The holiday season is upon us. With it, comes sparkling lights, time with loved ones, celebration, and, of course, festive food. Whether you want to get into the spirit of the Christmas or another holiday, or just enjoy good-tasting plant-based meals, here is a roundup of festive vegan sandwiches on offer in the United Kingdom.
11 Vegan Christmas Sandwiches to Get You in the Holiday Spirit
1. Vegan Christmas Dinner Panini at Caffe Nero
Caffe Nero’s Vegan Christmas Dinner Panini is new for this year, it includes a carrot and parsnip fritter, roasted butternut squash, spiced cranberry sauce, and vegan mayonnaise. If you’re just after a snack, vegan mince pies are also on offer from the coffee chain. If carrots and parsnips aren’t your thing, Caffe Nero also offers a Vegan Mozzarella & Pesto Panini.
2. No-Turkey Feast Sandwich at Morrisons
As well as its controversial mince pie-flavored sandwich, Morrison’s is offering a vegan No-Turkey Feast sandwich this festive season. The lunch option features meat-free turkey-style pieces, smoky carrot strips, red cabbage, chutney, spinach, and crispy onions. The supermarket chain has also launched a footlong vegan sausage roll and a plant-based “No Pork” Pie.
3. No Turkey Sandwich at Waitrose
Morrison’s isn’t the only supermarket offering a vegan turkey sandwich. Waitrose has also launched its own plant-based version of the classic Christmas option. The supermarket chain also sells Vegan No Smoked Salmon & Dill sandwiches, which include smokey marinated carrot, vegan spread, mayonnaise, and spinach leaves.
4. Roasted Veggies & Stuffing Sandwich at Holland & Barrett
Holland & Barrett is offering two festive vegan sandwiches this year, both available in the chain’s London locations. The first option is a Roasted Veggies & Stuffing Christmas Sandwich, packed with all “the traditional flavors you associate with Christmas,” says Holland & Barrett. It includes roasted beetroot, parsnips, sage and onion stuffing, and crispy onions.
The chain is also offering the Merry Veganmas sandwich by Tofurky. It features Chik’n-style tofu pieces, vegenaise, spinach, and cranberry sauce.
5. Festive New Yorker Sandwich at Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s On The Go Vegan Christmas New Yorker sandwich is filled with dairy-free coconut-based cheese, gherkins, red cabbage, and festive chutney. According to food-to-go developer Alex Haslop, the sandwich is a “must-try” for anyone who wants to “get in the festive spirit on their lunch break.” The chain is also offering vegan pigs in blankets and no beef wellington, as well as vegan bubble and squeak hot ciabattas in its cafes.
6. Vegan Christmas Market Sandwich at Boots
This year, health and beauty retailer Boots is offering three different vegan sandwiches, including the Vegan Christmas Market Sandwich. It’s packed with vegan sausage, fried onions, chutney, cabbage, and mustard. It’s also offering a Vegan Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese sandwich — featuring smokey carrots strips and dairy-free cheese — as well as a Vegan Christmas Feast sandwich. The latter contains vegan mayo, red cabbage, fried onions, and roast vegetable stuffing.
7. Vegan Festive Feast at the Co-Op
This year, The Co-Op’s vegan festive offering features a parsnip fritter, sage and onion vegan mayonnaise, and cranberry slaw. The chain also offers vegan mince puff pastries, vegan chik’n poppers, and meat-free meatballs.
8. Veggies Under Vest Sandwich at Costa Coffee
This year, Costa Coffee is launching a whole vegan Christmas menu. It features the Veggies Under Vest festive sandwich — packed with parsnip and falafel stuffing, carrots, spinach, and cranberry sauce — as well as a vegan mince tart. Customers can also grab a Vegan Rich Fruit Christmas Cake Slice with their coffee, or a vegan Rocky Road bar, which features gelatin-free marshmallows.
According to Eric Tavoukdjian — Costa’s commercial marketing director — the new menu is the chain’s “best one to date.” He said in a statement, “we hope families and friends are inspired to come together and enjoy a Christmas treat in-store this season.“
9. Very Merry Vegan Wrap at Starbucks
Starbucks is consistently expanding its range of vegan food options. This Christmas, the coffee shop chain has launched a Very Merry Vegan Wrap, which is packed with butternut squash fritters, roasted red cabbage, and egg-free maple mustard mayo. The wrap itself is made with red beetroot. Customers can order a festive hot chocolate to go with their wrap; the new Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate can be made vegan on request.
10. Wicked Kitchen Festive Feast Wrap at Tesco
Tesco — the UK’s biggest supermarket chain — is joining in on the trend for vegan turkey this Christmas. Its launched a Festive Feast Wrap as part of its plant-based Wicked Kitchen range. The lunch option features pea protein-based vegan “turkey,” parsnips, sage and onion stuffing, cranberries, and vegan gravy mayonnaise. According to the chain, the wrap is a “wicked vegan alternative to the classic Christmas sandwich.”
Tesco is offering a wide range of vegan Christmas food this year, including pigs in duvets and a Sweet Potato & Red Cabbage Christmas Log. “We’ve been working hard to make those festive moments simpler and tastier than ever,” said Martyn Lee — Tesco’s executive chef — in a statement. “From providing a wider choice of vegan and Free Fro products to twists on those must-have Christmas classics.”
11. Very Merry Christmas Lunch Sandwich at Pret
Pret is known for its vegan-friendly options, and this festive season, it doesn’t disappoint. The international sandwich shop chain has launched the Very Merry Christmas lunch sandwich. It features grilled carrots, crispy onions, and baby leaf spinach. It also includes classic vegan stuffing, port and orange cranberry sauce, and caramelized pecans, for “an added Christmas crunch,” says the chain.
