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I make this delicious Avocado Sandwich frequently when time is rushed and we need a quick healthy meal. It’s made with fresh avocado, juicy tomato, crunchy purple onion, flavorful spices, and my homemade vegan spicy mayo (aka special sauce) all piled high on toasted bread.

avocado sandwich stacked on a cutting board

I am aware that Avocado Toast is tremendously popular right now, but an avocado sandwich is my all-time favorite. Don’t get me wrong, I do like the toast a lot, but this sandwich just can’t be beaten! It is so simple and delicious and great for any meal.

avocado sandwich made with sourdough toasted bread on white background with half of an avocado on

Are avocado sandwiches good for you?

Avocados are not low in fat and contain about 240 calories and 22 grams of fat (15 grams monounsaturated, 4 grams polyunsaturated, 3 grams saturated) in a medium-sized avocado, so they are not something you’ll want to eat every day.

A whole medium avocado has approximately 10 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein along with a host of other nutrients like vitamin E, vitamin C, and vitamin K. They contain zero cholesterol.

What goes on an avocado sandwich?

Everyone’s taste preferences differ, but there are certain things that pair so well with avocados to create an excellent sandwich.

Bread- Toasted sourdough bread is perfect for avocado sandwiches, though many other options work well too. I’ve listed a few other bread options below.
Avocado- Ripe and slightly soft when squeezed. You don’t want one too squishy and over-ripe.
Veggies- Tomato, onion, and cilantro are my personal favorites to include on an avocado sandwich.
Citrus- Spritz with lime juice for the best flavor.
Spices- Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. I also love to add a seasoning called Tajin which is a blend of lime, chili powder, and sea salt.
Special sauce- The homemade Spicy Vegan Mayo is optional but very highly recommended.

The recipe card at the bottom of the page has the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions.

overhead shot of ingredients for avocado sandwich on a large cutting board. Bread, avocado sliced, tomatoes, onion, mayo, lime juice

How to tell if an avocado is ripe

Choosing an avocado that is perfectly ripe is an important step in making this recipe because you don’t want to end up with a brown squishy one that can ruin a great sandwich.

Finding a ripe avocado can be difficult since they have such a tough outer shelf; however, there are a few ways to tell if your avocado is ripe and ready to use.

Color- First look at the color of your avocado. The darker-colored ones may be riper than those with lighter skins.
Firmness- You want the avocado to yield slightly when it is gently squeezed in the palm of your hand.
Stem- If the little cap or stem can be removed easily and there is some bright green tint underneath, you have the perfect ripeness.

It’s pretty difficult to find a perfectly ripe avocado at the grocery stores in my small area, so I usually buy them before they are ripe and allow them to sit on my kitchen counter for about 5 days to ripen up.

Once they are perfectly ripe, you can extend their life by storing them in your refrigerator, preferably in a vegetable drawer.

How to make an avocado sandwich

I highly recommend toasting your bread, even though it is optional. Toasting adds a delicious flavor and great texture. I have listed some bread options below.
Though my homemade Spicy Vegan Mayo is an optional spread for this sandwich, I think you’re going to want to make it, and it only takes 5 minutes. You will find so many other ways to eat it. It makes a great dip and salad dressing as well.
So, to begin, take a few minutes and make the special sauce mayo spread while the bread is toasting. To do this, simply place all the mayonnaise ingredients in your blender and blend until smooth. If you don’t like spicy food, just make the mayo and leave out the hot sauce.
Next, slice your tomato and avocado. If you aren’t sure how to cut an avocado, watch this quick video that shows how easy it is. I prefer to leave it in slices and not mash it.
You’ll be using 1/2 of an avocado for each sandwich. To prolong the life of the unused half and keep it from going brown too quickly, take a look at my suggestions below.
Wash and chop the fresh cilantro, and slice the purple onion.
Assemble your sandwich by spreading the spicy mayo on each slice of toasted bread and then layering the slices of tomato and avocado. Add the sliced purple onion and fresh cilantro.
Sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, Tajin seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Spritz with lime juice and then close the sandwich by adding the top layer of bread. Slice (or not), serve, and enjoy!

close up of healthy avocado sandwich on a cutting board with half of an avocado in front

Best types of bread to use

Personally, I love to make my avocado sandwich on toasted sourdough bread. Most sourdough bread is made with basic ingredients and no oil. Other great options include Dave’s Killer Bread/ 21 Whole Grain and Ezekiel’s Sprouted Bread.

avocado sandwich on stacked wooden boards surrounded by cilantro, tomatoes, avocados and salt and pepper

Optional add-ons

This avocado veggie sandwich is absolutely delicious and perfect just as is but, if you want to make it even more hearty, consider adding more vegetables like bean sprouts, cucumber slices, or some fresh greens like spinach or arugula.

How to keep an avocado sandwich from going brown

We’ve probably all had the experience of slicing an avocado and enjoying its bright green vibrant color only to have it develop a bland brown tint in a very short amount of time. While is inevitable once it has been cut, there are a few tricks that can help prolong the time.

Storing your avocado sandwich in an airtight container is one of the best lines of defense against premature browning. I like to keep the pit and store it in the container with my sliced avocado or sandwich because I’ve found it tends to help it keep its color longer.

One other tip is to spritz it with lime (or lemon) juice. Since this sandwich has lime juice already as an ingredient, it should help as well.

Tips for making this sandwich

Toast the bread- Bread that is lightly toasted adds more flavor and texture. Toasting also makes the bread a little more sturdy which is always nice.
Make fresh- Though you can make this sandwich ahead, it is actually better enjoyed fresh.
Make ahead- If you do need to make an avocado sandwich ahead of time, be sure to spritz it with a little lime juice to help keep the avocado from turning brown too quickly. Plan to eat the sandwich within 24 hours of making it.
Mayo- The homemade Spicy Vegan Mayonnaise is a must for this sandwich and only takes 5 minutes to make.

white bowl of spicy vegan mayo with hot sauce and a tomato sandwich and salt and pepper shakers

Foods that pair well with avocado

The flavor of avocados is pretty neutral, so they pair well with a lot of other foods like black beans, tomato, cucumber, cilantro, spinach, olives, garlic, and bell pepper. They are also delicious with fresh fruits such as strawberries, limes, and kiwis.

Avocados are perfect for serving with dishes like these Vegan Tacos and Amazing Nacho Supreme.

More avocado recipes

We love avocados! These are some of our favorite recipes that include avocado as a main ingredient.

Other healthy veggie sandwiches to try

Sandwiches make the best quick meals any time of the day. Here are a few of our favorite healthy sandwiches that are perfect for an easy lunch or picnic.

For those of you new to the whole food plant-based lifestyle, we’ve created a FREE 7-Day Plant-Based Menu Planner to help you get started!