42 Healthy Lunch Ideas That Will Taste Delicious
Give your healthy eating goals a lift with these smart recipes.
Whether you're looking for healthy lunch ideas for weight loss, or to bring to work, or simply to cut back on expenses (eating vegetarian can be cheaper!) we've got a bevy of delicious meals and ideas for you. From quick soups and savory salads to smart sandwiches and more, these recipes are delicious, nutritious, and ready to help you meet your healthy eating goals!
Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Warm Apple Cider Dressing
Raw sprouts are full of fiber and nutrients! We call for bacon in this, which adds lots of flavor, but you can make the salad even healthier by skipping it. (Use 2 tbsp olive oil when cooking the shallots.)
Get the recipe for Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Warm Apple Cider Dressing.
Veggie-and-Bean Burritos
This is one of our favorite make-ahead lunches! It's easy to prep in the morning and tastes great warmed in a microwave.
Orzo Pasta Salad
Delicious warm or cold, this hearty salad has plenty of greens and veggies.
Farro and Quinoa Salad with Spinach and Peas
Hearty grains and seeds like farro and quinoa pack a ton of nutrients and fiber. Here we use them to fill a flavorful salad.
Get the recipe for Farro and Quinoa Salad with Spinach and Peas.
Squash Ribbon Salad with Sunflower Seeds
When they're in season, we can't get enough summer squash and zucchini onto our plates. This recipe is one we'll happily eat for days.
Get the recipe for Squash Ribbon Salad with Sunflower Seeds.
Grain Salad with Trout, Almonds, and Herbs
Want a grain salad with a bit more protein, but still healthy? Fresh cooked trout is a delicious add-in!
Get the recipe for Grain Salad with Trout, Almonds, and Herbs.
Chicken-and-Spinach Tortellini Soup
This fast and easy soup leans on rotisserie chicken, so it comes together in no time!
Caprese Pasta Salad
Fresh tomatoes, fresh cheese, and lightly dressed noodles make this cold salad the perfect lunch combo.
Asparagus Quiche
Quiche is packed with protein and easy to make. Bake one up on Sunday and you've got lunch for the week!
Salade Niçoise
This classic French salad has been a lunch staple since forever ago. And the combo of crunchy veg, tuna, and a light dressing is hard to beat.
Charred Tomato Soup
Skip the canned soups, and use your grill to make a big batch of this delicious smoky soup, which only gets tastier the next day.
Turkey-Cobb Sandwiches
Take your favorite salad and turn it into a (much more portable) sandwich!
Broccolini Pasta Salad
If you haven't had Broccolini—the thinner, more aspargus-stalk-like broccoli—we highly recommend trying it in this delicious salad.
Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches with Blue Cheese Apple Slaw
A touch of blue cheese adds a ton of flavor to this simple grilled sandwich.
Get the recipe for Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches with Blue Cheese Apple Slaw.
Ultimate Chicken Noodle Soup
What could be healthier than the soup you eat when you're sick?
Crispy Pan-Seared Salmon
Salmon fillets thaw quickly, and cook in just 10 minutes in your frying pan. They're a great, light main and easy to make for an at-home lunch.
Open-Faced Tomato and Dill Toasts
Simple and delicious, this light lunch is best during peak tomato season.
Pasta Salad
Basic Italian pasta salad isn't just a potluck and picnic staple. It's also a delicious, healthy, and easy thing to keep in the fridge for lunchtime!
Eggplant Burgers
Craving a burger but cutting back on red meat? We promise this hearty, veggie-packed sandwich will hit the spot.
Shrimp Chalupas
A crispy tortilla makes a great bed for a variety of healthy toppings. To make it even healthier, toast the tortilla in a toaster oven instead of frying.
Hearty Vegetable Soup with Parsley Gremolata
Haricots Verts with Almonds and Vermouth
Chocolate-Dipped Figs with Sea Salt
Glazed Shrimp-and-Fig Skewers