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6 best Christmas sandwiches for vegetarians and vegans
Don't eat turkey? These festive sandwiches would tempt even the most ardent meat-eaters
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Few British traditions carry the cult status of the high street Christmas sandwich.
Historically, such delicacies have been reserved for carnivores, laden with meaty stuffing and turkey-based fillings, but now, vegetarians and vegans are finally getting a look in.
The majority of high street chains release a number of options for the festive season that appeal to a wide range of diets, so, in the name of pioneering journalism, we decided to pick the best of the bunch.
From studying flavours like judges on MasterChef to analysing the air pockets in between lettuce curves like food historians, the humble sarnie lends itself to deep and meaningful analysis – we took our responsibilities very seriously indeed.
So, because there’s nothing worse than taking a bite out of a sandwich and realising you’ve made the wrong decision, here’s our roundup of the very best vegan and vegetarian options to satiate all your meat-free festive needs.
Pret a Manger Very Merry Christmas Lunch Sandwich: £3.75, Pret A Manger
This is quite a squishy sandwich.
Grilled carrots, crispy onions and baby spinach make for nice embellishments to Pret’s festive vegan stuffing, which it topped of with a rather fancy port and orange cranberry sauce.
The sauce may seem a little intense at a first, but you soon adapt and come to realise that Pret a Manger really does know a thing or two about the art of sandwich-making.
It contains a solid, hearty amount of filling and will keep you satisfied till dinner time.
The sandwich also has a charitable backstory, which will see 50p for every one sold donated to the Pret Foundation Trust, which aims to break the cycle of homelessness.
EAT Brie, Cranberry & Stuffing on Onion Seed Sandwich: £3.99, EAT
Creamy brie and crunchy nut stuffing make for a delightful clash of textures.
It has the perfect amount of zingy cranberry sauce: not too much that it’s overpowering, but not too little that you question its presence.
Though, with so much cheese and so few vegetables, this hearty sandwich is a bit on the heavier side and is probably best enjoyed by those with rumbling bellies.
Available in stores from 7 November
Tesco Wicked Kitchen Smoked Carrot Celebration Sandwich: £3, Tesco
You might be more accustomed to roasted carrots than smoked ones, but they work a treat in this innovative plant-based sandwich, which also features soya-based cream cheese, gherkins and red onions, all layered in between two thick slices of rye bread.
It’s a very light option, though maybe not the most festive in the Christmas sarnie roster, given that the only yuletide-like ingredient is, well, smoked carrot.
That being said, there is a light spreading of cranberry chutney too, which gave the sandwich a pleasing tangy taste. But there’s not quite enough in there, meaning you may find yourself struggling to keep your filling in between the bread and not on the floor.
PAUL ‘Tis The Vegan: £4.35, PAUL
You wouldn’t think a French bakery would do the vegan thing, when traditional French cooking is predominantly based on meat and dairy products.
But PAUL has surprised us all with its new plant-based Christmas baguette, which contains a delicious combination of hummus, grilled carrots, peppers, spinach and cranberry sauce.
Again, there’s not much that screams “Christmas” here, aside from the cranberry sauce, but it’s a tasty offering nonetheless.
Plus, it contains hummus, which is at the upper echelons of vegan foods thanks to its unbridled versatility.
Marks & Spencer No Turkey Feast Sandwich: £3.30, Marks & Spencer
Now, this is something different.
Unlike its counterparts, this sandwich actually uses a meat replacement, containing roasted soya protein, which is confusing because it feels and tastes a bit like chicken.
That being said, the malted bread is pillow-soft and does a very good job at keeping the additional fillings – cranberry chutney and spinach – in place.
Plus, the supermarket is donating five per cent of profits from sales to the homeless charity, Shelter – this is not just a sandwich, this is a philanthropic sandwich.
Starbucks Brie & Cranberry Focaccia: £4.25, Starbucks
Well, this went down an absolute treat among vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.
With all the trimmings you could think of – Cheddar and mustard sauce, balsamic roasted red onions and fresh spinach – it’s so much more than an average sarnie.
You’ve also got the rosemary-infused focaccia, which conjures up memories of traditional Christmas Day lunches, making you think it’s as close as you can get to eating roast potatoes without actually eating potatoes.
The Verdict: Best Christmas sandwiches for vegetarians and vegans
Overall, you can't compete with a Pret a Manger sandwich. It would satisfy even the most vegan-averse of meat-eaters thanks to its rich texture and festive flavours. It has all the jingle bells and whistles.