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    Home » Easy Vegan Sandwiches & Wraps » Vegan Cheese & Onion Sandwiches

    Vegan Cheese & Onion Sandwiches

    Published: Jul 29, 2021 · Modified: Aug 18, 2021 by Jacqueline Meldrum · 14 Comments

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

    Vegan Cheese and 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.

    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.

    Ingredients to make Cheese & Onion Sandwich Filler - vegan cheese, red onion, spring onions and vegan mayo
    • 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.

    🧀 Vegan cheese

    You need grated vegan cheddar for this sandwich filler.

    grated vegan cheese in a bowl

    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.

    Nutritional yeast flakes in a small bowl with spoon

    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.

    a bunch of 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.

    cheese and onion sandwich filler on 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.

    a close up of a cheese and onion sandwich

    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.

    a bowl of crisps

    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.

    💭 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.

    close up of a cheese and onion salad sandwich

    🥪 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

    👩🏻‍🍳 Want new recipes delivered to your inbox?

    Sign up for my Vegan Lunch Box newsletter for lunch ideas and recipes straight to your inbox when they are published.  

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    📋 Pin it for later

     Vegan Cheese & Onion Sandwiches An easy recipe for the most delicious cheese and onion sandwich filler. A classic British sandwich.

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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.

    Making cheese and onion sandwich - step 1 - cheese and onion

    Step 1

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

    Making cheese and onion sandwich - step 2 - spring onion and mayo

    Step 2

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

    Making cheese and onion sandwich - step 3 - nooch and seasoning

    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.

    Making cheese and onion sandwich - step 4 - layer up the sandwich

    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

    Vegan Cheese and Onion Sandwiches

    Vegan Cheese & Onion Sandwich Filler

    Jacqueline Meldrum
    An easy recipe for the most delicious cheese and onion sandwich. A classic British sandwich.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Easy Vegan Sandwiches & Wraps
    Cuisine British
    Servings 4 Sandwiches
    Calories 295 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 200 g vegan cheddar grated
    • 1 small red onion diced
    • 4 spring onions finely sliced
    • 1 tbsp fresh chives chopped
    • 6 tbsp vegan mayo
    • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
    • 2 tsp lemon juice
    • 1 pinch salt
    • 1 pinch black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Add the grated cheese and red onion to a mixing bowl.
    • Next add the chives, mayo and nutritional yeast.
    • Now add the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper, then mix well.
    • Give the flavours 10 minutes to develop before making your sandwiches or cover the bowl and pop in the fridge until you need it.
    • If you are making sandwiches with sandwich filler from the fridge, allow it to come to room temperature before making them as the chill from the fridge can deaden the flavours.
    • Add to buttered bread and add salad leaves if you like, serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    • If you are very generous with the filling this may make 3 sandwiches and not 4.
    • If you don't have nutritional yeast you can skip it or replace it with grated vegan cheddar.
    • You could also try this sandwich filling with vegan salad cream instead of mayo.
    • For a pop of heat, why not add some paprika and chilli flakes.
    • You can keep this filling in the fridge for 3-4 days.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4gCalories: 295kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 4gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 633mgPotassium: 153mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 153IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 52mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword back to school snack, British sandwiches, classic British sandwich, kids sandwiches, vegan sandwich, vegan sandwich filling, vegan sandwiches, vegan sandwiches for kids
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lauren Vavala Harris

      July 29, 2021 at 3:30 pm

      5 stars
      I just had a vegan pizza last night and was pleasantly surprised at how much better vegan cheese has gotten since I last tried it. This cheese and onion sandwich is now on my must-try list!

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Meldrum

        July 29, 2021 at 3:59 pm

        Yes vegan dairy is definitely improving. You can make this with your regular cheese to if you like.

        Reply
    2. Lindsay

      July 29, 2021 at 4:08 pm

      5 stars
      Chips on a sandwich? We should be friends 😀 This looks amazing and I'm totally making it for lunch this weekend!

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Meldrum

        July 29, 2021 at 4:14 pm

        Haha, yes sometimes it's just too tempting and totally hits the spot!

        Reply
    3. Susan

      July 29, 2021 at 4:10 pm

      5 stars
      I used to love these sandwiches. I need to make these soon. I am sure I have nooch somewhere.

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Meldrum

        July 29, 2021 at 4:13 pm

        You can make it without nooch but it adds flavour and nutrients.

        Reply
    4. Heather Johnson

      July 29, 2021 at 4:32 pm

      5 stars
      love chips on a sandwich - it's a must-do!

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Meldrum

        July 29, 2021 at 7:10 pm

        I know it is always so good but so naughty!

        Reply
    5. Beth

      July 29, 2021 at 4:45 pm

      5 stars
      These sandwiches are perfect for lunch today! My husband and I are so excited to try these. Sounds so delicious and very tasty!

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Meldrum

        July 29, 2021 at 7:10 pm

        I hope you both enjoy them. My husband loves these sandwiches.

        Reply
    6. Mahy

      July 29, 2021 at 4:58 pm

      5 stars
      I am so ready to make a bag of sandwiches now. Fantastic recipe to keep handy!

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Meldrum

        July 29, 2021 at 7:09 pm

        I hope you enjoyed them when you make them.

        Reply
    7. Richard

      July 30, 2021 at 1:26 pm

      5 stars
      This is gong on my list for next week.

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Meldrum

        August 02, 2021 at 3:15 pm

        Enjoy it when you try it. I am sure it will become a favourite.

        Reply

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