A healthy lunch doesn't have to be expensive. Making your lunch at home can help you stick to your budget. With over 50 easy, healthy lunch ideas for work, there is something for everyone. From meal-prep recipes like Chopped Veggie Grain Bowls with Turmeric Dressing to Southwest Black-Bean Pasta Salad Bowls, these lunch recipes are affordable and delicious.
01of 45
Chicken Caesar Lettuce Cups
View Recipe
Upgrade your work lunch with these tasty Caesar salad lettuce cups. This Caesar salad recipe gets a healthy makeover, thanks to homemade dressing made with Greek yogurt.
02of 45
Southwest Black-Bean Pasta Salad Bowls
View Recipe
Meal-prep a week's worth of delicious and satisfying high-fiber lunches with just 5 simple ingredients and 20 minutes. In this Southwestern-style pasta salad, we're using pasta made with black beans to bump up the fiber to an impressive 14 grams per serving. Paired with seasoned chicken strips and a flavorful corn salad--shortcut ingredients you can often find at your local specialty grocery store--this meal-prep lunch is one you'll get excited for.
03of 45
Chopped Veggie Grain Bowls with Turmeric Dressing
View Recipe
In about 10 minutes, you can prep a week's worth of lunches using 4 simple ingredients from your local specialty grocery store. To minimize prep, we're taking advantage of prechopped fresh veggie mix and frozen quinoa (which heats in the microwave in under 5 minutes). These crunchy chopped salad bowls are high in fiber but lower in calories, making them perfect for those following a reduced-calorie diet.
04of 45
Chickpea "Chicken" Salad
View Recipe
This chickpea salad is a vegetarian version of a classic chicken salad--and can be eaten in the exact same way. Let's be clear, though: it doesn't taste like chicken, but it is a delicious (and fiber-packed) vegetarian alternative! Plus, it's easily transportable, perfect for picnics and will surely step up your sad desk lunch.
05of 45
Meal-Prep Curried Chicken Bowls
View Recipe
Curry doesn't have to take hours to prepare. With the help of our sheet-pan meal-prep chicken (see associated recipe) and some cooked whole grains, you can make these meal-prep bowls in just a few minutes! Keep them in the fridge for an easy dinner on a busy weeknight or for healthy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.
06of 45
Avocado Ranch Chicken Salad
View Recipe
Avocado makes an exceptionally creamy and healthful dressing for this chicken salad. A bit of ranch dressing with pickled jalapeño adds a tangy spin to the lunchtime classic. Serve it on a slice of whole-wheat toast for an open-face sandwich or in a lettuce cup for a low-carb lunch.
07of 45
Mediterranean Wrap
View Recipe
This wrap is stuffed with chicken tenders and couscous with a hit of lemon and a healthy dose of fresh herbs. Save any leftovers to wrap up for an easy lunch. Serve with: Mixed green salad and a glass of crisp white wine.
08of 45
Tuna, White Bean & Dill Salad
View Recipe
Take canned tuna to new heights by adding cannellini beans, red onion and dill, tossing it in a lemon-pepper-Dijon dressing and serving it over a spinach salad with canned beets.
09of 45
Spicy Ramen Cup of Noodles
View Recipe
Make your own cup of instant soup at home with this vegetarian ramen recipe. Pack several jars at once to take to work for easy lunches throughout the week.
10of 45
Mediterranean Chickpea Quinoa Bowl
View Recipe
Quinoa and chickpeas pack this vegetarian grain bowl with plenty of plant-based protein. Whip up a batch of these Mediterranean meals and pack in containers with lids to stash in the fridge for easy, healthy grab & go lunches all week long.
11of 45
Freezer Bean & Cheese Burritos
View Recipe
This copycat version of store-bought frozen burritos is perfect for meal prepping. Make a big batch to store in the freezer for healthy packable lunches or a quick campsite meal.
12of 45
Chipotle Chicken Quinoa Burrito Bowl
View Recipe
This flavorful burrito bowl features grilled chicken coated in a spicy chipotle glaze. Loading it with vegetables and using quinoa in place of rice adds nutrition for a healthier dinner.
13of 45
Chopped Cobb Salad
View Recipe
This single-serving recipe for Cobb salad swaps chicken in for bacon, which makes it a great source of protein for lunch. If you prefer another salad dressing, feel free to use that instead of our honey-mustard vinaigrette.
14of 45
Edamame & Veggie Rice Bowl
View Recipe
The ingredients in this vegan grain bowl recipe can be prepped ahead for an easy lunch to pack for work. The tangy citrus dressing is a refreshing flavor with the sweet caramel of the roasted sheet-pan veggies.
15of 45
Cucumber Salad, Hummus & Pita Bento Box Lunch
View Recipe
Enjoy this refreshing bento box idea over your lunch break that combines cucumber salad, hummus, pita and more for a satisfying work lunch.
16of 45
Black Bean-Avocado Torta
View Recipe
A Mexican-style torta is just like a burrito, except the "wrapper" is a hollowed-out roll instead of a tortilla. Here it's filled with mashed spiced black beans and a quick guacamole. Take this vegetarian version to another level (and add calcium) by melting Monterey Jack cheese onto the bean side of the sandwich. Serve with: Grilled corn on the cob or Spanish rice.
17of 45
Green Goddess Salad with Chickpeas
View Recipe
In this cucumber, tomato, Swiss cheese and chickpea salad recipe, a healthy green goddess dressing is made from avocado, buttermilk and herbs. The extra dressing is delicious served with grilled vegetables.
18of 45
Pizza Lettuce Wraps
View Recipe
Go light and fresh when you're craving pizza: these easy lettuce wraps have all the taste with fewer carbs and calories.
19of 45
Tuna Salad Sandwich with Sweet Relish
View Recipe
This sweet twist on a classic tuna-salad sandwich is a healthy high-protein lunch that even your kids will love.
20of 45
Vegetarian Sushi Grain Bowl
View Recipe
Skip the hassle of making sushi rolls at home and just go for this grain bowl. Start with a base of brown rice and add veggies, dressing and creamy avocado for a delicious and easy meal.
21of 45
Cold Noodle Salad
View Recipe
This cold noodle salad with peanut butter, snow pea pods, chicken, and bell pepper is easy to make ahead and pack for lunch.
22of 45
Chicken Salad-Stuffed Avocados
View Recipe
Looking for a clean, packable lunch for work? This healthy homemade chicken salad served inside an avocado instead of with bread is just the ticket. Plus, this recipe makes enough for ready-made lunches for the week! If you have leftover cooked chicken on hand, skip Step 1 and use about 2 1/2 cups shredded chicken in Step 2.
23of 45
Clean-Eating Bento Box Lunch
View Recipe
Who says bento boxes are just for kids? This healthy bento-style lunch--loaded with clean, satisfying foods--is perfect to pack for work.
24of 45
Veggie Egg Salad
View Recipe
Crunchy carrot, cucumber and scallions are a colorful addition to this vegetarian egg salad recipe. Pack it with some crunchy crackers and tomatoes for a healthy, light lunch.
25of 45
Avocado, Tomato & Chicken Sandwich
View Recipe
In this healthy chicken sandwich recipe, the avocado is mashed to create a healthy creamy spread.
26of 45
BBQ Chicken Sandwich
View Recipe
Toss leftover cooked chicken with barbecue sauce and crunchy carrots for a quick and healthy lunch.
27of 45
Sweet Potato & Cauliflower Rice Bowl
View Recipe
A simple citrusy drizzle, inspired by Cuban mojo sauce, finishes these vegan rice bowls, perfect for lunch or dinner.
28of 45
Turkey Apple Cheddar Sandwich
View Recipe
It only takes 5 minutes to make this healthy sandwich with whole-wheat bread and the classic combination of Cheddar cheese and apples that your kids will love.
29of 45
Build-Your-Own Chicken Tacos
View Recipe
This kid-friendly recipe keeps every element of tacos separate so your child can decide to eat them separately or have fun building their own mini tacos with their favorite toppings. Plus, it's perfect for packing into a bento box for a healthy lunch for school.
30of 45
Cauliflower Soup with Smoked Gouda
View Recipe
This healthy cauliflower soup recipe gets its great flavor from two smoked ingredients--paprika and Gouda. A hearty serving of crunchy croutons makes it filling.
31of 45
Edamame Hummus Wrap
View Recipe
Made with protein-rich edamame instead of chickpeas, this easy hummus recipe is the perfect vegetarian filling for a grab-and-go wrap. Or double the recipe and use the hummus for a healthy snack with cut-up vegetables.
32of 45
Cucumber, Tomato & Arugula Salad with Hummus
View Recipe
Tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and feta top arugula in this quick salad. Served with whole-wheat pita and prepared hummus, it makes a filling, yet healthy lunch.
33of 45
Spicy Tuna Wrap
View Recipe
These tuna wraps were inspired by spicy tuna sushi rolls. We love how they taste with peppery watercress, but other greens, such as arugula, romaine, escarole or even radish sprouts, would taste great in the filling. If you want to play on the sushi inspiration, stir some wasabi into the soy sauce for dipping and serve with pickled ginger. Serve with sliced cucumbers and slivered red onions tossed with rice vinegar, a little oil and a pinch of salt.
34of 45
Turkey BLT Wraps
View Recipe
This delicious kid-friendly twist on a classic BLT includes turkey. The extra protein makes a filling, healthy lunch to pack up for school or work.
35of 45
West Coast Avocado Toast
View Recipe
Hummus, sprouts and avocado top sprouted whole-wheat bread in this healthy vegan lunch idea. Look for sprouted bread in the freezer section of your grocery store.
36of 45
Spring Roll Salad
View Recipe
All the tastes, color and fun of a spring roll without all the work! This healthy salad recipe is bursting with the colors of rainbow from generous amounts of fresh vegetables, shrimp and whole grains all topped with a peanut dressing for the ultimate satisfying salad.
37of 45
Chicken Club Wraps
View Recipe
Whole-wheat tortillas provide a tasty twist in this quick grilled chicken breast recipe that combines all the elements of a classic club sandwich into a wrap. Serve with extra napkins.
38of 45
Salmon Pita Sandwich
View Recipe
This quick lunch recipe is loaded with heart-healthy omega-3s thanks to the canned sockeye salmon. If you're bringing this sandwich for lunch, keep the salmon salad separate and stuff the pita just before eating.
39of 45
Shrimp Cobb Salad
View Recipe
Cooked peeled shrimp is perfect for quick and healthy meals--here we use it in place of chicken in our simplified Cobb Salad.
40of 45
Creamy Pesto Chicken Salad with Greens
View Recipe
For a healthy variation on creamy chicken salad, we've replaced half the mayonnaise with basil pesto. Serve over greens or make it into a sandwich for a healthy lunch.
41of 45
Classic Cobb Mason Jar Salad
View Recipe
Pack classic Cobb salad "upside down" in a mason jar for a healthy lunch that won't get soggy while sitting in the fridge all morning. Or pack it up the night before for an easy grab-and-go lunch in the morning.
42of 45
Turkey, Corn & Sun-Dried Tomato Wraps
View Recipe
Fresh corn kernels, tomatoes and lettuce fill these hearty turkey wraps. This wrap is great for picnics or when you need to have dinner on the run. Add some crumbled feta or shredded Cheddar for another layer of flavor. Serve with carrot sticks, sliced bell pepper or other crunchy vegetables plus your favorite creamy dressing.
43of 45
Chicken & Apple Kale Wraps
View Recipe
Using kale leaves instead of bread to wrap your filling makes this healthy chicken lunch recipe low-calorie (and lower in carbs!). If you can't find lacinato (aka Tuscan) kale, try cabbage for your wrap.
44of 45
Cream Cheese & Veggie Roll-Up
View Recipe
With sliced vegetables, a whole-wheat tortilla and baby spinach, these roll-ups make the perfect healthy lunch for your kids to take to school.
45of 45
Vegan Buddha Bowl
View Recipe
This easy grain bowl has so much to love--sweet potatoes, protein-packed chickpeas, creamy avocado and homemade tahini dressing. Make the full recipe on the weekend and pack into individual serving containers for ready-to-go lunches for work all week.