21 Nutritious Lunches That Will Keep You Full & Energized
A nutritious lunch doesn’t have to be boring! Whether you’re meal prepping for the week ahead or looking for something that you can easily whip up and enjoy a few lunches out of, we have you covered with these quick and nutritious meals – perfect for lunches. Sandwiches, salads, and more.
Copycat Whole Foods Kale Salad
This copycat recipe for the Whole Foods Market must-have Kale Salad with cranberries and pumpkin seeds is totally delicious, and can be made in advance or meal-prepped too! It is also a great salad to bring to potlucks, family gatherings, or just a dinner table staple.
Get the Recipe: Whole Foods Kale Salad.
Tuna Melt Sandwich
A tuna melt sandwich is a fusion of flavor and texture, perfect for a quick lunch or a cozy dinner. This amazing sandwich combines the creamy, tangy taste of tuna salad with the gooey, melt-in-your-mouth goodness of melted cheese, served in between toasty, crispy bread. It’s a true comfort food classic that’s not only delicious, but also quick and easy to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Melt Sandwich.
Mediterranean Dense Bean Salad
When you’re in the mood for a salad that’s incredibly delicious, fun to eat, and super nutritious, this garbanzo bean salad is what you’re going to want to make! Made with crunchy and fresh veggies, satisfying garbanzo beans, and a homemade vinaigrette, this salad can be prepped ahead for quick and healthy lunches or served as a side dish to your favorite protein.
Get the Recipe: Garbanzo Bean Salad.
Turkey Pesto Panini
Love the Starbucks turkey pesto panini and wondering if you can make it even BETTER? Yes, you most definitely can. This turkey panini has major layers of flavor: melty provolone cheese, flavorful pesto, deli turkey, and roasted red peppers for a little punch.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Pesto Panini.
Copycat Panera Chinese Citrus Cashew Salad
If you’re on the hunt for a healthy and filling meal to leave you refreshed and satisfied, check out this Panera-inspired Chinese Citrus Cashew Salad. No need to worry that you can’t get it at the restaurant now that you can make it at home! The blend of crispy greens and citrus fruits tossed in a tasty miso lime dressing makes for a delicious meal, and add some chicken for extra protein!
Get the Recipe: Panera Chinese Citrus Cashew Salad.
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
You’ll love this Greek orzo pasta salad with bright, fresh flavors and satisfying, salty bites! It’s made with classic Greek ingredients like crunchy and crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, briny olives, salty feta, and fresh dill. Everything is tossed with tender pasta and a red wine vinaigrette for a salad that’s utterly delicious.
Get the Recipe: Greek Orzo Salad.
Lemon Kale Salad
This easy lemon kale salad recipe is made with crunchy lacinato kale, a bright lemon dressing, and extra flavor from crunchy panko and shredded Parmesan cheese. After my cousin brought this kale salad to Thanksgiving one year, it was requested year after year – it’s that good! You can make this delicious salad ahead of time so that you aren’t adding extra work to your meal. Just keep the dressing to the side and mix it in right before serving.
Get the Recipe: Kale Salad.
Hummus Toast
Quick, easy, nutritious, and always delicious, hummus toast is an excellent lunch option. It’s less of a recipe and more a mega list of ideas and inspiration. Choose your favorite whole grain bread for an extra protein and fiber boost.
Get the Recipe: Hummus Toast.
Copycat Portillo’s Chopped Salad
The iconic Portillo’s chopped salad is a popular favorite, and it is just as good when you make it at home! The crisp bacon gives it a nice crunch complemented by the fresh veggies, pasta, and cheese. Try it out for your next salad recipe!
Get the Recipe: Portillo’s Chopped Salad.
Tofu Rice Bowls with Black Beans and Corn Salad
If you are looking for a fresh, easy, plant-based dinner then this recipe is for you! Seasoned tofu and rice are combined with delicious black beans and a fresh corn salad for a dish that’s meal-prep friendly and absolutely delicious.
Get the Recipe: Tofu Rice Bowls with Black Beans.
Italian Chopped Salad
Quite possibly my all-time favorite salad and maybe yours, too, this is our go-to house salad and the side to so many dinners. This is the perfect chopped salad – crunchy, well-balanced, and tossed in a flavorful homemade red wine vinaigrette. Each bite is packed with bold Italian flavors.
Get the Recipe: Italian Chopped Salad.
Easy Bean and Cheese Burrito
This is the bean and cheese burrito recipe you’ll find yourself making on repeat! Not only is it made with simple and nutritious ingredients, but it’s also ready to eat in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Bean and Cheese Burrito.
Copycat Chipotle Chicken
Who doesn’t love the chicken from Chipotle? Now, you can ditch the line and make it in your own kitchen! This is the perfect protein to add to a variety of dishes, and you can make it on the grill, in the oven, or on the stovetop. The best part is you can make it your own!
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Chicken.
Sautéed Asparagus Tartine
This asparagus tartine is slightly fancy without the fuss, and ready in just 25 minutes. It’s best when you can get some locally-grown asparagus.
Get the Recipe: Sautéed Asparagus Tartine.
Southwest Salad
The classic southwest salad gets a modern makeover! Greens are topped with spiced chickpeas, tomatoes, grilled chicken, sharp cheddar, guacamole, and tortilla chips so that each bite is full of flavor. You can make a few of the components ahead for an even quicker meal.
Get the Recipe: Southwest Salad.
Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies
If there is an easier dinner than a sheet pan meal, I haven’t seen it yet. Here we’re cooking sausage, sweet potatoes, and cauliflower all on the same pan for a meal that is both healthy and incredibly satisfying. With minimal prep and cleanup, it’s the perfect meal for busy evenings or a nutritious lunch that’s easy to meal prep.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies.
Quinoa Black Bean Salad
This popular black bean and quinoa salad is a light and healthy meal, and it’s full of plant-based protein to keep you satisfied. It’s great to prep ahead for meal prep and eat it for several days.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Black Bean Salad.
Copycat Chic-fil-A Chicken Nuggets
Trust me when I say that these Copycat Chick-Fil-A Grilled Nuggets are easy and addictive! This fast-food alternative is easy to make with at-home ingredients – you’ll be making them all the time!
Get the Recipe: Chic-fil-A Chicken Nuggets.
Smoked Salmon Sandwich with Cucumber Ribbons
Next time you need a slightly fancy, majorly delicious meal (served open-faced for a better bread-to-topping ratio) this smoked salmon sandwich with cucumber ribbons is IT! It may be easy, but it’ll definitely bring some fresh flavor to your lunch routine.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Salmon Sandwich.
Avocado Toast
Wondering what to put on avocado toast? You’ve landed in the right spot.Here you’ll find a ton of avocado toast recipe ideas (51 to be exact). Whether you’re making a classic avocado tomato toast or making a sandwich, you have so many options.
Get the recipe: Avocado Toast.
Tomato Mozzarella Panini
This tomato mozzarella panini recipe is an easy meal that comes together in less than 30 minutes, can easily be prepped ahead, and is loaded with classic Caprese flavors. Made with just 5 simple ingredients, this tomato mozzarella panini Starbucks copycat is a minimal meal with maximum flavor.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Mozzarella Panini.
