Lunches can really make or break your workday vibe, and with the right recipes, you can turn even a Monday into a Friday feeling. Our list of 20 great lunches is perfect for anyone looking to add some excitement to their midday meal. With these in your rotation, every day will feel like the brink of the weekend, no matter what your calendar says.
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
You’ve gotta try these Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats. They’re light but still pack a punch with flavors from chicken, bacon, cream cheese, and jalapeños, all in a crunchy cucumber. You can throw them together in just 30 minutes or even get them ready the night before. They’re great for a quick lunch that won’t weigh you down. Serve them chilled for a refreshing midday meal. Try swapping the chicken for canned tuna or using avocado instead of cream cheese for a different texture.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Spice up your lunchtime with this Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad. It’s a mix of chicken, bacon, jalapeños, and a creamy dressing that you can whip up fast. Plus, you can make it ahead of time. This salad is perfect for when you want something ready to go that kicks your lunch up a notch. It’s best served cold. Add a handful of shredded cheddar cheese for extra richness if you like.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins
Don’t let the breakfast title fool you; these Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins work great for lunch, too. Ready in 30 minutes, they’re filled with protein from eggs and cottage cheese. Add whatever veggies or meats you like. They’re super for those days when you need something easy to grab that keeps you going. They’re also perfect for a grab-and-go snack at room temperature.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins
Bell Pepper Sandwich
The Bell Pepper Sandwich is a novel and light lunch idea that swaps traditional bread for bell peppers. Fill the hollowed-out peppers with cream cheese, stone-ground mustard, and your preferred deli meats, cheeses, and veggies. Ready in about 10 minutes, this sandwich fits perfectly into the theme of easy light lunches, presenting a nutritious option that’s both quick to assemble and filling to eat. Experiment with different fillings, like hummus or tuna salad, for variety.
Get the Recipe: Bell Pepper Sandwich
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
For a flavorful and easy lunch, check out these Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Cube up some chicken breasts, cook them in garlic butter, and in about 20 minutes, you’ve got yourself a meal. It’s quick, simple, and just right for packing up and taking to work. These chicken bites will have you counting down until your next lunch break. Pair them with some veggies or a salad for a complete meal. For a variation, toss in some lemon zest or herbs before cooking to brighten the flavor.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Big Mac Salad
The Big Mac Salad brings the iconic burger’s flavors into a fresh, easy-to-pack salad form. Combine ground beef, lettuce, cheddar cheese, pickles, and onions, then dress it all in a Big Mac-inspired sauce. It’s easy to prepare and perfectly aligns with the idea of having a light yet filling lunch ready for a busy day at work. This salad proves you don’t have to give up on taste when choosing lighter lunch options.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad
Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
Throw together some canned salmon, jalapeños, and a dash of cayenne pepper, and you’re on your way to making Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties. These little guys are a quick and flavorful lunch fix, done in just 30 minutes. Pair them with Lemon Dill Aioli to kick things up a notch. They’re the perfect example of how simple stuff can turn into a great workday lunch — easy to make and even easier to take with you. And if you’re not a fan of spicy food, decrease or omit the jalapeños and cayenne pepper.
Get the Recipe: Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
Broccoli Fritters
These Broccoli Fritters are a fantastic light lunch option. Mix up broccoli with Parmesan and a few other simple ingredients, pan-fry them until they’re crispy, and you’re set in about 35 minutes. They’re easy to make and versatile — good on their own or with a side of Greek yogurt or sour cream. Perfect for making a regular day feel a bit more special. Enjoy them with a dollop of sour cream or your favorite dipping sauce. Try adding a bit of chili powder or cumin for an extra kick.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters
Canned Chicken Patties
For a light and efficient work lunch, try the Canned Chicken Patties. Mix canned chicken with a few ingredients, form into patties, and cook until golden. They’re ready in 20 minutes, making them a perfect choice for those days when you need something quick yet filling. Try adding different spices or herbs to the mix for a new flavor each time. Once cooled, store them in a container; they reheat well for a delicious lunch.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Whip up some cucumbers and red onions, toss them with a creamy mix of sour cream, mayo, and dill, and you’ve got yourself a Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad. It’s a cool, refreshing pick that’s ready in a snap — less than an hour, to be exact. This salad’s a cinch to prep and perfect for packing, making your workday lunch anything but ordinary. For an extra punch, throw in some chopped hard-boiled eggs or avocado slices.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats
Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats are a fantastic choice for a quick and light work lunch. Mix cream cheese, tuna, and seasonings, then stuff the mix into cucumber boats. Ready in 10 minutes, this dish is good for anyone looking for a flavorful, easy-to-make lunch that fits into a busy schedule. It’s a great addition to our collection of easy-light lunches to pack for work. Adjust the level of spice with more or less seasoning to suit your taste.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats
Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars
Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars make packing lunch for work a breeze. Layer cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers, olives, and feta cheese with a simple vinaigrette. They’re ready in 10 minutes and yield a healthy, flavorful, and convenient lunch option that you can prepare ahead of time, making your workweek lunches stress-free. Swap out the cheese or add grilled chicken for a protein boost. These jars stay fresh in the fridge, so you can grab one each morning.
Get the Recipe: Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers mix chicken, bacon, egg, cheese, and spices into bite-sized delights. Bake until golden and drizzle with ranch dressing. They’re ready in about an hour and perfectly match our theme of easy light lunches. They’re simple to make in bulk and good for freezing, ensuring you have a delicious and convenient lunch option available anytime. For a different taste, switch the ranch dressing on top for barbecue sauce.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers
Zucchini Bites
Zucchini Bites are made with shredded zucchini, Parmesan, cheddar cheese, and Italian seasoning, ready in 30 minutes. They’re a great way to add more veggies to your lunch in a delicious, easy-to-eat format. These bites align with our theme of easy light lunches to pack for work, making sure that healthy, vegetable-packed meals can also be convenient and delicious. Consider dipping them in marinara sauce for an extra flavor boost. They store well in the fridge and are great reheated or at room temperature.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bites
Cauliflower Potato Salad
Cauliflower Potato Salad is a lighter alternative to traditional potato salad, featuring cauliflower, bacon, and cheese. It’s seasoned with hot sauce and paprika for an extra kick and is easy to prepare. This dish suits our easy light lunches perfectly, a filling yet light side dish or main for your work lunch. Enjoy classic flavors in a healthier way. Try using a yogurt-based dressing for an even lighter version. Keeps well in the fridge, making it perfect for prepping ahead.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Potato Salad
Avocado Tuna Salad
Avocado Tuna Salad is the epitome of quick and easy, needing minimal time to prepare. Mix creamy avocado with flavorful tuna for a refreshing meal. This salad highlights our theme by presenting a healthy, quick-to-make lunch option. It’s perfect for those last-minute meal preps or when you need something light and filling at work. Add in some cucumber or extra celery for more crunch.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tuna Salad
Spicy Egg Salad Cucumber Boats
These Spicy Egg Salad Cucumber Boats are a great way to shake up your lunch routine. They’re simple to whip up: hard-boiled eggs with creamy Greek yogurt, dill, and a kick of hot sauce in hollowed-out cucumber halves. They’re light, they’ve got a bit of heat, and they’re ready in a flash. Plus, they’re easy to pack, so you can enjoy a refreshing midday meal that breaks up the monotony of the week. If you like, top them with green onions and paprika for an extra pop of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Egg Salad Cucumber Boats
Loaded Zucchini Boats
Load up some zucchini with bacon, cheese, sour cream, and green onions, and you’ve nailed the perfect workday lunch. These Loaded Zucchini Boats are a breeze to make, and they’re ready in less than an hour. They’re the kind of meal that turns a regular noon into that Friday feeling — light, yet great on flavor and super easy to pack. So when lunchtime hits, you’re all set with something that’s just right for your busy day.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Zucchini Boats
Bacon Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sliders
Bacon Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sliders are a fun, portable option that’s ready in 30 minutes. They combine eggs, bacon, cheese, and avocado, all held together in a convenient slider format. Perfect as easy light lunches, these sliders fit perfectly into a busy work schedule. Swap the bacon for ham or sausage for a variety in your week.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sliders
Keto Chicken Nuggets
Keto Chicken Nuggets are a light, quick lunch option made with canned chicken and coated in a crispy pork rind mixture. Ready in 30 minutes, they’re a fantastic choice for those looking for a fast, filling meal. These nuggets show how easy it is to prepare a light yet delicious lunch that’s perfect for packing for work, even when you’re short on time.
Get the Recipe: Keto Chicken Nuggets