15 Light and Healthy Plant-Based Sandwich Recipes for Summer Lunches

Not only are these sandwiches delicious and easy to make, but they are also nutritious and easy to digest. So shortly after you’re done eating, you can get back to playing beach volleyball, cliff diving, or whichever fun summer activity you’re into. Enjoy!

1. Barbecue Jackfruit Sandwich

Source: Barbecue Jackfruit Sandwich

This Barbeque Jackfruit Sandwich by Brooke Brimm is perfectly savory and full of flavor!

2. Baked and Breaded Summer Squash Sandwich with Aioli Sauce

Source: Baked and Breaded Summer Squash Sandwich with Aioli Sauce

This gluten-free Baked and Breaded Summer Squash Sandwich with Aioli Sauce by Teri Macovei is amazing. The baked breaded squash slices are fully flavored and bring a new concept of what a plant-based sandwich can be made of.

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3. The Ultimate Vegan Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Source: The Ultimate Vegan Grilled Cheese Sandwich

This Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Emily von Euw nails all the categories you want in grilled cheese: crusty golden brown bread, gooey melted cheese, and a smidgen of color and extra texture from some veggies.

4. Tandoori Chicken Sandwich

Source: Tandoori Chicken Sandwich

This vegan Tandoori Chicken Sandwich by Liv King is such a flavorful, fresh, and satisfying sandwich! A perfectly seasoned vegan chicken-style seitan patty coated in vegan Greek yogurt and a blend of spices served on a hamburger bun along with a tangy yet fresh yogurt sauce and crunchy vegetables. You’re gonna love this sandwich!

5. High-Protein Mushroom Sandwich With Spicy Aioli

Source: High-Protein Mushroom Sandwich With Spicy Aioli

M.A.L.T., mushroom, avocado, lettuce, tomato, is a vegan version of a classic sandwich-so simple but so delicious! Roasted mushrooms add a meatiness to this dish and have a succulent, earthy flavor. The spicy and slightly creamy aioli that goes on it is honestly what ties this whole thing together! Plus, this High-Protein Mushroom Sandwich by Rachel Carr packs in 30 grams of protein per serving!

6. Grilled Zucchini Sandwiches with Spinach Pesto

Source: Grilled Zucchini Sandwiches with Spinach Pesto

These Grilled Zucchini Sandwiches by Robin Browne are smoky, zesty, and loaded with garden-fresh veggies. The vegan spinach pesto is a must.

7. Tempeh Cubano Sandwich

Source: Tempeh Cubano Sandwich

After you marinate the tempeh, this Tempeh Cubano Sandwich by Molly Patrick is the quickest, easiest, and yummiest sandwich you will ever have. It will be an awesome alternative to tofu when you have enough of that (though, who knows if that is possible). You can quickly assemble the sandwich for lunch, for picnics, for anything! Give it a go!!

8. Barbecue Tofu Sandwich

Source: Barbeque Tofu Sandwich

This Barbecue Tofu Sandwich by Nadine Horn and Jörg Mayer is good enough to make anyone a fan of tofu. The homemade pickles and caramelized onions compliment the slow-marinated tofu perfectly. This is a great lunch or light dinner option for a sandwich connoisseur.

9. Spicy Roasted Chickpea Spread Sandwich

Source: Spicy Roasted Chickpea Spread Sandwich

This Spicy Roasted Chickpea Spread Sandwich by Emily Brees is creamy and delicious. The fiery roasted chickpeas are seasoned with cayenne and lemon and then blended with some sundried tomatoes for a delightful flavor combination.

10. One-Sheet BBQ Mushroom Jack ‘n Peaches Sandwiches

Source: One-Sheet BBQ Mushroom Jack ‘n Peaches Sandwiches

These Mushroom Sandwiches by Dustin Harder are a variation of pulled pork sandwiches with the addition of peaches. Adding peaches to any BBQ situation, or even just eating BBQ peaches, is delicious! The sweetness paired with the spices of the BBQ sauce makes for a super tasty flavor combo. Mix that up with savory and chewy mushrooms and jackfruit and it’s a sandwich that even your non-vegan friends will be asking you to make every Fourth of July! Speaking of which, you can turn these into sliders with smaller buns for a breezy appetizer.

11. Mexican Picante Sandwich

Source: Mexican Picante Sandwich

This Mexican Picante Sandwich by Tara Binder is protein-packed, hearty, flavorful, and a tad bit messy (but oh so worth it!) Prep the individual components and you can throw them together in minutes for a quick, satiating, and oh-so-pretty lunch that will get you through your busy week.

12. Crispy Kohlrabi Sandwich With Tamari Shallots

Source: Crispy Kohlrabi Sandwich With Tamari Shallots

This recipe makes two of the most delicious sandwiches you (and your friend) will ever taste. The lightly breaded, tender kohlrabi is topped with tangy caramelized shallots and crisp cucumbers. This Crispy Kohlrabi Sandwich by Nadine Horn and Jörg Mayer is the best thing you’re going to taste between two pieces of bread.

13. Grilled Chicken of the Woods Sandwich

Source: Grilled Chicken of the Woods Sandwich

Chicken of the Woods is a mushroom also known by its fancy name, Laetiporus. It’s a bright orange-yellow shelf mushroom with a texture similar to chicken and a soft, lemony scent. In this Grilled Chicken of the Woods Sandwich by Wicked Healthy, these tasty mushrooms are cooked in a cast iron skillet with seasoning until golden and crispy before being baked in the oven. You can assemble the sandwich any way you like — with vegan cheese, onions, greens, etc… You’ll be amazed by just how chicken-like this sandwich tastes.

14. Greek Mushroom Pita Sandwich

Source: Greek Mushroom Pita Sandwich

This Greek Mushroom Pita Sandwich by Pavani Nandula is easy to make and absolutely delicious. Roasting mushrooms make this pita sandwich meaty and hearty.

15. No-Tuna Chickpea Salad Sandwich

Source: No-Tuna Chickpea Salad Sandwich

This No-Tuna Chickpea Salad Sandwich by Andrea Soranidis has “eat me” written all over it! It’s a fantastic lunchbox option (but is great for breakfast too!), conveniently packed with plant-based protein and it comes together in just ten minutes.

Reprinted with permission from The Vegan Bean Cookbook by Andrea Soranidis, Page Street Publishing Co. 2021. Photo credit: Andrea Soranidis

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