Making lunches can seem like a daunting task and many of us associate “healthy” with “tastes bad,” but we can assure you that these healthy lunch recipes are easy to make and taste great.
Strapped for time? If your excuse for buying lunch every day is you’re too busy, we hate to be the bearer of bad news, but most of the time “I’m too busy” really means “I’m too lazy.” Eating healthy isn’t as complex as it seems – it doesn’t require you to only eat raw and it doesn’t mean you have to stay up to the crack of dawn making your own almond milk. Healthy lunches can be simple and it really only requires at most about 25 minutes of your time. So instead of watching that shitty reality TV show (that you’re not actually watching, while you mindlessly scroll through Instagram), why not give one of these quick lunch recipes a try.
Take a look at 9 healthy lunch recipes that are easy to make and taste great below:
Easy Burrito Bowl
Why stand in line and pay seven bucks for a Burrito Bowl from Chipotle when you can make one at home? All this recipe takes is cooking up some rice and beans and then adding your veg of choice. If you’re strapped for time, instead of making the Chipotle sauce, by a jar from the grocery store that will last you weeks.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Pasta Salad with Goat Cheese and Arugula
Not all carbs, are bad carbs – some are necessary to get you through the day. Pair it with some goat cheese, fresh arugula, and light oil and honey dijon dressing for a healthy take on pasta salad. Want to go even healthier? Swap out the wheat pasta for rice or quinoa pasta.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Smashed White Bean and Avocado Sandwich
Sandwiches are a staple when it comes to lunches but the key is to think bigger than you’re boring cheese and bologna sandwich. This smashed white bean and avocado sandwich tastes delish and is healthy too! The best part? No cooking is necessary and this recipe yields enough for four sandwiches.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Mason Jar Asian Noodle Salad
If you’re a fan of one-pot recipes, then this mason jar Asian noodle salad will be your new go-to. Mix the sauce together in the bottom first and then toss in all the other ingredients. Shake before lunch and then it’s ready to eat.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Fish Taco Bowls
If you’re looking for a quick source of protein that takes no time to cook, we suggest trying this fish taco bowl – it only takes several minutes to prepare the fish. The recipe calls for some sauteed onion, pepper and corn, but if you’re in a pinch add the veggies in raw for an even healthier lunch that’s equally delicious.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Sweet and Sour Broccoli Salad
We love a great salad and we also love when it’s not necessary to cook. Spice up your salad routine and try this sweet and sour broccoli salad instead of going for your traditional lettuce mix. The sweet and sour sauce adds a punch of flavour and the cashews add some protein to your meal.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
10-Minute Veggie Fried Rice
Stir-fries are a God send when it comes to quick lunches and this 10-minute veggie fried rice yields 5 servings – amen for leftovers. You can also cook the rice ahead of time to make it even quicker. Simply heat up your veg in a frying pan, add in the rice and voila.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Chickpea Pita Pockets with Greens and Minted Yogurt
These chickpea pita pockets are another tasty no-cook lunch recipe that packs a punch of protein. Whip up the dressing in a bowl, add some mint to your yogurt and then plop everything along with your veg and chickpeas inside a pita shell.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cucumber-Lox Toast
“I didn’t have time to make my lunch today” can no longer be an excuse. This cucumber-lox toast recipe literally takes only 5 minutes to make. Get all your ingredients ready in the time it takes to heat up some toast and then layer them on once it’s nice and crisp.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
RELATED LINK: 8 Healthy Snacks that will Keep You Full Longer
Which healthy and easy-to-make lunch recipe are you bringing to work tomorrow? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or tweet us at @ViewtheVibe.