13 easy and delicious lunches to beat the afternoon slump

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Tired of making the same lunch day after day or paying an arm and a leg for something to go? Don’t skip lunch or slog through the afternoon in a fog. We’ve got 13 yummy and easy lunch options you can whip up in minutes. Pack them in your lunchbox, save some cash, and keep your energy high for the rest of the day.

Avocado tomato salad in a wooden bowl.
Avocado tomato salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes

Image shows an overhead shot of an open face Pesto and Sundried Tomato Tuna Salad sandwich.
Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Skip the mayo, embrace the flavor! This tuna salad gets a grown-up upgrade with a vibrant pesto sauce and tangy sundried tomatoes. It’s a delicious and affordable lunch that’s perfect for a quick bite or a light dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes

Hot Ham Salad Sandwiches

Image shows a white plate with a hot ham salad sandwich and scalloped potatoes.
Hot Ham Salad Sandwiches. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This classic comfort food is pure nostalgia on a plate. Tender ham is smothered in a savory sauce and piled high on soft bread. Every bite brings back memories of warm kitchens and grandma’s cooking.
Get the Recipe: Hot Ham Salad Sandwiches

Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad

Image shows a Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad in a wooden bowl closeup.
Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This refreshing salad transports you to the Mediterranean with cool cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and a flavorful vinaigrette that captures the essence of a seaside escape. It’s a light and easy lunch that’s perfect for a hot day.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad

Shortcut Chicken Salad

Image shows a Canned Chicken Salad sandwich on a wooden table.
Shortcut Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Beat the lunchtime scramble with this quick and easy chicken salad. Made with canned chicken, it’s perfect for throwing together on busy mornings. Enjoy it on a bed of greens, wrapped in a tortilla, or simply on its own for a cool and refreshing lunch.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad

Avocado Tomato Salad

Image shows a wooden bowl containing avocado tomato salad shown from overhead and sitting on a picnnic table.
Avocado Tomato Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Salads don’t have to be boring. This vibrant dish is filled with fresh summer flavors. Juicy tomatoes and creamy avocado mingle with a homemade dressing that packs a punch. It’s a refreshing and satisfying lunch that captures the essence of summertime.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tomato Salad

Mediterranean Chicken with Orzo

Image shows an overhead shot of Image shows in a white bowl and a black background.
Mediterranean Chicken with Orzo. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Sun-drenched flavors come alive in this one-pan wonder. Tender chicken is bathed in a fragrant herb marinade, then roasted alongside fluffy orzo. Crumbled feta cheese adds a salty touch, while pops of juicy tomatoes and briny olives complete this flavorful journey to the Mediterranean. It’s a quick and easy dish that’s perfect for a satisfying and delicious lunch.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken with Orzo

Bacon Egg Salad

Image shows a bacon egg salad sandwich on a white plate sitting on a wooden table.
Bacon Egg Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This isn’t your average school cafeteria fare. Crispy bacon adds a smoky depth to creamy scrambled eggs, while a hint of pepper cuts through the richness. It’s a delicious and satisfying option for a quick lunch that’s anything but ordinary.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Egg Salad

Harvest Quinoa Salad

Image shows a closeup head on shot of Harvest Quinoa Salad in a glass bowl.
Harvest Quinoa Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Celebrate the fall harvest with this vibrant salad. Fluffy quinoa forms the base for roasted butternut squash, its sweetness contrasting perfectly with the salty tang of crumbled feta cheese. Dried cranberries add pops of tartness, while roasted red peppers lend a smoky layer. Every bite is a burst of fall flavors and textures.
Get the Recipe: Harvest Quinoa Salad

Tomato Quinoa Salad

Image shows shows a closeup of Tomato Quinoa Salad in a small white bowl.
Tomato Quinoa Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Skip the lettuce, embrace the grain bowl! This protein-packed salad features fluffy quinoa as the star. A colorful medley of chopped vegetables adds freshness and crunch, while a light vinaigrette ties everything together. It’s a refreshing and nourishing meal that’s perfect for packing ahead for busy lunches or enjoying as a light and healthy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Quinoa Salad

Spinach Caprese Salad

Image shows a Spinach Caprese Salad in a wooden salad bowl.
Spinach Caprese Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Baby spinach leaves become a bed for juicy tomatoes and creamy mozzarella pearls, creating a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and peppery flavors. It’s a light and satisfying combination that’s perfect for a quick lunch.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Caprese Salad

Vegan Couscous Salad

Image shows a closeup of an enameled cast iron pan filled with a vegan couscous salad.
Vegan Couscous Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Don’t underestimate the power of simplicity! This vibrant salad features fluffy couscous tossed with a rainbow of chopped vegetables. Every bite bursts with flavor, making it a hearty main course or a perfect side dish to grilled chicken or fish.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Couscous Salad

Hearts of Palm Salad

Silver bowl with a veggie filled hearts of palm salad.
Hearts of Palm Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Escape the ordinary with this unique and refreshing salad. Tender hearts of palm, a tropical treat, take center stage alongside crisp vegetables. A light vinaigrette ties everything together, creating a delightful dance of textures and flavors in every bite. It’s a perfect light lunch option that will leave you feeling cool and satisfied.
Get the Recipe: Hearts of Palm Salad

Chicken Taco Wraps

Image shows an overhead shot of chicken taco wraps cut into pinwheels and on a wooden skewer.
Chicken Taco Wraps. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Short on time? No worries! These wraps are the answer to your lunchtime woes. Made with leftover rotisserie chicken, they require no cooking and are perfect for a quick and easy lunch. Plus, they’re cool and refreshing, making them ideal for a hot day.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taco Wraps

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