Sometimes I “forget to pack a work lunch” because I was feeling lazy the night before. Sometimes it’s because I’m sick of eating sad salads and turkey sandwiches at my desk. Can you relate? Well, thanks to these 47 easy, tasty office lunch ideas—like firecracker chicken and zucchini enchiladas—I’ll never forget to pack again, and hopefully you won’t, either. (Even better, make of these recipes don’t require heating in a microwave or access to a kitchen.)
47 Office Lunch Ideas to Break Your Brown-Bag Rut
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Published Apr 12, 2024
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: make ahead, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
Don’t be intimidated by the Mediterranean lingo—this is a really delicious grain bowl packed with fresh herbs, feta and a tangy dressing. Since there’s no lettuce to get wilty, it only gets better if you make it ahead.
2. Sweet Potato, Tomato, Kale and Halloumi Sheet Tray
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, vegetarian
Set aside 45 minutes on a Sunday to roast a bunch of veggies, and you’ll have a packed lunch for the next two days. (The halloumi cheese is the cherry on top.)
3. Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken and Shredded Brussels Bowls
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: one pan, 30 minutes, <500 calories
This is even tastier than that leftover takeout you were planning on packing (not to mention healthier too, thanks to fiber-rich Brussels sprouts and lean ground chicken). The coworker envy is real.
4. Green Bowl with Chicken, Citrus and Herbs
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <500 calories
If a grain bowl and a chicken salad had a really delicious baby, it would be this dish. Want to make it even easier? Use store-bought green goddess dressing.
5. Indian Salad Bowl with Crunchy Chickpeas
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian
Oh hey, crispy roasted chickpeas. With your smoky, spicy seasoning and boost of plant-based protein, I’d like to put you on everything from here on out.
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly, high protein
Remember when it was *so cool* to add grapes to chicken salad? We swapped the grapes for avocado to give this dish a modern feel (because avocado is never a bad idea). It’s also less sweet that way.
7. Meal-Prep Creamy Kale Caesar Salad
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly
A $15 salad bar work lunch? No thanks—we made our own (in just 15 minutes) and we’re damn proud of it. Even the dressing is homemade, and it costs just $3 a serving.
8. Buffalo Chicken Wraps with Blue Cheese and Celery
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly, <30 minutes
Buffalo sauce can make even a bland lunch exciting. These wraps are loaded with flavor (thanks, blue cheese), and they’re incredibly easy to make. The secret? Use a rotisserie bird to cut down on prep time for this packed lunch.
9. Chicken Pesto Focaccia Sandwiches
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, low sugar
You could make peanut butter and jelly for all your work lunches…or you could bring one of these beauties—which feature feta and sun-dried tomatoes—for a change. It’s your call.
10. Italian Deli Pinwheel Sandwiches
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, no cook
It’s kind of like having a cocktail party, just at your desk. (OK, without the cocktails, but you get the point.) When it comes to easy lunch recipes, this one takes the cake.
11. Grilled Lemon-Herb Chicken and Avocado Salad
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, make ahead
Behold: the salad to end all salads. A mix of hearty grains and greens will keep you full through the afternoon, with tons of cherry tomatoes and avocado for good measure.
12. 15-Minute Mediterranean Couscous with Tuna and Pepperoncini
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: <15 minutes, beginner-friendly, high protein
This isn’t your usual gloppy, mayo-laden tuna salad—it’s light, fresh and high in protein. Even better, it takes 15 minutes to make. Super easy and super healthy? Yes, please.
14. Meal-Prep Honey Sesame Chicken with Broccolini
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, high protein
Nothing against a turkey and Swiss cheese sammie, but this meal-prep chicken is just as easy to make, and way more impressive. (If you’re not a fan of bitter broccoli rabe, I’d suggest swapping in broccolini, which is sweeter but cooks similarly.)
15. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Stuffed Peppers
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead, gluten free
Lightened-up chicken salad still has all the creamy, tangy flavor you crave—minus the whopping dollop of mayo. Plus, the recipe makes a giant batch, so you can use the leftovers all week long.
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: low carb, gluten free, dairy free
Since you’re probably not about to fry an egg in your office kitchenette, might we suggest packing a jammy egg instead? It’ll have the same yolk-y goodness, with much more portability.
17. Salmon and Smashed Cucumber Grain Bowls
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, <10 ingredients
Here’s proof that yes, you can bring fish as a work lunch. The key is to keep it far away from the microwave—and luckily, this bowl happens to be great straight from the fridge.
18. Avocado Egg Salad Sandwich
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein
Just as creamy and tangy as the one from the deli down the street, but with the satisfaction of making it yourself. Talk about a wholesome work lunch.
19. Roasted Tandoori Cauliflower Bowls
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, dairy free
Don’t settle for any old rice bowl. Since most of the cooking is hands-off, this roasted cauliflower number is easy, healthy and addictively tasty.
20. Meal-Prep Creamy Pasta Salad with Broccoli and Raisins
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: <15 minutes, <10 ingredients
Whoever invented pasta salad was a genius who knew a thing or two about make-ahead lunches. This one lasts for five days in the fridge and costs just $1.50 per serving.
21. Sheet Pan Lemon Butter Veggies and Sausage
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, beginner-friendly
Hands-off cooking and minimal cleanup with tons of nutritious vegetables? This packed lunch has our name written all over it.
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, vegetarian
The classic Indian dish features cauliflower, potatoes and a ton of aromatic spices—always a tasty combination. Our big-batch version just happens to meal-prep friendly, too.
23. Slow Cooker Meal-Prep Burrito Bowls
- Time Commitment: 7 hours, 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, slow cooker recipe
When you’re short on time, break out the slow cooker and make these low-carb burrito bowls. Voilà, this week’s work lunches are handled, and you barely had to lift a finger.
25. Lunch Kebabs with Mortadella, Artichoke and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
You’re guaranteed to impress your desk mates with these grown-up kebabs. They’re like fancy Italian sandwiches on a stick. (Not a fan of mortadella? I’d suggest another easily skewered charcuterie, like prosciutto.)
26. Keto Sheet Pan Chicken and Rainbow Veggies
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: keto-friendly, sheet pan recipe
Roasted vegetables and chicken are undeniably delicious, whether you’re on a diet or not. Even better, there’s just one sheet pan to clean afterward.
27. 20-Minute Paleo Egg Roll Bowls
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: paleo-friendly, <30 minutes, low carb
When you’re craving Chinese (most days for me), whip up these savory, low-carb bowls. Who needs a wonton wrapper?
28. Meal-Prep Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: gluten free, <500 calories, high protein
Meatballs are great in any form. Fact. By pairing these with zoodles, you can avoid the post-lunchtime nap that a plate of spaghetti might bring.
29. Salmon Bowl with Farro, Black Beans and Tahini Dressing
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, low sugar
Omega-3s and turmeric dressing are just what that 1 p.m. slump calls for. To switch it up, try using quinoa or rice in place of farro.
30. The Ultimate Quinoa-Avocado Bowl
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, gluten free
With crispy kale, spicy shrimp and all the yummy toppings (hello watermelon radish and avocado), this foolproof bowl hits all the right lunchtime notes.
31. Chickpea and Vegetable Coconut Curry
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, one pot, <30 minutes
In the time it takes for you to scroll through Instagram after work, you could make a simple, Thai-inspired curry for tomorrow (and the next day, and the day after that).
32. Zucchini Noodle Pad See Ew
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: <500 calories, gluten free, keto-friendly
Whip up zucchini noodles with steak and tasty soy-based sauce on Sunday and watch your Monday blues fade away. If you want a vegetarian version, simply omit the beef—it will still be filling with just the eggs and the cashews.
33. Firecracker Chicken with Rice
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein
Can you believe you’re 35 minutes away from this spicy-sweet masterpiece? Make it the night before and thank yourself when hunger hits. Substitute cauliflower rice if you’re feeling extra virtuous.
34. One-Pan Sausage with Broccoli Rabe and White Beans
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes
When you need a break from roasted chicken (I get it), swap in Italian sausage. It’s quick-cooking, flavorful and pairs with just about anything.
35. BLT Pasta Salad
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser
Bread is great, but what about pasta? This creamy, crunchy take on a BLT is begging to be paraded around your office. (Just be prepared to share the recipe with everyone.)
36. Zoodles with Avocado and Mango Sauce
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: <15 minutes, no cook
Here’s proof that you don’t need hours of free time to make a healthy lunch for the next day. If you’ve got 15 minutes and a blender, you’re in good shape.
37. Low-Carb Zucchini Enchiladas
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: low carb, crowd-pleaser
Meet your newest low-carb lunch obsession. With all the meat, cheese and toppings, you won’t even notice the tortillas are M.I.A.
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, make ahead
Crisp, cool lettuce salad or creamy pasta salad? Come lunchtime, you shouldn’t have to choose. The dressing uses avocado in place of eggs, which yields an even creamier consistency than the classic version.
39. Sheet-Pan Chicken Shawarma with Lemon-Tahini Drizzle
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, paleo-friendly, gluten free, dairy free
This easy lunch recipe isn’t just a single-sheet-pan ordeal, it’s also paleo-friendly and gluten-, dairy- and grain-free. If you ask our editors, it was love at lemon-tahini drizzle.
40. Ginger-Scallion Chicken Meatballs with a Sesame-Soy Glaze
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, <500 calories
As a food editor, I’m always looking for meals that are adaptable and versatile. These meatballs are easy to double for a crowd, I’ve made them with ground turkey or pork instead of chicken, they can be pan-fried instead of baked (although baking yields more tender results) and they make an excellent accompaniment for everything from rice bowls to macaroni and cheese. (Just trust me.)
41. Smashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich
Editor’s Pick
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, no cook, <30 minutes
In my humble opinion, mayo-based salads are the best lunch salads. Here, the actual measurements and ingredients here can be adjusted to your liking, so taste as you go and add more or less to make it delicious to you. Want things extra creamy? Add more mayo. Prefer Greek yogurt? Use that. It’s riffable and easy to make with what’s already in your fridge—because who needs more stress?
42. Spicy Slow Cooker Green Chicken Chili
- Time Commitment: 6 hours, 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, high protein
Is soup a bold choice for a work lunch? Maybe…but if you tuck a napkin into your button-down you have nothing to worry about. Besides, this slow cooker beauty is effortless to make and keeps beautifully in the fridge or freezer. Pass that Thermos.
43. Caesar Smashed White Beans
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: <15 minutes, no cook, vegan
These beans are excellent on toast or a sandwich as lunch or a light dinner, they’re make-ahead friendly and they happen to be plant-based (not to mention gluten-free). How’s that for healthy-ish?
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, high protein
Sheet pan recipes sometimes feel like a scam, because nothing comes out cooked quite right. This recipe (which reheats like a dream) calls for adding the chicken after the veggies caramelize, so everything is tender and perfectly done.
45. Mediterranean Sheet Pan Eggs
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, make ahead, vegetarian
Make a batch of these eggs, slice them up and stash them in the fridge. When lunchtime rolls around, simply toast up a bun for the easiest egg sandwich this side of the conference room.
46. Za’atar Roasted Carrot & Tabbouleh Bowls
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, make ahead
Tired of the same old meal-prep steamed broccoli and plain chicken? Here’s a treat: a bowl that’s plant-based and packed with flavor, thanks to za’atar and vegan feta.
47. Shrimp Rolls with New England–Style Dressing
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein
Imagine everyone’s envy when you roll into the break room with a shrimp roll that tastes like a New England vacation. No one needs to know it took all of 20 minutes to mix up a whole batch, but if you share the recipe, you might just become the office MVP.
