Salads - don't get me wrong - are excellent, but sometimes, you want a little something more in your lunch box that makes lunch hour exciting enough to look forward to! Salads are without doubt the easiest food to prepare for lunch but let’s check out if we can whip up some more quick fixes. Here are a few top picks for make-ahead lunch ideas.Check out some of our favourite sandwiches, wraps, and bowls (and, perhaps some salads, but only the most interesting ones!)
Healthy Sandwiches And Wraps
A well-made sandwich is always a quick, simple and wholesome lunch option. The recipes below include inventive sandwiches as well as innovative takes on traditional dishes like egg salad and peanut butter and jelly. It's better to prepare these lunch recipes fresh, on the day you want to eat, them because nobody likes a soggy sandwich!
Keep fresh and good quality bread handy, and store all the ingredients separately in the refrigerator. This allows for super quick assembly and the freshest-tasting lunches the following day.
Cucumber Sandwich
This recipe for a creamy, crispy cucumber sandwich is a great mix of light and delicious. Use whole-wheat bread for substantial flavour and texture to keep everything together, and opt for crisp, cool cucumber that complements a cream cheese yoghurt spread.
Caprese Sandwich
Thick, crusty ciabatta gives this caprese sandwich a robust texture, while the basil adds freshness. The flavour is enhanced by the sun-dried tomatoes. If you must prepare the sandwich many hours in advance, use toasted bread and cover it with a layer of basil leaves to prevent it from becoming soggy.
Egg Salad Sandwich
Packed with fresh herbs, capers, and lemon juice, this dish is bright and salty. You can replace the hard-boiled eggs with crumbled tofu for a vegan salad that tastes just as good. Lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and (optional) capers add a tangy, briny bite to the rich, creamy mayo sauce. It's elevated by the addition of fresh herbs like dill and chives.
PB&J With Strawberry Chia Jam And Hazelnut Butter
Are you sick and weary of PB&J? Try this version with sour strawberry chia jam and handmade hazelnut-pecan butter. Use frozen berries instead of fresh berries to make the jam so you can enjoy it all year round.
Chickpea Salad Sandwich
One of the healthiest lunch ideas is this vegan version of French pan bagnat. Fresh vegetables like cucumbers, radishes, and green beans provide a delightful crunch, while a creamy, briny chickpea salad replaces the typical tuna.
Crispy Baked Falafel
Making falafel for lunch is enjoyable because it allows you to experiment. You could place it on top of a tahini-dressed salad, add it to a grain bowl or pile it onto a wrap with a generous amount of hummus, pickled onions, and fresh vegetables.
Healthy Lunch Ideas For Noodle Lovers
If you’re not in the mood for a sandwich or salad, these noodle-based lunch alternatives might be perfect.
Sesame Soba Noodles
Soba noodles, edamame, and a variety of crunchy vegetables are coated in a nutty, acidic sesame dressing. Feel free to switch up the vegetables depending on the season. You can use kale, asparagus, steamed broccoli, cucumbers, julienned carrots, and more.
Spring Rolls
These refreshing spring rolls have an enticing filling of mango, avocado, herbs, tofu, and chewy rice noodles. Serve with peanut sauce dip.
Peanut Noodles
This is a quick and easy recipe since the noodles are the only ingredient that needs to be cooked. You can then combine them with peanut sauce in a bowl. A week's supply of lunches can be prepared in just thirty minutes!
Soba Noodles Picnic Salad With Tahini Miso
Layering these vibrant salads in mason jars not only makes them look gorgeous, but also helps them store well. Make a large batch on Sunday to keep well in the refrigerator for the entire week.
Ideas For Grain Bowl Lunches
Grain bowls can be your go-to healthy lunch option because they are equal parts fresh, flavourful, and filling. Customise them by adding your preferred sauce, a different grain, or another vegetable.
Buddha Bowl
This straightforward dish of brown rice, roasted sweet potatoes, spinach, and chickpeas is elevated with a zesty turmeric tahini sauce.
Quinoa Bowl With Mediterranean Flavours
This nutritious lunch dish is enhanced with a vibrant, savoury flavour thanks to a creamy garlic yoghurt sauce. Use a dab of hummus or tahini sauce to make it vegan!