia Degaris-Pursell

Hummus-Veggie Sandwich on Whole Grain Recipe

Hummus, veggies, and a hint of garlice and lemon are a sandwich lover's dream. Hummus-Veggie Sandwich on Whole Grain is hearty and satisfying, and a cool break during a day on the beach.

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Grilled Cheese & Apple Sandwiches

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Grilled Cheese & Apple Sandwiches Recipe

No panini press? Cook these 4-ingredient sandwiches in a skillet 4 minutes on each side with a pan on top.

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Open-Faced Sandwiches with Mushrooms and Fried Eggs

Credit: Johnny Autry; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

Open-Faced Sandwiches with Mushrooms and Fried Eggs Recipe

Hearty mulitgrain bread is the base for these stacked sammies, loaded with pesto, beefsteak tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms, and topped off with a golden fried egg.

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Open-Faced Jerk Vegetable Sandwiches

Credit: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Open-Faced Jerk Vegetable Sandwiches Recipe

Jerk seasoning (typically a mixture of ground cinnamon, allspice, and pepper) is used in many Caribbean-style dishes. Here, the seasoning is used in a marinade for sautéed veggies. The spicy vegetables are then served on toasted French bread topped with chutney mayonnaise.

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Fried Chickpea and Arugula Pita Sandwiches with Lime Tzatziki

Credit: Johnny Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Fried Chickpea and Arugula Pita Sandwiches with Lime Tzatziki Recipe

With flavors reminiscent of a falafel, Fried Chickpea and Arugula Pita Sandwiches with Lime Tzatziki take less work, are tasty with lots of texture, and an easy weeknight meal to put together.

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Grilled Vegetable and Mozzarella Sandwiches

Credit: Karry Hosford

Grilled Vegetable and Mozzarella Sandwiches Recipe

Hollow out a loaf of Italian ciabatta bread and fill it up with grilled veggies, salad greens and cheese for a complete meal.

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Nor-Cal Veggie Sandwiches with Hazelnut Butter

Credit: Line T. Klein; Styling: Paige Hicks

Nor-Cal Veggie Sandwiches with Hazelnut Butter Recipe

This is the kind of delectable vegetarian fare that makes you forget about meat. Any sprouts you like will work in place of radish sprouts.

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Nan's Grilled Mozzarella and Olive Sandwich

Credit: Thomas J. Story

Nan's Grilled Mozzarella and Olive Sandwich Recipe

Stretchy, mild fresh mozzarella is layered with briny olive tapenade to create a rich, savory sandwich.

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Grilled Eggplant Banh Mi Sandwich

Credit: Johnny Miller; Styling: Sarah Smart

Grilled Eggplant Banh Mi Sandwich Recipe

Once grilled, eggplant comes into its full glory: tender, creamy flesh with a satisfying meatiness that makes it ideal for our Vietnamese-style Grilled Eggplant Banh Mi Sandwich.

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Almond Butter, Plum, and Granola Sandwich

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Lydia Degaris-Pursell

Almond Butter, Plum, and Granola Sandwich Recipe

Forget the typical PB&J and try Almond Butter, Plum, and Granola Sandwich. Drizzle with a little honey for a little added sweetness.

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Tempeh Sloppy Joes with Coleslaw

Credit: Jan Smith

Tempeh Sloppy Joes with Coleslaw Recipe

Tempeh is a fermented soy product formed into a flat cake boasting a yeasty flavor and firm texture. In this saucy, hot sandwich, tempeh crumbles take the place of ground beef.

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Roasted Vegetable Sandwiches

Roasted Vegetable Sandwiches Recipe

We love sandwiches­—especially when you hold the meat. Try this hearty vegetable sandwich recipe featuring roasted zucchini, squash, and red bell peppers. Roasting vegetables brings out their rich, natural sweetness and makes them perfect for a hearty sandwich filling.

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Spicy Chickpea Sandwiches

Credit: John Clark

Spicy Chickpea Sandwiches Recipe

In the streets of Palermo, Sicily, you'll find panelle, fried chickpea-flour patties served on a roll. Here's our simplified version.

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Parmesan-Herb Crusted Tofu Sandwich

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Lydia E. DeGaris

Parmesan-Herb Crusted Tofu Sandwich Recipe

The secret to this sandwich is to slice the tofu very thin, then bread with the parmesan-herb mixture thickly.

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Caprese Melts

Credit: James Carrier

Caprese Melts Recipe

Perfect for summertime, this sandwich version of the classic caprese salad is composed of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil.

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Summer Veggie Sandwich

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Summer Veggie Sandwich Recipe

Scooping out part of the bread in this simple version of pan bagnat allows for more tasty fillings and acts as a hull to collect flavorful tomato juices. Make breadcrumbs with scooped-out bread.

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Hummus "Cheesesteak" Hoagies

Credit: José Picayo

Hummus "Cheesesteak" Hoagies Recipe

Hummus "Cheesesteak" Hoagies are a great option for a quick weeknight supper. Made with yellow onion, red bell pepper, Polano chile, and provolone cheese, these vegetarian sandwiches are very hearty and filling.

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Cheddar and Chutney on Sourdough

Credit: Charles E. Walton IV

Cheddar and Chutney on Sourdough Recipe

A four-ingredient sandwich proves that, when it comes to sandwiches, sometimes simplicity is the best approach. For the best flavor, use an English Cheddar cheese.

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Grilled Goat Cheese Sandwiches with Fig and Honey

Credit: Randy Mayor; Melanie J. Clarke

Grilled Goat Cheese Sandwiches with Fig and Honey Recipe

The tanginess of goat cheese and the sweetness of cinnamon-raisin bread, fig preserves and honey make this a distinctively flavorful version of a traditional grilled cheese sandwich.

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Sweet Potato Sandwiches with Feta and Salsa Verde

Credit: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Randy Mon

Sweet Potato Sandwiches with Feta and Salsa Verde Recipe

The meatiness of sweet potatoes makes them perfect for sandwiches; salty feta and salsa verde add savoriness.

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Grilled Cheese and Green Chile Sandwiches

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Ginny Branch

Grilled Cheese and Green Chile Sandwiches Recipe

We love the mix of mild green chiles (with their distinct vegetal flavors) and spicy poblanos. For fun, cut sandwiches into strips and serve with gazpacho.

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Avocado-Egg Salad Sandwiches with Pickled Celery

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Avocado-Egg Salad Sandwiches with Pickled Celery Recipe

To prevent avocado from browning in leftover egg salad, place any remaining salad in a bowl and cover surface with plastic wrap. Then cover the entire bowl tightly with plastic wrap.

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Mexican-Style Grilled Vegetable Sandwich

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Mexican-Style Grilled Vegetable Sandwich Recipe

This classic Mexican sandwich, or torta, swaps the usual meat for colorful grilled summer vegetables. The traditional black bean spread adds protein and acts as a moisture barrier so the bread stays extra crispy.

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Open-Faced Mushroom, Tomato, and Goat-Cheese Sandwich

Credit: Photography: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lydia DeGaris-Pursell

Open-Faced Mushroom, Tomato, and Goat-Cheese Sandwich Recipe

Spread sharp-tasting goat cheese on sourdough bread and top with "meaty" Portobello caps, sliced red pepper and tomato for a satisfying knife-and-fork sandwich.

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Avocado and Sprout Sandwiches

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Avocado and Sprout Sandwiches Recipe

This speedy sandwich is open to interpretation, allowing you to customize it to your taste. Toss it together using ingredients in your fridge, and you have a quick and easy lunch that's ready in minutes.

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Open-Faced Eggplant Sandwiches

Credit: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Cindy Barr

Open-Faced Eggplant Sandwiches Recipe

Here's the key to a speedy meatless dinner: While the eggplant broils, toast your bread slices in a toaster oven. The end result is reminiscent of eggplant Parmesan.

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Roasted Red Pepper Spread Sandwiches

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Cindy Barr

Roasted Red Pepper Spread Sandwiches Recipe

Reminiscent of pimiento cheese, the flavorful filling for these sandwiches is made with cream cheese, cucumber, onion, and bottled roasted red pepper.

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Falafel Pitas with Cucumber-Yogurt Dressing

Credit: Randy Mayor

Falafel Pitas with Cucumber-Yogurt Dressing Recipe

Falafel–made from ground chickpea patties–is a traditional Middle Eastern favorite. The falafel patties are served here in pita pockets and topped with a tangy yogurt dressing.

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