20 recipes we always want to pack for work lunches

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Packing light meals for work lunches just got easier with these recipes you’ll always want to bring along. They’re great for anyone looking to shake up their lunch routine without the extra kitchen time. Straightforward and practical, these 20 recipes use common ingredients to create great meals that will fit perfectly into your workday, so that lunchtime is something to look forward to.

Three muffins on a white plate with green onions.
Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins. 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.

Pack Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats for a new kind of lunch adventure. They blend chicken and bacon with homemade ranch in cucumber boats. This strikes the right balance between light and filling. They’re also a breeze to prep ahead.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Bell Pepper Sandwich

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

Try the Bell Pepper Sandwich when you’re looking for something quick and fresh for work. This 10-minute fix swaps out bread for bell peppers and fills them with your favorites. It makes your lunchtime anything but ordinary. It’s the perfect way to shake up your routine with something easy and new.
Get the Recipe: Bell Pepper Sandwich

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.

When you need something quick and refreshing, go for the Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad. It’s ready in 30 minutes and mixes cucumbers and onions with a creamy dill dressing. You get a simple yet refreshing choice for those busy days. It’s just the thing to keep you going through the afternoon.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad

Meal Prep Meatballs and Cauliflower Rice

Meatballs and cauliflower rice in a clear container.
Meal Prep Meatballs and Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For a work lunch you haven’t tried yet, Meal Prep Meatballs with Cauliflower Rice are quick to make and perfect to enjoy all week. In just 30 minutes, you get a stress-free meal that keeps lunch simple and savory. It’s a recipe that you can look forward to every day.
Get the Recipe: Meal Prep Meatballs and Cauliflower Rice

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Chicken bites with garlic butter and herbs on a plate.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are great when you want something flavorful and quick. Ready in 20 minutes, they’re a hassle-free way to add excitement to your lunch break with minimal effort. Every bite is a delicious experience.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

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

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad is the way to go for a work lunch with a bit of spice. It combines spicy jalapeños with chicken for a meal that’s both light and flavorful. Prep ahead for a hassle-free lunch routine.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

Big Mac Salad

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

Big Mac Salad transforms a burger favorite into an easy salad. It’s simple to assemble and great for meal prep. This dish brings all the familiar flavors into a convenient salad form. It’s a solid pick for lunches throughout the week.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad

Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins

A blue muffin pan filled with breakfast muffins.
Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins offer a new spin on work lunches. Ready in 30 minutes, these protein-packed muffins are not just for breakfast but also make a great on-the-go lunch. It’s easy to store and enjoy during your break.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins

Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars

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

Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars are a fresh solution to your lunch routine. It takes only 10 minutes to prepare. They’re full of fresh ingredients, making them the perfect pick for those busy days when you need a lunch that’s ready to go.
Get the Recipe: Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars

Broccoli Fritters

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

Broccoli Fritters, ready in 35 minutes, are a versatile lunch option. Made with chopped broccoli and Parmesan cheese, they’re great as a main dish or a side. Pair them with Greek yogurt or sour cream for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters

Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

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

Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers bring excitement to your lunch with their easy homemade ranch. Oven-baked for ease, they’re a fantastic choice for spicing up your lunch routine. It’s ready in under an hour too.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

Canned Chicken Patties

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

Canned Chicken Patties are your quick fix for a no-stress lunch, ready in 20 minutes. Enjoy them on their own, with veggies, or on a sandwich for a simple, quick lunch option.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Zucchini Bites

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

Zucchini Bites, ready in 30 minutes, are a great addition to your lunchbox. Mix zucchini, Parmesan, cheddar, and Italian seasoning. They’re perfect for those days when you want something light yet rich in flavor.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bites

Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats

Spicy tuna cucumber boats on a plate.
Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats offer a quick and different lunch option. It combines crisp cucumber, creamy cheese, and spicy tuna. Topped with Everything Bagel Seasoning and hot sauce, they’re ready in 10 minutes. This dish will definitely change up your lunch game.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats

Avocado Tuna Salad

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

For a fresh and protein-packed lunch, Avocado Tuna Salad is the way to go. It’s easy to prepare and keeps you full and focused. It’s great to make on busy workdays.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tuna Salad

Thai Chicken Salad

In FDL library.
Thai Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Thai Chicken Salad adds flavor to your work lunch with its simple mix of marinated chicken and veggies. It’s a great way to bring variety to your lunches and make midday meals more interesting.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Salad

Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties

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

Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties are a great choice for a lunch with a kick. Ready in about 30 minutes and served with lemon dill aioli, they’re a simple way to break away from the usual lunch routine.
Get the Recipe: Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties

Bacon Tomato Avocado Cucumber Boats

In FDL library.
Bacon Tomato Avocado Cucumber Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

With Bacon Tomato Avocado Cucumber Boats, lunchtime gets a fresh and fast makeover. Ready in 10 minutes, they combine creamy avocado and crispy bacon for a delicious meal that’s perfect for a quick, flavorful lunch.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Tomato Avocado Cucumber Boats

Keto Chicken Nuggets

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

Keto Chicken Nuggets are a fun and easy choice for lunch. With a 30-minute prep time, it delivers crispy nuggets that are juicy on the inside. They keep lunch fun and ensure you’re full until the end of your workday.
Get the Recipe: Keto Chicken Nuggets

Meatza

A pizza with meat and sauce on a plate.
Meatza. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Meatza serves up a creative spin on your lunch with a protein-packed pork base and classic pizza toppings. It’s quick, reduces clean-up, and is perfect for a no-hassle lunch that’s ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Meatza

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