These healthy vegetarian lunches can be on the table in just 10 minutes. Each recipe contains at least 15 grams of protein per serving, so you’ll feel satisfied afterwards. Plus, these tasty dishes make the most of in-season produce, using ingredients like cucumber, tomato, and lettuce. Recipes like Cucumber and Tomato Sandwiches and Lettuce Wraps with Chickpeas and Roasted Red Peppers with Tahini Dressing are so quick and delicious that they might just become part of your weekly menu.
Egg Salad Lettuce Wraps
I love the retro feel of these egg salad lettuce wraps. Iceberg lettuce is a great low-carb alternative to bread to serve with egg salad.
Cucumber and tomato sandwich
Photographer: Stacey K. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
This herbed cucumber and tomato sandwich is a crisp, refreshing sandwich that makes the most of summer’s bounty of produce. Chives add a delicate onion flavor to the cream cheese, but you could also use dill or basil instead.
Black bean quinoa bowl
Photography: Carson Downing, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabe Greco
This black bean and quinoa bowl has many of the common characteristics of a taco salad, minus the deep-fried bowl: it’s piled high with pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, and avocado, and it also comes with an easy hummus dressing to drizzle on top.
Caprese Sandwich
This Caprese Sandwich is hearty, with fresh basil and thick, crisp ciabatta. Sun-dried tomatoes add extra flavor. Topping the bread with basil leaves and using toasted bread keeps the sandwich from getting soggy, even if you need to make it a few hours in advance.
Chickpea and Roasted Red Pepper Lettuce Wraps with Tahini Dressing
A tangy, nutty tahini dressing combines with no-cook ingredients like canned chickpeas and roasted red peppers to create easy-to-make lettuce wraps that can be made ahead of time for a quick lunch or dinner. Serve with a few slices of warm pita bread for the perfect end to your meal.
Fruit & Cheese Bistro Lunch Box
Inspired by Starbucks’ Bistro Box, this box of fruit, cheese, and crackers is a fun and healthy alternative to the usual sandwich. A personal-sized cheese plate, perfect for a work lunch or a picnic in the park.
Black bean and coleslaw bagel
This easy open sandwich recipe calls for a jalapeño cheddar bagel, but a plain bagel would be just as good. Top each bagel half with black beans and fresh coleslaw for a satisfying treat.
Cucumber and avocado sandwich
This cucumber and avocado sandwich is loaded with creamy avocado and crunchy cucumber, mixed with ricotta and extra-sharp cheddar cheese for extra flavor, and topped with sliced red peppers for color.
Buffalo Chickpea Salad
We’ve taken all the familiar flavors of buffalo wings and put them to use in this plant-based chickpea salad. Celery adds a satisfying crunch and blue cheese provides a cooling kick that balances the spicy sauce. Serve on top of greens or use as a sandwich filling.
Get a Green Wrap
This healthy and easy wrap is packed with greens: cucumber, sprouts, and lettuce add crunch, avocado adds creaminess, and edamame provides plant-based protein.
Chickpea salad sandwich
This vegan lemony chickpea salad sandwich is bright and delicious. It has all the flavors of a traditional tuna salad sandwich, like dill, lemon, and garlic, but with chickpeas instead, it’s a vegan source of protein and healthy fiber, and celery adds some crunch.
PB&J Bistro Lunch Box
Inspired by Starbucks’ Bistro Box, this peanut butter and jam lunch is sure to please kids and adults alike. Served with sandwich sides like yogurt parfait, fruit, veggies, and popcorn, this healthy, portable lunch will help keep you full until dinner.
Chopped salad with sriracha tofu and peanut dressing
With just four easy ingredients based on a hearty salad mix from your local specialty grocery store, you can prepare four days of high-protein vegan lunches. This hearty salad mix allows you to dress this healthy chopped salad up to 24 hours before serving to ensure the flavors blend best. If you can’t find a hearty mix, substitute broccoli slaw or shredded Brussels sprouts.
Quinoa and chickpea salad with roasted red peppers and hummus dressing
This hearty vegan salad is packed with nutritious plant-based ingredients like chickpeas, quinoa and hummus, and the crunch of sunflower seeds and the unexpected flavour of roasted peppers add irresistible flavor.
