This Vegan Ploughman's Lunch can be enjoyed as a Sandwich or a Lunch Platter, and is incredibly humble and versatile, but looks amazing and tastes even better. For a gluten-free ploughman's sandwich or platter choose a gluten-free bread or perhaps a few crunchy flavoured rice or oat cakes.
A ploughman's lunch can be as elaborate as you want such as a platter with cheese, fruits such as grapes and apple, salad bits such as tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, radish, etc., nuts, seeds, pickles, chutneys and pickled onions, along with bread slices, rolls/baps, baguettes, or crackers. Or a ploughman's lunch can be as simple as a wedge of cheese, slice of bread, a pickled onion or an apple.
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Origin of Ploughman Lunch
The phrase ploughman's Lunch was devised in 1957 by the Cheese Bureau with the aim of promoting the inclusion of English cheese within pub meals. The original ploughman lunch was simply a combination of bread, cheese, and pickle which was washed down with beer, ale or cider.
The idea of the ploughman's lunch originates from traditional ploughmen or farm workers who would take their lunch breaks at the roadside, in the field, or perched on a cart. They would enjoy their simple but sustaining lunch, which was transported wrapped in a cloth. Although the ploughman may not have actually eaten their food during the modern lunch hours of 12-2pm, instead mid morning or even later in the afternoon may have been more common for work breaks.
Lunch consisting of bread, cheese and beer or ale was popular staples, and commonly on offer at local inns or public houses for locals and weary travellers to enjoy. Meat was more expensive so cheese was used as the cheaper protein. There is a medieval poem that dates back to the 14th Century ''Pierce The Ploughman's Crede'' which describes the ploughman's meal as ''bread, butter, cheese and ale''.
Since the rise in popularity of the ploughman's lunch in the 1950s, many modern-day eating establishments now offer a classic ploughman's lunch or sandwich on their menus. However, over the years, new additions have been included, such as lettuce, tomatoes, boiled eggs, apples, pork pies, sausage rolls, and fruits like pears and grapes.
Also, nowadays, many British supermarkets, cafes, and restaurants often offer a ploughman sandwich, which is simply a ploughman's lunch packed into slices of bread, rolls, or baguettes.
Finally, if you're in the UK, Greggs the bakery chain has just launched a new vegan Ploughman's Cheeze roll, featuring dairy-free cheese, pickle, red onion, tomato, cucumber, and green salad. Although, a homemade ploughman's lunch is always better than shop-bought!
How to prepare a Ploughman's sandwich
Preparing a ploughman's sandwich is so easy. The quantity amounts provided in the recipe are just suggestions.
Feel free to add however much of one ingredient as you prefer and to omit or sub an ingredient for what you have to hand.
Step 1: First spread some vegan margarine or butter over your bread or sliced baguette.
Step 2: Next add a layer of your favourite lettuce.
Step 3: Pop in a layer of sliced thin or thick vegan cheese.
Step 4: Scoop in a layer of chutney, pickle or relish.
Step 5: Pop in a layer of sliced tomatoes and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 6: Serve with optional sides such as apple slices, pickled onions, and a few other bits such as grapes, cucumber, radish, walnuts, etc.
How to prepare ploughman's lunch platter
A ploughman's platter consists of everything that fills up a ploughman's sandwich but with optional tasty extras added. The ingredients are set out nicely on a wooden board or serving plate or packed into a lunch box.
The extras can be any salad bits, fruit or veggies you like, along with crisps, crackers, rice or veggie cakes/crackers, breadsticks or slices of fresh crusty bread or baguettes.
For a gluten-free Ploughman's lunch platter choose gluten-free bread, crackers or rice cakes. In the image above we used Kallo's gluten-free veggie cakes that are flavoured with spinach and pesto. These delicious crunchy vegetable cakes are prepared with lentil flour and peas and are perfect for a delicious fresh lunch platter.
Recipe Notes
Storage
Any leftover ploughman's sandwich or lunch platter can be placed into airtight containers or covered with food wrap. Store within the refrigerator for 1-2 days although it will be at its best soon after preparing.
Yes, but you will need to use a gluten-free bread, roll/bap, English muffin, or replace the bread with gluten-free crackers, rice or vegetable cakes. Also check that any chutney, pickle or relish used is also free from gluten ingredients.
A ploughman's lunch can be as humble and delicious as including simply bread, cheese and a pickle, relish or chutney with possibly a pickled onion and slices of apple.
However, for a more substantial fare that would be great for a special Ploughman's lunch or dinner choose any of the following [of course you may have your own ideas not mentioned here, if so do let us know in the comment section].
* cucumber sticks
* carrot sticks
* celery sticks
* tomato slices or whole cherry tomatoes
* any variety of lettuce or young green leaves
* sliced radish
* sliced red onion, or sliced spring/green onions
* sliced chives, chive flowers
* apple wedges, or pear
* bunch of grapes
* vegan cheese, especially a cheddar alternative
* pickle, relish or chutney, such as Branston pickle, sweet onion chutney, etc
* pickled beetroot
* pickled cabbage
* pickled onions
* gherkins/dill pickles
* walnuts [these can be pickled or plain] or your choice of nuts
* dried fruit, such as prunes, dates, apricots, raisins, cranberries
* vegan pork pies [Co-op supermarket [UK] do their own vegan ones Gro 4 mini pies]
* mustard
* vegan mayonnaise
* your favourite condiments
* your choice of bread, rolls/baps, baguettes, etc
* your favourite crackers
* Scottish oatcakes
* oil-free Scottish oatcakes or oil-free cheesy Scottish oatcakes
* quick three ingredient dinner rolls
* Irish wheaten soda bread
* Australian damper bread
* vegan Quorn ham slices or similar meat-free deli slices
* vegan cocktail sausages or slice cooked vegan sausages into smaller pieces
* vegan sausage rolls, for mini sausage rolls simply slice large ones into 2-3 pieces after cooking
* fruit loaf cake - traditionally in Britain many folks like to eat slices of cheese with their fruit cake so a few slices of our fruit loaf cake would make a nice addition
A Ploughman's lunch platter is perfect for parties, buffets, pot-lucks, and sunny-day picnics or even as part of a BBQ. A Ploughman's platter can make a nice spread for people to enjoy nibbling from.
All the ingredients can be laid out on wooden chopping or cutting boards or serving platters, or simply dinner plates. This way guests can pick and choose what they like and enjoy a delicious fun meal.
To save time and expensive, perhaps ask your guests to bring an ingredient to add to the Ploughman's lunch, such as one guest bring carrot and celery sticks, and another bring the sliced crusty bread, and so on. This way the Ploughman's lunch can be a communal affair and lots more fun.
Also, any time of the year is perfect for a Ploughman's lunch as it can be enjoyed at home, at the park, in a field, at your allotment, in your garden, for pack lunch or pack-up, a day-out, on the train, picnic table at the side-of-the-road, dungeon and dragons meet-ups, anywhere really! If it's raining outside spread a blanket on the floor and enjoy an at-home-ploughman-picnic, which kids will especially love.
If you're planning a vegan medieval meal or even a Hobbit inspired luncheon then consider a ploughman lunch platter, play some medieval music, and wear anything medievally looking you may own!
A vegan ploughman's lunch can be as simple as wedges of crusty bread, cheese, pickle and perhaps a few pickled onions. It does make for a very satisfying, tasty lunch or perhaps brunch or light dinner along with a cup of home-made soup.
If you are a Lord of the Rings or Hobbit fan a Ploughman's lunch platter can be a fun hobbit luncheon or a supper that could be served up at The Prancing Pony Inn.
More traditional vegan sandwich recipes
We have a few more of our family favourite traditional sandwiches made vegan to share such as this classic tofu 'egg' mayonnaise and cress sandwich, and this Coronation 'chicken' Chickpeas and Kidney Beans tortilla wrap or sandwich filling.
Another delicious sandwich filling is this refreshing vegan prawn tofu cocktail which is usually served as a salad but has recently made a come-back in the form of a sandwich filling!
And for a vintage sandwich which is packed with flavour and texture this Old-Fashioned Walnut and Celery Sandwich is surprisingly delicious and easy to prepare.
***please note: for US measurements click the 'US customary button' within the recipe and the measurements will switch to tablespoons, cups, and ounces.***
📖 Recipe
Vegan Ploughman's Lunch Platter And Sandwich
Equipment
- Chopping boards or plates/serving platters, for displaying the Ploughman's lunch [not necessary if preparing Ploughman sandwich instead]
- Utility knife everyday knife suitable for chopping raw veggies
Ingredients
Ploughman's Sandwich or Baguette:
- 4 slices bread [or 2 small baguettes about 5-10 inch in length]
- 2 teaspoons vegan margarine [or vegan butter, can use more or omit this ingredient, hummus, mustard, or guacamole are nice alternatives]
- 40 grams lettuce [or enough to line your sandwiches, any variety can be used but romaine or iceberg gives a nice crunch]
- 60 grams dairy-free cheese [sliced thin, use a vegan cheddar alternative if available]
- 6 cherry tomatoes [or 1-2 large tomatoes, sliced]
- 4 tablespoons chutney [such as Branston original pickle or a sweet onion or tomato chutney, use more as liked]
Serve on the side, optional but traditional:
- 2 apples [cored and sliced into wedges, brush with fresh lemon juice to prevent browning if the apples are going to sit for more than a few minutes]
- 8 mini pickled onions [more if preferred]
Ploughman's Lunch Platter - serve all of the above for the sandwich laid out nicely on a platter/board/plate and include, pick and choose your favourites:
- 6 whole walnuts [whole or halved]
- 60 grams cucumber [sliced thin]
- 4 whole radishes [thin sliced - can pickle the radishes by using a few tablespoons of the pickled onion liquid, just stir the sliced radishes through the liquid and pickle for about 20-30 minutes]
- ½ whole red onion [sliced thin into rings]
- 4 tablespoons pickled beetroot [or whole baby pickled beetroot]
- 100 grams grapes
Instructions
Ploughman's lunch sandwich or baguette:
- Spread the margarine over your bread slices or sliced baguette.2 teaspoons vegan margarine, 4 slices bread
- Line the bread with a layer of lettuce.40 grams lettuce
- Scoop in a layer of chutney.4 tablespoons chutney
- Add a layer of sliced vegan cheese.60 grams dairy-free cheese
- Next add thin slices of tomato.6 cherry tomatoes
- Season with salt and pepper if liked.
- Optional: Serve with a side of thick apple wedges, a few walnuts and a couple of pickled onions.2 apples, 6 whole walnuts, 8 mini pickled onions
Ploughman's lunch platter:
- Display the ingredients for the ploughman's sandwich or baguette individually on a serving platter.Include any of the ingredient suggestions detailed above for the ploughman's platter.[Find more suggestions for what can be included within the recipe FAQ's section above.]60 grams cucumber, 4 whole radishes, ½ whole red onion, 4 tablespoons pickled beetroot, 100 grams grapes
- The ploughman's lunch platter is versatile so pick and choose your own ingredients whilst sticking to the main staples of bread, cheese, and pickle, if liked.
Notes
- Nutritional information is provided for guidance only and is not a strict calculation as ingredients vary.
- Nutritional data is based on the ploughman's sandwich [omitting the platter suggestions]. Including the platter ingredients brings the calorie total to around 499 per serving, which is great seeing as it's comparable to a mini feast! Also each platter serving equals roughly 10g protein, 10g fibre, 4mg Iron, 32mg Vitamin C and 137mg Calcium, 17g fat, 5g saturated fat, 77g carbs, and 34g sugar.
- Any leftover Ploughman's sandwich or platter can be stored within the refrigerator covered in food wrap, for 1-2 days. Although for peak freshness it is best enjoyed on the day of preparing.
- For a gluten-free Ploughman's lunch choose a gluten-free bread, roll, bap or baguette. Or select gluten-free crackers, rice or vegetable cakes for a tasty crunch. Also ensure that any pickle, relish or chutney used is also free from gluten ingredients.
- For more platter ingredient suggestions have a look at our FAQ section above this recipe.
- If you are LOTR or Hobbit fans a Ploughman's lunch would make a nice hobbit luncheon or as a supper served up at The Prancing Pony Inn!
Nutrition
Comments
Prepared our Vegan Ploughman's Lunch Platter or Sandwich? We would love to know how you got on with the recipe so do drop us a comment below and click the star ratings. All feedback is very much appreciated and helps us to know which recipes you love. Thanks so much! All the best, Jacq x
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