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Looking for some simple, healthy lunch ideas to pack for work? These 18 lunch recipes are perfectly portable and can be enjoyed cold (no microwave needed)!
This post was originally shared on 09.03.2019. It was updated with more helpful content and recipe ideas on 01.01.2020.
Whether you’re spending the day in the office or at school, or simply in need of some make-ahead lunches while you work from home, I’ve rounded up 18 of my favourite easy, healthy lunch recipes from the blog to help you decide what to make!
As a dietitian, I know how important it is to have something nourishing, tasty, and satisfying to get you though your busy day.
Each of the recipes below meets certain criteria to make them perfect to enjoy for lunch, no matter where you may be!
What Makes A Healthy, Packable Lunch
To make it on this Healthy Lunch Ideas List, the meals had to meet certain requirements for a good packed lunch:
- They can be packed and carried on your commute without getting soggy/making a mess.
- They can be enjoyed cold, so no need to reheat them if you don’t have access to a microwave.
- They can be made in advance, so no scrambling in the morning to get something together. You can make these dishes the night before and keep them in the fridge to grab and go. TIP: try to make some larger batches of these meals, so you can cook once and eat multiple times!
- They are nutritionally balanced, giving you some protein, healthy fats, complex carbs, and lots of veggies. These types of foods and meal combinations will keep you energized and able to focus through your busy workday.
- They are easy to make and not too time-intensive – I know your schedule is a busy one!!
Keep reading to see 18 of my favourite healthy work lunches below.
1. Kale Butternut Squash Salad With Farro
This kale butternut squash salad is made with delicious ingredients like farro, goat cheese, dried cranberries, and pumpkin seeds. It's easy, healthy, and so satisfying!
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2. Winter Pasta Salad
This Winter Pasta Salad is made with oven-roasted butternut squash, broccoli, and mushrooms, as well as arugula, shrimp, and a thyme-mustard vinaigrette. This recipe is easy, healthy, and can be made dairy-free, gluten-free, and/or vegan if needed.
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3. Roasted Broccoli Salad
This Roasted Broccoli Salad is made with chewy farro, dried cranberries, crumbled feta, and a simple red wine vinegar + oregano salad dressing. It's easy, healthy, and the perfect side to add to your meal!
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4. 20-Minute Healthy Tuna Pasta Salad
This Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe is easy, fast, and healthy. Made without mayo and ready in 20-minutes! Perfect for a make-ahead meal. Recipe is dairy-free and can be gluten-free if using gluten-free pasta.
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5. Strawberry Quinoa Tabbouleh With Feta
This Strawberry Quinoa Tabbouleh puts a delicious spin on a traditional recipe. It's refreshing, nutritious, and incredibly easy to make! Gluten-free. Dairy-free/vegan version available.
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6. Shrimp Taco Salad Bowl
This healthy Shrimp Taco Salad Bowl is made with simple ingredients like quinoa, avocado, cilantro, and lime. Refreshing and full of flavour!
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7. Cold Chopped Quinoa Salad
This Cold Chopped Quinoa Salad is perfect for lunch or dinner meal prep! It's made with pomegranates, chopped carrots, cucumbers, parsley, and protein-rich eggs to help make this salad a complete, healthy meal. It's gluten-free, vegetarian, and ready in under 30 minutes.
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8. Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad With Shrimp
This roasted veggie pasta salad is packed with balanced nutrition and tons of antioxidants! Perfect to make for an easy weeknight dinner, packed lunch, or to bring to your next summer BBQ.
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9. Cold Soba Noodle Salad With Tempeh
This nutritious soba noodle recipe is made with a delicious tamari lime dressing. Vegan, gluten-free, and ready in 30 minutes!
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10. No-Mayo Tuna Salad
Greek yogurt adds extra protein and avocado adds healthy fats and fibre to a traditional tuna salad. This no-mayo option comes together in under 10 minutes. Add to toast, pitas, or wraps for a quick lunch.
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11. Pesto Quinoa Bowl
This Pesto Quinoa Bowl is packed with nutritious and tasty ingredients! It's great for meal prep or as a packed lunch. Recipe is gluten-free, with vegan option available.
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12. Massaged Kale Salad With Sweet Potato & Goat Cheese
This fall salad combines massaged lacinato kale, roasted sweet potatoes, pomegranates, and toasted pecans for a delicious and filling meal or side.
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13. Easy Caprese Pasta Salad
Bursting with flavour, this caprese pasta salad recipe is easy to make, or make-ahead. It's perfect for a BBQ, picnic, or packed lunch idea. Balsamic vinaigrette and pesto dressing options included!
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14. Cucumber Avocado Salad With Quinoa
This Easy Cucumber Avocado Salad is made with nutritious ingredients like quinoa, sauerkraut, nutritional yeast, hemp seeds, lemon, and fresh herbs. It's healthy, refreshing, and can be enjoyed as a complete meal or side salad! Gluten-free with vegan option available.
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15. No-Mayo Avocado Egg Salad Sandwich
Using avocado as a substitute for mayonnaise, this healthy boiled-egg salad sandwich recipe is packed with protein, healthy fats, and fibre for a filling, balanced meal. Plus, it's made in 20 minutes or less!
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16. Tuna Pasta Salad With Pesto
This Tuna Pasta Salad With Pesto is an easy, healthy make-ahead lunch idea. It's made with protein-packed canned tuna and a dairy-free hemp seed pesto. Simple, delicious, and ready in 30 minutes!
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17. Chimichurri Grain Bowl
This High-Protein Chimichurri Grain Bowl is a healthy vegetarian lunch or weeknight dinner idea. Recipe can be made ahead and enjoyed either warm or cold!
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18. Canned Mackerel Pasta Salad
This Canned Mackerel Pasta Salad is an excellent source of omega-3s, protein, and tons of veggies. Super delicious, ready in 30 mins, and great for meal prep or a packed lunch!
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And there you have it – 18 Easy, Healthy Lunch Ideas to pack with you to work (or school)! I hope you guys find some inspiration from this list, and I hope that it saves you some time, energy, and stress when deciding what to make.
If you make any of these recipes, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or Pinterest – seeing your creations always makes my day. You can also subscribe to my email list to never miss a new recipe or nutrition education post!
More Healthy Recipe Roundups
- 20+ Easy, Healthy Vegetable Side Dishes
- 27 Healthy Meal Prep Snack Recipes
- 25 Dietitian-Approved Healthy Breakfast Meal Prep Ideas
- 30 Healthy Meal Prep Ideas For Lunch & Dinner
- 25 Meal Prep Component Recipes To Mix & Match
18 Healthy Lunch Ideas, Including Kale Butternut Squash Salad
This kale butternut squash salad is made with delicious ingredients like farro, goat cheese, dried cranberries, and pumpkin seeds. It's easy, healthy, and so satisfying!
Servings 2
Ingredients
- 1 large bunch kale, curly or lacinato
- 3 Tbsp olive oil (divided)
- 1/2 a lemon, juice only
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt + pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup farro, dry
- 2 cups butternut squash, peeled + cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup goat cheese, crumbled
- 3 Tbsp dried cranberries
- 2 Tbsp pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F and bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Remove kale leaves from stems before washing and drying. Place kale in a large salad/mixing bowl and drizzle 2 Tbsp olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper overtop.
- Using your hands, squeeze and massage the oil-lemon mixture into the kale, similar to how you would knead dough (about 1 minute). Cover the bowl and let sit while you cook the rest of the ingredients.
- Cook farro in the pot of boiling water using the "pasta method" or according to package directions. Drain when done.
- Place butternut squash cubes on a baking sheet and toss in remaining 1 Tbsp of olive oil, cinnamon, and salt. Transfer to the oven for 30 minutes, tossing halfway.
- Once both farro and squash are cooked, add them to the massaged kale along with goat cheese, dried cranberries, and pumpkin seeds. Toss well, adding more salt + pepper if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
*This recipe makes about 2 servings if eating as a full meal, or 4 servings if enjoying as a side salad.
*This massaged kale salad can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container for about 3 days in the fridge. Kale holds up well and doesn’t go soggy like other leafy greens.
*Farro is NOT a gluten-free grain. If you need to follow a GF diet, simply swap the farro with another whole grain like quinoa or brown rice.
*For a dairy-free/vegan version, simply omit the goat cheese or replace with a vegan alternative.
Did you make this recipe?Be sure to tag @walderwellness on Instagram. I love seeing your beautiful creations!
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy
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