Try this recipe for the BEST vegetarian avocado sandwich! It’s layered with provolone cheese, creamy avocado, spicy quick-pickled radishes, cucumber, juicy tomatoes, and a bit of pepper jelly. It’s my go to veggie sandwich, perfect with chips or a simple soup for lunch.

What’s the restaurant that you thought was the epitome of class when you were a kid, but now realize is just a regular ‘ole restaurant (and maybe not even a good one at that). Mine was Atlanta Bread Co., which is basically Georgia’s version of Panera. As a child of the 80s and 90s who spent the weekends at the mall perusing Claire’s for earrings that turned my ears green and sneaking into the back section of Gadzooks to check out the (slightly) scandalous section, my mall trip was always extra special when I was given a little extra money for lunch, which was either a giant Cinnabun or the avocado sandwich at Atlanta Bread Co.

Around this time I was a vegetarian, a decision I made for very thoughtful, ethical reasons (i.e. my best friend was a vegetarian and I wanted to be like her). The rest of my friends would order their turkey sandwiches, and I thought I was cool and quirky for getting an avocado sub instead. Gotta love that middle school desire to be just a little bit different, but still fit it – such a fun time of brain development to experience! I remember it being the most delicious thing, with creamy chunks of avocado, cheese, and raw veggies from texture on a nice toasted bun.

Sadly, my adult self went back to ABC (as it’s known for the initiated), and the sandwich was nothing like I remembered. Doesn’t it always go that way for childhood favorites?

However my love of avocado veggie sandwiches remains, and is still a lunchtime favorite of mine. What’s not to love about the combination of creamy avocado, crisp veggies and toasty bread? I make them all the time at home varying them based on what I have on hand, but my favorite is this combination of avocado with pickled and fresh veggies, provolone cheese, spicy-sweet pepper jelly and nutty whole grain bread.

How to Make a Veggie Avocado Sandwich

Once you’ve made the quick pickled radishes for this vegetarian avocado sandwich, it takes just minutes to throw together. And the quick pickled radishes couldn’t be easier too! Simply pour a warm mixture of rice vinegar, chili, sugar, and mustard seeds over the thinly sliced radishes, then let them chill and pickle in the fridge. This recipe will make some extra that you’ll love as a garnish with tacos or stir-fries, or tossed into a salad.

The only trick to putting together the sandwich is layering it in a way where it doesn’t fall apart while eating it. I like to use very slightly toasted, then I do pepper jelly followed by avocado, smashed just a bit so it adheres. Next comes cheese, sliced cucumber, pickled radish, sprouts, a sprinkle of hemp hearts or flax, then mayo.

Veggie Avocado Sandwich Recipe Adaptions

I love creamy slightly sharp and smoky provolone on this veggie avocado sandwich, but you could use other semi-hard cheeses like sharp cheddar, swiss, or Havarti (especially that yummy dill Havarti from TJs!).
For more protein, add sliced hard boiled egg, deli turkey or chicken to this sandwich.
If you want more of a peppery bite, make this sandwich with arugula or a peppery type of microgreen instead of sprouts.
I love this sandwich on a nice, nutty whole grain bread, just slightly toasted so the bread is still soft. It’s also delish on sourdough, rye, or even on a bagel.
If you don’t like spice, make this sandwich with fig jam or another more savory jam instead of pepper jelly.

Penzey's Sandwich Sprinkle is one of my favorite spices, and if you have it or another sandwich friendly spice mixture (I love ones with dill!), sprinkle a bit over the tomatoes and avocado when assembling the sandwich.

What to Serve with This Veggie Avocado Sandwich

This sandwich is pretty hearty on it’s own, but you could also serve it with:

A classic - chips!
A simple soup, like my roasted sweet potato cauliflower soup, white bean soup with pancetta, or curried carrot soup.
Fruit salad makes another easy side, especially if you buy pre-made from the deli.
This sandwich also works well with a side salad, like my favorite chopped side salad, roasted kabocha salad with creamy garlic dressing, crunchy coleslaw, or just do a quick salad kit.
Pasta salad, like my lemon orzo pasta salad.

If you like this vegetarian avocado sandwich recipe, follow my favorite vegetarian sandwich recipes PInterest board for more cooking inspiration.

This vegetarian avocado sandwich recipe was originally published September 2015. Recipe, images and text have been updated to give you the best possible content.

Vegetarian Avocado Sandwich Recipe

Pickled radish recipe adapted from Cookie + Kate.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

Pickled radish:

1/2 cup rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chili flakes
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1 bunch radishes, trimmed and very thinly sliced

Sandwich:

Whole grain bread, lightly toasted
Pepper jelly
Avocado (1/2 avocado per sandwich)
Sliced provolone cheese (1-2 slices per sandwich)
Sliced tomato
Sliced cucumber
Pickled radishes
Alfalfa sprouts or microgreens
Flax seeds or hemp hearts
Mayonnaise

Instructions:

First, make the pickled radishes. Bring vinegar, water, sugar, salt, chili flakes, and mustard seeds to a simmer. Pour mixture over the sliced radishes. Let the mixture cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate. You can use the pickles after they’ve cooled to room temperature, or keep in the refrigerator up to a week.
To make the sandwich, spread one slice of bread with a bit of pepper jelly. Top with avocado (I use about 1/2 an avocado per sandwich) and lightly mash into the bread. Top with a slice or two of cheese, sliced tomato, sliced cucumber, pickled radishes, and sprouts. Sprinkle some of the flax or hemp seeds over the sprouts. Spread the other slice of bread with a bit of mayo, top the sandwich, then serve.