Have you had it with the same old sandwich or dejected desk salad? It is simple to get into a lunchtime food sluggishness, however it is unfair to your lunch hour. Having a tasty and filling lunch may change the rest of your day completely as it makes you happy and more efficient.
We have compiled a must-see list of sensational lunch recipes you will not find it boring. In lightning-quick wraps, and pitch-in-and-go bowls, this is the book you need to revamp your midday with. Get ready to discover your new favorite meal.
Why a Great Lunch Matters
Lunch is considered by many as a time break by many people in a hectic day. But to keep up your energy and concentration, and general well being, it is essential to break with a well balanced lunch. Missing lunch or using cheap fast foods will cause the much-dreaded afternoon crashing.
When you spend some time planning nice lunch dishes your body and brain will have the fuel it needs to be at its best. Healthy lunch will also balance the level of blood sugar, enhance concentration, and will not lead to overeating at night.
Our Top Quick & Easy Lunch Recipes
To provide you with a tip of the iceberg we do have four of our absolute favorite lunch recipes. They are proven and fast to prepare meals that are full of flavor and ideal to make the week busier.
1. 15-Minute Lemon Herb Chicken & Quinoa Bowl
This colorful bowl is literally the epitome of a power lunch. It is loaded with protein, fiber, fresh tastes to make you feel full and concentrated. It is among the most broadly applicable lunch recipes that you can ever have in your repertoire.
Ingredients:
1 cup cooked quinoa, chilled 1 cooked chicken breast, diced (about 4 oz) 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1/4 cup cucumber, diced 2 tbsp crumbled feta cheese 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
For the Dressing:
2 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard Salt and black pepper to taste
| Time | Duration |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 5 minutes |
| Total Time | 15 minutes |
Serving Size: Serves 1
Instructions:
- Combine the ingredients of the dressing: olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper, in a small bowl and whisk together until incorporated well.
- Add the cooked quinoa, minced chicken, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber in a middle size bowl.
- Sprinkle the dressing on the mixture of quinoa and gently toss with it to coat all the ingredients.
- Add the see-through parsley on top and feta cheese at last.
2. Ultimate Veggie & Hummus Wrap
Wraps are the best alternative in a convenient hassle free lunch. This one is filled with crunchy veggies and creamy hummus that will make you have a full and healthy lunch or dinner that you can eat on the road.
Ingredients:
1 large whole-wheat tortilla or lavash bread 3 tbsp hummus (your favorite flavor) 1/4 cup baby spinach leaves 1/4 cup shredded carrots 1/4 red bell pepper, thinly sliced 1/4 avocado, sliced 1 tbsp sunflower seeds for crunch
| Time | Duration |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 0 minutes |
| Total Time | 10 minutes |
Serving Size: Serves 1
Instructions:
- Lay the tortilla flat on a clean surface.
- Position the tortilla on a flat surface and now spread the hummus in its surface evenly but with a little border left at the edges.
- Place spinach, shredded carrots, bell pepper and avocado in a line down the middle of the tortilla.
- Sprinkle the sunflower seeds over the vegetables.
- Fold over the sides of the tortilla then roll snuggly starting at the bottom of the tortilla so that the fillings are encased. Slice in half to serve if desired.
3. Speedy Black Bean Soup
This soup is there to save you when you want something warm and cozy. It is astonishingly speedy, thanks to canned black beans, and a couple of important seasonings help it to taste slowly cooked. It is one of such comfort food lunch recipes that you need on a cold day.
Ingredients:
1 tsp olive oil 1/2 small onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth 1/2 tsp cumin 1/4 tsp chili powder Salt and pepper to taste Optional Toppings: sour cream, chopped cilantro, crushed tortilla chips
| Time | Duration |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 15 minutes |
| Total Time | 20 minutes |
Serving Size: Serves 2
Instructions:
- In a small saucepan on medium heat, lightly saute the onion in olive oil and wait until the onions are softened (3-4 minutes). Crush the garlic and cook further 1 minute until the aroma appears.
- Into the sauce pan add the black beans, vegetable broth and cumin and chili powder.
- Simmer the mixture and cook 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Transfer about half of the soup to a blender and blend until smooth (or use an immersion blender directly in the pot for a partially creamy texture).
- Put the blended soup back into the pot, stir and add salt and pepper. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
4. Mason Jar Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing
Mason jar salads are a meal-prepper’s dream. The right layering of the ingredients will mean that your salad will be crispy and fresh till the time you are willing to eat.
It would be a fantastic idea to add a solution to those, who want to find make-ahead lunch plans that they can turn to.
Ingredients:
For the Dressing:
1/2 ripe avocado 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt 1 tbsp lime juice 2-3 tbsp water, to thin
For the Salad:
1/2 cup chickpeas, rinsed 1/2 cup chopped bell peppers (mixed colors) 1/2 cup corn kernels (canned or frozen) 1/4 cup chopped red onion 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
| Time | Duration |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 0 minutes |
| Total Time | 15 minutes |
Serving Size: Serves 1
Instructions:
- Mash avocado, Greek yogurt and the lime juice in a small bowl, to create dressing. Add water, a tablespoon of water at a time, working in until a pourable consistency has been reached.
- Pour the dressing to the bottom of a wide-mouth mason jar sized quart.
- The order of the layering of the ingredients in the salad in order to discourage the presence of sogginess should start with the chickpea, bell pepper, corn, and red onion, and lastly, the romaine lettuce.
- Cap and close the jar and then keep in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Just before you want to eat, shake the jar widely in order to spread the dressing and then pour it into a bowl.
21 More Inspiring Lunch Ideas
Need more inspiration? These are 21 more ideas to mix into your lunch-recipes rotation.
Salads & Bowls
- Greek Quinoa Bowl: Quinoa, cucumbers, tomatoes, olive, feta, and lemon-dill vinaigrette.
- Spicy Peanut Noodle Salad: Noodles made of cold soba coupled with edamame and shredded carrots with spicy peanut dressing.
- Caprese Salad 2.0: Throw a grilled chicken and balsamic glaze on top of the old-time classic.
- Taco Salad Jar: Place taco meat, beans, corn, cheese and lettuce in layers with salsa vinaigrette.
- Deconstructed Sushi Bowl: Flaked salmon, brown rice, avocado, cucumber and strips of nori.
Sandwiches & Wraps
- Egg salad with an Upgrade: Add avocado and dill; on whole-grain bread.
- Pesto Chicken Sandwich; Grilled chicken, pesto and toasted mozzarella and tomato on ciabatta.
- Spicy Tuna Melt: Tuna Salad stirred in sriracha and jalapeos and topped in cheddar.
- Apple and Brie Quesadilla: Sweet and savory match that can be a great snack.
- Roast Beef and Horseradish Wrap: Thinly sliced roast beef sauce made of creamy horseradish and arugula.
Hot & Hearty
- Lentil and vegetable soup: A meaty fiber-filled soup, freezes well.
- Personal Pizzas: Employ English muffin or pita bread as a fast crust.
- Stuffed Sweet Potato: Bake sweet potato and fill it with black beans, corn and cheese.
- Pasta e Fagioli: This is an Italian soup made of pasta and beans.
- Left Over Stir-Fry: An ideal solution to last night dinner.
No-Cook Lunches
- Adult Lunchables: Grilled Cubed cheese, high-quality crackers, salami, fresh grapes, nuts.
- Cottage Cheese Bowl: Place berries, nuts and ground-up honey.
- Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Pinwheels: Spread a tortilla with cream cheese, sprinkle salmon and dill and roll up and cut into pieces.
- Mediterranean Mezze Box: Hummus, pita, olives, feta and slices of cucumber.
- White Bean & Tuna Salad: Combine canado tuna, cannhanloni beans, red onions and olive oil.
- Avocado Toast and Everything Bagel Seasoning: Just easy, quick and always taste the best.
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Lunches
Meal Planning
Spend an hour on Sunday washing and chopping vegetables, cooking grains such as quinoa or rice, and grilling some chicken. This renders that putting together your lunch recipes through the week to be taking a few minutes.
Pack Smart
Do not pack wet ingredients with your salads and sandwiches because they will most likely come out wet. Small containers shall be kept on dressings, sauce and juicy tomatoes until they are ready to eat.
Embrace Leftovers
Don’t be afraid to make a little extra for dinner. Cold roast chicken, stir-fry, or chili usually tastes even a bit better the next day and form a convenient lunch.
Build a “Lunch Station”
Keep all your lunch-making staples—containers, bags, wraps, and non-perishable ingredients—in one designated spot in your kitchen to streamline your morning routine.
Conclusion: Elevate Your Midday Meal
No more lacklustre lunch time lunches and no more stale bread either. Welcome to a new dawn of tastes and expedience. And now, with this large variety of lunch recipes, you have all that you require to make lunch break the biggest joy of your life.
We would like you to take a chance with a couple of these options and find your new comfort food. Don’t forget to come back and leave a comment with your favorite, or share this article with a friend who needs some lunch inspiration!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are some make-ahead lunch ideas for the week?
The best make-ahead options are those that store well. The Mason Jar Salad is one of the best, and grain bowls such as the Lemon Herb Chicken & Quinoa are as well. You can make something with a big batch such as a soupy soup like the Speedy Black Bean Soup or a thick lentil one and parcel it up throughout the week.
How can I pack a salad so it doesn’t get soggy?
The key is layering. Even as has been done with the Mason Jar Salad recipe, make sure to place the dressing very last. Then continue with ingredients that are non-absorbent and hard, such as chickpeas, carrots, or bell peppers. Leafy greens and softer ingredients need to be placed on the top, farthest and away, from the dressing.
Are these lunch recipes budget-friendly?
Absolutely. Most of these recipes centre on inexpensive pantry items such as lentils, beans, quinoa, and unsophisticated vegetables. Planning your week meals is also a great idea and serves to extend your lunch budget using products you have left over as your dinner.