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21 Cool and Healthy Lunches You Haven’t Tried Yet

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By Shruthi Baskaran-Makanju

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Cool lunches are perfect for those hot summer days when you just can’t bear to turn on the stove. These recipes are great for keeping you refreshed and satisfied without the hassle of cooking in the heat. They’re quick, easy, and use fresh ingredients that you probably already have on hand. Whether you’re packing lunch for work, planning a picnic, or just need a simple meal at home, these cool lunches will hit the spot. Get ready to chill out and enjoy your summer meals with minimal effort.

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.

Broccoli Crunch Salad

Broccoli crunch salad in a white bowl.
Broccoli Crunch Salad. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

This broccoli salad combines fresh ingredients with a homemade dressing, ready in just 15 minutes. It’s a quick, easy choice for a cool, crisp addition to your lunch.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Crunch Salad

Easy Chicken Caesar Wrap

Easy Chicken Caesar Wrap. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

Fresh veggies, croutons, tangy parmesan, chicken, and Caesar dressing create a flavorful chicken Caesar wrap, quickly prepared and great served cold for lunch.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Caesar Wrap

Veggie Taco Salad

A bowl of salad containing lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black beans, sweet corn, red onion, croutons, and feta cheese, with a fork on the right side.
Veggie Taco Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Vegetarian taco salad brings vibrant taco flavors in a quick, easy-to-prepare dish, perfect for a chilled lunch option on hot days.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Veggie Taco 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.

Black bean salad with cilantro lime dressing, ready in 10 minutes, is a nutritious choice for a quick, chilled lunch or side dish.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Black Bean 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.

Tortellini pasta salad, a simple and quick summertime dish, ready in 20 minutes, perfect for serving cold at any meal. A must try healthy meal!
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tortellini 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.

Enjoy a roasted vegetable salad, featuring a light vinaigrette and flexible serving options, hot or cold. Ready quickly, it’s great for easy school lunches or meals.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Vegetable Salad

Spring Pasta with Peas and Oyster Mushrooms

A bowl of pasta with green sauce topped with sautéed mushrooms and sprouts, placed on a striped cloth. There is a small dish with additional mushrooms next to the bowl.
Spring Pasta. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Vegan spring pasta with pea shoot pesto and roasted oyster mushrooms is bursting with flavors, ready in 30 minutes, for a cool and refreshing summer meal.
Get the Recipe: Spring Pasta with Peas and Oyster Mushrooms

Raw Carrot Salad

Raw Carrot Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

This raw carrot salad with a tangy dressing is ready in 10 minutes, making it a refreshing, quick lunch choice for those warm summer days.
Get the Recipe: Raw Carrot Salad

3 Ingredient Cacio e Pepe

Cacio e pepe in a white plate.
Cacio e Pepe. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Classic bucatini cacio e pepe offers a simple, flavorful meal with just three ingredients, perfect for a light, cool lunch.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Bucatini Cacio e Pepe (3 Ingredients Only!)

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.

Vegan Caesar salad, featuring crisp lettuce and creamy dressing, is ready in 15 minutes, ideal for a satisfying, cool lunch or side on warm days.
Get the Recipe: The Best Vegan Caesar Salad

Daikon Salad

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

Daikon and carrot salad with a sweet and sour dressing, ready in under 10 minutes, great for a quick, chilled lunch or side dish.
Get the Recipe: Daikon Salad

Quick Fried Rice with Leftover Rice

Quick Fried Rice. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Fried rice made from leftover ingredients, ready in 15 minutes, perfect for a quick dinner or a convenient cold lunch.
Get the Recipe: Quick Fried Rice with Leftover Rice

Easy Chopped Salad

Easy Chopped Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Vegan chopped salad, packed with fresh veggies, is a quick and easy option for a weekday lunch, ideal served cold.
Get the Recipe: Easy Vegan Chopped 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.

Mango avocado salad dressed with a lemony vinaigrette makes a vibrant, refreshing side dish, ready in 15 minutes, perfect for summer cookouts.
Get the Recipe: Mango Avocado Salad

Heirloom 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.

Authentic Caprese salad with fresh garden tomatoes, ready to serve cold for a refreshing summer meal, bursting with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Caprese Salad (Heirloom & Cherry Tomatoes)

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.

Spinach and avocado summer salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette, perfect for a refreshing side dish at cookouts, best served cold.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Avocado Salad

Summer Gazpacho

Two bowls of gazpacho garnished with chopped vegetables and halved cherry tomatoes, placed on a light-colored surface with a red cloth nearby.
Summer Gazpacho. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Summer gazpacho, made with fresh ingredients, serves as a chilled soup, excellent for keeping cool at summer BBQs.
Get the Recipe: The Best Vegan, Gluten-Free Summer Gazpacho

Panzanella Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette

A plate of panzanella vegetable salad with bread croutons, including tomatoes, avocado, red onion, and basil, served with a fork and knife on a white background.
Panzanella Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Quick panzanella salad, featuring crusty bread and fresh vegetables, is ready in 10 minutes, ideal for a cool, refreshing lunch or main dish.
Get the Recipe: Panzanella Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette

Italian Chopped Salad

Italian Chopped Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Italian chopped salad with fresh veggies and light dressing, perfect for a healthy, cold lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Italian Chopped Salad

BLT Pasta Salad

BLT Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

BLT pasta salad with creamy buttermilk ranch, romaine, tomatoes, and bacon, ready in under 20 minutes, perfect for a quick, cold lunch or side at gatherings.
Get the Recipe: BLT Pasta Salad

5 Ingredient Chicken Salad Recipe

5 Ingredient Chicken Salad Recipe. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

5 Ingredient Chicken Salad, customizable and quick to prepare, is ideal for a hassle-free lunch or a quick meal anytime.
Get the Recipe: 5 Ingredient Chicken Salad Recipe

Low-carb happy hour nibbles that satisfy without the guilt

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