You don’t need to be a master chef or have hours of free time to make delicious, healthy lunches. These easy lunch recipes require minimal prep and cook in just 10 minutes or less, so you can enjoy your midday meal without spending hours over the stove.
Easy lunch recipes for busy days
You’ll find no-cook options like these easy salads and sandwiches that are ready in minutes. Or, if you’re looking for something heartier, try a recipe that takes only 15 minutes of hands-on time.
These quick lunch recipes are perfect for those busy days when you want something homemade but don’t want to spend all day cooking.
When you’re busy, it’s tempting to grab whatever you can from the nearest fast food joint. But if you have a little time in the morning or evening, it doesn’t take much effort to throw together a healthy lunch that will keep you energized throughout the day.
The next time you’re short on time, try one of these easy lunch recipes—they’re all made with just five ingredients or fewer and promise to save you time during your lunch break.
If you’re looking for even more quick and healthy lunch ideas, check out these four-ingredient recipes from Cooking Light.
It’s easy to get stuck in a lunchtime rut. You know, the kind where you eat the same sandwich every day or grab whatever’s on sale at the grocery store.
But there are so many other options! And we’re here to help you find them.
We’ve rounded up our favorite recipes for quick lunches that will make your taste buds sing — without a lot of prep time. From loaded baked potatoes to spinach salads, these 15 dishes will keep you full and fueled all afternoon long.
I’m a busy person. I work, I run errands and I’m constantly going from one thing to another.
When it comes to lunch, I often don’t have much time to prepare a meal. That’s why I love these easy lunch recipes that take little time and effort.
You can make them in advance and keep them in the refrigerator or freezer until you need them.
- Lentil soup: Lentils are super easy to cook and they provide plenty of protein and fiber — two things that make this soup filling enough to be a meal on its own (or with some bread). You can add pretty much any vegetables you like, such as carrots or celery, but I prefer peas or corn because they’re sweeter than most vegetables. If you have leftover cooked chicken, throw it into the pot too!
- Tuna salad: This is a classic lunch recipe that never gets old (and it’s healthier than mayo-based tuna salads). You can use canned tuna if you’re in a hurry, but if you want something healthier and tastier, buy fresh tuna steaks at your local butcher shop (or even Whole Foods) and cook them yourself using this simple cooking method! You’ll be surprised by how much cheaper
When you’re rushing around and trying to get everything done, it’s easy to grab takeout or a sandwich from the local deli. But at least once in a while, make it your goal to eat at home instead.
You’ll save money and eat healthier by cooking from scratch instead of relying on processed food. And if you plan ahead, it doesn’t even have to be hard or time-consuming. You can make a big batch of food on Sunday night and store it in containers for quick weekday lunches.
Here are some ideas for easy lunch recipes that will leave you feeling satisfied and energized:
- Avocado toast with poached eggs
- Tuna salad with celery and apple
- Leftover chicken soup with greens and cracked wheat (add avocado slices)
- Hummus with carrots, cucumber sticks, celery sticks and crackers
It’s hard to find time for lunch when you’re busy at work. But if you don’t take the time to eat, you could end up feeling tired and sluggish.
If you’re already eating lunch at your desk, try these quick and easy recipes that are healthy enough to keep your energy up through the afternoon.
Take-out salads are a great source of vitamins, minerals and fiber — they just tend to be high in calories and fat from dressings and extras like croutons or bacon bits. Try this recipe instead: It’s low in calories and fat but still has plenty of protein thanks to the eggs, cheese and beans. And the avocado adds healthy fats that will keep you feeling full longer.
This soup is easy to make on a weeknight because it requires very little prep work (just chop one onion!) and cooks quickly on the stove top or in the slow cooker. It has lots of veggies for vitamins A and C, plus iron from lentils, which also provide protein. This recipe makes about six servings so there’s plenty leftover for lunch tomorrow!
This salad is loaded with filling whole grains like quinoa for complex carbs that will keep blood sugar levels stable until your next meal — no sugar spikes here! The dressing contains healthy fats
If you’re looking for easy lunch recipes, we’ve got you covered. You don’t have to be a chef or even like cooking to make these simple meals at home.
These recipes are perfect for busy days when you need something delicious and healthy for lunch. And they’re even better if you have leftovers!
- Roasted Tomato Soup with Parmesan Crisps
- Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Wrap
- Mediterranean Shrimp Salad Pitas
- Chicken BLT Lettuce Wraps
- Shrimp Avocado Pita Sandwich
Planning your meals can be a challenge, especially when you’re working full-time and trying to juggle other responsibilities. That’s why we’ve rounded up some delicious, easy lunch recipes that will help you get through the workday with ease.
Whether you’re craving comfort food or something fresh and light, we’ve got you covered. From chicken enchiladas to buffalo chicken salad wraps, there’s something for everyone in this list of easy lunch recipes.
Here are some quick meal ideas for busy days at work:
Buffalo Chicken Salad Wraps: These low-carb wraps are filled with fiber and protein from the chicken, celery, and lettuce — they will keep you feeling full until dinner time rolls around again.
Turkey Sandwich With Avocado Mayo: A classic turkey sandwich is always a good choice for lunch, but add avocado mayo for an extra boost of flavor. This recipe makes two sandwiches so you can freeze one for later!
Chicken Enchiladas: These enchiladas are loaded up with veggies like spinach and tomatoes so they’re not just a meat dish — they have all the flavor of tacos without the carbs! You can also make these ahead of time if you need more time in the morning before heading out
Here are some ideas for healthy lunches to make ahead of time and store in the refrigerator so that you can grab them in the morning or afternoon before work.
Salads
Salads are a great way to get in your daily dose of veggies, but they can also be filling and satisfying if done right. Keep it simple with a green salad with beans or chickpeas and a protein source like chicken, tuna or tofu. Add some nuts and seeds, avocado, cheese or other toppings if you want!
Sandwiches
Sandwiches don’t have to be boring. You could make open-faced sandwiches with vegetables instead of bread, or add hummus or avocado spread instead of mayonnaise or butter. Or if you don’t want a sandwich at all, try making an egg salad wrap with whole wheat tortillas and adding veggies like spinach leaves or cucumber slices.
It’s no secret that eating a healthy lunch can be challenging. But it doesn’t have to be. These easy lunch recipes are perfect for when you’re short on time, but still want to eat well.
- Grilled chicken salad with avocado and strawberries: If you’re looking for a healthy lunch, this grilled chicken salad recipe is the perfect option. It’s loaded with protein and healthy fats from the chicken and avocado, plus fiber from the spinach and strawberries. The dressing is a simple combination of olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper — no need to buy store-bought dressings when you can make your own!
- Mediterranean pasta salad: This pasta salad is packed with Mediterranean flavors like olives, artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes along with creamy feta cheese in every bite. The best part? This pasta salad comes together in less than 20 minutes using store-bought rotini pasta — no cooking required!
- Avocado toast: Avocado toast has become one of my favorite go-to lunches because it’s so quick and easy to make! All you need is some bread (I like sourdough), avocado slices and salt+pepper for seasoning (plus any toppings you like).
