Looking for delicious and healthy recipes for lunch? There’s a misconception that healthy dishes take up more time and money to prepare than just buying them. However, there are some quick lunch recipes that will only take around 15 minutes of preparation time and do not use too many ingredients. Read on to learn more about these simple and delicious healthy recipes for lunch.
9 Delicious Healthy Recipes for Lunch to Boost Your Day
1. Avocado Aioli
This delicious, healthy recipe may be difficult to pronounce, but it’s easy to prepare. Instead of using eggs and mayonnaise, you can use this aioli for various vegan dishes and salads. To start off, simply secure the following ingredients, and a blender or food processor.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup avocado oil
- 1 flat-leaf parsley sprig
- 1 ripe avocado, pitted and peeled
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 4 cilantro sprigs
- coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- juice of 2 limes
- zest and juice of 2 lemons
Directions:
First, take a liquid measuring cup with a spout. Then, combine the olive and avocado oil in the cup. Afterward, secure a food processor or blender to create the dish. Combine all of the ingredients and continue to puree until the blend becomes smooth.
Tip: Remember to scrape the bowl occasionally. Also, add some salt and pepper to taste.
You can now throw in the oil blend then proceed to process until it has emulsified. Lastly, season it with salt and pepper to suit your taste. Use the dip as a dressing for your salad or any dish that you feel needs some spicing up.
2. White Bean and Veggie Salad
This delicious, healthy recipe is an alternative to your calorie-packed meaty dishes. Whip up this easy recipe and indulge in the filling yet hearty salad.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups mixed salad greens
- ¾ cup veggies of your choice (e.g., chopped cucumbers and cherry tomatoes)
- ⅓ cup canned white beans
- ½ avocado
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
Directions:
Throw in the veggies, sliced avocado pieces, and beans in a medium-sized bowl. Next, add a dash of salt and pepper along with oil and vinegar. Finally, toss and turn the salad to combine the ingredients then serve on a plate.
3. Grilled Summer Vegetable Salad
You can make this delicious, healthy recipe an alternative to the usual pizza and cola. In fact, you can also serve this dish as a side to any meal not just for lunch but also for dinner that you feel matches its summer vibe.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 cups baby zucchini
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 ears of husked corn
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 2 large bell peppers
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped oregano
Directions:
First, set the grill to medium or high. Next, grab a large bowl and throw in the zucchini, corn, and peppers along with the salt, pepper, and oil. Then, grill the vegetables until they become tender and lightly charred.
Tip: It will take around eight minutes to grill the corn and only six minutes for the zucchini and peppers.
Slice the zucchini in half, separate the corn kernels from the cob, and mince the peppers into bite-sized pieces. Lastly, toss in all of the chopped veggies and sprinkle with oregano, oil, and vinegar.
4. Spinach & Dill Pasta Salad
Just like Popeye said, “I’m strong to the finish ‘coz I eat my spinach.” This delicious, healthy recipe is ideal for people who need to consume protein-packed meals throughout the day.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon dried dill
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup shelled Edamame
- ¾ cup cooked whole wheat fusilli or penne
- 1 cup chopped spinach
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons shredded vegan cheese
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion
- ⅛ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Directions:
First, grab a medium-sized bowl and whisk the oil, vinegar, salt, garlic powder, and pepper in it. Then, throw in the pasta, tomatoes, spinach, cheese, edamame, and onion then stir all of the ingredients together.
5. Green Salad with Pita Bread & Hummus
This is one of the healthy recipes for lunch that is a perfect alternative to the greasy and meaty shawarma often sold in street corners. Indulge in a hearty and nutritious shawarma-style vegan sandwich that takes less than 10 minutes to prepare. You may choose to top it with grated cheese for an added flavor.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup hummus
- 1½ teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup sliced cucumber
- 1½ teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cups mixed salad greens
- 2 tablespoons grated carrot
- salt and ground pepper to taste
- toasted pita bread
Directions:
First, place the carrots, cucumber, and greens on a large-sized plate.
Tip: You can be creative and arrange them in an aesthetically pleasing way.
Next, sprinkle with oil, salt, vinegar, and pepper. Lastly, serve with the toasted pita and scrumptious hummus.
6. Veggie Sandwich
Whoever said sandwiches are supposed to be packed with fatty meat? This delicious, healthy recipe is filled with filling veggies and fiber-rich ingredients to help you stay full for the next hours. Pack this meal in your lunch box so you can avoid giving in to the temptation of those midday snacks.
Ingredients:
- 2 slices of grain bread
- 1 tablespoon hummus
- salt to taste
- 4 slices of cucumber
- 2 slices of tomato
- 1 peeled clementine
- 2 tablespoons shredded carrot
Directions:
First, spread the avocado and hummus on one slice of bread then sprinkle with salt. Next, throw in the carrots, tomatoes, and cucumber. Cut the sandwich into two and serve with the clementine on the side.
7. Om Buddha Bowl
Are you looking for a delicious, healthy recipe to replace your afternoon lunch at the nearby hotdog stand? Try out the Om Buddha Bowl that is packed with protein, fiber, and minerals.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of small cauliflower florets
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 clove of garlic
- 3 tablespoons hot tap water
- 1 teaspoon za’atar
- 1½ cups baby kale
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ cup of cooked quinoa
- ½ cup of canned chickpeas
Directions:
First, set your oven to 425° Fahrenheit. Then, grab a medium-sized bowl and throw in the cauliflower seasoned with salt, cumin, and oil. Next, transfer the contents to a baking dish and roast for around 12-15 minutes. While roasting the cauliflower, whisk the lemon juice, za’atar, salt, garlic, and tahini in a small bowl with water. Lastly, place the kale at the bottom of your serving bowl then top off with the cauliflower, chickpeas, and quinoa. Also, drizzle the meal with two tablespoons of the dressing.
8. Lentil Salad
Here’s another salad to add to your menu for lunch. You may choose to garnish it with sliced hard-boiled eggs on top and a few pieces of baguettes on the side.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups water
- 1 ¼ cups dry lentils
- 2 large plum tomatoes (seeded and chopped)
- ½ cup chopped green bell pepper
- ½ cup chopped red onion
- 1 small green chili pepper (seeded and chopped)
- 2 large cloves minced garlic
- ½ cup lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 shredded small carrot
- ½ cup black olives (oil-cured)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
- salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup olive oil (extra-virgin)
- 2 hard-boiled eggs (halved)
Directions:
Bring the water to a boil using high heat and add the salt. Put the lentils in the boiling water while stirring continuously. Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let it simmer for 30 minutes until lentils are soft. Make sure they are still in shape because they will get mashed when overcooked. Drain the lentils when they’ve reached your desired texture, then transfer them to a mixing bowl.
Add the garlic, red onion, tomatoes, chili pepper, and green bell pepper. Next, pour in the lemon juice and lemon zest and mix in the cilantro, olives, and carrot. Then, season with salt and pepper and drizzle in some olive oil. Mix it well. You can refrigerate it for a minimum of one hour to let the flavors blend well.
9. Swiss Wrap with Beef Recipe
If you’re always on the go, why not try this easy-to-prepare wrap? You only need 10 minutes to prepare this meal and it’s ready to be served!
Ingredients:
- 2 multi-grain wraps
- 2 tablespoons Neufchatel cheese
- 2 leaves Romaine lettuce
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 6 slices roast beef (deli-sliced)
- 2 slices Swiss cheese (fat-reduced)
- 6 cherry tomatoes (halved)
- ground black pepper
Directions:
Heat the wraps for approximately 30 seconds in the microwave on high heat. Spread the Neufchatel cheese on the right side of the wrap. Then, layer the center of the wrap with spinach, lettuce, Swiss cheese, and tomatoes. Make sure 1/3 of the bottom of the wrap has space since you will fold this part to seal the bottom of the wrap. Then, fold the left side and start rolling it towards the right. Repeat the process for your succeeding wraps.
Watch this video by Fablunch to learn more about some of the delicious, healthy recipes for lunch you can make in the comfort of your own home:
Put an end to your unhealthy eating habits and replace them with these healthy lunch ideas that can power you through the day. With these healthy and time-saving recipes for lunch, you can save yourself time and the hassle of too much preparation. These meals can also help you live a longer and healthier life when combined with regular exercise and proper supplementation.
What are your favorite recipes for lunch? Feel free to share them with us in the comments section below.
Up Next: Quick Healthy Recipes For Fall
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on November 21, 2017 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
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