50 Great Father's Day Gifts to Buy on Amazon

Experts Reveal Common Omicron Subvariant Symptoms

We Found the 38 Best High School Graduation Gifts

How to Make Espresso Like a Pro

100 Instagram Captions Perfect for Graduation Day

70 Healthy, Tasty Lunch Ideas That'll Power You Through Any Afternoon

Including 20+ different ways to enjoy a fresh salad, plus expert tips for reinventing leftovers into an entirely new meal.

By Zee Krstic

May 6, 2022

healthy lunch ideas 65 healthy lunch recipes

Mike Garten

A healthy lunch doesn't need to be a salad, as inspiration can definitely revolutionize any bowl of lettuce, sandwiches, grain bowls or pasta mixes you may already love. These crazy delicious soup, sandwich and pasta recipes are proof that health-friendly lunches are much more than just a bed of greens. Not only are these lunches effortless, they're also super quick — you can throw them together in a few spare minutes in the morning, or set aside a little bit of meal prep time the night before. Many of our favorite healthy lunch ideas are make-ahead friendly or reinvent leftovers you may have in the fridge already.

The heartiest items on our lunch menus are chock-full of lean protein, which can help you feel satisfied all the way up until dinner. Think staples like chicken and salmon, rich dairy sources including cottage cheese and yogurt, and nutrient-packed add-ons like seeds (i.e. sunflower seeds!) and legumes. And don't be surprised if you see a lot of ingredients with lots of fiber, like avocado and chickpeas, as they're low in calories and also aid in helping you feel wholly satisfied.

These easy-to-prep recipes are also seriously affordable, which means you'll have more money to spend when the weekend rolls around. Of course, healthy eating doesn't stop at noon: Start your day off with a healthy breakfast recipe and then keep it going with one of these low-calorie dinners.

Mike Garten

Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

Inspired by the classic Mexican dish, these roasted cauliflower tacos paired with a colorful, crunchy taco slaw might be our new favorite taco recipe. Perfect for lunch!

Get the recipe for Roasted Cauliflower Tacos »

MIKE GARTEN

Shaved Carrot and Radish Salad

Who says salads need lettuce? The carrot ribbons and thinly sliced radishes are an amazing and unexpected substitute.

Get the recipe for Shaved Carrot and Radish Salad »

best healthy lunch recipes open face steak sandwich

Mike Garten

Steak Sandwich With Arugula

Keep carbs on the menu with this open-faced powerhouse sandwich that makes use of leftover dinner proteins.

Get the recipe for Steak Sandwich With Arugula »

Mike Garten

Instant Pot Beef Curry

You wouldn't believe this hearty, filling lunch bowl requires just 15 minutes of prep time — and you'll do a double take when you hear it requires just five ingredients total.

Get the recipe for Instant Pot Beef Curry »

Mike Garten

Salmon Niçoise Salad

With olives, hard-boiled egg, potatoes and green beans, this is a great make-ahead lunch you can pack on the go.

Get the recipe for Salmon Niçoise Salad »

MIKE GARTEN

Supergreen Mushroom & Orzo Soup

Ditch your heavy, cream-based winter soups for a light and refreshing supergreen soup.

Get the recipe for the Supergreen Mushroom & Orzo Soup »

Mike Garten

Waldorf Chicken Salad

A power lunch mainstay, this all-time American favorite combines the best of our fresh pantry with a creamy mustard-based dressing. It's ready from scratch in under 20 minutes and is designed for easy meal prep at the start of the work week.

Get the recipe for Waldorf Chicken Salad »

Mike Garten

Greek Chicken Grain Bowl

Put together this healthy, delicious meal in advance, then just grab and go when you need to head out the door.

Get the recipe for Greek Chicken Grain Bowl »

Mike Garten

Vegan Bolognese

Lentils and mushrooms make for a velvety smooth swap in this traditional ground-beef dish — it's a plant-based protein punch amid a generous serving of comforting pasta.

Get the recipe for Vegan Bolognese »

Mike Garten

Butternut Squash Curry

We love how you can plop a bunch of fresh veg into a dutch oven and end up with this intensely delicious, aromatic curry for colder days. You can make a single batch to enjoy all week, and serve it with rice, noodles and other vegetarian staples as you go.

Get the recipe for the Butternut Squash Curry »

Danielle Occhigrosso Daly

Fish Tacos With Pico de Gallo

This 25-minute entreé makes use of tender mahi-mahi and plenty of citrus, but the quick pico you'll make pairs well with most other seafood. Try swapping in different filets of white fish seasonally!

Get the recipe for Fish Tacos With Pico de Gallo »

MIKE GARTEN

Tomato Panzanella

In our humble opinion, every salad should have marinated sour dough bread.

Get the recipe for Tomato Panzanella »

best healthy lunch ideas chicken pesto sandwiches

Mike Garten

Grilled Chicken Pesto Sandwiches

A big batch of our classic DIY pesto stored in your fridge is an effortless way to dress up quick lunches like this one, all while avoiding the sugar and sodium hiding in pre-made sandwich condiments.

Get the recipe for Grilled Chicken Pesto Sandwiches »

Good Housekeeping's Low Calorie, Big Flavor Cookbook

$27 AT GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

150+ recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and snacks—all 500 calories or less per serving!

Mike Garten

Vegan Caesar Salad

This is a crowd-pleasing lunch that anyone can enjoy, no matter their dietary preferences (meat lovers, you’ll love this too!).

Get the recipe for Vegan Caesar Salad »

best healthy lunch recipes pork sliders lettuce wraps

Mike Garten

Fiery Pork Lettuce Wraps

Pork gets a bad rep for being a fatty cut of protein, but lean tenderloin makes for a filling base at lunch, especially dressed in zesty citrus notes. Added bonus? You can use leftover pork from last night's dinner to get the job done.

Get the recipe for Fiery Pork Lettuce Wraps »

Mike Garten

California Roll Salad

It's all of your favorite elements of the popular Japanese-American favorite made into a lunch bowl you soon won't forget.

Get the recipe for California Roll Salad »

egg salad served on a piece of toasted bread

Sandy Carmo

Egg Salad Sandwich

An egg salad sandwich is the best lunch to make if you don't have a ton of ingredients on hand. Your pantry to the rescue!

Get the recipe for Egg Salad Sandwich »

Mike Garten

Wedge Salad With Creamy Herb Dressing

Mastering this ultra-fast salad recipe can allow you to quickly riff on it during a hectic WFH weekday — top it with freshly boiled eggs, leftover chicken, a medley of fresh veg, or a mix of whatever you'd like.

Get the recipe for Wedge Salad With Creamy Herb Dressing »

healthy lunch recipes stuffed avocados with shrimps

Mike Garten

Citrusy Shrimp-Stuffed Avocados

Ditching bread and your lunch sandwich for a stuffed avocado is a delicious (and healthy!) way to enjoy protein at lunch. At under 500 calories, you'll have room for an afternoon snack.

Get the recipe for Citrusy Shrimp-Stuffed Avocados »

MIKE GARTEN

Sweet Pea Risotto

This pea-packed recipe offers a greener spin on your favorite comfort food.

Get the recipe for Sweet Pea Risotto »

Mike Garten

Tex-Mex Chicken Salad

Brighten up any day and try this colorful, filling salad for lunch.

Get the recipe for Tex-Mex Chicken Salad »

best healthy lunch recipes grilled peach and mozzarella salad

Mike Garten

Peach Caprese Salad

If they're in season, swapping out tomatoes for fresh peaches can add an umph to a salad you already know and love. These stacked bites also make for an exciting side for any leftovers in the fridge.

Get the recipe for Peach Caprese Salad »

DANIELLE OCCHIOGROSSO DALY

Roasted Cauliflower Pizza

This five-ingredient recipe is much healthier than a greasy slice from your local takeout joint.

Get the recipe for Roasted Cauliflower Pizza »

Mike Garten

Spice-Grilled Steak Salad

Rub skirt steak with hot paprika before grilling to add some heat to this healthy lunch.

Get the recipe for Spice-Grilled Steak Salad »

Mike Garten

Spinach and Gruyere Potato Casserole

This cheesy bake is the perfect make ahead meal. Instead of saving it for your next dinner party, enjoy it for lunch over a week!

Get the recipe for Spinach and Gruyere Potato Casserole »

MIKE GARTEN

Tomato, Peach, and Basil Salad

You can make this sweet and savory veggie combo in just 10 minutes.

Get the recipe for Tomato, Peach, and Basil Salad »

best healthy lunch recipes lemon pepper chicken linguine

Mike Garten

Lemon-Pepper Linguine With Creamy Chicken and Broccoli

The sauce base in this citrus-packed noodle dish only takes about 20 minutes to whip up to perfection. Chicken and broccoli also hold up marvelously in the fridge throughout the week!

Get the recipe for Lemon-Pepper Linguine With Creamy Chicken and Broccoli »

Danielle Occhigrosso

Sausage and Broccoli Quinoa Bowl

Have your sausage and eat it, too — as long as it's nestled into a bed of quinoa and hearty broccoli. Mint, lemon juice, and fresh scallions transform yogurt into the ultimate quick sauce, too.

Get the recipe for Sausage and Broccoli Quinoa Bowl »

MIKE GARTEN

Instant Pot Chicken Pho

This traditional Vietnamese soup is just one of many wonders your Instant Pot is capable of.

Get the recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Pho »

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Zee Krstic Health Editor Zee Krstic is the health editor for goodhousekeeping.club, where he covers health and nutrition news, decodes diet and fitness trends, and reviews the best products in the wellness aisle.