How to Build a Rainbow Sandwich That Tastes as Good as It Looks

Piled high with vibrant veg and slathered with sauces and spreads, these nutrient-rich, meatless sandwiches taste just as good as they look.

Photo: Beata Lubas

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Who doesn’t love a piled-high, overflowing sandwich that’s filled with a rainbow of different ingredients? Sandwiches might be a classic lunchtime meal, but our versions are so stuffed with ingredients, you’ll want to have them for dinner too. Our Rainbow Sandwiches combine your fave whole-grain bread with an array of veggies, fruits, savory spreads and plenty of protein to make a well-rounded, perfectly balanced meal. Plus, they’re completely customizable – and super simple to make.

The Five Elements of a Rainbow Sandwich

1.  Breads

Choose your favorite variety of whole-grain bread as the blank canvas to start your sandwich creation. You can opt for:

  • Whole-grain or sprouted whole-grain bread
  • Grain-free or gluten-free bread
  • Dark rye bread
  • Sourdough bread

2. Flavor boosters

Forget plain mayo – choose one of these flavor boosters to smear on both slices of bread:

3. Proteins

Add a meatless proteins as the main event to create your plant-based sandwich. You can choose any one of these tasty picks:

4. Veggie twists on bacon

Optional but highly recommended to give your sandwich even more texture and flavor. Try these:

5. Veggie & fruit toppings

Pile your sandwich with as many colorful veg as you can fit before it topples over. Need some inspiration? We suggest:

  • Beets (grated or sliced)
  • Red radishes (grated or sliced)
  • Red onions
  • Tomato (sliced)
  • Yellow, green, red and orange bell peppers (sliced)
  • Caramelized onions
  • Caramelized fennel
  • Sauerkraut
  • Carrots (grated or sliced)
  • Capers
  • Avocado slices
  • Pickled cucumbers
  • Iceberg lettuce
  • Fresh basil
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Watercress or mixed micro sprouts
  • Napa cabbage
  • Mixed dark leafy greens (such as baby kale, chard or spinach)
  • Arugula
  • Purple cabbage

Rainbow Sandwich Combos to Try

Rainbow Sandwiches The Classic
(Photo: Beata Lubas)

The Classic

Roasted Red Pepper & Almond “Feta” Spread (on top and bottom of bread) + White Bean with Pine Nut “Parmesan” Spread + shredded carrot + yellow bell pepper slices + caramelized fennel + beet slices + Portobello Bacon on whole-grain sourdough bread

 

Rainbow Sandwiches the New BLT
(Photo: Beata Lubas)

The New BLT

Cashew, Dill & Chive “Cheese” Spread (on top and bottom of bread) + Roasted Garlic Dijon Mustard + iceberg lettuce + tomato slices + yellow bell pepper slices + capers + watercress + pickled cucumber slices + red onion slices + shredded purple cabbage + Smoky Carrot Bacon on dark rye

Rainbow Sandwiches the East-Meets-West
(Photo: Beata Lubas)

The East-Meets-West

Spicy Buffalo Mayo (on top and bottom of bread) + spinach leaves + fresh cilantro + grated beets + red radish slices + orange bell pepper slices + Tadka Spread + Sweet & Salty Coconut Bacon on whole-grain bread

 


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