Healthy Lunch Recipes (2023)

Burritos can be a healthy, vegetarian dish when you load them up with wholesome ingredients like rice, beans and corn.

Get the Recipe: Chipotle Veggie Burritos

Lemon-Herb Rice Salad

Fresh herbs, like mint and basil, add bursts of fresh flavor to this simple salad. Make sure you leave room for leftovers — the dish tastes even better the next day!

Get the Recipe: Lemon-Herb Rice Salad

Forget take-out and the packaged stuff. Our Miso Soup is a cinch to make, and clocks in at just 115 calories per serving.

Get the Recipe: Miso Soup

Keto Tuna Salad Cups

Tuna salad meets BLT in this keto-friendly mashup. Hang on to that oil in the tuna can for a flavor bonus.

Get the Recipe: Keto Tuna Salad Cups

White rice, lentils and ground beef bulk up the filling for this gluten-free lunch.

Get the Recipe: Lightened-Up Stuffed Peppers

Tex-Mex Chicken Quinoa

Top a mixture of cooked chicken and quinoa with heart-healthy avocado and black beans for a filling lunch that’s ready in a flash.

Get the Recipe: Tex-Mex Chicken Quinoa

Antioxidant-rich kale is even better for you when eaten raw. Thin strips are softened in a light lemon dressing, then tossed with the savory-sweet blend of apple, dates, almonds and cheese. A little pecorino goes a long way in giving this nutritious salad a satisfying depth of flavor.

Get the Recipe: Kale and Apple Salad

Veggie Lover’s Club Sandwich

Stacked high with veggies, this sandwich is as appealing to look at as it is to eat. With luscious avocado spread and smoky tofu, there's no bacon or deli meat required.

Get the Recipe: Veggie Lover's Club Sandwich

This sunny salad can brighten up the dreariest desk lunch. Thanks to rice cereal, veggies and goat cheese, there’s a combination of flavors and textures to enjoy.

Get the Recipe: California Grain Salad

Vegetarian Chili

Beans and vegetables add a rich bite to this meatless chili. With fiery spices and a dash of hot sauce, it's guaranteed to power you through the afternoon.

Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Chili

These decorative toasts have all the flavors of Nordic cuisine and no foraging is required! Delicate shrimp get double-hacked: first, they are quickly cooked in a covered pot off the stovetop and then sliced en masse using a trick involving two plastic lids. A protein-packed snack or part of lunch.

Get the Recipe: Nordic Shrimp Toast

Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salad

These quick-and-easy tacos make the perfect midday meal. Packed with protein and veggies — and topped with salsa and sour cream — they’re healthy and flavorful.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salad

Enjoy pizza night a little more with Katie Lee’s gluten-free, cauliflower version.

Get the Recipe: Pizza with Cauliflower Crust

Hummus and Grilled Vegetable Wrap

Cook zucchini on the grill or in a grill pan until tender and layer it with raw peppers, spinach, store-bought hummus and herbs for a nutrient-packed, packable lunch.

Get the Recipe: Hummus and Grilled Vegetable Wrap

Gem-like fresh cherries, parsley, red onions and scallions make for a fresh and colorful salad when combined with Israeli couscous.

Get the Recipe: Israeli Couscous with Cherries

Breadless Peanut Butter and Chia Jam Sandwiches

Satisfy a PB&J craving with these high-fiber sandwiches (bread not necessary). The chia jam is quick to make and can be stored for up to 3 days- spread on anything you would regularly eat with jam to add extra fiber.

Get the Recipe: Breadless Peanut Butter and Chia-Jam Sandwiches

A fresh, slightly spicy grain bowl adds a fun zing to your lunch break. The pork, quinoa and sweet potato combo are enough to keep you satisfied, but not so heavy that you’ll fall asleep at your desk.

Get the Recipe: Pork and Broccoli Grain Bowl

Sweet Potato Toast with Steak, Roasted Peppers and Arugula

Turn leftover steak into a bright and healthy, low-carb lunch with this sweet potato toast topped with sweet red peppers and spicy arugula.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Toast with Steak, Roasted Peppers and Arugula

Make this childhood favorite in less than 20 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Vegetable Noodle Soup

Garden Egg Salad

Celery, radishes, romaine and sprouts add a heart-healthy crunch to this vegetarian lunch. Don’t skip the mustard in this egg salad — just a little bit adds loads of flavor!

Get the Recipe: Garden Egg Salad

Packed with vegetables, beans and fresh herbs, Ellie’s soup makes for quick and healthy comfort food.

Get the Recipe: Tuscan Vegetable Soup

Lentil Toast

Though we love avocado toast, we’re always excited to try fun alternatives. This recipe uses mashed lentils, tomato and scallion for a protein-packed flavor punch.

Get the Recipe: Lentil Toast

These ooey-gooey vegetarian sandwich melts are made with broccolini and two kinds of cheese, but they clock in at just 261 calories and 12 grams of fat each.

Get the Recipe: Broccoli Melts

Monte Cristo Crepes

A raspberry mustard and side salad make an excellent accompaniment to these cheesy, meaty crepes.

Get the Recipe: Monte Cristo Crepes

This healthy, budget-friendly pasta dinner is inspired by pricey antipasti platters. We love the spicy-garlicky flavor the soppressata brings — lots of bang for your buck!

Get the Recipe: Antipasti Penne

Grilled Spiced Chicken and Plums

Fire up the grill — and cook more than just meat! Sweet stone fruits (like plums) go great with honey-glazed chicken.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Spiced Chicken and Plums

Make a steaming pot of soup for dinner and pack the leftovers for lunch the next day.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Chard Soup

Curried Chicken Quinoa

Thanks to your microwave, you can have a tasty and healthy lunch that’s ready to eat in just a few minutes.

Get the Recipe: Curried Chicken Quinoa

A quick and flavorful salad is perfect for any night of the week. Toss in your favorite veggies and top with fajita-seasoned shrimp for a healthy and satisfying meal.

Get the Recipe: Shrimp Fajita Salad

Light Nicoise Salad

This salad is packed with briny olives, hearty tuna, tender potatoes and crunchy green beans, but it's lighter than the classic version, thanks to a slimmed-down homemade salad dressing.

Get the Recipe: Light Nicoise Salad

Mix light mayonnaise with jarred hot peppers for a feel-good spread that’s packed with flavor.

Get the Recipe: Turkey-Kale Sandwiches with Pepper Mayonnaise

Shrimp and Snow Pea Salad

This is not your everyday salad. Mix shrimp, radishes and snow peas with crunchy sesame seeds and a rice vinaigrette.

Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Snow Pea Salad

Trisha loves chickpeas because they’re similar in texture to black-eyed peas, a true Southern staple. She combines the high-fiber, high-protein beans with avocado, a little mayo and lime juice for a light, fresh salad that’s super-filling.

Get the Recipe: Chickpea Salad Sandwiches

Middle Eastern Rice and Lentils

Transform simple pantry items into a healthy meal, inspired by the flavors of the Middle East. The secret ingredient? Aromatic spices like cumin, cinnamon and cayenne.

Get the Recipe: Rice and Lentils with Citrusy Carrots

Inspired by the classic antipasto salad, this bread bowl features a combination of crunchy lettuce, salty Italian meats and plenty of veggies.

Get the Recipe: Panzanella Bread Bowl

Buddha Bowl

A Buddha bowl, grain bowl or harvest bowl is a healthy trend we can get behind! Balanced with lots of colorful produce plus healthy grains and proteins, Buddha bowls are fun to create and easy to make. Experimenting with different ingredients is encouraged!

Get the Recipe: Grain Bowl

Instead of cold cuts, try fresh veggies, cheese and smear of hummus on whole-grain pita bread — it will reignite your love for sandwiches.

Get the Recipe: Veggie-Stack Pita Pockets

Crab and Avocado Salad

This fresh, California-style salad makes a hearty meal for lunch or dinner —to prevent the lettuce from getting soggy, pack the dressing separately and add it when you're ready to eat.

Get the Recipe: Crab and Avocado Salad

Trisha’s chicken soup is made for desk lunches. Stored in individual Mason jars, it’s the perfect grab-and-go option for busy weekdays.

Get the Recipe: Lemony Orzo Chicken Soup in a Jar

Smoky Chicken Salad

You don’t need to skip the mayo for a wholesome chicken salad — just use less of it. Combine the condiment with peppers, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil for a flavorful dressing that’s excellent with grilled chicken.

Get the Recipe: Smoky Chicken Salad

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