So, your lunch routine called, and guess what? It’s bored to tears with what you’ve been eating lately. It’s begging for a lifeline in the form of soups and salads that actually make you want to take a break from your desk. We’re talking about 20 recipes that are the perfect antidote to the snooze-fest that is your current midday meal.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad brings some heat to your lunch. It combines baked chicken and crispy bacon with charred jalapeños, mixed with mayonnaise or sour cream, hot sauce, and seasonings to create a spicy and creamy salad. Let it sit in the fridge for a bit to bring out all the flavors, then serve. It’s easy to whip up and keeps lunch interesting for a couple of days. Great for when you want a lunch that’s both easy to prepare and packs a flavorful punch to break the midday monotony.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Keto Zuppa Toscana
Whip up this Keto Zuppa Toscana and make your lunch extra special. This recipe takes a classic dish from Olive Garden and cleverly uses radishes instead of potatoes, mimicking the same taste and texture without the heavy carbs. You’ll start by cooking the bacon, sausage, and aromatics, then simmer the radishes and kale in a broth made with chicken broth, heavy cream and Parmesan. It’s ready in an hour and freezes well, so you can make a big batch and have a ready-made lunch on busy weekdays.
Get the Recipe: Keto Zuppa Toscana
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
This Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad is ready in 30 minutes and perfect for a light but filling lunch. Slice cucumbers and onions, then mix it with a creamy mix of sour cream, mayo, and fresh dill. Chill it briefly, add some sea salt, and you’ve got a fresh, crisp salad that goes great with any grilled or baked proteins or fruit-based desserts. A quick and refreshing salad like this cuts down your prep time and boosts your afternoon energy.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Boost your lunch game with Chicken Tortellini Soup. This convenient one-pot meal combines the rich flavors of chicken and cheese tortellini with carrots, celery, and onions, spiced with Italian seasoning and a touch of red pepper for a bit of heat. In just 40 minutes, you’ll have a soup that’s so good you’ll forget about your usual lunch choices. It’s also a great and economical way to use leftover or pre-cooked rotisserie chicken.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Cauliflower Potato Salad
Say goodbye to the classic potato salad and try this Cauliflower Potato Salad instead. It features cauliflower, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a creamy dressing made from sour cream and mayonnaise. Add a dash of hot sauce and a sprinkle of paprika for an extra kick of flavor. It’s super easy to make and a great way to enjoy a comfort food favorite with wholesome ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Potato Salad
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Try this Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup when you want something better than your typical lunch. Cook some onions and garlic, add sweet potatoes and red peppers, and let it simmer until everything’s tender. Blend it all together, and in just an hour, you’ve got a creamy soup that’s a real upgrade from your usual lunch. It’s also a smart choice for getting more vegetables in your diet with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Big Mac Salad
Change up your usual lunch with this Big Mac Salad. Forget fast food and easily whip this up at home with bacon, ground beef, romaine, pickles, and cheddar cheese. Just bake the bacon, cook the beef, and toss everything together with a homemade Big Mac sauce. It’s a great way to make lunch more exciting. Pair it with soup or bread for a full meal. Plus, making this at home not only saves money compared to eating out but also lets you control the ingredients for a healthier option.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
Ready in 30 minutes, this Creamy Italian Sausage Soup changes up your lunch game. Made in a single pot, it combines the deep flavors of Italian sausage with cream cheese and tomatoes, enriched by heavy whipping cream and Parmesan cheese for a rich, creamy texture. Serve with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or shredded Parmesan. Quick, simple, and a sure way to make lunch exciting, this soup is a perfect solution for busy days when you need a quick yet filling meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
This Hungarian Mushroom Soup is perfect for when you want something different from your regular lunch. It’s easy to make in about 45 minutes and mixes mushrooms with spices and a creamy mixture of sour cream and milk for a rich, comforting taste. It’s a great pick for a lunch that feels like an upgrade from the usual. This soup is also perfect for prepping in advance, making your busy weekdays a little less stressful while making sure you have a hot, filling meal ready to go.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup
White Bean Soup
Try this White Bean Soup and skip the standard lunch. It’s ready in 40 minutes with ingredients like white beans, carrots, celery, and fresh spinach. This hearty soup is made without cream or flour and achieves its thick texture from the pureed white beans. Simple to make and rich in flavor, it’s a solid choice for a great lunch upgrade. Serve it with croutons and Parmesan for that extra touch. Not only is this soup a comforting choice for chilly days, but it’s also packed with nutrients that keep you fueled and focused for the afternoon.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup
Thai Chicken Salad
Mix it up at lunch with this homemade Thai Chicken Salad. It features chicken marinated in a flavorful coconut milk-based marinade with garlic, cilantro, ginger, coconut aminos, fresh chile pepper, lemongrass, and turmeric. Grill chicken and then mix together with salad greens and a dressing of lime juice, sweetener, and olive oil. It’s a fresh and easy way to make lunch a lot more interesting.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Salad
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
This Chicken Pot Pie Soup is perfect if you’re looking for a more substantial lunch. This soup version of the traditional chicken pot pie is rich in protein, veggies, and carbohydrates. Brown chicken, sauté a mix of potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions, and simmer everything in broth and cream. It’s all done in one pot and takes just an hour, making it a simple yet creamy choice for lunch. Thanks to its rich, filling ingredients, this soup can help you skip the afternoon slump.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Avocado Tuna Salad
Shake up your lunch with this Avocado Tuna Salad. It’s straightforward and quick, mixing creamy avocado with flaky tuna, crisp celery, fresh dill, and lemon juice. Packed with protein and easy to put together, it’s a solid way to upgrade from your usual lunch fare. Chill it before you eat for the best taste. Also, this salad’s healthy fats and protein help keep hunger at bay, which is perfect for those long work days when you need sustained energy without heavy meals.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tuna Salad
Wild Rice Mushroom Soup
Go for this Wild Rice Mushroom Soup instead of your usual lunch. Cook some wild rice, then sauté mushrooms with herbs for a deep flavor. Add a creamy roux and a splash of lemon to bring it all together. It’s a delicious and hearty choice that definitely beats the usual lunch routine. Serve it with some parsley and Parmesan on top. Additionally, this soup can be a comforting meal that keeps you satisfied, great for saving the extra serving for tomorrow’s lunch too, reducing your meal prep time.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Mushroom Soup
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
This Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup is a no-brainer for a great lunch. Just toss in dried split peas, ham, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, chicken broth, thyme, and pepper into your slow cooker. Let it cook on low (8-10 hours) or high (4-6 hours), and you’ve got a hearty meal that beats your regular lunch by miles. Top it with sour cream or croutons, and maybe pair it with garlic bread, salad, or rice. This soup saves you the hassle of cooking after a long day, as this meal is waiting for you when you get home.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars
These Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars are perfect for a quick and simple meal on the go. They’re packed with fresh vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers, red onions, and Kalamata olives, along with crumbled feta cheese. The tangy flavors come from a homemade dressing made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and dried oregano. Grab one when you need a quick, fresh lunch that’s better than anything you’d buy. They’re also great for controlling portions and avoiding the temptation of less healthy options.
Get the Recipe: Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars
Crock Pot Taco Soup
Crock Pot Taco Soup makes your lunch effortless. Brown some ground beef and throw it in the crock pot with onions, cream cheese, and your other ingredients. Let it cook and come back to a rich, ready-to-eat meal that’s a big step up from your usual fare. It’s a simple “set it and forget it” meal, requiring minimal preparation — just 20 minutes of active prep time. Garnish with sour cream, cilantro, or shredded cheese. This soup is a great way to reduce food waste, as you can use up leftovers and still end up with a delicious result.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin
Pumpkin Soup is perfect for a cozy, delicious lunch made with minimal effort. It’s ready in about 40 minutes and goes great with any salad. The soup is made with canned pumpkin puree, chicken broth, heavy cream, and a variety of fall-inspired spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, and allspice. The addition of SunButter (or peanut/almond butter) and a touch of maple extract lend a subtle nutty and sweet flavor to the soup. It’s a simple way to make lunchtime more exciting. It’s also light yet filling, perfect for those looking to enjoy a hearty meal without feeling weighed down.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Shake up your lunch with these Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats. Mix up some chicken, sour cream, cheddar, and bacon, chill it, and spoon it into cucumber halves. The dish is flavored with homemade ranch seasoning, making each bite deliciously crunchy and healthy. It’s fresh, easy, and definitely more interesting than your typical lunch. These are especially great for eating on the move and keeping your lunch break as flexible as your day demands.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Chicken Corn Soup
Chicken Corn Soup is a comforting pick that’s easy to make. Just cook everything in one pot, starting with browning the chicken and adding the rest of the ingredients. Let simmer, and you’ve got a lunch that’ll make you rethink your regular lunch choices. The main flavors come from creamed corn, corn kernels, chicken broth, and a mix of seasonings of thyme, garlic, oregano, and lemon juice. It’s simple, delicious, and a solid upgrade from the usual. This soup can easily be batch-cooked for several meals, saving time throughout the week.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup