Desk lunches don’t have to be a sad sandwich or a boring salad. In fact, brown bagging it can be downright delicious with the right recipes. Forget the cafeteria lines and overpriced takeout; these 17 recipes are here to prove that your homemade lunch can be the highlight of your workday. Get ready to turn heads in the break room and maybe even make your coworkers a little jealous.
Bell Pepper Sandwich
This Bell Pepper Sandwich replaces traditional bread with fresh bell peppers, making it a healthier choice and a colorful addition to your lunchtime. It’s filled with layers of turkey, cheese, avocado, bacon, and cucumber. This sandwich is delicious and quick to prepare, taking only 10 minutes. The crisp texture of the bell pepper combined with the creamy avocado creates a pleasant contrast. It’s perfect for days when you want a quick, nutritious lunch that keeps you energized and focused for the afternoon.
Get the Recipe: Bell Pepper Sandwich
Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins
Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins are a great choice for anyone looking for a protein-packed lunch option that is simple to prepare in about 30 minutes. With eggs, cottage cheese, and your choice of herbs, these muffins are nutritious and versatile. This recipe is perfect for busy mornings when you need a quick lunch solution that will keep you full and focused throughout the day. Packing these muffins for lunch means you have a reliable and energizing meal without resorting to less healthy alternatives.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins
Big Mac Salad
The Big Mac Salad brings all the beloved flavors of a traditional Big Mac without the added heaviness of a bun. It combines lettuce, beef, pickles, onions, and a special sauce in a refreshing and good way. This salad is quick to prepare, making it a practical choice for meal prepping, and you have a delicious lunch ready to go. It’s particularly good when you need a filling meal that doesn’t leave you feeling sluggish. Customize it with your favorite toppings to enhance its flavor.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad
Reuben Bowls
Reuben Bowls simplify the classic sandwich by combining corned beef, sauerkraut, cheese, and a homemade dressing with coleslaw. This dish is ready in just 30 minutes and serves as a hearty meal that you can enjoy right at your desk. Easy to pack, this meal is a great solution for busy days when you need a quick yet hearty lunch that keeps you powered throughout your tasks. It’s the perfect combination of convenience and flavor, making your lunch break something to look forward to.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Bowls
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad combines the timeless taste of Caesar salad with the hearty addition of pasta, making it a great dish for lunch. It’s designed for simplicity, using pre-cooked chicken and ready-made dressing to cut down on prep time, which totals about 25 minutes. This dish is perfect for those who need a quick meal that doesn’t compromise flavor or substance. It’s also very portable, making it perfect for office lunches. Enjoy a no-mess, no-stress meal that keeps you full and focused through your work tasks.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Tuna Macaroni Salad
Tuna Macaroni Salad is a great work lunch choice that features simple ingredients like macaroni, creamy dressing, canned tuna, and hard-boiled eggs. It takes about 40 minutes to prepare, making it a practical choice for those who prefer to prep meals ahead of time.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Macaroni Salad
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
This Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad is a great choice for work lunches. It’s easy to prepare and packs a punch of flavor. Cook chicken breasts until tender and bacon until crispy. Broil jalapeños until charred, then chop them up. Mix the chicken, bacon, jalapeños, green onions, mayonnaise, hot sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Let it chill for an hour before serving. Make it in advance for a convenient and tasty meal during busy weekdays.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats are great for a quick desk lunch. Pre-cooked bacon and canned chicken make this super easy to put together in just minutes. The cucumbers add a nice crunch to the rich flavors of bacon and ranch. With only about 10 minutes of prep time, these boats are perfect for busy schedules and a lunch that’s easy to handle and won’t leave you feeling sluggish.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are quick to cook and great to eat, especially if you’re tight on time. Ready in about 20 minutes, these pan-friend chicken bites are coated in a delicious garlic-butter sauce that makes them hard to resist. They’re crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, giving a good texture and rich flavor. Pack them up for lunch, and you’ll have a convenient and comforting meal. You have something to look forward to at lunch that will keep you going without weighing you down.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Meal Prep Meatballs and Cauliflower Rice
Meal Prep Meatballs and Cauliflower Rice is a straightforward, wholesome dish that’s easy to make and packs a lot of flavors. The meatballs are juicy and well-seasoned, while the cauliflower rice gives a light, healthy base. Preparing takes about 30 minutes, and you can make it in batches to last throughout the week. This dish saves time and gives you a nutritious meal ready to go, reducing the temptation to opt for less healthy alternatives. It’s a smart way to stay on track with healthy eating during a busy workweek.
Get the Recipe: Meal Prep Meatballs and Cauliflower Rice
Canned Chicken Patties
Canned Chicken Patties are a simple yet effective solution for a busy lunch hour. Ready in 20 minutes, these patties are made from canned chicken mixed with spices like garlic powder and paprika, creating a flavorful meal that’s easy to prepare. They’re versatile, pairing well with vegetables or as a sandwich filler. If you’re looking for a lunch option that’s straightforward, filling, and keeps you energized without a lot of prep or clean-up, these chicken patties are a great choice. They make your lunch break something to look forward to without adding stress to your day.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
This Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad is perfect for a quick and refreshing lunch. Crisp cucumbers and sharp onions are tossed in a creamy dill-infused dressing, serving a burst of freshness perfect for a busy workday. It takes just a few minutes to prepare and is light enough to keep you from feeling sluggish afterward. Plus, it travels well, making it easy to pack in the morning and enjoy at your desk, so you have a nourishing meal even on your busiest days.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Broccoli Fritters
Broccoli Fritters are the go-to lunch if you want something quick yet filling. Made with fresh broccoli, eggs, and Parmesan, these fritters are crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside. They require minimal preparation time and are great for a make-ahead lunch that reheats well. Each bite is a pleasing crunch and cheese-filled. Not only do they save you time, but they also serve a nutritious meal that keeps you powered up for your afternoon tasks without leaving you feeling heavy.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters
Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars
Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars are a lifesaver for anyone with a packed schedule. It’s filled with a colorful mix of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives, and feta cheese, and these jars are quick to assemble and perfect for grabbing on the go. Each jar is a light, refreshing meal that won’t weigh you down during your workday.
Get the Recipe: Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars
Avocado Tuna Salad
Avocado Tuna Salad combines creamy avocado with protein-packed tuna for a lunch that strikes the perfect balance between nourishing and filling. This salad is whipped up in about five minutes and is great for those days when you’re swamped but still want a meal that’s good for you. It’s also incredibly portable, making it easy to pack up and take to work. This meal will keep you satisfied without the post-lunch tiredness.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tuna Salad
Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties is a lively break from your typical lunch fare. It’s made with canned salmon, pork rinds, and a dash of red pepper flakes, and these patties are a good treat that can be prepared in around 30 minutes. They’re easy to make in batches and reheat well, making them a practical choice for meal prepping. If you’re looking for an energizing and flavorful lunch, these salmon patties are it. They add a nice kick to your lunch routine and help break the monotony of regular meals.
Get the Recipe: Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
Thai Chicken Salad
Thai Chicken Salad is your ticket to a flavorful and energizing desk lunch. It features chicken marinated in coconut milk mixed with arugula, cucumber, onions, and chili peppers. This salad not only packs a punch of flavor but also comes together quickly, making it perfect for meal prep. It’s light yet delicious, and you feel full without feeling weighed down. Perfect for days when you need energy, this salad keeps your body fueled for whatever the day throws at you.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Salad