Easy Vegan New York Deli Sandwich

An amazingly tasty vegan New York Deli Sandwich. A sandwich once tried, never forgotten. Try this easy recipe this week for a Big Apple style lunch.

New York Deli Sandwiches are, as you may guess, a sandwich made famous in the delicatessens of New York, but they have travelled the world in popularity.

You can buy vegetarian versions of this sandwich in Pret a Manger and Marks & Spencer, but it's time we claim it for vegans, and what better way than to make it fresh at home.

Honestly, I can guarantee you are going to love this sandwich!

Jump to:

• 🥪 Ingredients
• 🍞 Bread
• 🧀 Cheese
• 🥒 Pickles
• 🥣 Mustard
• 🥫 Pickled cabbage
• 🥪 More rocking vegan sandwiches to try
• 👩🏻‍🍳 Want New Recipes Delivered to your Inbox?
• 📋 Pin it for later
• 🔪 Step-by-step photos
• Step 1
• Step 2
• Step 3
• Step 4
• 📖 Recipe
• Comments

🥪 Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you need to make my vegan version of a New York Deli Sandwich.

• Bread
• Mayo (vegan)
• Salad leaves
• Pickled cabbage - try this recipe for a quick homemade pickled cabbage.
• Coleslaw (vegan)
• Cheddar (vegan)
• Pickles
• Mustard

🍞 Bread

If you were ordering a New York Deli-style sandwich in the Lower East Side in Manhattan, your sandwich would probably be served on rye bread.

The rye bread served in New York is very different from the rye served here in the UK.

Our rye is generally dark, rich, and dense, almost like German pumpernickel.

Rye bread in the Lower East Side is a lighter, fluffier bread made with a mixture of rye flour and white flour. I use this style of mix in my light rye bloomer bread, which would be fabulous for this sandwich.

When I make this sandwich I usually use my regular wholemeal bread, which is lovely and soft.

🧀 Cheese

No doubt a New York Delicatessen would likely serve Swiss cheese which is mild and almost nutty.

My preference is Violife sliced cheddar, which is also mild, so it works well in this sandwich.

Use your favourite vegan cheese. Go with something a bit stronger in flavour if you like.

🥒 Pickles

Americans call them Dill Pickles, but in the UK they are called Gherkins. But what are they?

Basically, they are small cucumbers that are pickled.

Why are they called dill pickles In America? It's because dill is added to the vinegar.

Buy small pickled gherkins jarred whole or larger gherkins, jarred either whole or sliced.

Large sliced gherkins are good because they are evenly pre-cut making them perfect for adding to sandwiches.

🥣 Mustard

Come on, it has to be American mustard for this one.

That bright yellow squeezy bottle that holds equally eye-popping yellow mustard.

Delicious on bean burgers and vegan sausages, but it's also rather fabulous on a sandwich.

And the good news is, it's suitable for vegans.

🥫 Pickled cabbage

This sandwich also contains pickled red cabbage. I also used it in my Vegan Reuben Sandwich and it's gorgeous stuff.

However, you could use sauerkraut instead. I will leave you to decide.

When in the Big Apple, you would be served sauerkraut for the original taste sensation, but I think pickled red cabbage makes a fabulous substitution.

You could also add my easy vegan pepperoni to this sandwich.

🥪 More rocking vegan sandwiches to try

Vegan sandwiches you don't want to miss!

1. British Cheese Ploughman's Sandwich
2. Cheese Savoury Sandwich
3. Classic Cheese & Onion Sandwiches
4. Cuban Sandwich with Mushrooms
5. Cucumber Sandwiches
6. Hummus Beet Sandwich
7. Italian White Bean & Tomato Sandwich
8. Reuben Sandwich with Russian Dressing

Check out 39 of the Best Vegan Sandwiches

For more inspiration check out 101 Vegan Sandwiches - Back to School Kids Lunch boxes.

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🔪 Step-by-step photos

Step-by-step photos of the vegan New York Deli Sandwich being made. Keep scrolling for the full printable recipe.

Step 1

• Spread both slices of bread with vegan mayo and set one aside as the lid of our sandwich.
• Top with a generous handful of rocket or other salad leaves.
• Next top with a layer of pickled red cabbage or sauerkraut.

Step 2

• The next delicious layer is vegan coleslaw. If your local shop or supermarket doesn't sell it, try my easy Vegan Carrot & Dill Coleslaw.
• Now top the slaw with a couple of slices of vegan cheddar.

Step 3

• Add slices of gherkin or dill pickles. I like the jars of ready-sliced gherkins.
• Follow that up with a generous drizzle of yellow American mustard.

Step 4

• Add the other, mayo-spread slice of bread, cut in half and serve.
• C'wah! Look at that!
• Enjoy!

📖 Recipe