85 healthy lunch ideas that are perfect for on the go for work, packed in a school lunch, or a low-key day working from home.
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It can be hard to find healthy lunch options that are easy and quick to make but are still healthier than your typical packed lunch.
I’ve put together a list of healthy lunches that I love eating for work for adults, but the kids can bring to school as well!
They’re healthy things to eat from turkey, wraps, salads, and so much more! Best of all some are even so cheap to make! A lot of these healthy recipes work great for meal prep and ingredients can be used later in the week for more delicious lunches!
You can use these healthy lunch ideas for weight loss, but be sure to check with your doctor or nutritionist on the best foods for your certain diet as each person is different.
Take a look through this big list of healthy lunch ideas that will be a staple in your meal prep for packed lunches.
Love these recipes? Check out our list of Easy Cold Lunch Ideas too!
85 Healthy Lunch Ideas
Broccoli Salad
This quick and simple broccoli salad recipe is filled with fresh ingredients with a homemade dressing, and only takes 15 minutes to prepare. Use low-fat mayo for a healthy option!
Turkey Avocado Sandwich
This turkey avocado sandwich is the perfect quick and easy feel-good meal. Crisp toasted sourdough is layered with a homemade garlic aioli, creamy avocado, sliced turkey, and crisp, salty bacon. This recipe is incredibly versatile so feel free to use what you have on hand– it’s also a great way to use up those Thanksgiving leftovers!
Chicken Caesar Wrap
This chicken caesar wrap is easy to make and totally delicious. Fresh veggies, croutons, tangy parmesan, chicken, and creamy caesar dressing.
Quinoa Chickpea Salad
This quinoa chickpea salad is loaded with fresh ingredients and flavor! It’s delicious, nutritious, and best of all, incredibly easy to make.
Easy Southwest Chicken Wrap
A quick and easy lunch recipe that can be eaten cold. It's delicious and full of flavor!
Healthy Burger Bowls
Burger Bowls combine all the flavors of a classic burger in a low carb, easy to prepare bowl. They are gluten free, dairy free, and easily customizable for everyone to enjoy!
Avocado Pasta Salad
Avocado Pasta Salad creamy, bright, packed full of (hidden) spinach. It will be a favorite at the neighborhood cookout!
Chili Lime Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl
A delicious quinoa grain Buddha Bowl that's full of healthy vegetables, beans, and grains. It wors amazing for meal prep!
Chicken Fajita Wrap
Turn your favorite fajitas into crispy chicken fajita wraps. These sandwiches are great for pre-made lunches and using leftover chicken!
Healthy Grilled Corn Salad with Honey Shallot Vinaigrette
Grilled corn, crunchy cucumbers, buttery avocado, tomatoes, chickpeas, and big blocks of feta cheese are topped with tons of fresh herbs and a warm honey shallot vinaigrette that's to die for. This makes the perfect lunch to fill you with energy for the rest of the day.
Stone Fruit Caprese Salad
This Stone Fruit Caprese salad combines creamy mozzarella with sweet fruit for a healthy lunch idea. So simple to make!
Chicken Burrito Bowls Meal Prep
Chicken Burrito Bowls are flavorful, easy to make, and healthy! A perfect nutritious filling meal even the kids will love.
Tuna Pinwheels
These 5-ingredient tuna pinwheels make the cutest appetizer or lunch! Prep them ahead of time and enjoy whenever you need a quick boost.
Protein Snack Pack
Protein Snack Packs filled with hard-boiled eggs, almonds, hummus, and crunchy veggies. An easy and delicious lunchtime meal-prep solution perfect for any protein lover, these fantastic little protein snack packs are perfect for school lunches, post-workout snacks, or picnics in the park
Quick & Healthy Mediterranean Dip
This Quick and Healthy Mediterranean Dip recipe is fresh, delicious, and light, you won’t be able to get enough. If you love hummus, feta and fresh crunchy vegetables, this dip makes a perfect lunch or snack.
Grilled Green Goddess Wraps
Grilled Green Goddess Wraps are full of green goodness and nutrition with a lima bean spread, broccoli, and hearts of palm! Gluten-free, nut-free, and vegan, these wraps are a healthy recipe that's school or work friendly and freezable!
Veggie Pinwheel Tortilla Rollups
Creamy vegetable cream cheese rollups are packed full of delicious herbs, cheese and vegetables all rolled up in a tortilla. These yummy bites are full of creamy ranch flavor and are perfect for a party appetizer or for an easy cold lunch.
Taco Salad
This easy Mexican Taco Salad recipe is ready in only 20 minutes and is loaded with ground beef and all of your favorite taco toppings!
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Mediterranean Orzo Salad is a healthy light lunch! It's loaded with feta, Kalamata olives, tomatoes, and hearty orzo pasta.
Turkey & Apple Panini
A Turkey and Apple Panini are a hot and toasty lunch that's flavorful and packed full of goodness! These work great in packed lunches too!
Spicy Thai Basil Chicken
Spicy Thai basil chicken needs 15 minutes of your time to get lunch on the table.
Easy 5 Minute Asian Cucumber Salad
Sliced cucumbers are tossed in sesame dressing topped with roasted peanuts makes for a delicious side dish that everyone will love.
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad w/ Lemon Vinaigrette
Creamy goat cheese, tangy apples cranberries, and crunchy nuts pair beautifully with thinly shaved brussels sprouts to create a Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad.
Mason Jar Keto Greek Salad
This simple and delicious Mason Jar Keto Greek Salad is a perfect grab and go meal to stay on track, even on busy days! This easy make-ahead lunch recipe will make sure that you’re getting lots of delicious and healthy vegetables in your diet too!
Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe
This spicy, zesty Buffalo Chicken Salad is packed with fresh veggies, protein, and so much flavor. A healthy version of a classic that's easy to prep and delicious to eat.
White Bean Caprese Salad
This simple White Bean Caprese Salad is a delicious take on the traditional Italian caprese salad. Tomatoes, basil and mozzarella are mixed with white cannellini beans to make a flavour and protein packed salad that takes less than 10 minutes to make.
Mediterranean Keto Collard Green Wraps Recipe
Keto Mediterranean Collard Green Wraps are a delicious way to eat your veggies! It takes just 15 minutes and 7 ingredients to make them.
Rotini Chickpea Pasta with Arugula
You need just a few ingredients to make this delicious Rotini Chickpea Pasta with arugula, cherry tomatoes, and feta. It is healthy, flavorful and takes less than 30 minutes to make!
Avocado Tuna Melt
Tuna melts are good but a tuna melt with avocado is better! This healthy and easy to make dish is great for a nutritious meal when you are short on time! The whole meal comes together in less than 10 minutes and is satisfyingly cheesy and delicious!
Chicken and Quinoa Salad
This Chicken and Quinoa Salad is a meal that the whole family will enjoy. Chicken, quinoa, crunchy celery, spring onions and avocado are tossed in a bowl with a creamy, healthy salad dressing made with plain yogurt. It is a meal that is ideal for lunch.
Healthy Avocado Tuna Salad
This Healthy Avocado Tuna Salad makes a perfect and hearty lunch that is packed with crunch and flavor! Spread this on toast or add to a salad!
Mediterranean Chicken Salad
Mediterranean Chicken Salad is a delicious, easily prepared meal that is full of vibrant, fresh flavors and health benefiting nutrients. It is a high protein, low-carb meal which is perfect for lunch.
Southwest Salad with Chipotle Chicken and Cilantro Lime Dressing
An awesome and delicious Southwest Salad! With smoky, spicy chicken, crunchy greens, avocado, black beans, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, pepper jack cheese, and a cool, creamy and zesty cilantro lime dressing, you will be making this entrée salad over and over again.
Cobb Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
Learn how easy it is to make the BEST Cobb Salad with a delicious Honey Mustard Vinaigrette! This impressive salad is perfect as a side salad but so filling and protein-packed it works as a main meal too!
Smoky White Beans with Roasted Tomatoes
These smoky white beans are cooked with delicious spices and spinach and topped with perfectly roasted tomatoes. This is a hearty vegan dish that is easy to make for lunches.
Tahini Pasta
This Tahini Pasta is perfect when you’re craving healthier comfort food. It’s quick and easy to make too.
Kale Salad with Apple Tahini Dressing (Vegan + GF)
This Kale Salad with an Apple Tahini dressing is a delicious healthy lunch option that you could throw together any day of the week.
Thai Tofu Wrap with Coconut Almond Butter Dip
This Gluten Free Thai Tofu Wrap is easy to make and tastes amazing. The wraps are filled with flavorful, marinated tofu and healthy veggies. The coconut almond butter dip goes so well with it.
Tuscan Bean Salad
Make this Tuscan bean salad when you want a hearty and satisfying meal that is also healthy and full of flavor. And it can be prepped in just 15 minutes!
Israeli Couscous Cucumber Salad
Israeli Couscous Cucumber Salad is your new favorite summer salad! It's bright and light with fresh herbs, and fresh summer garden vegetables. The Israeli couscous also makes it hearty enough for lunch and the perfect summer side!
Crispy Chickpea Toast with Avocado and Yogurt Sauce
This 10-Minute Crispy Chickpea Toast with Avocado and Yogurt Sauce is easily the highlight of my day with toasted sourdough, crispy spiced chickpeas, and buttery avocado with a creamy yogurt sauce and spicy radish.
Healthy Creamy Zucchini Potato Soup
Healthy Creamy Zucchini Potato Soup is so simple to make, and only uses a few ingredients. The potatoes give this soup its creaminess, meaning no dairy is used!
Pesto Quinoa
This pesto quinoa is filling and flavor-loaded. It’s an easy, nutrient-dense lunch idea.
Egg Roll in a Bowl
This Egg Roll in a Bowl recipe has all the flavors of an egg roll without the wrapper! You can make it in only 20 minutes with a simple mix of coleslaw, ground turkey (or pork), and a tasty homemade sauce.
Easy Crunchy Quinoa Cabbage Salad
This crunchy cabbage salad is easy to make, nutritious and so delicious!
Asian Salmon Salad with Citrus Soy Dressing
This bright, vibrant Asian Salmon Salad with Citrus Soy Dressing is the perfect light meal! Perfectly seared glazed salmon tops a salad dressed with a fresh citrus soy dressing. Simple and delicious!
How To Make Easy Chicken Caesar Wraps
The freshness of the vegetables paired with the smoky crispy bacon make this wrap a lunchtime favorite.
Beetroot salad
This Beetroot Salad makes fresh addition to your menu. Perfect for a BBQ or when you need something light and easy
Healthy Vegan Green Lentil Burger Patties
Enjoy a guilt-free meatless burger! It's spicy, crispy, and delicious.
Noodle Bowl
An easy, healthy lunch that can be made vegan and gluten-free. This is packed full of veggies and nutrients!
Shrimp Stuffed Avocados
Creamy avocados are stuffed with a delicious and refreshing shrimp mixture! This Shrimp Stuffed Avocados recipe is healthy and so simple to make for any seafood lover!
Keto Bacon Avocado Chicken Salad
This yummy Keto Bacon Avocado Chicken Salad makes the perfect lunch or dinner on a low carb diet! Plus it’s so simple and quick to make!
Easy Keto Chicken Salad Recipe
This easy Keto Chicken Salad provides lean protein, healthy fat, and tons of flavor to help you stay low carb! It’s also so simple to make and tastes great on its own, in a wrap, or with vegetables
Tantalizing Teriyaki Bowls with Tofu
This delicious and nutritious vegan teriyaki bowl recipe with tofu is made with a combination of brown rice, edamame, carrots, green onions and other healthful goodies.
Chef Salad
This Classic Chef Salad recipe is full of healthy, energizing ingredients and includes a simple homemade salad dressing! This is easy to make ahead of time and makes a great lunch or dinner!
Spicy and Sweet Tofu
Golden and crunchy on the outside, tossed with fresh bok choy, and coated in a homemade sweet and spicy glaze!
Colorful Farro Salad
Made with a hefty amount of nutritious and wholesome ingredients, this Colorful Farro Salad is delicious! Nothing is more refreshing and nutritious than a big grain salad – you have your grain, your vegetables, and your protein from the beans all in one bowl.
Teriyaki Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner
This best ever Teriyaki Sheet Pan Chicken is a meal itself all made in one sheet pan, loaded with amazing flavors. We are talking about simple and best homemade Teriyaki sauce.
Healthy Avocado Toast with Smoked Salmon
This Healthy Avocado Toast with Smoked Salmon is a luxuriously delicious way to fuel up for a busy afternoon! Ready in just minutes, it’s bursting with fresh and satisfying flavors, and a tantalizing range of textures!
Keto Wedge Salad
Crisp lettuce, savory bacon, and creamy homemade blue cheese dressing make this Keto Wedge Salad a restaurant worthy dish. Even better, it’s low carb and easy to make at home!
Cucumber, Avocado, and Pomegranate Salad
This refreshing Cucumber Avocado Salad is the perfect combination of crispy and creamy! Ready in minutes!
Salmon Poke Bowls & Spicy Aioli Sauce
This Sriracha Aioli Poke Bowl with Salmon and veggies is quick, easy and incredibly delicious. Packed with protein and flavor, poke bowls make an exciting, healthy lunch or dinner you'll really look forward to!
Hummus Sandwich
Hummus, Avocado, and Cucumber make for an excellent sandwich and a great vegan lunch!
Mexican Buddha Bowl
This Mexican Buddha Bowl is nourishing, healthy, hearty and super tasty. Packed with roasted veggies and cilantro lime quinoa.
Best Chicken Shawarma
This Chicken Shawarma Recipe is loaded with flavor and is one of the easiest and most delicious Mediterranean recipes to make at home.
Easy Grilled Chicken Salad
Shredded grilled chicken breast is piled on a bed of lettuce with other assorted vegetables in this Easy Grilled Chicken Salad. This is a refreshing summer salad which you can enjoy as a complete meal.
Chopped Kale Quinoa and Avocado Salad
Chopped Kale Quinoa and Avocado Salad recipe is packed with flavor and loaded with tons of nutrients. It’s the perfect healthy lunch of dinner option and perfect for meal-prepping!
Quick and Easy White Bean Salad
White Bean Salad is super quick and easy. It’s perfect on its own, served with crackers, or as a sandwich in pita bread or a wrap. You’re only 5 minutes away from a delicious lunch!
Keto Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
Shrimp Lettuce Wrap with Cajun Cream Sauce is quick and easy to make. Succulent shrimp paired with a delightful Cajun cream sauce for a more hearty meal.
Spinach and Ricotta Flatbread Pizza
This spinach and ricotta flatbread pizza is healthy, delicious, and super easy to make.
Cuban-Style Tuna Meal Prep Bowls
Cuban-Style Tuna Meal Prep Bowls are gluten-free, paleo, and perfect for a well-rounded lunch! With plantain chips, fresh veggies, jalapeño, tuna, and a zesty dairy-free yogurt, you’ll be powering through that midday slump.
French Endive Apple Walnut Salad
Endive Salad is super quick and easy to prepare. This classic vegetarian French salad is perfect for lunch!
Shiitake Mushroom and Avocado Sushi
Sushi with hearty shiitake mushrooms, crispy cucumbers and creamy avocado is a great lunch!
Smoked Salmon Panini with Lemon Dill Mayonnaise
Delicious, satisfying and super quick and easy to make, this smoked salmon panini sandwich makes a great healthy lunch.
Pomegranate Chicken Salad
This Pomegranate Chicken Salad is perfect for meal prep and makes a delicious lunch served with greens and crackers.
Flavorful Greek Turkey Burgers
Looking for juicy, flavorful and healthy Greek turkey burgers? These are gluten free & dairy free. Taste for yourself!
Roasted Sweet Potato Feta Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Sweet Potato Feta Salad is the ultimate warming salad - peppery, salty & crunchy, with a Lemon Tahini Dressing you will want to have by the spoonful. This quick & easy salad is great as a side or main course, and perfect for your lunchbox.
Mediterranean Tomato Soup with Feta
Mediterranean Tomato Soup with Feta in just 30 minutes! It's a 1-pot recipe made with simple ingredients and quick and easy methods. Perfect for meal prep and freezing!
Garlic Chili Oil Noodles with Cilantro (ready in 15 minutes!)
Easy, simple, and delicious, these Garlic Chili Oil Noodles come together in just 15 minutes! They're finished with a generous amount of chopped cilantro for a fresh and tasty meal!
Black Lentil Salad With Roast Carrots, Feta and Pomegranate
A simple, healthy and delicious black lentil salad with soft and earthy beluga lentils, honey roast carrots, pomegranate and crumbled feta.
Waldorf Chicken Salad
Waldorf salad with chicken is a classic American salad with apple, celery, mayonnaise, lemon and walnuts. I added some chicken to make it perfect for lunch.
Delicious Citrusy Kale and Salmon salad
This Kale Salmon salad is deliciously refreshing and filling with fennel, parsley, mozzarella cheese, wild-caught (canned) salmon. Everything is tossed in an easy-to-make homemade orange dressing—a healthy lunch that won't disappoint!
Sonoma Chicken Salad
Creamy, crunchy, and slightly sweet this Sonoma-style chicken salad makes for a perfect lunch or afternoon snack! Serve it over a bed of greens, in between bread, or all on its own.
Greek Kale and Quinoa Salad
Greek Kale salad recipe is a powerhouse salad full of nutrition and fiber! Perfect for any lunch or dinner! Add chicken and you have yourself a meal packed full of protein! This
85 Easy Healthy Lunch Ideas
85 deliciously easy healthy lunch ideas that are perfect for work, on the go, and more including this broccoli salad recipe.
Ingredients
Dressing Ingredients
- 3/4 cup mayo (use low-fat)*
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper
Salad Ingredients
- 6 cups broccoli pieces, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- ⅔ cup bacon bits or crumbled bacon (can omit for less fat)
- ½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- ⅓ cup sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
Instructions
- In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until well mixed and set aside.
- In a large bowl add the broccoli florets, bacon bits, cheddar cheese,
sunflower seeds, and red onion then pour dressing on top and mix well. - Keep in the fridge until serving.
Notes
*switch the mayo out for greek yogurt to make this dish even healthier!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 421Total Fat: 33gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 25gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 1140mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 7gSugar: 6gProtein: 14g
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.