Vegan Grilled Cheese Sandwich

By
Ashley Adams
Ashley Adams
Ashley Adams is a restaurant professional and workshop instructor with a specialty in dairy-free cooking and baking.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 12/15/22
Vegan grilled cheese sandwich

The Spruce Eats / Elizabeth Briskin

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 20 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yield: 4 sandwiches
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
509 Calories
12g Fat
80g Carbs
20g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 509
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12g 16%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 1159mg 50%
Total Carbohydrate 80g 29%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Total Sugars 19g
Protein 20g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 412mg 32%
Iron 5mg 29%
Potassium 408mg 9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

A grilled cheese sandwich is an easy lunch for kids and adults. You can make it with vegan cheese if you are eating dairy-free or eliminating animal products.

Making a delicious vegan grilled cheese sandwich is dependent on two things—the bread and the vegan cheese. Try a few different brands to find the ones you like best; three to try are Follow Your Heart, Daiya, and Teese. With Daiya, you have a choice of their Daiya shreds or slices. Another choice that emulates mild cheddar slices is Earth Island Cheddar-Style Cheese Slices.

Your choice of bread is also important for making a great vegan grilled cheese sandwich. You don't have to use sourdough, as in this recipe. A whole-grain, dairy-free bread will add even more texture. Whatever bread you choose, it should be about a half-inch thick so it doesn't dry out when grilled.

This recipe uses olive oil for pan-frying. If you want a buttery flavor, try using vegan butter instead.

Pair it with a bowl of Vegan Tomato and Barley Vegetable Soup, or whatever soup you desire, or a tossed green salad for a delicious meal.

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces vegan cheese of your choice, shredded or cut into thin slices

  • 8 slices dairy-free sourdough bread

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil, for pan-frying

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for vegan grilled cheese sandwich recipe gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Elizabeth Briskin

  2. Place about 2 ounces of dairy-free cheese, shredded or in strips, on top of 4 of the bread slices.

    Place dairy-free cheese on top of four of the bread slices

    The Spruce Eats / Elizabeth Briskin

  3. Then top with the remaining 4 slices and press the sandwiches together firmly.

    Four cheese sandwiches ready to be grilled

    The Spruce Eats / Elizabeth Briskin

  4. Lightly oil a nonstick cooking pan with olive oil, then place it over medium-high heat and add the sandwiches.

    Grilled cheese cooking on a skillet

    The Spruce Eats / Elizabeth Briskin

  5. Cook each sandwich on one side for 2 to 3 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown on each side.

    Cook grilled cheese on the other side

    The Spruce Eats / Elizabeth Briskin

  6. To fully melt the vegan cheese, finish by adding 1 tablespoon of water to the pan, cover, and allow to steam for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove sandwiches and serve immediately.

    Grilled cheese sandwiches steaming in a covered skillet

    The Spruce Eats / Elizabeth Briskin

Nutrition Facts Labels

This recipe is suitable for dairy-free, egg-free, and vegan diets, but as with any recipe intended for persons with allergies or dietary restrictions, make sure to read all nutritional labels carefully. Search for any hidden dairy-derived ingredients (or other allergens, if these apply to you).

Variations

Try adding:

  • Sliced tomatoes
  • Vegan pesto or fresh basil leaves
  • Tempeh bacon
  • Fruit jam (fig, berry, apple, rhubarb, orange marmalade)
  • Thinly sliced apple
  • Onion slices or caramelized grilled onions
  • Arugula, spinach, kale, or other greens
  • Garlic aioli
  • Jalapeño slices
  • Olive tapenade
  • Horseradish sauce (vegan)
  • Cucumber slices
  • Sweet or dill pickles or relish
  • Avocado
  • Salsa
  • Roasted bell peppers (red, green, yellow, or a combination)
  • Pickled peppers
  • Grilled asparagus
  • Canned artichoke hearts (chopped)
  • Broccoli or cauliflower (steamed or roasted, finely chopped)