Vegan Cheese & Onion Sandwiches

An easy recipe for the most delicious vegan cheese and onion sandwich filler to make the classic British Cheese & Onion Sandwiches.

This tasty sandwich is a staple in cafes and sandwich bars here in the UK. It's also sold in supermarkets and as a tub of sandwich filler, but never a vegan one.

It's time to change that!

So I give you vegan cheese and onion sandwich filler.

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🥪 For more sandwich ideas, say hello to the 150 Easy Vegan Sandwiches (with 6 ingredients or less) ebook. You'll never be stuck for lunch ideas again!  All for the price of a coffee.

Keep it on your phone when shopping or in the kitchen or print it out to keep handy to glance through. Get it now!

Jump to:

• 🥪 Sandwich filler ingredients
• 🧀 Vegan cheese
• 🥫 Nooch
• 🥗 Spring onions
• 🍞 Which type of bread?
• 🔪 What do you spread on the bread?
• 🥗 Extra toppings
• 👩🏻‍🍳 Be a rebel
• 💭 Top tip
• 🥪 More vegan sandwiches to try
• 👩🏻‍🍳 Want new recipes delivered to your inbox?
• 📋 Pin it for later
• 🔪 Step-by-step photos
• 📖 Recipe
• Comments

🥪 Sandwich filler ingredients

Here are the ingredients you need to make this popular sandwich filling.

• Vegan cheddar - grated
• Red onion - finely diced
• Spring onions - also known as scallions or salad onions
• Chives - fresh or dried (I prefer fresh chives)
• Vegan mayo - we like Helllmans vegan mayo
• Nutritional yeast - also known as nooch
• Lemon juice
• Salt and pepper

See recipe card for quantities.

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

🧀 Vegan cheese

You need grated vegan cheddar for this sandwich filler.

You can either buy it ready grated or grate a block of cheese yourself.

I'm all in favour of grated cheese for convenience, but if you're watching your budget, you will usually find the block is either cheaper or you get more cheese for the same price.

We like Violife vegan cheddar but use your favourite cheese.

🥫 Nooch

Even though I use vegan cheddar for this sandwich filler, I include nooch too.

What is nooch?

Nooch is another name for nutritional yeast.

So why add cheese and nooch?

People generally add nooch instead of cheese, but I like to add both.

The vegan cheddar gives the soft dairy mouthfeel and the nooch adds an extra umami savoury flavour, which helps as the vegan cheddar can be quite mild in flavour.

I also add it for a nutritional boost.

Nooch is a good source of Vitamin B12 which is hard to get in a vegan diet and very important. A lack of it can lead to anaemia and extreme tiredness

You can read more about it in the NHS article Vitamin B12 or Folate Deficiency Anaemia.

🥗 Spring onions

For the best flavour, use both red onions and spring onions.

Red onion has a sharper flavour with a bit of sweetness and spring onions have a milder flavour.

The combination of the two really works and adds a nice pop of colour too.

🍞 Which type of bread?

When you buy a ready-made cheese and onion sandwich it is usually on soft white or wholemeal bread.

Whichever bread you use, make sure it's bread with a soft crumb and crust.

This sandwich should be soft and unctuous!

I like to use thickly sliced wholemeal bread.

🔪 What do you spread on the bread?

It has to be butter, vegan butter of course.

Don't let me see you spreading mayo on that sandwich! It requires the creamy and slightly salty butter flavour.

Trust me, do this right and it will be a triumph and totally comforting.

🥗 Extra toppings

Traditionally a classic cheese and onion sandwich wears nothing more than that spread of (vegan) butter, however, it can be nice to add a bit of green.

Try adding one of these:

• Baby spinach
• Fresh cress
• Salad leaves

👩🏻‍🍳 Be a rebel

Now don't be telling anyone I told you to do this.

Spread your bread with vegan butter or spread, then add a really generous layer of your sandwich filler.

Before you add the top of the sandwich, add a layer of crisps (chips) for crunch.

They have to be standard or crinkle crisps, none of those weirdly shaped corn snacks in the shape of a space rocket, monster claw or puff. You know what I am saying!

It should give you crunch but not detract from the awesomeness of the sandwich filler.

For another classic British Sandwich try a vegan cheese and celery sandwich and also check out 39 of the Best Vegan Sandwiches.

💭 Top tip

Only add crisps just before you are about to eat the sandwich or they will go soggy and you can kiss goodbye to that crunch.

You can make the rest of the sandwich ahead of time and keep it in the fridge.

🥪 More vegan sandwiches to try

Here are some of my favourite vegan sandwiches:

1. Italian White Bean & Tomato Sandwich
2. Vegan Cheese Ploughman's Sandwich
3. Vegan Cheese Savoury Sandwich
4. Vegan Cuban Sandwich with Mushrooms
5. Vegan Hummus Beet Sandwich
6. Vegan New York Deli Sandwich
7. Vegan Reuben Sandwich with Russian Dressing

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🔪 Step-by-step photos

Step-by-step photos of the vegan Cheese & Onion Sandwich being made. Keep scrolling for the full printable recipe.

Step 1

Add your grated vegan cheddar to a bowl, then add finely diced red onion.

Step 2

Now add the finely chopped spring onion and chives, then add the mayo and lemon juice.

Step 3

Next, add the nutritional yeast and season with salt and pepper, then give a good mix to combine.

Cover and set aside for at least 10 minutes for the flavours to develop.

If you're making it ahead, pop it in the fridge, then allow it to come to room temperature before making your sandwich for the best flavour.

Step 4

Let's layer up that sucker!

First spread two slices of soft wholemeal bread with vegan butter or spread, then add a layer of salad leaves (if you are adding them).

Finally, add a generously thick layer of your sandwich spread and top with the second slice of buttered bread.

Cut, serve and enjoy!

📖 Recipe