For many, the question “What’s for dinner?” is top of mind day in and day out. But for me it’s “What’s for lunch?” Even as someone who finds great joy in cooking and preparing meals — and does it for a living — the question befuddles me. Most days, I find myself staring into the fridge hoping lunch will magically present itself. Truth be told, I settle for hummus and carrot sticks more often than I care to admit.
If you, like me, need some inspiration when it comes to the midday meal, look no further. Here are 50 of Kitchn’s best and easiest lunch ideas. Whether it’s a big, veggie-packed salad you crave; a cold, crisp sandwich; or something else entirely that you can’t quite put your finger on, but you know you want it to be healthy and delicious, I am pretty sure you’ll find what you’re looking for among these recipes.
And as for what keeps them easy, some of these lunches can be pulled together in mere minutes, while others rely on just a few pantry ingredients and whatever you’ve got lingering in the crisper, and some can be made entirely in advance and leave you with leftovers for days to come.
Veggie-Packed Salads
Lunch is a golden opportunity to get a few servings of vegetables into your day. I am not talking about munching on a boring green salad, though. These salads are so packed with good things — feel-good protein, nuts, cheese, and flavorful dressings — your fork won’t know what to spear next.
Filled with a robust assortment of tender veggies, strips of juicy chicken, and tossed with an herby pesto, this no-lettuce salad is a lunchtime essential.
Since you're starting with tofu that's already baked, this colorful salad comes together in a flash.
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Whole Grains and Pasta
Things like farro, quinoa, couscous, and pasta are ideal lunch candidates because you probably already have one or two of them in your pantry. All that’s required is to jazz them up with a few interesting add-ins and you’ve got a meal that not only lasts for days in the fridge, but that you can also eat warm, room temperature, or cold.
This easy, make-ahead quinoa salad is filled with fresh vegetables, herbs, and creamy goat cheese.
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Beans and Lentils
These protein-packed ingredients deserve lots of lunch love because they’ll keep you satisfied through the afternoon, thanks to all their good protein and fiber. Plus, just like pasta and grains, you probably have a can of chickpeas or a bag of lentils in your kitchen at this very moment.
This classic black bean salad is packed with bright, refreshing flavors like corn, tomatoes, and cilantro, and has a kick from fresh garlic, jalapeño, and red onion.
Take that pantry can of chickpeas to new heights with the fast and fancy chickpea fennel salad. The real kicker is the fried goat cheese that goes on top.
This clever twist on Waldorf salad adds protein-rich chickpeas to the mix to ensure it will satisfy you through the afternoon.
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Sandwiches and Wraps
You can’t talk about lunch without talking about sandwiches. While you don’t particularly need a recipe for one (hello, PB&J ), a little inspiration after you’ve slipped the same thing between two slices of bread over and over again is always welcome.
This vegetarian take on tuna salad is made with a base of hearty chickpeas and crunchy vegetables. The real heroes, however, are the gut-friendly fermented pickles and creamy Greek yogurt.
While canned tuna might get all the attention, don't forget about canned salmon, which in the hero ingredient in these wraps.
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Other Healthy Lunches
Looking for a non-sandwich lunch and tired of salads? These ideas have your back. Things like veggie patties, stuffed baked potatoes, and frittatas keep lunchtime interesting.
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