Name: California Veggie Sandwich
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients: 2 cups apple cider vinegar; ½ cup (packed) light brown sugar; ¼ cup kosher salt; 4 cups any combination shredded carrots, sliced cucumbers, sliced red onions, and/or sliced mild fresh chiles; ¼ cup buttermilk; ¼ cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt; 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided; Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper; 2 ripe avocados, halved; 6 ounces fresh goat cheese; 6 cups mixed lettuce leaves, ribs removed if thick; 8 slices multigrain bread, toasted; ½ English hothouse cucumber, thinly sliced on a diagonal; 2 cups sprouts; 2 heatproof 1-qt. glass jars

Crosssection of a sandwich with hearty bread smashed avocado cucumbers sprouts lettuce finely sliced carrots and creamy...

Photo by Gentl & Hyers

We like sandwiches that send juices running down to our elbows, which is why we insist on dressing the lettuce. If you want to use store-bought giardiniera, skip the first step.

Recipe information

Yield
Serves 4

Ingredients

For the pickled vegetables:

2 cups apple cider vinegar

½ cup (packed) light brown sugar

¼ cup kosher salt

4 cups any combination shredded carrots, sliced cucumbers, sliced red onions, and/or sliced mild fresh chiles

For the dressing and assembly:

¼ cup buttermilk

¼ cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

6 tablespoons olive oil, divided

Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

2 ripe avocados, halved

6 ounces fresh goat cheese

6 cups mixed lettuce leaves, ribs removed if thick

8 slices multigrain bread, toasted

½ English hothouse cucumber, thinly sliced on a diagonal

2 cups sprouts

Special Equipment

2 heatproof 1-qt. glass jars

Preparation

Make the pickled vegetables:
Step 1
Bring vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and 2 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan. Meanwhile, pack vegetables into jars. Pour brine over vegetables. Cover and chill until cool.
Make the dressing and assemble:
Step 2
Whisk buttermilk, yogurt, lemon juice, and 3 Tbsp. oil in a large bowl until smooth; season dressing with salt and pepper.
Step 3
Scoop avocados into a small bowl; add 1 Tbsp. oil and lightly mash. Season with salt and pepper. Mash goat cheese with remaining 2 Tbsp. oil in another small bowl until softened and spreadable; season with salt and pepper.
Step 4
Add lettuce to dressing and toss to coat; season with salt and pepper. Spread avocado mixture over 4 slices of bread. Arrange lettuce over and top with cucumber, sprouts, and some drained pickles. Spread remaining 4 slices of bread with goat cheese and close sandwiches.
Do Ahead
Step 5
Pickles can be made 2 weeks ahead. Keep chilled.

Nutrition Per Serving

Calories (kcal) 790 Fat (g) 53 Saturated Fat (g) 15 Cholesterol (mg) 40 Carbohydrates (g) 68 Dietary Fiber (g) 16 Total Sugars (g) 17 Protein (g) 24 Sodium (mg) 1380

TagsSandwich California Cuisine American Avocado Vegetable Goat Cheese Cheese Dairy Lettuce Leafy Greens Sprout Main Lunch Dinner Vegetarian Nut Free Pickle & Preserve Bon Appétit

Recipe notes

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

37 Vegetarian Lunch Ideas That’ll Keep You Full Until Dinner
These hearty salads, vegetable-packed sandwiches, and creamy dips will brighten your day.
51 Vegetarian Sandwiches That Belong in Every Lunch Rotation
Skip the hummus sandwich, you can do better.
67 Avocado Recipes for Creamier Dip, More Satisfying Salads, Better Breakfasts, and More
We all love to mash our avocados with lime and cilantro. But that’s not all this buttery, creamy fruit is good for.
18 Types of Lettuce and the Best Ways to Eat Each One
Your salads will never be the same.
82 Superb Sandwich Recipes
These hearty sandwiches might just be the best thing since sliced bread...
11 Summery Recipes to Make This Weekend a Breeze
Cheesy stuffed tomatoes, frozen margarita pie, and the only salsa you'll ever need.
What to Cook This Weekend: April 12–14
Swordfish steaks, spicy buckwheat noodles, and the cinnamon-cardamom buns Paris is going nuts for.
61 COOK90 Lunches to Take to Work
Easy to prep and batch-cooking-friendly, these satisfying lunches will save you when you need a COOK90 meal to take to the office.
73 Back to School Lunch Recipes
These kid-friendly dishes are easy to make-ahead and take on the go—perfect for back to school season.