20 easy light lunches to pack for work this week

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Ready to shake up your work lunch game with some easy, light lunches you can throw together in no time? You’ve landed in the right spot. We’re all about making lunch prep a total no-brainer with meals that are not only quick to prep but also light enough to keep you energized without weighing you down. Think fresh, straightforward, and downright delicious — perfect for anyone looking to streamline their lunch routine.

A person holding a stuffed pepper sandwich over a plate.
Bell Pepper Sandwich. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Bacon ranch chicken salad cucumber boats lined up on a plate.
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

With chicken, bacon, cream cheese, and jalapeños stuffed into cucumber boats, this dish is refreshing and easy to make. Ready in 30 minutes, you can even prepare them ahead for a quick grab-and-go lunch. They’re a light yet flavorful option for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

A glass bowl of jalapeño popper chicken salad ingredients.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad mixes up your lunch routine with a combo of chicken, bacon, and jalapeños, all tossed in a creamy mayo dressing. It’s easy to whip up and can be made ahead of time. It’s a great choice for when you need a lunch that’s ready to go and a bit spicy.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins

Three muffins on a white plate with green onions.
Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins make a great light lunch for the workday. They only take 30 minutes to bake and are filled with protein, thanks to the eggs and cottage cheese. You can add in whatever veggies or meats you like. These muffins are super for when you’re looking for something simple to carry and that keeps you full until your next meal.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins

Broccoli Fritters

A stack of broccoli fritters on a plate.
Broccoli Fritters. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Broccoli Fritters are light, crispy, and just right for a simple, nutritious lunch. You’ll mix broccoli, Parmesan, and a few basic ingredients to form patties, then pan-fry them until they’re perfectly crispy. They take about 35 minutes to make and are fantastic on their own or with a side of Greek yogurt or sour cream for extra flavor.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

A plate of garlic butter chicken bites.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are perfect for a flavorful workday lunch that’s quick to prepare. In about 20 minutes, you can cook up cubed chicken breasts in a simple sauce made of garlic and butter. This dish is great for a busy day because it’s easy to make and even easier to pack, giving you something to look forward to at lunch.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Big Mac Salad

A person holding serving spoons in a bowl of Big Mac salad.
Big Mac Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

The Big Mac Salad is a creative lunch option that packs the classic burger flavors into a fresh salad. With ingredients like ground beef, lettuce, cheddar cheese, pickles, onions, and a special Big Mac-inspired dressing, it’s both easy to make and to pack. This salad combines the best of both worlds–the rich taste of a burger in a light, refreshing form. It’s a perfect pick for a workday lunch that keeps you full without weighing you down.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad

Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties

Mini spicy canned salmon patties in a serving bowl.
Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In just 30 minutes, you can make these spicy salmon patties with canned salmon, jalapeños, and a bit of cayenne pepper, served with a tangy Lemon Dill Aioli. This recipe is flexible. Feel free to use any canned protein and adjust the spices as you like. It’s perfect for a quick lunch or snack, easy to prepare, and packs a flavor punch.
Get the Recipe: Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties

Bell Pepper Sandwich

Bell pepper sandwich cut in half on a plate.
Bell Pepper Sandwich. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Swap out traditional bread for bell peppers in this innovative sandwich. Hollow out the peppers, add a spread of cream cheese and stone-ground mustard, then pile in your favorite fillings like meats, cheese, and veggies. It’s ready in about 10 minutes, serving a quick, light meal that’s fun and different.
Get the Recipe: Bell Pepper Sandwich

Canned Chicken Patties

Chicken patties with broccoli on a plate.
Canned Chicken Patties. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These canned chicken patties are your answer to a quick, light meal. Ready in 20 minutes and simple to make. Mix, form, and fry until crispy and juicy. Pair them with a salad, veggies, or tuck them into a sandwich for a filling lunch that doesn’t take much effort to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad

Bowl of creamy dill cucumber onion salad in a bowl with spoons.
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This salad combines cucumbers and red onions in a creamy dressing of sour cream, mayo, and dill. It’s ready in under an hour and is as straightforward as it is refreshing. Perfect for a light lunch or as a side, it’s a no-stress option for any day.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad

Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats

A person is holding a cucumber with tuna and sesame seeds on it.
Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Ready in 10 minutes, these cucumber boats are filled with a spicy mix of cream cheese, tuna, and seasonings. It’s a quick, flavorful lunch option that’s a great pick for anyone looking for something light, refreshing, and a little spicy. This recipe is easy to whip up for a hassle-free lunch or snack.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats

Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars

Greek salad in mason jars.
Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Prepare these salad jars with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers, olives, and feta, dressed in a simple vinaigrette. They’re ready in 10 minutes and perfect for grabbing on your way out the door. Prep them ahead to let the flavors combine for an appetizing, no-stress salad for a light, easy-to-pack lunch.
Get the Recipe: Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars

Cauliflower Potato Salad

Cauliflower potato salad garnished with green onions in a bowl with a fork.
Cauliflower Potato Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Swap out traditional potatoes for cauliflower in this lighter version of potato salad that doesn’t skimp on taste. Featuring cauliflower, crispy bacon, and sharp cheese, this dish is perfect for those seeking something refreshing yet filling. A dash of hot sauce and paprika gives it an extra zing. Easy to whip up, this cauliflower salad makes a great side for any main dish.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Potato Salad

Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

A chicken bacon ranch popper skewered by a toothpick.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Mix together chicken, bacon, egg, cheese, and spices to create these mouthwatering poppers. They’re easy to make and ready in about an hour. Just combine the ingredients, roll them into balls, and bake until they’re perfectly golden. A drizzle of ranch dressing adds the finishing touch. These poppers are also great for freezing, making them a convenient option for meal prep or a quick snack on busy days.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

Avocado Tuna Salad

A bowl of avocado tuna salad with avocado slices and lemon slices.
Avocado Tuna Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In just five minutes, you can have this avocado tuna salad ready to go. It’s a simple mix of creamy avocado and flavorful tuna, making for a quick and refreshing meal. It’s an excellent choice for a last-minute lunch or snack, especially when chilled in the fridge ahead of time to let the flavors mix together.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tuna Salad

Zucchini Bites

A zucchini bite being dipped into a dipping sauce.
Zucchini Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These bites are a clever way to include more vegetables in your snacks or meals. Made with shredded zucchini, Parmesan, cheddar cheese, and Italian seasoning, they’re ready in just 30 minutes. If you’re looking for an easy, veggie-rich lunch option that’s pleasant to eat at any time, these zucchini bites are perfect.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bites

Spicy Egg Salad Cucumber Boats

Spicy egg salad cucumber boats being held in hands.
Spicy Egg Salad Cucumber Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For a quick and refreshing option, try these cucumber boats filled with a creamy and spicy egg salad. The crunch of the cucumber complements the spice of the egg salad well, making for a flavorful lunch or snack that’s easy to fit into your day without much preparation.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Egg Salad Cucumber Boats

Loaded Zucchini Boats

Three loaded zucchini boats on a plate.
Loaded Zucchini Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Enjoy a lighter version of loaded baked potatoes with these zucchini boats. Filled with crispy bacon, melty cheese, sour cream, and green onions, they serve up a filling but not overly heavy meal. Ready in less than an hour, these zucchini boats are great for a busy lunch or when you’re in the mood for something flavor-packed yet light.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Zucchini Boats

Bacon Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sliders

A hand holding a toothpick with a bacon egg and cheese breakfast slider.
Bacon Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sliders. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Reinvent breakfast with these sliders that combine all your morning favorites in one easy-to-handle sandwich. Skewered for convenience, they feature hard-boiled eggs, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and avocado. Ready in 30 minutes, these breakfast sliders are perfect for busy mornings and even busier lunch times.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sliders

Keto Chicken Nuggets

Keto chicken nuggets on a plate with a cup of dipping sauce.
Keto Chicken Nuggets. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These chicken nuggets are a must-try for a quick and light lunch. Made with canned chicken for ease and coated in a crispy pork rind breadcrumb mixture, they bake up golden in just 30 minutes. Whether you need a speedy snack or a light meal, these keto chicken nuggets are a fantastic choice for when you’re short on time but still want something delicious and straightforward.
Get the Recipe: Keto Chicken Nuggets

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