Greek Pita Sandwich Recipe: Vegan mushroom Sandwiches

bines savory sautéed mushrooms and bell peppers with creamy avocado, crunchy red cabbage, and a spread of almond butter, all tucked into a warm, soft pita. It’s a tasty sandwich with a delicious mix of textures and flavors that are sure to keep you satisfied and energized.

What makes this a healthy pita pocket recipe so special is how versatile it can be. Whether one is feeling like a Mediterranean pita sandwich or perhaps adding favorite veggies, the recipe easily adjusts to every craving. Mushrooms add such a hearty, satisfying bite that is much like the feel one gets from traditional shawarma, making it a great option for those looking for a delicious plant-based alternative. Plus, the mix of sesame seeds and chili flakes gives it a little extra crunch and spice in every bite.

Easy Pita Pocket Sandwiches 

This is a very yummy pita sandwich that is vegan, too. Nutrient-rich fresh vegetables complement healthy fats from avocado and almond butter for an amazingly rich flavor of sautéed mushrooms, making this a truly wholesome, well-rounded meal. Turn it into a Vegan Greek Pita Sandwich with just a sprinkle of oregano, olives, or vegan feta, if you want to try a different twist on the basic recipe. This is, truly, one of those dishes that can be customized to your mood or what you happen to have on hand.

Whether you’re taking this vegetarian pita sandwich out fresh or packing it up for a quick lunch on-the-go, it’s satisfying and healthy for any time of day. The best part? It’s so easy to make that in less than 15 minutes, you’ll have a delicious meal ready for those busy days when both nutrition and flavor are required.

In this Pita Sandwich Recipe we’re covering

What’s Great About this Vegetarian Mushroom Shawarma Pita Recipe 

1. Packed with Flavor

We’re talking sautéed mushrooms, peppers, and spices like chili flakes and sesame seeds, coming together with fluffy pita pockets to create delicious sandwich recipe. It makes a filling lunch or light dinner. With savory, just like shawarma-bold and tasty flavors paired with creamy almond butter that lends a unique creaminess to the vegetables. It’s a comfy sandwich made with simple ingredients.

2. Healthy and Wholesome

This is a healthy pita pocket recipe that’s well endowed with nutrient-dense foods. Mushrooms offer a good amount of heartiness in their plant-based base, along with avocado and almond butter for a dose of healthy fats. Fresh veggies like red cabbage and bell pepper contribute some fiber, vitamins, and bite.

3. Quick and easy pita sandwich

You can make this mushroom pita sandwich in less than 15 minutes, making it an exceptional option for a quick lunch or dinner. This tasty lunch is perfect for busy days when you want to eat something healthy and complete. Now you can enjoy healthy recipes with a taste of home. 

4. Versatile and great for Customization

You can always make this vegetarian pita sandwich to your liking, and change the ingredients to your liking. Add your favorite veggies or even toss in some vegan proteins like falafel or tofu to make it your own. You can go further and make it a Vegan Greek Pita Sandwich with ingredients like olives, oregano, or vegan feta. For a vegetarian version of Greek pita sandwiches, you can opt for a Greek yogurt sauce, salty feta cheese and a little tzatziki sauce. There’s so many delicious ways to make these Greek pita sandwiches.

5. Great for Meal Prep

This is a great vegan meal prep pita. You can prepare all your veggies in advance, then assemble the pita. It’s also very portable for on-the-go lunches or even picnics.

6. Plant-Based Goodness

Pita is a type of vegan shawa­rma bread that holds all the sa­vory sat­is­fac­tion of tra­di­tion­al shawa­rma — no meat in­volved. Great for vegetarians and vegans alike, the meal is highly rich in nutrients since it is prepared from whole, plant-based ingredients.

7. A Mediterranean Twist

Mediterranean flavors combine in this fresh herb-packed pita sandwich, which brings together earthy mushrooms with fresh herbs like cilantro, for a healthy fresh twist on a satisfying meal.

Healthy, delicious, quick to make, and adaptable to whatever ingredients you happen to have on hand, here’s the perfect way to indulge in flavorful vegetarian shawarma pita.

Easy mushroom pita sandwiches ingredients

Here is a quick breakdown of some key ingredients in this Vegetarian Mushroom Shawarma Pita and what each brings to the table:

Bread base:

1. Pita Bread

 This forms the base of the sandwich-a soft, chewy pocket that holds all the delicious fillings.

Texture/flavor: Slightly nutty, with a neutral flavor that will let the bold, savory ingredients take center stage while offering a convenient, handheld way to enjoy the wrap. You can use regular pita bread or whole wheat pita bread to this tasty sandwich.

Filling ingredients:

2. Avocado

Avocado Provides creaminess and healthy fats. It’s an important ingredient that adds both creamy texture and nutrients to this healthy lunch.

Flavor & Texture: Avocado is super creamy, smooth, and buttery. It will offset the crunch of the veggies, the earthy-savory mushrooms, and give a soft, rich flavor to make the sandwich filling. Avocados are popular throughout the Mediterranean cuisine; you will find it in Mexican recipes, Spanish recipes, Greek dishes and some Italian recipes.

3. Red Cabbage (or Other Cabbage)

Adds Crunch and color for the sandwich

Flavor & Texture: Somewhat peppery with refreshing crunch, red cabbage gives a good balance with the more soft ingredients and provides fiber and vitamins. Although it’s not a traditional staple in Mediterranean recipes, it makes a delicious filling in pita pocket sandwiches.

4. Button Mushrooms

This is a vegetarian shawarma pita, in which mushrooms are the big star. Mushrooms create a savory, hearty base somewhat similar in texture to traditionally made shawarma.

Flavor & Texture: Mushrooms have that earthy and meaty feel to them, really soaking up the spices and seasoning well in cooking, thus acting very flavorfully and satisfactorily inside the filling. The bite-sized pieces are deliciously tender and full of umami flavor.

5. Sesame Seeds

Adds nutty crunch and added flavor to the mushrooms and peppers.

Flavor & Texture: Toasty and slightly crunchy, sesame seeds give a subtle nuttiness that enhances the overall Mediterranean feel of the sandwich.

6. Red Bell Pepper

Red Bell Peppers Adds sweetness and color to the warm pita bread filling:

Flavor & Texture: The bell peppers are crunchy, juicy, and a bit sweet. They cut through some of the earthy taste in the mushrooms and the creaminess of the avocado with their refreshing bite.

Herbs and seasoning ingredients

7. Cilantro

It adds freshness to the dish.

Flavor & Texture: Cilantro brings in notes that are bright and citrusy, to lift the earthy and savory flavors, adding freshness and herbal to tie it all together.

8. Almond Butter

Serves as creamy spread that contrasts the veggies and adds richness.

Flavor & Texture: Nutty and smooth, almond butter provides a creamy, slightly sweet base that supports both the veggies and mushrooms without overpowering either of them.

9. Salt

Enhances all other flavors.

Flavor & Texture: Balances and amplifies the flavors of mushrooms, peppers, and avocado.

10. Dried Chili Flakes

Adds heat and spice.

Flavor & Texture: Lightly spicy, chili flakes just hint at heat in this sandwich, keeping the flavors dynamic without overpowering anything else.

11. Olive Oil

Used in cooking the mushrooms and bell peppers.

Flavor & Texture: Rich and light, olive oil sautés mushrooms and peppers and develops depth into the dish.

Additional Ingredient in Mushroom pitas

Garlic, optional: garlic introduces delicious flavor notes, adds more savoriness to both mushrooms and bell peppers.

Overall Flavor & Texture Breakdown

It acts like a neutral base, allowing the flavors of the fillings to shine, while the mushrooms and the red bell add a savory and somewhat sweet balance. Then comes the avocado creaminess and the nutty one from almond butter, along with freshness from the red cabbage and crunch of fresh cilantro. Finally, sesame seeds add some texture and spice-up with the addition of chili flakes, making this a delicious, well-balanced flavorful sandwich.

Every ingredient in this Mediterranean pita sandwich contributes to layers of flavors, textures, and nutritional value, combining for an absolutely satisfying, great-tasting vegetarian shawarma pita experience.

Vegan Pita Sandwich Tips and Tricks

Just a few creative ideas below to make this vegan shawarma pita sandwich super exciting and personalized. This recipe is so versatile-you can really customize your pita pocket with all of your favorite ingredients:

Keep It Simple: For a classic and simpler touch, one would do great with only a few slices of fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. Drizzle them with a little tahini sauce for creamy, nutty flavor that moistens the pita and enhances the whole taste.

Add a Tangy Twist: Add that sour and a nice crunch with some quick-pickled onions, pickled cucumbers, or pink pickled turnips the traditional way. These add a nice, zestful contrast to brighten up literally every single bite.

Change It Up with Sauce: If you want a sauce switch-up, then trade tahini in for cooling tzatziki-courtesy creamy, refreshing bites. Add depth to herby, spicy chermoula sauce for a Mediterranean oomph.

Add Creaminess: Crumble some feta cheese into it for vegetarian fun in pita. Its salty, tangy flavor will go along sweetly with the savory mushroom and veggie filling, making every bite just that much more delicious.

Sides for a Complete Meal: Serve your pita with a light side dish, like a fresh tomato salad or roasted Greek potatoes. Or if crispy is what you want, sweet potato fries will do the job. They’re perfect for neutralizing the savory flavors of pita.

Warm Up with Soup: You can even make this pita sandwich more substantial by adding a bowl of potato or tomato soup for the ultimate soup-sandwich combination on chilly days.

These ideas are surefire ways to elevate this Mediterranean pita sandwich with different flavors and textures, yet you can still customize it as you like.

Healthier pita pockets recipe: Recipe for Pita Sandwich

In this quick, easy, and delicious pita sandwich, the freshness of veggies, creaminess of avocado, and nutty flavor of almond butter spread come into play, all wrapped up in a warm pita bread. It will surely be a quick lunch or meal on the go that will satisfy but still be healthy. You can add your favorite veggies or extra protein for an added fill. 

Ingredients:

• 1 pita bread
• 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced
• 1 handful red cabbage, thinly sliced (or any cabbage of your choice) 5 button mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tsp sesame seeds
• ½ red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 handful cilantro, chopped
• 1 tbsp almond butter
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch dried chili flakes

How to make Pita sandwich with mushrooms

1. Cook the Vegetables:

In a pan, heat some oil over medium-high heat. Add sliced red bell pepper and mushrooms. Sauté for about three to four minutes until the mushrooms are golden brown. Sprinkle in the salt, chili flakes, and sesame seeds; stir everything together. Once cooked, remove from heat and set aside.

2. Preparation of Pita:

Toast the pita either in a toaster or microwave for a few seconds. Open the heated pita by cutting off one side to form a pocket.

3.Assemble Pita:

Spread almond butter inside the pita evenly. Proceed with a layer of avocado slices, chopped cilantro, and red cabbage. Lastly, stuff in the sautéed mushroom and bell pepper mixture.

4.Serve:

Enjoy immediately, or wrap up to take along with you, for a quick meal on-the-go!

This tasty veggie-filled pita strikes a great balance among creamy, crunchy, and savory flavors. Enjoy!

Mediterranean pita sandwich recipe variations

Following is a delicious Mediterranean pita sandwich recipe, with cold and hot ideas:

Cold Pita Sandwich Ideas

1. Hummus and Falafel Pita

• Ingredients: Classic falafel, hummus, cucumber slices, tomatoes, red onions, and fresh parsley.
• FLAVOR PROFILE: A fresh, hearty sandwich with creamy hummus, crunchy falafel, and a nice crunch from vegetables balanced in a Mediterranean bite.
• TIP: Add pickled turnips or olives for a tangy twist.

2. Greek Salad Pita

• Ingredients: Chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, Kalamata olives, red onions, crumbled feta or vegan feta, and tzatziki or hummus.
• Flavor Profile: Refreshingly cool and tangy with classic Greek flavors. The veggies add such a nice crunch and the olives add saltiness; it feels almost like a light salad treat.
• Tips: Add fresh bursts of olive oil and lemon juice.

3. Roasted Red Pepper and Hummus Pita

• Ingredients: Roasted red peppers, hummus, fresh spinach, artichoke hearts, sliced avocado.
• Flavor Profile: Creamy hummus and avocado against the sweetness of roasted red peppers create a smooth and flavorful sandwich.
• Tip: For a little added kick, sprinkle some smoked paprika atop it.

4.Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Pita

• Ingredients: A combination of mashed chickpeas with diced cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and parsley, lightly dressed with lemon juice and olive oil.
• Flavor Profile: Light yet tangy, with a zesty lemon dressing; a proper cold lunch.
• Tip: Mix in some tahini or hummus for an added creamy taste.

5. Avocado and Veggie Pita

• Ingredients: Sliced avocado, shredded lettuce, grated carrots, cucumbers, and sprouts, topped with lemon tahini dressing.
• FLavor Profile: Creamy avocado and crunchy veggies make for a satisfying and healthy vegetarian option.
• Tip: Sprinkle with sunflower seeds or chopped nuts for added crunch.

Hot Pita Sandwich Recipe Ideas

    1. Mushroom and Halloumi Pita

• Ingredients: Grilled mushrooms, grilled halloumi cheese, roasted bell peppers, and a dollop of hummus or tzatziki.
• Flavor Profile: The flavor profile is savory and hearty from the meaty mushrooms and salty, well-grilled halloumi. Roasted peppers add in a smoky sweetness.
• Tip: Preferably served warm right off of the grill for optimal flavor.

2. Grilled Veggie Shawarma Pita

•  Ingredients: Grilled eggplant, zucchini, red onions, and bell peppers with tahini drizzle and sprinkle of za’atar.
• Flavor Profile: Smoky, grilled veggies laced with a rich tahini dressing and a hit of earthy za’atar, perfect for a warm and satisfying pita sandwich.
• Tip: Grill the veggies in olive oil with garlic till soft for extra flavor.

3. Spiced Chickpea and Spinach Pita

• Ingredients: Sauteed chick peas flavored with cumin and paprika, wilted spinach, and roasted tomatoes, topped with a dollop of hummus.
• Flavor Profile: Warm and spicy due to cumin and paprika, with an underlying smokiness; balanced by the creaminess from the spinach and hummus.
• Tip: Serve toasted to give an extra crunch.

Extra warm pita ideas

4. Vegan “Meatball” Pita

• Ingredients: Homemade or store-bought vegan meatballs, marinara sauce, and a handful of arugula or baby spinach, topped with vegan cheese.
• Flavor Profile: Comforting and hearty, from the rich marinara and “meaty” vegan meatballs, topped with melty vegan cheese.
• Tip: Grill the pita in the oven with the cheese or keep the sandwich warm.

5. Portobello Mushroom Pita

• Ingredients: grilled or roasted Portobello mushrooms, sautéed onions, and peppers topped with tahini or vegan tzatziki
• Flavor: A savory, almost meaty bite from the mushrooms paired with caramelized onions and peppers makes this a satisfying hot pita sandwich.
• Tip: Sprinkle in a handful of fresh herbs, such as parsley or cilantro, for a bright, fresh contrast.

From cold to hot pita sandwich recipes, options will be endless. Fresh and light, or warm and heavy-these Mediterranean sandwiches will satisfy anything from dawn till dusk.

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Vegetarian Pita Sandwich Meal Prep and Storage

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to meal prep, bring to go, and store your pita sandwich for freshness and convenience:

Meal Prep Tips:

1. Advanced Prep Ingredients

• Veggies: Slice and prepare all the vegetables in advance-such as bell peppers, cabbage, and mushrooms-up to 3 days in advance. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge.
• Avocado: If making the avocado ahead of time, slice right before assembling the sandwich, or squeeze some lemon/lime juice on the slices to prevent browning.
• Mushroom Filling: Sauté the mushrooms and bell peppers, and store them in a container in the fridge for reheating just before assembling the sandwich, or use them cold for different texture.

2. Store Separately:

• Wet ingredients, like avocado, cooked mushrooms, or sauces, can be stored in separate containers and assembled right before serving/eating.

3. Make Hummus:

• You can make your hummus ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to a week. Store-bought hummus is great, too; you could portion out into little containers for quick use.

Taking the Pita on the Go:

1.     Assemble Right Before You Leave:

• Assemble the pita sandwich just before leaving, or an hour in advance to keep it fresh, so it doesn’t get soggy.

2. Use Foil or Wrap:

• Wrap the assembled sandwich tightly in aluminum foil or wax paper for tight, leakage-free packing.

You can use a reusable sandwich wrapper or a container fitting the sandwich snugly to keep that intact.

3. Separating Ingredients for Longer Trips:

• If you’re setting the sandwich for some time later that day, wetter ingredients such as hummus, avocado, or sautéed mushrooms can be packed in small containers and added at eating time so that the pita doesn’t get too soggy.

4. Bringing a Small Ice Pack:

• If storing for a few hours, it is recommended that you use an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack to help keep the sandwich fresh, especially if the fillings include something like avocado.

Storage Options:

1. Refrigerator Storage-Assembled:

• If you have already assembled your pita and won’t be able to eat it immediately, just wrap the pita tightly under plastic wrap or foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
• However, for best texture, consume it within a few hours of assembly, or it may get soggy.

2. Refrigerator Storage (Separated Ingredients):

• You can store the components, like cooked mushrooms and veggies along with hummus in the refrigerator, in airtight containers for 3 days. You would want to store pita bread separately so it does not become soggy.
• You can then assemble pita sandwiches each day since you do not have to make preparations again and again.
• Below, is how to keep your pita sandwich fresh for meal prepping through the week so you can defrost them and pack quickly for on-the-go lunches.

3. Freezing Pita Bread:

• For longer storage, it can also be frozen. Just individually wrap them in plastic aside and place them in a freezer-safe plastic bag. It will last up to 3 months. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge or for a few hours at room temperature.

What to serve with Vegan Greek pita sandwich 

• Greek salad
• Roasted brussels sprouts
• Sesame roasted potatoes
• Sweet potato fries
• Oven roasted potatoes 
• Dump sheet mushrooms and vegetables
• Colorful couscous salad

Sauces, dips and gravy you might like with your ry bread sandwich 

• Low carb keto salsa
• Béarnaise sauce
• Vegan aioli 
• Whiskey sauce
• Best vegan gravy

Pita sandwich recipe frequently asked questions

More delicious sandwich recipes you might enjoy 

• Pesto Sandwich recipe
• Veg Sandwich recipe
• Easy Falafel sandwich recipe
• Picnic sandwich recipe
• Hummus wrap recipe
• Rye bread sandwich recipe

Recipe originally published April 15, 2019

Recipe updated November 10, 2024