If your work lunch has been more of a snooze than a swoon, it’s time to shake things up. Picture this: you pop open your lunchbox, and even the guy in the corner — who’s been bringing the same ham and cheese sandwich since ’97 — can’t help but shoot a look that’s a mix of surprise and a little bit of jealousy. With these 20 recipes, you’ll be the one turning the break room into a showcase of great eats that are far from the usual soggy sandwiches and sad salads.
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Combine canned chicken, bacon, cheese and homemade ranch in a crisp cucumber boat to make these Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats. They only take half an hour to make, but you can also prepare this dish ahead of time for a trouble-free weekday morning. These boats are light, flavorful and the perfect way to add a refreshing spin to your office lunches.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are a dream for anyone pressed for time on a weekday morning. They can be made in just one skillet and take only 20 minutes to prepare. These chicken bites are juicy, tender, and filled with buttery garlic flavor. This easy dish will make your coworkers wish they had what you’re having.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Spice up your workday with this Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad. It’s super easy to make and a great recipe to include in your weekday lunch menu when you’re in a hurry. Mix chicken, bacon and jalapenos with the dressing and spices, pop it in the fridge to chill for an hour, and you’re good to go! This salad is sure to stand out and will have your workmates asking for a taste.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Big Mac Salad
Enjoy the iconic Big Mac flavors without the bun in this innovative salad. Combine the same classic flavors of ground beef, bacon, pickles, lettuce and cheese with a homemade Big Mac sauce, chill before serving, and you’re all set. It’s simple to assemble and perfect for meal prepping. This copycat salad is the perfect work lunch if you’re looking for a lighter but filling version of McDonald’s fast food favorite.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad
Meal Prep Meatballs and Cauliflower Rice
Make yourself a great office lunch with this Meal Prep Meatballs and Cauliflower Rice recipe. Mix ground beef, shredded mozzarella, fresh parsley, coconut aminos, eggs, herbs, and spices to form the meatballs and pop them in the oven to bake. Once they’re done, toss them in a homemade sauce and serve atop steamed cauliflower rice. These meal prep meatballs are also ready in just 30 minutes, so you can make these on the day or the night before. Bonus — this recipe yields four servings, giving you several day’s worth of good eating!
Get the Recipe: Meal Prep Meatballs and Cauliflower Rice
Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins
If you feel like treating yourself to a delicious lunch in the middle of a hectic workday, these Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins are a great choice. Combine breakfast favorites like egg, bacon, and cheese, spoon the batter into your muffin pan, and pop it in the oven to bake. The added cottage cheese increases the protein content and will fill you up until your workday ends. These muffins are perfect for meal prepping and busy mornings and come together in only 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins
Bell Pepper Sandwich
This Bell Pepper Sandwich swaps traditional bread for crisp bell peppers filled with all your favorite fillings. Halved bell peppers are filled with deli turkey, cream cheese, cucumbers, mashed avocado, cheese, stone-ground mustard, Everything Bagel Seasoning, and bacon. If you’re in a pinch, you can assemble the sandwich to be stored and eaten later. It’s ready in 10 minutes and a great way to add more veggies to your work lunches.
Get the Recipe: Bell Pepper Sandwich
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers
Here’s a lunch idea that is easy to make and doesn’t skimp on flavor. These poppers are made with a combination of chicken, bacon, egg, cheese, and spices and served with a creamy ranch dressing. You’ll prep and mix the ingredients, form them into balls, pop them in the oven until nice and golden brown, and garnish with ranch dressing. Make them ahead for meal prep or as a grab-and-go lunch for those busy workdays.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers
Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars
Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars are your answer to a quick, nutritious lunch that’ll have your workmates asking for the recipe. These jars pack a flavorful punch with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese tossed in a simple vinaigrette dressing. Make these salad jars the night before, store them in the refrigerator, and you’ll have a refreshing lunch ready for work the next day.
Get the Recipe: Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
This Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad is your go-to for a light but delicious lunch at work. It’s ready in just 30 minutes and stores well in the fridge, so you can prep the vegetables the night before and combine everything before heading out in the morning. It’s refreshing, filling, and will keep you energized throughout the workday.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Broccoli Fritters
These Broccoli Fritters are light and crispy, perfect for when you want something simple and nutritious on a busy work day. Combine steamed broccoli florets, Parmesan cheese, and a few other ingredients to create the patties, and pan-fry them until crispy. Ready in just 35 minutes, these are perfect when you need to whip up something that’s both quick and easy. Serve them with Greek yogurt, sour cream, or your preferred dipping sauce for an added flavor!
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters
Canned Chicken Patties
If you’re running late and only have a few minutes to make lunch, try this Canned Chicken Patties recipe. They’re super easy to make and ready in just 20 minutes. Mix the ingredients, form the patties, and cook on the stovetop. That’s it! Pair them with a fresh salad, steamed veggies, or tuck them into a sandwich for a filling lunch on a busy weekday.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
Zucchini Bites
These Zucchini Bites are light, flavorful, and one of the best recipes to have in your workday lunch menu. They are ready in 30 minutes and combine shredded zucchini with Parmesan and cheddar cheese, along with Italian seasoning. Pack these bites with your favorite dip and protein for a filling lunch that will keep you energized all day long.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bites
Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats
You only need 10 minutes to make these Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats. Fill cucumber boats with cream cheese and tuna, and then season with Everything Bagel Seasoning, coconut aminos, and hot sauce. This recipe is a great go-to when you need a simple, quick, and flavorful packed lunch on busy workdays.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats
Keto Chicken Nuggets
These chicken nuggets are an easy lunch option that’s ready in 30 minutes. Using canned chicken for convenience, you’ll mix the ingredients, form the nuggets, coat them with a crunchy pork rind breadcrumb mix, and bake until perfectly golden and crispy. They’re high in protein and low in carbs, giving you all the energy and nutrients you need to keep you going through the rest of your day.
Get the Recipe: Keto Chicken Nuggets
Avocado Tuna Salad
This protein-packed Avocado Tuna Salad only takes five minutes and five main ingredients (sans the salt and pepper) to make. Add all the ingredients to a bowl and mix until well combined—that’s it! Pop the salad in the fridge to chill for 1-2 hours, and you’ll have a ready-to-go lunch the next morning. It’s a great option to have on hand, especially when you need to stay full and focused on busy days at work.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tuna Salad
Thai Chicken Salad
Here’s another lunch idea that will have your workmates looking over your shoulder while you have lunch. This Thai Chicken Salad brings together grilled chicken strips marinated in a coconut-based sauce and crisp vegetables like arugula, cucumber noodles, green onions, and chilies tossed in a tangy and sweet vinaigrette dressing. It’s a power-packed salad that will keep you up and running on busy days at work.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Salad
Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
Try something new at lunch with these Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties. These patties are crunchy, flavorful, and add healthy omega-3 fatty acids to your work lunch. Ready in 30 minutes, they are also very easy to make and customizable. Use any type of canned protein, adjust the spice level to your liking, and serve them with your favorite dipping sauce.
Get the Recipe: Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
Bacon Tomato Avocado Cucumber Boats
These Bacon Tomato Avocado Cucumber Boats are a quick, refreshing, and flavorful lunch you can make in just 10 minutes. This recipe features crisp cucumber halves filled with mashed avocado, fresh tomatoes, cream cheese, and bacon. They’re incredibly easy to make and perfect when you need to pack a light and filling lunch at the last minute.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Tomato Avocado Cucumber Boats
Meatza
If you are craving
Get the Recipe: Meatza