A white bean sandwich filler paired with tomatoes in this tasty vegan combo with a tangy sauce.
VEGAN ITALIAN WHITE BEAN & TOMATO SANDWICH
I love trying out new, tasty sandwiches and this vegan white bean and tomato sandwich is a real keeper.
I started by making a white bean sandwich filler and paired it with Italian flavours for the perfect summer sandwich.
Well, I say Italian flavours but I looked to India for the tangy sauce.
WHITE BEANS
The homemade sandwich filler that's the star of this sandwich is made with white beans.
The white beans I use are cannellini beans.
I use tinned cannellini beans for convenience and because they are such good quality, but if you like to soak your beans overnight, go ahead and do that.
Cannellini beans are kidney-shaped beans, a bit like a white kidney bean.
They originate from Italy and have a creamy almost nutty flavour.
ITALIAN HERBS
For a sandwich with the flavours of Italy, I had to use Italian herbs.
I used fresh parsley and dried oregano in the white bean sandwich spread.
If you don't have fresh parsley, you could use dried, but fresh is always better.
You could also add some fresh parsley on top of the tomato layer, which would work well too.
GRATING GARLIC
The white bean sandwich filler has garlic in it for flavour, but how do you prepare your garlic?
I used to chop it finely with a chef's knife.
Before that, I would use a garlic press, but they are always a pain to clean. That garlic always gets stuck in the corners.
I also tried a garlic plate, one of those ceramic saucers with little nobbly bits, which you rub the garlic on. It's actually really good, but I managed to smash mine.
My current favourite way to prep garlic is with a fine Microplane grater. It's super quick and easy and a breeze to clean too.
Any fine grater would work well, even one of those little nutmeg graters.
Try it, you'll see how good it is.
WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE A VEGAN ITALIAN WHITE BEAN SANDWICH FILLER
You don't need any fancy ingredients to make this sandwich filling or the final sandwich.
- cannellini beans
- garlic
- fresh parsley
- dried oregano
- chilli flakes
- olive oil
- salt
- pepper
HOW TO VARY THE WHITE BEAN SANDWICH FILLER
- Add turmeric, cumin and chilli powder for a spicy sandwich filling
- Add kidney beans for more colour
- Add some lemon zest and juice
- Add sweetcorn for the sweetness and colour
- Add sundried tomatoes and use some of the oil from the jar instead of olive oil
VARY THAT BREAD
- Toasted sourdough
- Pitta bread
- Flour tortilla
- Toasted wrap (crunch wrap)
- Crusty baguette
- Toasted burger bun
- Toasted hot dog roll
- Panini
- Toastie
- Toasted sesame bagel
For more inspiration check out 101 Vegan Sandwiches - Back to School Kids Lunch boxes.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH YOUR SANDWICH
- Your favourite crisps (chips)
- Homemade salt & balsamic vinegar kale chips
- Homemade paprika tortilla chips
- Dill potato salad
- Carrot & dill coleslaw
- A green salad
- Vegan tomato soup made with tinned tomatoes
- A crisp apple
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HOW TO MAKE A VEGAN ITALIAN WHITE BEAN & TOMATO SANDWICH
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
📖 Recipe
Vegan Italian White Bean & Tomato Sandwich
Ingredients
- 246 g cooked cannellini beans drained, 400g / 14 oz can before they are drained
- 1 clove garlic crushed or grated
- handful fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- pinch chilli flakes
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- pinch salt and pepper
Sandwich ingredients
- 4 slices seeded wholemeal bread
- 2 tablespoon vegan mayo
- handful fresh spinach
- ¼ cucumber sliced
- 3 sundried tomatoes chopped
- 2 ripe tomatoes sliced
- 2 tablespoon mango chutney
Instructions
- First, make the white bean pate. Add the beans and garlic to a bowl, then add the herbs, oil, chilli, salt and pepper and mash, leaving some whole beans for texture. You can add extra chilli for more kick.
- Spread two slices of bread with mayo and top with spinach and cucumber slices.
- Now add a generous layer of the bean pate (there's enough for 2 sandwiches), top with sundried tomatoes and slices of tomato.
- Spread the second 2 slices of bread with mango chutney and top each stacked sandwich.
- Cut in half and serve.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- For the best flavour, make the sandwich spread the night before.
- The sandwich spread can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Take it out the fridge a few minutes before you intend to make the sandwich so it warms a little. The fridge chill dulls the flavour.
Heather | Boston Girl Bakes says
OOh loving all the flavors in this sandwich and love that it's made with healthy beans to! Pinning to make later 🙂
Julie Menghini says
What a fantastic sandwich. I really like that you used cannellini beans and that you mash them not food process them.
Unknown says
I love all the Italian flavors in the sandwich! Looks so perfect for lunch with a few chips.
Aimee Mars says
What a delicious and light combination! This really is the perfect sandwich for summer.
Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine says
This sandwich is off the charts spectacular, being 100% Italian and watching my calories this was delicious and absolutely fabulous I almost think this will be a daily lunch for me from now on! thanks for posting love it
Anonymous says
I have some white beans in the pantry. Have to try this. I do not have mango chutney but will try your pesto suggestion.
Anonymous says
Thanks. I am going to add this to our lunches this week.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Oh definitely try it with pesto. That would work so well.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Yay! I hope you all/both enjoy it
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Yes I like to keep my recipes simple so anyone can make them.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Oh yes definitely. I hope you try it.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
It is. It would be great for picnics as well as lunch boxes.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
I am so glad you loved it. It really is a tasty sandwich.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Enjoy it and yes thecflavours work so well together!
Savita says
I really loved this sandwich, it is so fresh and delicious.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Yay! I am glad you liked it Savita, I am getting a lot of good feedback on this one from my readers.
Natalie says
Oh yum! What a great lunch idea. Looks light and delicious. I'm making this today for sure.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
I hope you enjoyed it Natalie.
Katherine says
What a flavourful sandwich! I love the addition of herbs to the white beans, plus mango chutney is a genius idea for extra flavour.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
The flavours all work so well together, even if the mango chutney isn't Italian like the rest of the flavours.
Alejandra says
Wow this looks delicious! Healthy but tasty and easy to make, adding it to my list to try for this week!
Jacqueline Meldrum says
I hope you enjoyed it for your work lunch Alejandra.
Dannii says
I am always looking for more veggie sandwich options, so this looks perfect to me.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
I think you'd really enjoy it Dannii.