Your stomach — and your brain — will thank you.
Easy, healthy lunch recipes can smooth over a rough day and give you the focus you need to dominate your to-do list.
And sometimes, all it takes is a list of recipes that reminds you of just how many dishes you can make with ingredients you already have on hand. We've rounded up some of our favorite lunch recipes, including fish tacos, a cashew stir-fry, and a few non-boring salads we can't stop making.
1. Vegan Butternut Squash Al Pastor Tacos
![52 Healthy Lunch Recipes That'll Power You Through The Day (2) 52 Healthy Lunch Recipes That'll Power You Through The Day (2)](https://i0.wp.com/img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-03/5/18/asset/3f0ca84430f0/sub-buzz-3130-1709663171-2.jpg?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
tasty.co
These vegan tacos offer a delightful twist on the traditional, combining the robust flavors of sweet, earthy butternut squash and the aromatic, smoky essence of al pastor seasoning. Topped with fresh cilantro, avocado, and a squeeze of lime, these tacos are a unique, tasty, satisfying lunch!
Recipe:Vegan Butternut Squash Al Pastor Tacos
2. Healthy Mediterranean Salad
![52 Healthy Lunch Recipes That'll Power You Through The Day (3) 52 Healthy Lunch Recipes That'll Power You Through The Day (3)](https://i0.wp.com/img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-03/5/18/asset/11f6459520cc/sub-buzz-896-1709663182-2.jpg?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
tasty.co
Savor the goodness of this healthy yet filling salad featuring tender chicken breast and a Greek yogurt dressing with fresh dill. This vibrant dish combines crisp romaine, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, creamy feta, and olives, creating a colorful medley of flavors and textures.
Recipe:Healthy Mediterranean Salad
3. Crunchy California Roll Sushi Bowl
tasty.co
Enjoy all the incredible tastes and textures of a California roll in a big 'ol bowl! This innovative lunch features juicy crab meat, crispy panko, cucumber, radish, nori, and avocado served over seasoned rice and drizzled with sriracha mayo.
Recipe:Crunchy California Roll Sushi Bowl
4. Chickpea Salad Sandwich
tasty.co
This vegetarian recipe is bursting with flavor and makes for a satisfying and healthy lunch option. The creamy mashed chickpea filling is combined with crunchy celery and red onion, then piled high on whole grain bread to create a delicious and easy-to-make sandwich. Plus, you can easily swap the kale with any leafy green you have on hand.
Recipe: Chickpea Salad Sandwich
5. Chicken Ranch Wrap
tasty.co
Turn rotisserie chicken leftovers into lunch with this delicious wrap. It's packed with cheese, veggies, and everyone's favorite, ranch dressing.
Recipe: Chicken Ranch Wrap
6. Chickpea Sweet Potato Stew
tasty.co
This stew is packed with hearty, filling vegetables like sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and spinach. Make a big batch on Sunday and pack it up for easy lunches all week long.
Recipe: Chickpea Sweet Potato Stew
7. Honey-Lime Chicken and Avocado Salad
tasty.co
Chicken grilled in a sweet and spicy marinade, tomato, red onion, avocado, and a tangy honey-lime dressing? We say yes please to this fresh and filling lunch.
Recipe: Honey-Lime Chicken and Avocado Salad
8. Cucumber, Tomato, And Avocado Salad
tasty.co
Crisp cucumber, satisfying tomato, and creamy avocado are all you need to make the perfect weekday salad that's as delicious as it is easy.
Recipe:Cucumber, Tomato, And Avocado Salad
9.
tasty.co
This gourmet salad is layered with tons of crunch and flavor, thanks to seasoned pumpkin seeds and an amazing dressing made with tahini, maple syrup, and lemon juice. It's also a great dish to make in bulk and enjoy throughout the week. With each passing day, the kale will only get softer and more flavorful.
Recipe:
10. Southwestern-style Quinoa Salad
tasty.co
For a slightly more indulgent take on this salad, add some shredded cheese on top and broil the dish for a few minutes.
Recipe:Southwestern-style Quinoa Salad
11. Easy Fish Tacos
tasty.co
These fillets come together in just eight minutes. Pair them with a crunchy, five-ingredient slaw, and you're in business.
Recipe:Easy Fish Tacos
12. Cashew Chicken Stir-Fry
tasty.co
If you have some chicken, a few vegetables, and basic Asian seasonings, then you're ready to cook this stir-fry. If you're making enough of this recipe for leftovers, leave out the cashews and simply add in a handful every time you reheat the dish. You'll get to enjoy crunchy, non-rubbery cashew nuts every time.
Recipe:Cashew Chicken Stir-Fry
13. Weekday Meal-Prep Chicken Burrito Bowls
tasty.co
I love a meal-prepped lunch that tastes as good on Friday as it does on Monday —andthat looks as exciting and appetizing as this one every time I open up my Tupperware.
Recipe:Weekday Meal-Prep Chicken Burrito Bowls
14.
tasty.co
Asparagus and salmon is a classic pairing, but it's easy to swap with whatever you've got in your pantry — whether that's rice, quinoa, or green beans.
Recipe:
15. Vegetable Dumpling Soup
tasty.co
For a bit more depth of flavor, try adding in a cup of cubed tomatoes, tomato paste, or even a can of diced tomatoes. The result will be irresistible!
Recipe:Vegetable Dumpling Soup
16. One-Pan Roasted Chicken And Sweet Potatoes
tasty.co
Customize this meal as you see fit, but try to work in one starchy vegetable and one tough green vegetable so that everything roasts at the same speed. Potatoes, squash, or asparagus would all work well here.
Recipe:One-pan Roasted Chicken And Sweet Potatoes
17. Cream Of Mushroom Soup
tasty.co
Why get the canned stuff when you can whip up a fresh and even more indulgent version of a cream of mushroom soup at home?
Recipe:Cream Of Mushroom Soup
18. Mushroom Stroganoff
tasty.co
Stroganoff ranks as one of the most-searched recipes, year after year. So we did the work for you and found our favorite meat-free version. For a bigger serving of greens, add half a bag of spinach during the final step.
Recipe:Mushroom Stroganoff
19. Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
tasty.co
Whether it's fall or spring, when am I not craving a crunchy chicken Caesar pasta salad? It's the perfect dish when I can't choose between a salad or a simple pasta, or just want a quick and healthy lunch.
Recipe:Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
20. Honey Mustard Chicken Salad
tasty.co
This salad is for all the people who don't think a lettuce-based meal can be satiating. The salad dressing packs a ton of flavor, so feel free to go easy on the salt or dilute with a little water.
Recipe:Honey Mustard Chicken Salad
21. Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
tasty.co
You can cook this recipe in four hours if you leave it on high, so it's the perfect meal to start in the morning and have ready by lunchtime.
Recipe:Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
22. One-Pan Teriyaki Chicken Meal Prep
tasty.co
The secret is in the teriyaki sauce, which comes together with just honey, soy sauce, garlic, and cornstarch. Go ahead and make double the sauce to ensure every mouthful is perfectly flavored.
Recipe:One-Pan Teriyaki Chicken Meal Prep
23. Summer Squash Pasta With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
tasty.co
For an even more robust sauce that clings to spiralized squash, try adding some cream or cream cheese.
Recipe:Summer Squash Pasta With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
24. Orange Cauliflower “Chicken”
tasty.co
Have a whisk on hand when you're ready to stir the cornstarch slurry into your sauce, or you might get some lumps in your orange mixture.
Recipe:Orange Cauliflower “Chicken”
25. Potato-Crusted Quiche
tasty.co
Sometimes, I'll plan an entire day around going to my local coffee shop just so I can get a slice of their quiche. With this recipe, I can save five dollarsandget an entire quiche to munch on for the rest of the week.
Recipe:Potato-Crusted Quiche
26. Steak and Avocado Salad
tasty.co
Nothing makes me feel like I'm a high-powered magazine editor more than when I'm eating this steak and avocado salad. It's chock-full of protein, quick and easy to make, and won't leave me in a food coma when I'm done.
Recipe:Steak and Avocado Salad
27. Tortilla Bowl Southwestern Salad
tasty.co
Don't have a tortilla to fashion into a bowl? Make the salad and eat it with a side of tortilla chips!
Recipe:Tortilla Bowl Southwestern Salad
28.
tasty.co
If you're short on time (and on a budget), this is the perfect meal-prepped lunch. All you need are a few kitchen staples, including beans, rice, and chicken, and your lunches for the rest of the week are good to go.
Recipe:
29. Curry Noodle Soup
tasty.co
Cook the noodles separately, right before you're ready to eat. (If you cook them in the broth, you'll risk having the noodles swell up and absorb all the flavor!)
Recipe:Curry Noodle Soup
30. Chicken Tortilla Soup
tasty.co
Any dish that starts with rotisserie chicken is guaranteed to be good — and this chicken tortilla soup is no exception. Top with your favorite shredded cheese for gooey goodness in every spoonful.
Recipe:Chicken Tortilla Soup
31. Eggplant Parmesan Boats
tasty.co
Uncooked eggplants are a pretty accurate representation of every good-for-you vegetable out there: they're bland, rubbery, and unexciting. But stick them in an oven for 15 minutes, and they instantly transform into flavorful, seductive vehicles for cheese and marinara sauce.
Recipe:Eggplant Parmesan Boats
32. Caprese Chicken Roll-ups
tasty.co
To ensure your chicken cooks evenly, make sure to pound until it's quite thin. Then, use toothpicks or skewers to secure the roll-ups before placing in the oven.
Recipe:Caprese Chicken Roll-ups
33. Summer Vegetable Minestrone Soup
tasty.co
Packed with vegetable protein, vitamins, and color, this soup is great for those weeks when you need to be on your A-game.
Recipe:Summer Vegetable Minestrone Soup
34.
tasty.co
Who said quesadillas can't be part of a healthy lunch regimen? Especially when they're filled with spinach, mushrooms, and filling cheese.
Recipe:
35. Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Bowls
tasty.co
If it's good in a taco, there's a good chance it'll be great in this chicken fajita bowl. That goes for everything from sliced mushrooms to black beans and corn.
Recipe:Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Bowls
36. Chicken Enchilada-Stuffed Zucchini Boats
tasty.co
Want to get more vegetables into your diet but are sick of salads? Well, that's what zucchini boats are for! Load 'em up with chicken, and if you have room to spare, try adding some roasted sliced bell peppers or chopped jalapeños, too.
Recipe:Chicken Enchilada-Stuffed Zucchini Boats
37. Shrimp and Avocado Salad
tasty.co
If the idea of preparing shrimp for lunch seems a bit intimidating, consider using pre-cooked, frozen shrimp. Paired with avocado and a sweet dressing, this recipe comes together to create a salad you'll want to make over and over.
Recipe:Shrimp and Avocado Salad
38. Easy Zesty Salmon Burgers
tasty.co
If you're having trouble forming patties, try adding an egg and half a cup of breadcrumbs to the mixture and freezing the patties. They'll be firm enough to cook in about an hour.
Recipe:Easy Zesty Salmon Burgers| Shop This Recipe
39. Sweet Potato Mushroom Penne
tasty.co
If you're looking for an accessible dish that still manages to wow, try out this penne recipe. Apart from the unexpected topping, it's also made with a rich sauce that's ultra-savory, lightly sweet, and perfectly cheesy.
Recipe:Sweet Potato Mushroom Penne
Pile this on bread, crackers, or in lettuce wraps. If you don't have red peppers, swap in any other crunchy or bright veg — like celery or cherry tomatoes.
Recipe: Simple Tuna Salad
41. Marinated White Beans
The easiest (and tastiest) use of canned beans and any leftover herbs. Bonus: These get even better as they sit, so it's a lunch that'll last through the week.
Recipe:Marinated White Beans
42. 10-Minute Blender Gazpacho
Who said a quick lunch couldn't also be colorful and delicious?
Recipe:10-Minute Blender Gazpacho
Out of chickpeas? Black beans or white beans work, too.
Recipe: Chickpea Avocado Tacos
Slice the cucumber length-wise, spread it with pesto, pieces of cheese, turkey, and roll it up. That's it.
45. No-Cook Zucchini Noodles With Pesto
If you don't own a spiralizer, you can find pre-cut zoodles in many stores or try making your own usingthese methods.
46. Bacon and Egg Ramen
tasty.co
Toss the bacon on a foil-lined sheet pan for the easiest cleanup — and let it bake while you cook the ramen and chop a few onions.
Recipe:Bacon and Egg Ramen
47. Black Bean Tostadas with Avocado
Mostly just assembly, with a few minutes of chopping.
48. Easy Beef and Broccoli
This might look like a lot of work, but because the meat is chopped so small, it cooks incredibly quickly.
Recipe:Easy Beef and Broccoli
49. Portobello Pizzas
Life hack: top anything with mozzarella and pepperoni to make it better. (For an even faster version, ditch the portobellos for English muffins.)
Recipe:Portobello Pizzas
50. Tuna "Sushi" Stacks
Got some leftover rice, or even rice cakes? Top them with canned tuna, mashed avocado, and mango salsa.
Recipe: Tuna "Sushi" Stacks
1. Toss pantry staples into a food processor. 2. Spread on toast. 3. Feast!
52. Veggie Fried Rice
The recipe calls for frozen corn and peas, but you could customize it with any veggies you have at home.
Recipe: Veggie Fried Rice