50 Easy Lunch Ideas for Stressed-Out People
Let’s face it, we’re all busy. We barely have time to get everything done in the day, let alone meal prep lunch for the week. But you know what we also don’t have time (or budget) for? Trekking outside for a $12 lunch salad that’s not even that good.
Luckily, we have a solution: Presenting 50 healthy lunch ideas that require basically zero effort to whip up (and taste delicious). With everything from chicken salad stuffed peppers to radish barbecue bowls with honey-mustard dressing, this handy list should keep you going for months to come. Finally, a brown bag lunch that you can get excited about. Bon appétit.
Zoodles with Avocado and Mango Sauce
You can totally buy all the ingredients from Aldi.
Tomato Salad with Grilled Halloumi and Herbs
It’s impossible to beat a ten-minute salad.
Italian Deli Pinwheel Sandwiches
The sandwich equivalent of icebox cookies.
RELATED: 10 Easy Brown Bag Lunches That Aren’t a Turkey Sandwich
Make-Ahead Aloo Gobi
Tender and flavorful, it keeps in the fridge for up to four days.
Make-Ahead Farro and Brussels Sprout Salad
Psst: This is the easiest way to prepare sprouts.
RAINBOW COLLARD WRAPS WITH PEANUT BUTTER DIPPING SAUCE
You can make them two days in advance and they won’t get soggy.
Meal-Prep Honey Sesame Chicken with Broccolini
Kick that sad lunch salad to the curb.
Firecracker Chicken with Rice
Low-maintenance is the name of the game.
RELATED: 7 Surprising Lunches That Put Your Boring Kale Salad to Shame
20-Minute Burrata Salad with Stone Fruit and Asparagus
Tip: Don’t skimp on the good stuff.
Easy Stir-Fried Rice Cakes with XO Sauce
Grab the flavor-packed sauce from your local Asian market.
15-Minute Mediterranean Couscous with Tuna and Pepperoncini
What looks fancy but takes virtually no effort?
Radish Barbecue Bowls with Tangy Honey-Mustard Dressing
Our new favorite way to eat veggies.
Shredded Thai Salad with Avocado
The prettiest salad you’ll ever make.
RELATED: 21 Non-Boring Work Lunches You Can Make in 15 Minutes or Less
Cauliflower Rice Bowl with Curried Lentils, Carrots and Yogurt
Who says eating healthy has to be boring?
Sheet-Pan Lemon Butter Veggies and Sausage
Two things we love: hands-off meals and zero dishes.
Easy Black Bean Soup
Thanks to Coterie member Monique Volz for keeping us warm with this guy.
Buddha Bowl with Kale, Avocado, Orange and Wild Rice
Mixing and matching is the name of the game.
Zoodles with Summer Vegetables
Finally, the best way to use up a boatload of produce.
Grilled Watermelon-Feta Skewers
Let’s eat every meal on a stick from now on.
RELATED: 21 Meal Prep Lunch Recipes That Are Better Than an Expensive Salad
15-Minute Cucumber-Avocado Blender Soup
We like the sound of zero prep.