The cheese ploughman's sandwich is a British classic. This recipe is vegan and adds an ingredient often missed in this popular sandwich.

CHEESE PLOUGHMAN'S SANDWICH

A cheese ploughman's sandwich is a traditional British sandwich, you will find in sandwich bars, cafes and pubs.

It's a staple in homes across the country too, although a vegan version is often overlooked.

It is a sandwich variety of a ploughman's lunch.

PLOUGHMAN'S LUNCH

A ploughman's lunch is a classic pub lunch.

It sounds like a really old-fashioned meal from long, long ago, doesn't it?

You might have visions of rather handsome, tanned farmer, with sleeves rolled up and the muscles in his arm tensing as he guides a plough, hitched up to his horse across a rough field, in preparation for planting. Yes, take a minute to visualise that!

Oh OK, is that just me?

The term ploughman's lunch did actually appear in print way back in 1394* so that could be a fairly accurate description, but alas no, that hard-working farmer did not eat a lunch such as this.

He did eat a variation of it though. A ploughman's lunch in 1394 would be cheese, bread and beer. Beer was commonly drunk as the water was often disease-ridden unless it came fresh from a stream or deep well.

The modern version of the ploughman's lunch, I'm sad to tell you, comes from a marketing promotion* dreamt up by the Brewer's Society and the Cheese Bureau in 1957 to promote their wares.

They included pickles and salad alongside bread, cheese and beer for their invited city toffs (city gents) to dine on.

It may have started as a marketing promotion, but it has been popular pub fayre ever since.

VEGAN CHEESE PLOUGHMAN'S SANDWICH

The vegan cheese sandwich is easy to make but not one you see on offer anywhere.

It's super easy to make at home using vegan mayo, vegan coleslaw and cheddar instead of the normally included vegetarian cheese and coleslaw.

It's well worth making a vegan version. It's packed with flavours and textures and it won't let you down.

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

WHICH TYPE OF BREAD SHOULD I USE TO MAKE A CHEESE PLOUGHMAN'S SANDWICH?

I used a French baguette baton for this sandwich.

When you eat a ploughman's lunch in a pub it usually comes with a chunk of crusty bread, so a baguette works well.

If they serve you it with sliced bread, you've gone very down market!

However, a cheese ploughman's sandwich can be really delicious on good quality wholemeal or seeded bread.

You could even make it on a soft bloomer's bread with its crispy crust.

Alternatively, you could serve it on a soft morning roll or a wholemeal roll (bap, bun, cob).

For dinner, serve this sandwich with a bowl of easy tomato soup

VEGAN COLESLAW

Coleslaw wasn't in that original ploughman's lunch back in the 50s, but it has been added over the last few decades.

I like to add it to a ploughman's sandwich. It really makes it something rather special.

Of course, I added a bit too much and my husband struggled to eat it without getting messy. You can add less.

Vegan coleslaw is available in most supermarkets these days but of course you could make your own.

HOMEMADE VEGAN COLESLAW

Vegan coleslaw is super easy to make at home.

Shred cabbage, grate carrot and finely chop some onion. Mix them together and season with salt and pepper and then mix in vegan mayo (I like Hellman's) and you have a basic, but really tasty coleslaw.

Make a batch and add it to baked potatoes, salads, burgers and sandwiches.

You could also try my Vegan Coleslaw with Fresh Herbs, over on my other blog Tinned Tomatoes.

SANDWICH PICKLE

Pickle or chutney plays an important part in a cheese ploughman's lunch or sandwich.

The most popular pickle for a ploughman's lunch or sandwich is made by a brand called Branston. It's a sweet but spicy pickle that goes well with cheese and gives a tang to the sandwich filling.

You can, of course, use other pickles or chutneys.

The yellow pickle you could see in the photo above of a ploughman's lunch is called piccalilli. It's made with cauliflower, marrow and other vegetables with Indian spices and vinegar.

The bright yellow colour comes from turmeric.

It's got quite a strong flavor, so not my first choice for this sandwich, although it would be good on a vegan sausage sandwich.

Try this with my Easy Homemade Rhubarb Chutney.

Also check out 39 of the Best Vegan Sandwiches.

THE MISSING INGREDIENT

Apples are usually included in a ploughman's lunch but you never find it in the sandwiches.

I think that is such a shame as it adds a bit of crunch and sweetness.

I recommend slicing an apple thinly and adding it to your sandwich.

I know you will love it.

readers photo of vegan cheese ploughman's sandwich

readers review - she loves the sandwich and especially adding the apple

MORE VEGAN SANDWICHES TO TRY

For another classic British Sandwich try a vegan cheese and celery sandwich.

pin it for later

Vegan Cheese Ploughman's Sandwich - A British pub classic.

HOW TO MAKE VEGAN CHEESE PLOUGHMAN'S SANDWICHES

STEP 1

You can use bread, a baguette or a roll to make this sandwich.

First spread the bottom slice/half with vegan mayo.

Next add salad leaves and slices of ripe tomato, then slices of vegan cheese. We like Violife original slices.

STEP 2

Now one of the most important ingredients that is often left out, slices of apple. If you are making this ahead, you may want to soak them in a little lemon juice so they don't brown.

On top of the apple add the coleslaw. Maybe don't add as much as I did as it was a bit overfilled.

Lastly, add the pickle to the top of the sandwich/other slice of bread.

Marvel at your delicious creation and then get stuck in.

Enjoy!

📖 Recipe

Vegan Cheese Ploughman's Sandwich

Jacqueline Meldrum

The cheese ploughman's sandwich is a British classic. This recipe is vegan and adds an ingredient often missed in this popular sandwich.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Course Easy Vegan Sandwiches & Wraps

Cuisine British

Servings -2

Calories 391 kcal

Ingredients

1 baguette baton roll, bap or two slices of bread
2-3 tsp vegan mayo
handful salad leaves
2-3 slices vegan cheese sliced lengthways
1 ripe tomato sliced
½ apple sliced
2 tbsp vegan coleslaw
2 tbsp sandwich pickle (or chutney

Instructions

Cut your baguette baton in half and spread the lower half with mayo.
Top with salad leaves, slices of tomato, then slices of cheese.
Next, add the apple slices.
Top the apple with the coleslaw, then spread the top of the baton with pickle.
Serve and enjoy!

Notes

If you are making ahead, you may want to toss the apple slices in lemon juice so they don't brown.
This sandwich is quite large, you could cut it in half and serve for two with a side salad and a handful of crisps (chips).
This sandwich is best made and served fresh, but can be made in the morning for lunchtime.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 391kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 25gFat: 12.6gSaturated Fat: 2.5gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 592mgFiber: 5.5gSugar: 28g

Keyword British sandwiches, cheese ploughmans, sandwich, vegan cheese ploughmans, vegan sandwiches

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

REFERENCE:

* Ploughman's Lunch - Wikipedia

* History of the British noun 'Ploughman's Lunch'

Comments

Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry

September 28, 2020 at 10:02 am

A ploughman's sandwich always goes down a treat in my house - a vegan one sounds amazing and just as delicious. Will certainly be giving this a try.

Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

September 28, 2020 at 10:03 am

Even a meat lover would devour this sandwich. I would love this for dinner on a busy weekday when I don't feel like cooking.

Dannii

September 28, 2020 at 10:03 am

This is one of my favourite sandwiches, and brings back happy childhood memories too. I love the look of this vegan version.

Two Healthy Kitchens

September 28, 2020 at 10:03 am

Hahaha - I love your visual of the handsome, tanned farmer! And super interesting foodie history here - I'm two-thumbs-up that pickles and salad got added along the way ... and now apples, too! Such a satisfying and hearty ... yet healthy ... sandwich! Perfect for a handsome farmer (or anyone else too)! 😉

Sue

September 28, 2020 at 10:03 am

What a delicious sandwich! I love the sliced apple and the coleslaw - makes it so special. And I don't mind a little mess. 🙂

Jacqueline Meldrum

September 28, 2020 at 10:12 am

They are always popular. I think most people forget about them when they turn vegan but there is no need to miss out.

Jacqueline Meldrum

September 28, 2020 at 10:12 am

Oh yes it's definitely perfect for a filling but quick dinner.

Jacqueline Meldrum

September 28, 2020 at 10:12 am

Oh yes here too. It's always good, especially when it's homemade.

Jacqueline Meldrum

September 28, 2020 at 10:12 am

Haha, I'm glad you are on board with my handsome farmer with his rippling muscles. You can imagine him when you are eating this sandwich.

Jacqueline Meldrum

September 28, 2020 at 10:12 am

Haha yes a little mess doesn't hurt anyone.

Anonymous

September 28, 2020 at 10:14 am

I buy vegan coleslaw for my baked spuds but never thought of adding it to a sandwich like this. Gonna try it this week.

Jacqueline Meldrum

September 28, 2020 at 10:16 am

Oh yes do try it on a vegan ploughmans. You will love it.

It's good on a sandwich with apple too.

Jacqueline Meldrum

October 30, 2021 at 1:14 pm

So many lovely messages here and by email. I am glad you all enjoy this sandwich as much as we do.