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Skip the Deli: 15 Fresh Lunch Salads to Make at Home

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By Shruthi Baskaran-Makanju

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Lunch salads can be the perfect solution for a quick, easy, and great meal in the middle of your busy day. These recipes are designed to be simple yet satisfying, making your lunch break something to look forward to. Whether you’re packing for work or enjoying a meal at home, these salads are all about fresh ingredients and minimal prep time. No more boring desk lunches or expensive takeout—just delicious, homemade salads that are ready in a snap. Get ready to enjoy lunch like never before!

A close-up of a pasta salad featuring tortellini, halved cherry tomatoes, spinach, and other greens, all mixed and garnished with herbs and grated cheese.
Tortellini Pasta Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Detox Daikon Salad

Daikon salad.
Daikon Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

This simple daikon and carrot salad has a refreshing sweet and sour dressing and comes together in under 10 minutes! It’s a calorie buster too, but so healthy and delicious!
Get the Recipe: Detox Daikon Salad

Roasted Vegetable Salad

A colorful serving of roasted vegetables including Brussels sprouts, red onions, zucchini, and carrots, garnished with chopped parsley, placed on a rectangular white plate.
Roasted Veg Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

This roasted vegetable salad is a great hearty salad. Loaded with tons of flavor and a light vinaigrette, you can serve this salad hot or cold and it is perfect for leftover for back to school lunches!
Get the Recipe: Roasted Vegetable Salad

Mediterranean Black Bean Salad

A bowl filled with a colorful salad containing cherry tomatoes, avocado, black beans, red onions, cilantro, and bell peppers. A white and red striped cloth and a lime are nearby.
Black Bean Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

This colorful and refreshing Mediterranean black bean salad drizzled with a zesty cilantro lime dressing is quick to assemble. It’s customizable, and can be served as a salad or as a salsa dip with tortilla chips, making it a perfect light lunch or side dish any day of the week!
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Black Bean Salad

Light Nicoise Salad

A bowl of mixed salad containing lettuce, cherry tomatoes, radishes, chickpeas, black olives, capers, and fresh basil leaves beside a small glass pitcher of dressing.
Vegan Nicoise Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

This Niçoise salad features a medley of fresh vegetables, protein-rich chickpeas, and briny olives. Drizzled with a zesty champagne vinaigrette, this plant-based twist on the classic French salad is both satisfying and refreshing!
Get the Recipe: Light Nicoise Salad

Kale Harvest Salad

A plate of kale salad topped with chopped carrots, walnuts, feta cheese, and a light dressing.
Fall Harvest Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Tender kale combined with carrots, dates, feta cheese and a sweet maple dressing make this salad flavorful, colorful, and nutritious. This easy recipe is ready in just 15 minutes and makes a great side!
Get the Recipe: Kale Harvest Salad

Pesto Tortellini Salad

A close-up of a pasta salad featuring tortellini, halved cherry tomatoes, spinach, and other greens, all mixed and garnished with herbs and grated cheese.
Tortellini Pasta Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

This quick and easy tortellini pasta salad recipe is the perfect post-holiday prep-ahead lunch. Made with <10 simple ingredients, it comes together in just 20 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tortellini Salad

Healthy Veggie Taco Salad

A bowl of fresh salad with diced tomatoes, lettuce, black beans, corn, red onions, crumbled feta cheese, and tortilla strips, accompanied by a fork.
Veggie Taco Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

This vibrant veggie taco salad is a quick and easy weeknight meal. Loaded with greens, corn, black beans, avocados, and fresh herbs, this taco salad is healthy, full of flavor and ready in 15 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Veggie Taco Salad

Mango Avocado Salad

A bowl of colorful avocado salad with diced mango, tomatoes, red onions, and herbs sits on a white table next to a striped cloth, avocados, and lemon wedges.
Mango Avocado Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

This simple mango avocado salad with a simple lemony vinaigrette screams summertime cookouts! Better yet, it comes together in just 15 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Mango Avocado Salad

Classic Caprese Salad

A plate of Caprese salad featuring sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, olive oil, and a sprinkle of black pepper.
Heirloom Caprese Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

This delicious, authentic Caprese salad uses six simple, fresh ingredients and packs a burst of flavor. Make a panini or wrap with any leftovers!
Get the Recipe: Classic Caprese Salad

Spinach Avocado Salad

A wooden bowl filled with a fresh spinach salad featuring cherry tomatoes, radish slices, avocado, and a sprinkle of cheese. A jar of dressing, a lemon, and wooden utensils are on the side.
Spinach Avocado Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

This light and refreshing spinach and avocado summer salad has cherry tomatoes, radishes, cotija cheese and is finished with a lemony vinaigrette. Perfect for summer cookouts and if you add some protein, a great lunch option.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Avocado Salad

Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad

A wooden bowl filled with a salad made of Brussels sprout leaves, pistachios, and a creamy dressing, with wooden serving utensils resting inside.
Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

This easy Brussels Sprouts Caesar salad uses shaved Brussels sprouts and a creamy Caesar dressing, and roasted chickpea croutons – perfect weeknight salad!
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad

Lemon Garlic Kale Salad

Two bowls of green salad topped with grated cheese and pumpkin seeds are placed on a blue checkered tablecloth. A garlic bulb is situated near the salads.
Garlic Kale Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

This garlic kale salad with lemon has pecorino, toasted pepitas, and a garlic confit Green Goddess dressing. Fresh, vibrant, and unlike any other kale salad you’ve ever had before. Give it a try, it just might become your favorite salad!
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Kale Salad

Cabbage Slaw Salad

A bowl of coleslaw with shredded red cabbage, carrots, and green vegetables. A fork is placed in the bowl, and a jar with a reddish dressing is next to it on a white surface with a blue-striped cloth.
Cabbage Slaw Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

This no mayo coleslaw salad is light, with a flavorful with a creamy, nutty, homemade peanut dressing. Great to prep-ahead as a side to any meal or add some protein to it for a great lunch.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Slaw Salad

Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese

Plate of beet and goat cheese salad with arugula, pistachios, and a glass of orange juice. A fork and knife are placed beside the plate.
Roasted Beet Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

This refreshing roasted beet salad has goat cheese, arugula, pistachios, and grapefruits drizzled with a refreshing citrus vinaigrette. Great to make-ahead or have as a standalone lunch!
Get the Recipe: Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese

Anchovy-Free Caesar Salad

A plate of leafy green salad topped with chickpeas, croutons, and a creamy dressing sits next to a fork.
Caesar Salad Without Anchovies. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Indulge in this fresh and delicious Caesar salad. Made with crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy chickpeas, and crusty bread, this anchovy-free version is sure to be everyone’s new favorite salad. Drizzle it with creamy Caesar dressing for the perfect side dish or a delicious lunch on its own!
Get the Recipe: Anchovy-Free Caesar Salad

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