Cheesy, tangy and packed with crunchy vegetables, this vegan cheese savoury sandwich filling is a plant-based version of a classic British favourite. Made with a base of grated vegan cheddar, carrot & red onion, this sandwich filling is quick to prepare, perfect for Packed Lunches and delicious slathered on sandwiches, wraps, rolls or piled high on a baked potato.
For the ultimate lunch, serve it with this Quick Tomato Soup Recipe with Canned Tomatoes.

🧾 At-a-Glance - Vegan Cheese Savoury
⏲️ Ready in: 10 minutes
👪 Serves: 5
🍽 Calories: 195
🧾 Main ingredients: Vegan cheddar, carrots, red onion
👩🏻🍳 Suitable for: Vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, egg-free, vegetarian & gluten-free
⭐Why you'll love this sandwich filler: It's made with simple ingredients but has so much flavour and no cooking.
This is such a good sandwich filler for meal prep; make a batch ahead so it's quick to make sandwiches or wraps in the morning.
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🧀 What is Cheese Savoury?
Cheese savoury has been a staple sandwich filling served in British sandwich shops, cafes and bakeries for decades, but vegan versions are surprisingly hard to find.
Thankfully, it's incredibly easy to make at home with just a handful of everyday ingredients, although you can vary it to suit your tastes.
This savoury cheese spread is particularly good served in a sandwich with pickle, like a Cheese Ploughman's Sandwich.
And when I say pickle, I don't mean pickled onions or gherkins, or quick pickles like this Pickled Cabbage, but more of a fruit chutney. Our most popular British sandwich pickle is Branston Pickle.
📋 Key Ingredients
This tasty vegan sandwich filler is made with simple ingredients you probably already have.
Find the full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card.

- Vegan cheddar - try to find one with a mature flavour; we like Cathedral City
- Mustard - you can use American yellow mustard, Dijon mustard or English mustard to flavour this sandwich filler
Herbs are never added to the traditional version of this sandwich filler, but you can add them if you like and for a bit of warmth, add some chilli powder or chilli flakes (red pepper flakes).
🌽 Add Extra Veg
The basic recipe is pretty darn good, but you can add extra veg to it. Here are a few ideas:
- Thinly sliced red pepper
- Corn
- Thinly sliced spring onion (green onions or scallions)
- Very thinly sliced jalapenos
👩🏻🍳 How to Make Vegan Cheese Savoury
These step-by-step photos show just how easy it is to make this tasty sandwich filling.

- Step 1: Start off with the grated carrot in a mixing bowl.

- Step 2: Next, add the grated vegan cheddar; be generous.

- Step 3: Now add the red onion for lots of flavour.

- Step 4: Then add the mayo and mustard and season well.

- Step 5: Mix well and check the seasoning. Store in an airtight container in the fridge until you need it.

- Step 6: Serve on a sandwich. I like to serve it on soft brown bread with salad leaves, slices of tomato and sandwich pickle.
🥪 Serving Ideas
This cheese and onion sandwich filler makes a great vegan cheese sandwich, but it works in so many other ways too. Here are a few serving suggestions.

- Heaped on a baked potato or spread on a toasted sesame bagel
- Serve in pitta bread or wrap with salad leaves, cucumber and tomato and Homemade Dill Slaw
- Smeared on oatcakes or crackers
- Spread on toast and top with baked beans
- In a toasty with Quick Pickled Onions
⏲️ Storing It
Keep this plant-based sandwich filling in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
I wouldn't freeze it as the texture changes; just make what you need and use it.
Jac's Top Tip
💭 Take it Out of the Fridge
This vegan sandwich filler tastes best served at room temperature, as the chill from the fridge deadens the flavours. So take it out of the fridge a few minutes before making your sandwiches.
💭 Cheese Savoury FAQs
Cheese savoury is creamy, savoury and slightly tangy, with a little sweetness from the grated carrot and a gentle bite from the onion. The mustard adds extra depth, but it doesn't make the filling spicy.
Cheese savoury is a traditional sandwich filling in Scotland and the North of England.
Yes, this is the same type of sandwich filler they add to their stottie bread, except this version is dairy-free.
Spread a large flour tortilla with a generous layer of cheese savoury, then add salad leaves and slices of cucumber, wrap and cut in half to serve.
🥣 Make it a Meal
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📖 Recipe

Vegan Cheese Savoury Sandwich Filling
Ingredients
- 120 g vegan cheddar grated
- 1 large carrot grated
- ½ red onion finely chopped
- 6 tablespoon vegan mayo
- 1 teaspoon American mustard
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Add the vegetables to a large bowl.
- Add the mayo, mustard salt and pepper and mix well.
- Taste to see if it needs more salt or pepper.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Once you've made a bowl of cheese savoury, you can store it in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container. I wouldn't recommend freezing it. If you're not going to use much, just make a smaller batch.
- I sometimes like to swap the mayo with vegan salad cream, which has more of a zing.










chris says
I love cheese savoury sandwiches so much, can't believe you've made it vegan! What an awesome idea 🙂
Amanda Marie Boyle says
This recipe looks great. I can't wait to try it.
Unknown says
I love the combination of mayo and mustard, and goes really well in sandwiches too. I'm sure this one's delicious, gonna try it for lunch tomorrow
Nart says
Yum! - this is such a great alternative for vegans.
Chili to Choc says
Yumm! Love the filling in this sandwich. Such a delicious recipe.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
It's simple but adds a lot of flavour to sandwiches.
Sam Burton says
One of my favourite sandwich fillers now. Thanks.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
It is good isn't it and nice to have a vegan version.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
It's really tasty, especially with pickle.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Oh it is. Lots of flavour.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Enjoy! It's a staple here in Britain.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Yes it's definitely a very British sandwich, especially with the Branston pickle.
Shanika says
This is such a great sandwich filling option and I love how creamy it looks!
Anonymous says
This recipe is so delicious. I will deffo be bringing this to my next picnic 🙂
Unknown says
What an interesting culinary lesson. I wasn't familiar with this type of sandwich - vegan or otherwise - but now want to make it for the flavors.
veenaazmanov says
Love this delicious cheesy and creamy sandwich. Perfect Tiffin or Picnic snack option. Love that it is veg.
Lata Lala says
A vegan version of traditional British sandwich filling cheese savoury looks easy to make and delicious aa well. Gotta try this recipe soon.