Tuesdays just got a whole lot better! With these 20 lunches, you’re about to turn that typical Tuesday into the new Friday. Who needs to wait for the weekend to have a great time? These recipes are perfect for anyone looking to add a little pizzazz to their midweek routine. They’re simple, they’re delicious, and they’re here to chase away those Tuesday blues.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers are your go-to for a delicious and convenient lunch. This recipe combines the flavors of chicken, bacon, and ranch into delicious, low-carb bites. Form into balls and pop into the oven until golden brown. Bake them up in about an hour, freeze a batch, and you’re set for several lunches. Drizzle with homemade ranch dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, heavy whipping cream, and similar seasonings to those in the poppers. Enjoy a delicious break that makes your midday meal something to look forward to.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers
Big Mac Salad
Transform your work lunch into a festive Friday with this Big Mac Salad. It captures the flavors of the classic burger in a lighter salad form. Toss together ground beef, bacon, Romaine lettuce, cheddar cheese, pickles, and onions with a homemade sauce that mirrors the Big Mac’s. Simple to prepare and perfect for a busy day, this salad is a light yet filling choice that lets you enjoy burger flavors without the heaviness.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad
Bell Pepper Sandwich
Try something new with the Bell Pepper Sandwich. Replace bread with halves of crisp bell peppers and fill with a mix of cream cheese, stone-ground mustard, salt-free Everything Bagel seasoning, deli turkey slices, crispy bacon, provolone cheese, mashed avocado, and cucumber slices for a fresh, crunchy taste. This recipe is a light, easy lunch you can put together in about 10 minutes, perfect for adding a pop of color and crunch to your day.
Get the Recipe: Bell Pepper Sandwich
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
These Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats are just right for turning every workday into a Friday celebration. Packed with canned chicken, bacon, sour cream, and cheddar cheese nestled in a crunchy cucumber, they’re light yet energizing. Whip them up in just 30 minutes, or prepare ahead to streamline your lunchtime. Cool and refreshing, they’re great for a lively pick-me-up in the middle of your day. For added crunch and texture, add finely chopped celery.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Zucchini Bites
Zucchini Bites are ready in 30 minutes and make a great addition to your lunchbox. They’re made from shredded zucchini mixed with Parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, and a mix of spices, including Italian seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and salt. This combination makes the bites flavorful and cheesy. Enjoy them on their own, or pair them with dipping sauces such as sour cream, keto ketchup, or marinara sauce. Keep a batch handy in the fridge for a quick snack to brighten up your workday.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bites
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Kick up your work lunch with the Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad. It’s a creative take on traditional jalapeño poppers, combining cooked chicken breast and crispy bacon with the spicy kick of charred jalapeños, all mixed with mayonnaise, green onions, and seasonings for added flavor. The salad can be adjusted to your spice preferences by modifying the amount of jalapeños and hot sauce used. Make it in advance to spice up your lunchtime routine. This lively salad is far from boring and keeps lunchtime fun and exciting.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins
Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins aren’t just for mornings! They’re packed with eggs and cottage cheese, making them a protein-rich choice for lunch too. Whip them up in 30 minutes and add any veggies or meats you’ve got on hand. Combine dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, and salt with wet ingredients such as eggs, cottage cheese, and shredded cheese. The mixture is then spooned into a muffin pan and baked. They’re super easy for those grab-and-go mornings and keep you powered through the day.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins
Broccoli Fritters
Broccoli Fritters are a great way to keep lunchtime simple yet great. They are quick to prepare, taking only 35 minutes from start to finish. These fritters are made from chopped broccoli florets mixed with Parmesan cheese, eggs, and a choice of almond flour or ground sunflower seed meal, seasoned with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Pan fry, and you’ve got fritters that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. They’re good on their own or with a side of dip. Plus, they’re a smart way to eat more greens.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Make your weekday lunches exciting with these Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Simple ingredients like chicken breast and garlic butter come together in about 20 minutes. Start by cooking bite-sized chicken pieces until they are juicy and tender, then coat them in a rich, buttery garlic sauce. This easy and quick dish is perfect for taking to work. Add a bit of lemon zest or herbs to enhance the flavors. These bites are so good they’ll have you looking forward to lunch all morning.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
Spice up your workday with Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties, perfect for making every day feel more like Friday. With just 10 minutes of prep, these patties combine canned salmon, jalapeños, and a hint of cayenne for a quick, delicious lunch. Serve them with a side of Lemon Dill Aioli for extra zest. If spice isn’t your thing, simply adjust the jalapeños and cayenne to your liking. Packed with omega-3s, they’re not only delicious but also energizing.
Get the Recipe: Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
Cauliflower Potato Salad
Shake up your lunch routine with Cauliflower Potato Salad, a creative and nutritious alternative to traditional potato salad, made primarily with cauliflower instead of potatoes. This low-carb side dish is rich in flavor and includes bacon, cheese, and a hint of hot sauce for a bit of added kick. Start by baking seasoned cauliflower until golden, then mix it with crispy bacon, sour cream, mayonnaise and seasonings. This salad is easy to make and great for meal prep, ready to make any day feel like Friday.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Potato Salad
Canned Chicken Patties
Turn your work lunch into a celebration with these Canned Chicken Patties. Mix canned chicken with eggs, grated Parmesan, ground sunflower seed meal or almond flour, and various spices, form into patties, and cook to golden perfection in just 20 minutes. They’re not only quick but also versatile. Spice them up with different herbs or spices to enjoy new flavors. Ready to go whenever you are, these patties make lunchtime something to look forward to.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
For a refreshing break in your workday, try the Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad. Ready in less than an hour, this simple mix of cucumbers, red onions, sour cream, mayo, and fresh dill comes together quickly. It’s easy to prepare and bring along, making sure your lunches are anything but ordinary. Serve with your choice of grilled or baked protein. This salad is so refreshing, it’ll whisk you away from work stress and into relaxation.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats
Keep lunch light and exciting with Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats, a stellar choice for making every workday feel like a celebration. It combines the flavors of creamy tuna and crisp cucumber with a spicy kick. Mix softened cream cheese and tuna and flavor with salt-free Everything Bagel Seasoning, coconut aminos (or soy sauce), and hot sauce, adding layers of umami and heat. Scoop into cucumber halves. Ready in just 10 minutes, these boats are perfect for a speedy and filling lunch. Adjust the spice level to match your taste and enjoy a meal that turns even the busiest day into a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats
Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars
Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars make your work lunches a snap. Just stack cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers, olives, and feta cheese with a dressing in a jar. These are prepared in 10 minutes and make for a fresh, great lunch you can set up in advance. Modify the contents by taking out the feta cheese for a dairy-free salad or adding grilled chicken for more protein. These jars keep well in the fridge, so just grab one in the morning for a quick start. A perfect pick for making every workday feel more like Friday.
Get the Recipe: Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars
Avocado Tuna Salad
Avocado Tuna Salad mixes creamy avocado with fresh tuna for a quick meal. It’s ready in no time and a great choice for a workday lunch that brings the relaxed vibe of Friday to any day. This salad mixes wild-caught Yellowfin tuna in a pouch and packed in extra virgin olive oil with ripe avocados, adding a rich texture and heart-healthy fats. It also includes finely chopped celery, fresh dill, lemon juice, and lemon zest, enhancing the dish with freshness and a tangy flavor. Loaded with protein and healthy fats, this salad keeps you energized and focused. Plus, it’s simple to make, allowing more time to relax during your lunch break.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tuna Salad
Spicy Egg Salad Cucumber Boats
Spicy Egg Salad Cucumber Boats add a fun take to your lunchtime. Cut cucumber in halved lengthwise and remove seeds. Fill with a mix of hard-boiled eggs that are cooled and mixed with plain Greek yogurt, fresh dill, hot sauce, stone-ground mustard, and fresh chives for that creamy texture with a spicy kick. These boats are quick to make and easy to pack, making them a great choice to spice up the workweek. Topped with green onions and paprika, these boats combine cool, crisp cucumber with a kick of spice for a balanced and energizing meal.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Egg Salad Cucumber Boats
Loaded Zucchini Boats
Loaded Zucchini Boats are prepared in less than an hour and loaded with savory ingredients like bacon, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and green onions. They’re simple to pack and bring that Friday excitement to a regular workday lunch. The savory bacon and cheese pair perfectly with fresh zucchini for a delicious yet light meal. Their individual servings also help manage portion sizes, keeping your lunch healthy and interesting.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Zucchini Boats
Bacon Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sliders
Bacon Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sliders make a portable and fun lunch option. With bacon, cheese, and mashed avocado packed into a slider made of halved whites of hard-boiled eggs, these are ready in 30 minutes. They fit well into a hectic schedule, bringing a bit of Friday fun to your work lunch. You can vary it by switching bacon with ham or sausage. These sliders are practical to make ahead and reheat well, serving a comforting meal even during your busiest days.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sliders
Keto Chicken Nuggets
Chicken Nuggets serve a light, flavorful lunch and are ready in just 30 minutes. Made with canned chicken and a crispy coating, they are a fast solution for a busy workday lunch that feels like Friday. They’re simple to prepare and pack, even when you’re pressed for time. Serve these nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce and some veggies for a complete meal that will keep your energy up all afternoon. They turn an ordinary lunch into something to look forward to.
Get the Recipe: Keto Chicken Nuggets