These vegan cheese and celery sandwiches are a copycat recipe of the classic M&S sandwiches. The perfect lunchbox or teatime treat.
M&S (Marks & Spencer or Markies as my mum calls it) have some gorgeous food choices, but they aren't always vegan.
But it's so easy to recreate them at home so they are plant-based, like this classic British cheddar and celery sandwich.
I love it for lunch at work and I'm sure you will too.
Just a handful of ingredients and you have a delicious lunchtime sandwich.
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🥪 A simple sandwich for lunch
This is a quick and easy sandwich to make for lunch.
It only takes a few minutes to make.
Only chopping the celery takes a minute or two.
For more inspiration, check out 101 Vegan Sandwiches - Back to School Kids Lunch boxes.
🥬 Peel the hairy bits off
Even if you buy the pre-cut stalks of celery, like I sometimes do, they can still be hairy.
You know what I mean, those green hair-like strands that appear when you chop celery.
It's worth removing as much of that as possible before you chop the celery.
Just hold the stalk (end trimmed) with one hand and using your thumb and a knife (I just use a knife from the cutlery drawer, not a chef's knife) and pull the threads down from the top.
It really does make a difference.
🍞 Which type of bread?
You don't want anything fancy like a sourdough or a bloomers bread for a celery and cheese sandwich.
You just want a soft brown bread for this comforting sandwich.
I like to use wholemeal bread for this one.
Although a seeded brown bread would be good too.
🧀 Which vegan cheese?
Just pick your favourite vegan cheddar for this sandwich.
There are so many good options available and vegan cheddar is improving all the time.
In my opinion, blocks of vegan cheese have a better texture and flavour than the pre-sliced cheese, but I have to admit to buying the pre-cut slices of cheese for convenience.
I'll leave you to decide which brand you choose and if you buy it in a block or pre-sliced.
🧀 Can you use grated cheese?
I never use grated cheese for this British classic, but there's no reason why you shouldn't.
Like the pre-sliced cheese, pre-grated cheese isn't as good as buying a block of vegan cheddar and grating it yourself.
Shop-bought grated cheese has a coating on it to prevent it from sticking, so the flavour and texture isn't as good.
It's also more expensive to buy it pre-grated. You don't get as much for your money.
🔪 Cutting sandwiches
Supermarkets cut their sandwiches into triangles.
Apparently, it's so you don't get too much crust with each mouthful.
Of course, it always shows more filling too, which is probably another reason they do it.
At home I tend to cut the sandwich into in half, then half again so I have four mini square sandwiches.
It's something my mum used to do when I was wee, so it's probably a comfort thing.
For work, I cut them in half into rectangles, which are easier to wrap.
💭 Crisps or no crisps?
Hell yeah!
If you have some crisps (chips). whap some on!
They give a wonderful layer of crunch to any sandwich.
If you've never tried it, you really must!
The flavour of crisps is up to you.
Salt and vinegar are a very popular choice, but if you can find some vegan cheese and onion crips, I would go with them.
However, only add crisps just before you eat the sandwich as they will go soft if left too long.
🥪 Storing sandwiches
Sandwiches are always best made fresh, but you can make them to take to work later in the day or make them the night before.
They are best wrapped in greaseproof paper (parchment paper or baking paper) and popped in an airtight container.
Store them in the fridge overnight if you are making them ahead.
🍏 What else to add to your lunchbox
A well-filled sandwich is the star of many a lunch box but it's good to have a few nibbles to enjoy with it.
Here are a few ideas.
Savoury bites
Something savoury to serve on the side of your sandwich for an easy lunch
- Salty pretzels
- Nuts - plain or salted
- Kale crisps - try these Salt & Balsamic Kale Chips
- Crisps (fries)
- Tortilla chips - try these homemade Paprika Tortilla Chips
- Pizza Twists
- Crunchy Chickpeas - try these Crispy Italian Chickpeas
- Oatcakes - or crackers - try these Homemade Paprika Crackers
Sweet Bites
Something sweet to enjoy after your sandwich.
- A crunchy apple - or grapes
- Raisins - or dark chocolate raisins
- Chocolate Chickpea Truffles
- Berries
- Flapjacks - try these Microwave Jam Flapjacks
- Bounty bars - dark chocolate-coated coconut bites
- A ripe orange - or easy peeler, you can dip slices in dark chocolate
- Vegan Greek yoghurt - with a swirl of maple syrup
I hope that gives you a few lunchtime ideas.
🥪 Vegan Sandwich Ideas
Looking for more delicious vegan sandwiches? Click on the photo for the recipe:
🥪 Sandwich filling ideas
Here are a few simple sandwich fillers to spread between slices of bread with salad to make the perfect sandwich:
📖 Recipe
Vegan Cheese & Celery Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 2 slices wholemeal bread
- 1 teaspoon vegan butter (or spread)
- 1 tablespoon vegan cream cheese
- 2 slices vegan cheese
- 1 stalk celery (peeled and chopped into slices)
- 1 pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Spread one slice of bread with butter and the other with cream cheese. You can add more cream cheese if you like.
- Layer the cheese onto the buttered slice of bread, then top with a layer of celery.
- Season with black pepper.
- Add the other slice of bread that's spread with cream cheese and cut in half before serving.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- You can use grated cheese instead of slices if you prefer.
- Cut into halves, triangles, or squares.
- You can make this sandwich the night before and store it in the fridge.
Jill says
Why have I never tried this before Jacqs? I am going to buy celery tomorrow and try this.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Haha, I don't know. I've been making this for years, I don't know why I didn't share it before now. It just seemed so simple, but I suppose if you haven't thought of the combo it is handy. Enjoy it Jill x
Penelope says
That looks so tasty. I have never tried this combo before. Thanks for sharing.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Oh do try it, it works so well. Really tasty and simple too. The perfect sandwich.
Milly says
I just so happened to buy a head of celery for soup, so guess who just had this sandwich? Yes and it was spot on.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Yay! I am so glad you enjoyed it. I do love this one and eat it fairly regularly.
Charah says
Healthy and delicious, gotta try this in my next meal. thank you for sharing
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Well certainly tasted, but not sure I would call it healthy. I mean brown bread is healthier than white and there is celery, but no not super healthy.
Addy says
I remember eating that sandwich years ago. I never thought if making it now I am dairy free.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Oh well I hope you try it then. It's such a good sandwich Addy.
Naelle Yoshimura says
So crunchy, tangy and peppery! I like trying new sandwiches for the kiddos.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Well if they are ok with celery they will like it, but if they are like my son, you may be better swapping the celery with slices of cucumber.
Gus says
your vegan cheese & celery sandwiches are amazing! the combination of flavors is perfect, and they were quick to put together. everyone enjoyed them, and they’ve become a lunchtime staple for us. thanks for this delicious and simple recipe!
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Hi Gus, I am so pleased you enjoyed them.
Neha says
What a perfect tea time treat! I can’t wait to try this for my vegan friends.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Yes, a nice simple sandwich that tastes great! If you aren't vegan you can use regular butter, cream cheese and cheese.
Cathleen says
This is my kind of sandwich! I am making it for my lunch tomorrow, thank you so much for sharing this recipe 🙂
Jacqueline Meldrum says
You are so welcome Cathleen. I hope you enjoyed it.