60 healthy lunch ideas for work- save yourself money and eat healthier by making your own lunch. Get a ton of lunch ideas including cold salads, hot lunches, granola bars, snacks and soups! Simple and healthy lunch recipes.
Are you stuck in a work lunch rut? Then look no further, because you’re about to find a TON of healthy lunch ideas!
I used to find myself completely lost for work lunch ideas when we didn’t have dinner left-overs, and it led to me buying lunch more often than I’d like.
Lunch packing tips
- Plan ahead- make sure to include your lunches in your meal plan. Often we will plan for dinner leftovers to eat for lunch the next day and that goes on the plan. See How to Write a Meal Plan
- Use the right equipment- I personally love these 2 cup meal prep containers, but 3 compartment meal prep containers and 1 pint jars are also on repeat. See The Best Lunch Containers for more ideas!
- Keep condiments separate- (unless stated on the recipe). This is usually a good bet when it comes to salads etc. I like layering salads in 1 pint jars, or storing dressings in these condiment containers
- Set a reminder- forgetting your lunch is the WORST! Set a reminder on Alexa, your iPhone, or even just leave a post it on the door. See 5 Ways to Use Amazon Echo in the Kitchen
These healthy lunch ideas for work are nutritious, delicious, will travel well, and will last in the fridge until lunch time! Here’s some lunch inspiration!
Don’t forget to pin this post to save it for later!
This post covers a LOT! Click on any of the links below to go directly to that section
Cold Salads
Salads do not necessarily mean lettuce. All of these salads have a few things in common: healthy, delicious, they have some staying power, and they are portable! Perfect for lunches!
Meal prep it- Keep salad dressings separate until just prior to serving (unless otherwise directed).
Best lunch containers- For salads, I like these condiment containers, layering in 1 pint mason jars, or storing in these 3 compartment meal prep containers.
1. Chicken and Rice Salad with Ginger Sesame Dressing // 2. Kale, Barley & Feta Salad with a Honey Lemon Vinaigrette
3. Meal Prep Chopped Chickpea Salad // 4. Roasted Carrot Falafel Salad with Citrus Tahini Dressing
5. Caprese Chicken Salad Meal Prep Bowls // 6. Pearl Barley Salad with Chickpeas & Lemon
7. Healthy Greek Chicken Pasta Salad // 8. Refreshing Quinoa Black Bean Salad
9. Taco Salad Recipe // 10. Wild Rice & Sweet Potato Salad
Hot Lunch Ideas (Meal Prep Bowls)
Cook these lunch recipes ahead and re-heat at lunch! These hot lunches are going to make your lunch feel a bit more of a meal. These recipes are portable, healthy and have a good dose of protein to keep you feeling full.
Meal prep it- Many of these hot lunch ideas are freezer-friendly (check directions on each recipe for storage info). Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw as needed.
Best lunch containers- For hot lunches, I like my 2 cup meal prep containers.
1. Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs // 2. Instant Pot Fiesta Rice Bowls
3. Lighter Mongolian Beef Meal Prep // 4. Honey Sriracha Glazed Meatballs
5. Turkey Taco Lunch Bowls // 6. Creamy Black Bean Taquito Meal Prep
7. Honey Sesame Chicken Lunch Bowls // 8. Spicy Chicken Meal Prep Bowls
9. Healthier Firecracker Meal Prep Bowls // 10. Chicken Fajita Meal Prep Bowls
Granola Bars & Energy Bites
Hands up if you spend too much money on granola bars! Me me me!! I would much prefer to make my own from scratch, and I’m feeling inspired by all of these creative granola bars and energy bites.
Meal prep it- Granola bars are often fridge and freezer-friendly (refer to storage directions in each individual recipe)! Freeze for 1-3 months, or store in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Best lunch containers- We freeze energy bites and granola bars for a few hours on a baking sheet, then transfer to reusable stasher bags or 6 cup meal prep containers.
1. Chewy Peanut Butter Granola Bars // 2. Chocolate Tahini Oat Bites
3. Pumpkin Trail Mix Granola Bars // 4. Easy Homemade Protein Bars
5. Blueberry-Vanilla Greek Yogurt Granola Bars // 6. Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Energy Bites
7. No Bake Energy Bites // 8. 7 Homemade Granola Bars
9. Homemade Kind Bars // 10. Apple Quinoa Breakfast Bars
Muffins & Snacks:
Let’s call this the ‘misc’ category! Here’s some healthy and delicious muffins and snacks!
Meal prep it- These snacks can all be prepped ahead, but storage directions vary greatly. Refer to each recipe for specific instructions!
Best lunch containers- I like these 6 cup meal prep containers to store muffins, kale chips, egg muffins and more. I like 1 pint mason jars to store chia pudding, roasted chickpeas, and hummus.
1. Healthy Blueberry Muffins // 2. Foolproof Crispy Baked Kale Chips + 4 Flavors
3. Crispy Baked Falafels // 4. Morning Glory Breakfast Cookies
5. Peanut Butter & Jam Breakfast Cookies // 6. 7 Healthy Breakfast Egg Muffins
7. Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas // 8. 7 Homemade Hummus Recipes
9. Easy Baked Oatmeal Muffins // 10. Chocolate Chia Pudding
Sandwiches & Wraps
Sandwiches and wraps…these seem like they would keep in the fridge until lunch, perhaps leaving the condiments separate until just prior to serving.
Meal prep it- Sandwiches and wraps can be prepared the same day you serve them OR you can store the filling separately. For some of these wraps & pitas, I heat the filling, then roll my wraps and fill the pita just before eating.
Best lunch containers- Sandwiches store great in these reusable LunchSkins sandwich bags, and I like to store wrap fillings in 2 cup meal prep containers.
1. Avocado Caprese Wraps // 2. Cajun Chicken Wrap Recipe
3. Green Goddess Sandwiches // 4. Spicy Carrot & Hummus Sandwich
5. Meal Prep Pesto Chicken Pita Pockets // 6. Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps
7. Smashed White Bean & Spinach Quesadillas // 8. Freezer Cauliflower Rice Burritos
9. Vegan Mediterranean Wraps // 10. Greek Chicken Wraps
Soups
Probably my favorite type of lunch 🙂 If you have a good microwave-safe dish with a lid, they aren’t too difficult to transport to work. Heat them up in the microwave, and you have a healthy and delicious warm lunch!
Meal prep it- Cook a big batch ahead and portion out through the week. Leftovers can often be frozen for long term storage.
Best lunch containers- some options for soup include 20 oz meal mugs from Corningware, store in 1 pint mason jars, then reheat in bowls in the microwave, this super popular Crock Pot lunch warmer, and this 24 oz thermos.
1. Thai Curry Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup // 2. Broccoli Cheese Soup
3. Moroccan Soup with Kale and Chickpeas // 4. Thai Curry Wild Rice Soup
5. Healthier Beef Barley Soup // 6. Anti-Inflammatory Broccoli Turmeric Soup
7. Stuffed Pepper Soup // 8. Instant Pot Summer Soup
9. Hearty Vegetable Soup // 10. Creamy Butternut Squash Soup
I hope this post has inspired you with a whole bunch of new healthy lunch ideas!
Let me know if you try them.
XO
Build Your Own Box Lunch & More Healthy Lunch Ideas For Work
Ingredients
Grains (1/2 cup of one of the following)
- quinoa
- rice
- farro
Protein (4 oz of one of the following)
- chicken breast
- ground beef
- tofu
- chickpeas
- black beans
Vegetables (1 cup of one of the following)
- slaw mix
- carrots
- bell peppers
- onion
- roasted zucchini, cauliflower, brussels sprouts or broccoli
- cauliflower rice
Sauce or dressing (1 tablespoon per portion)
Instructions
To prepare
- Combine 1/2 cup of cooked grains, 4 oz of protein, 1 cup of vegetables and 1 tablespoon of sauce/dressing in a 2 or 3 cup capacity storage container.
- You may wish to keep the sauce separate until you are ready to serve.
Storage
- Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To serve
- Enjoy hot or cold, as needed.
Crystal Ludwick
I don’t cook a lot because I work long days and cooking stresses me out, but looking at these recipes made me feel inspired for the first tine in a long time, thank you so much.
Denise
Yay! You can do it, Crystal!
Jay Kale
I like the list and I would like to ask a query.
For someone who sits 11-12 hours working in front of computer, do you suggest any different lunch idea or specific meals?
Denise
Hi Jay! Are you looking for hot or cold lunches? If you would like non-microwave lunches, here’s a great round-up: https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/cold-lunch-ideas/ Let me know if there’s a different type of meal prep recipe and I can see if I have something to suit you!
Julie Parnell
What great ideas! I can’t wait to try them. I’ve been trying to meal plan and take my lunch to work to not only save money but to eat a more healthy lunch. Great post!
Denise
Thanks so much, Julie! Hope you find some good ones.
Alyssa
Great recipes, and I have to tell you how beautiful your site is and easy to navigate!!
Denise
Thank you so much, Alyssa! I really appreciate your feedback! Let me know if you have any questions 🙂
jen
silly question: im one person can i make these put them in the containers then freeze them? take them out the night before i want one?
Denise
Hi Jen! You’ll have to refer to directions on each individual recipe for whether or not you can freeze. If you are looking for freezer-friendly lunches, I have several ideas here: https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/freezer-friendly-lunch-meal-prep-recipes/
Anu Shukla
Great
we love your skills,
keep sharing!
Remi
This gave me so many lunch ideas. Thank you for sharing!
Denise
So glad it was helpful! Thanks, Remi!
Elis
As a Uni student looking to improve my diet and make things easier and tastier I really appreciate it! I will definitely be trying some (if not all) of these soon! Thanks so much.
Denise
I hope you have some delicious lunches this year, Elis! Let me know if you try any of them!
Andrea
Someone please help. I thought I took screen shots of everything I needed. I have all of the supplies but can not fine it.
It is noodles, zucchini and carrots noodle from a spiralizer chickpeas with an almond, rice vinegar, soy sause, ginger dressing. Super excited to meal prep this week. Hope someone knows the name of it.
Denise
Hi Andrea I think you’re looking for the Cold Sesame Noodles post! Here’s the link: https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/cold-sesame-noodle-meal-prep-bowls-vegan/
Annette
Loving all these ideas!
Denise
So glad! Hope you find something you love, Annette!
Theresa
I sent an email in asking how to buy your book. I really don’t care for downloads, digital books. I never received a reply. If your book is available in paper form, I’m truly interested.
Thank you
Denise
Theresa, I’m SO sorry, I meant to reply to your e-mail!! I don’t have a paper book, but I do have eCookbooks available on this site. I hope to one day write a cookbook! Thank you so much for your interest 🙂
Aislinn - cakes 'n chaos
Wow, these look so tasty and healthy! Going to have to try some of these for lunches 🙂
Denise
Thanks, Aislinn! Hope you enjoy them! I have already been inspired to put a little more effort into my lunch routine 😉
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter
This is such a a great round-up, Denise! I am always looking for new lunch idea and I can’t wait to try so many of these especially your lentil bowl! Love the dressing!
Michelle { A Latte Food }
This recipe roundup is brilliant! I am loving all of the healthy choices, especially since I tend to get stuck in a health-food rut! Now, if only I could choose what to make first!
Denise
What is it about a nice, hot bowl of soup? Thanks, Mary Frances 🙂
Denise
Thanks, Kristi! Your lettuce wraps look so delicious! I will have to give them a try 🙂
Denise
Thanks, Jessica! My work lunches have been so boring lately!
Isadora
This is such a great post, Denise! I’m also always in the lunch rut when I don’t have dinner leftovers to bring! I usually throw together some type of salad or sandwich. I am definitely saving this post to come back to 🙂
Denise
Thanks, Isadora! I need something delicious to look forward to all morning…and I need to stop wasting my money buying lunch!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely
All of these look delicious Denise! You’ve really inspired me. I can fall in to such a lunch rut at work. I’ll just make 1 big salad and eat it for the whole week. A little boring. Thank you so much for including my sausage soup!
Denise
At least you make your lunch, I’ve been wasting my money buying lunch…$8 for a wrap is such a waste of money!! Thanks, Natalie!
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen
Great round up, Denise. I’m always looking for work lunch ideas so this is really helpful – thanks!
Denise
Thanks, Geraldine!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life
I love this round up Denise! Thank you for giving me lunch inspiration for the weeks to come (and including my quinoa!). These all look so good!
Denise
Thanks, Alyssa! Your quinoa looks delicious 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
Wow what a fantastic roundup of lunch ideas, Denise! I usually rotate between the same few things, so I’m pinning a bunch. Love this!
Denise
Thanks, Gayle!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel
Thanks for including me! There are so many great ideas here!
Denise
Your little quiches are so cute and look like the perfect snack!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
Well, if I was in a lunch rut, I would certainly be out of it now! SO many great options here. . WOW!!! and I’ve got to try your Tropical Lentil Lunch Bowls with a Creamy Coconut-Lime Dressing!!! Looks delish!
Denise
Thanks, Alice! I love that one because it is so filling, too!
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic
All of these are fantastic lunch ideas. Great roundup.
Denise
Thanks, Kathy!
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen
This is an awesome roundup! I tend to get in a lunch rut easily, relying on good old pb&j sandwiches. Those sure do get boring fast! You’ve included so many delicious lunch options here. Thank you for including my chicken and rice salad! 🙂
Denise
PB sandwiches were my standby for so many years! These days I’ve been buying lunch and it’s just such a waste of money. Your salad looks so delicious, and filling too!
Anastacia
Wow! What a great recipe so good , I Love all your recipe
It’s amazing! Thanks for sharing all of these, God Blessed
You….
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
No more lunch rut for me! So many great choices here! Thanks for including me! 🙂
Denise
Thanks, Liz! Your fig bites look like the perfect healthy snack 🙂
Ami@NaiveCookCooks
Denise I so needed this badly!! I myself posted a weekly dinner meal plan yesterday and I was looking for good lunch ideas for work for hubby!! This came at perfect time!! Thanks 🙂
Denise
Thanks, Ami!
marcie
This round up is awesome, Denise! I love to have nice salads and snacks around the house so that there are plenty of options to grab and go! I could eat every single one of these, and thank you for including my barley salad! 🙂
Denise
Your salad looks like the perfect filling lunch, Marcie!
Sarah@Whole and Heavenly Oven
I’m right there with ‘ya on always getting stuck in a lunch rut! This round-up looks like the PERFECT way to pull me outta it! Thanks for including my pumpkin granola bars, girl! xoxo
Denise
I’m drooling over those pumpkin granola bars, Sarah! In fact, I was inspired to try making my own granola bars…although they didn’t end up photo worthy…next week-end I will get my photo-worthy granola bars (I hope).
April @ Girl Gone Gourmet
All of these look delicious and inspiring! I am high-risk for lunch ruts so this list is a keeper 🙂
Denise
Thanks, April!
Bri | Bites of Bri
Denise, these healthy recipes look so fresh and flavorful. I have to admit that I’m dreaming of the summer farmers market as temps are zero here. Time to make one of these soups to warm up. Thanks for including my chickpeas!
Denise
Oh man, the farmer’s market is way off up here in Canada…but I am SO ready for spring! Your chickpeas look so delicious! Perfect healthy snack for work 🙂
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext
All these recipes look amazing! Great roundup – I’ve found a few I really want to try now! 😀
Denise
Thanks, Jessica!