"One of the greatest work-from-home perks is not having to pack a lunch or worry about reheating leftovers in the break room. Those days are behind me, and I could not be more relieved. I love that I am able to make whatever I want with my fridge and pantry in close proximity, but that doesn’t mean that I want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. My mid-day priority is making quick and healthy work lunches that aren’t totally boring and that will power me through the rest of my day.
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When I come across lunch ideas that meet those criteria, I become a total lunch repeater, so I am constantly looking for new ideas to add to my rotation of favorites. With that being said, I have scoured the internet to find 20 quick and healthy work lunches for those of you who need to switch it up or are in need of a little bit of inspiration for when you’re working from home.
1. Thai Style Quinoa Salad
There’s nothing like a salad with the right amount of satisfying crunch to perk up your lunch break. This one is packed with shredded cabbage, sliced cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers, and quinoa, topped with a delicious peanut dressing. The best part? It’s ready in less than 30 minutes.
2. Kung Pao Shrimp
If you avoid elaborate meals for lunch in favor of quick but ultimately unexciting recipes, this recipe is here to prove you can have both. It only takes 20 minutes to cook this kung pao shrimp stir fry that tastes like you spent hours working in the kitchen.
3. Salmon Rice Bowls
It may be hard to believe a bowl that looks this delicious falls under both the “quick” and “easy” categories, but I promise I’m telling the truth. This dish is a mouth-watering combination of flavors with crispy teriyaki salmon bites served on a bed of jasmine rice, with Asian cabbage slaw, cucumbers, and a drizzle of spicy sriracha. Plus, you can meal prep the salmon and rice the day before to optimize your lunch break even more.
4. Balsamic Chickpea Feta Greek Salad
If you hear the word “salad” and your mind immediately conjures images of bland lettuce you are not eager to eat (first of all, you’re not alone), you couldn’t be further from the reality of this recipe. This Greek salad is full of vibrant colors and flavors thanks to tomatoes, green olives, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, and a homemade balsamic dressing.
5. Chicken Asparagus Pesto Pasta
Nothing gives me an extra boost to get through the workday like an incredible pasta dish. The fresh asparagus pesto in this one puts storebought pesto to shame and will have you swearing it off forever. It perfectly balances fresh and creamy flavors and provides an excellent dose of protein thanks to the chicken. It’s an ideal healthy work lunch recipe with only five minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of cooking time.
6. Plant-Based Taco Salad
Whether you are vegan, vegetarian, or just trying to get more veggies in your diet, this plant-based taco salad is a great option. The walnut taco meat and cashew sour cream taste arguably even better than the real thing, and you will crave this recipe throughout the week.
7. No-Mayo Tuna Salad
If you love tuna salad but cringe at the sight of mayo, this recipe is the best of both worlds. It uses tahini instead of mayonnaise to add some creaminess while offering a much lighter option than traditional tuna salad. Mixing in diced green apple, red bell pepper, and red onion completes the salad. Serve in a sandwich, over a bed of greens, or on its own.
8. Veggie Wrap
You can’t go wrong with a wrap for lunch. It’s simple, delicious, and incredibly easy to make. This recipe uses hummus, tomato, roasted bell pepper, avocado, shredded carrots, and a handful of greens, but you can adjust it to include your favorite ingredients.
9. Buffalo Chicken Salad
Buffalo chicken dip is an elite appetizer, so why not enjoy it for lunch, too? This recipe only takes 10 minutes to throw together, but the chicken needs to be cooked and cooled ahead of time, so keep that in mind when making. Using leftover or rotisserie chicken is a huge time-saver here!
10. Arugula Chicken Salad
Sometimes, when the afternoon slump is looming, the best way to push through is to fuel your body with greens and protein. This salad will be your new go-to for those moments. It’s healthy and delicious, and it requires little effort to make.
11. Chickpea Salad Sandwich
If you’re a chicken, egg, or tuna salad girl, let me introduce you to the new It salad on the block: chickpea salad. It’s all the creaminess you love of more traditional salad options but with a plant-based protein twist.
12. Greek Chicken Meatballs
These Greek chicken meatballs are sure to be the star of any bowl. Loaded with fresh herbs and spices, they are flavorful and can be added as a protein to many dishes. They are also excellent for meal prep.
13. Grated Avocado Toast
This recipe is a must-try if you are a die-hard avocado toast fan. It’s all the classic components you love about avocado toast but with a grated hardboiled egg on top to create a unique, fluffy texture. It’s the best recipe to jazz up an old favorite—and add extra protein to keep you full.
14. Turkey, Apple, Havarti, & Arugula Quesadilla
There have been many lunch breaks where I’m guilty of throwing some cheese in a tortilla, microwaving it, and calling it a day, but from now on, this is the only quesadilla I’m making. It pairs cheese, turkey, apple, and arugula pressed between a tortilla for a fabulous, no-fuss lunch.
15. Buffalo Tempeh Salad
If you’re unfamiliar with tempeh, it’s a soybean-based protein similar to tofu but a little firmer. In this salad bowl, it takes on a delicious buffalo flavor. Plus, it only takes 15 minutes to make, meaning more time to enjoy your break.
16. Low-Yolk Egg Salad
This low-yolk egg salad is ideal if you’re on a health journey and looking for delicious lunches that fit into your health goals. It may be healthier than other options, but the taste is just as good.
17. Rainbow Thai Peanut Chicken Wraps
These crunchy rainbow Thai peanut chicken wraps are a bright and healthy work lunch. The recipe combines colorful veggies like red cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers with tender chicken tossed in a delicious homemade peanut sauce. Plus, it can easily be made vegetarian or vegan.
18. Avocado & Strawberry Salad with Grilled Chicken
A workday lunch should be light yet filling enough to keep you energized, like this avocado strawberry spinach salad with grilled chicken. It’s the refreshing, protein-packed meal you need to power through your day.
19. Vegan Cesar Salad
A Caesar salad always hits the spot, and this vegan version is perfect for a healthy work-from-home lunch. It packs all the flavor of a traditional Caesar but with vegan ingredients that make it great for dairy-sensitive girlies.
20. Roasted Cauliflower Tacos
This dish proves that cauliflower makes a tasty meat replacement, especially when paired with Peruvian green sauce and pickled red onions. It has so much flavor and is so simple to make in the air fryer.