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18 Healthy Lunch Ideas to Stay Fueled All Day Long
Soups, sandwiches, and hearty grain bowls!
Let's face it: weekdays are busy! Whether you have back-to-back work calls or you're trying to get the family out the door, many people often forget about preparing a healthy lunch to get them through the day. And what results might look something like a fast-food drive-through, unhealthy packaged foods, or—worse—an unsatisfying granola bar! 😩 That's when the hangry feelings start to set in. Luckily, if your New Year's resolution was to eat healthier this year, this list of healthy lunch ideas will save the day. Not only will they jumpstart your healthy eating journey, but they'll keep you full and satisfied right up until dinnertime. And, perhaps best of all—you can feel good about packing these healthy lunches for your family, too.
Gone are the days when healthy lunch ideas meant bland. Instead, you'll find flavorful turkey recipes, healthy soups, and grain bowls packed with tasty mix-ins. Looking for ways to add more seafood to your repertoire? Try the ginger shrimp salad or the chipotle Caesar salad topped with grilled salmon. Prefer something a little more comforting? You can't go wrong with sticky pork lettuce wraps or a slow cooker turkey chili that's both filling and nutritious. Planning your lunch ahead of time might seem like it's tricky to do, but these quick lunch recipes are all surprisingly easy to prep—whether you whip them up in the morning or the night before. Just don't forget to save some room for a healthy cookie recipe, too!
Greek Salad with Chicken
As far as salads go, this one is hard to beat! It's refreshing thanks to the crunchy lettuces and juicy tomatoes and filling thanks to the grilled chicken and pita chips. Just be sure to keep the dressing on the side until you're ready to serve.
Get Ree's Greek Salad with Chicken recipe.
Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps
Instead of your typical tacos, this healthier version swaps the beef for lean turkey and the flour tortillas for crunchy lettuce cups. Don't worry—it's still packed with all the spices and toppings of a regular taco.
Get Ree's Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps recipe.
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Lentils are the powerhouse ingredient in this comforting soup recipe. They're loaded with good-for-you fiber and they're low in fat.
Get the Instant Pot Lentil Soup recipe.
Mediterranean Salmon-Veggie Grain Bowls
Grain bowls are so popular these days and for good reason! They're not just healthy and filling, but they're also easy to customize. Add any veggies you like or swap out the quinoa for faro instead. The options are endless.
Taco Salad
This healthy ground beef recipe is the best of both worlds. It has all the deliciousness of a taco plus it's light and healthy for any weekday lunch.
Get the Taco Salad recipe.
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
If you're looking for a healthy winter recipe, this chili is for you! It's made with lean ground turkey, protein-packed beans, and plenty of warming spices.
Get the Slow Cooker Turkey Chili recipe.
Ginger Shrimp Salad
This recipe couldn't be easier. The shrimp is marinated in a flavorful soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger and garlic mixture, then quickly cooked under the broiler for just 4 minutes. It's all served over a fresh salad with a spicy lime and ginger dressing.
Get Ree's Ginger Shrimp Salad recipe.
Tex-Mex Grain Bowls
This vegetarian lunch recipe is hearty enough for even the hungriest cowboys. Of course, you can always add some cooked ground beef or grilled chicken on top, too.
Get Ree's Tex-Mex Grain Bowls recipe.
Ham and Cheese Frittata with Caramelized Onions
If you're a breakfast-for-lunch kind of person, eggs are always a healthy (and filling) idea. Plus, frittatas can be served at room temperature so you can pack a slice or two for your brown bagged lunch.
Get Ree's Ham and Cheese Frittata with Caramelized Onions recipe.
Instant Pot Sticky Pork Lettuce Wraps
Each one of these crunchy lettuce cups is filled with sweet and spicy pulled pork, pickled onion, and sesame seeds. They're sticky and irresistibly good.
Get Ree's Instant Pot Sticky Pork Lettuce Wraps recipe.
Greek Salad
The best way to make this classic salad recipe is with a whole lot of feta cheese. Then you can serve it up with grilled chicken, shrimp, or, as Ree suggests, wrapped up in a flour tortilla.
Get Ree's Greek Salad recipe.
Cabbage Soup
There are so many health benefits when it comes to cabbage. It's rich in vitamins and a tremendous source of fiber. Plus, the beans in this soup offer a good source of plant-based protein.
Get the Cabbage Soup recipe.
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Grain Bowl
Don't wait until summer! This bbq chicken is made in an instant pot so it can be added to your lunch routine year-round. Serving it up with mango and avocado gives it a pop of fresh flavor and color.
Get Ree's Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Grain Bowl recipe.
Homemade Chicken Burgers
From time to time, you can swap out your beef burgers for a healthier, leaner chicken burger instead. It's just as flavorful and moist thanks to the sour cream, mustard, and hot sauce.
Get the Homemade Chicken Burgers recipe.
Grilled Pork Salad with Strawberries
Leafy greens never looked so good! They're mixed together with marinated pork, fresh strawberries, and a crumbly cheese—either goat cheese or blue cheese!
Get Ree's Grilled Pork Salad with Strawberries recipe.
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
Surprisingly, there's no cream in this incredibly comforting soup. Instead, the vegan soup is made with coconut milk for both flavor and creaminess.
Black Bean Burger
Ree is a big fan of these meatless burgers whether she serves it on a bun or over a salad. In fact, she even says that you can just eat the cheesy burger patty on its own!
Get Ree's Black Bean Burger recipe.
Chipotle Caesar Salad with Grilled Salmon
Adding a hearty protein to your simple salads is a great way to boost the nutrition and keep you full for longer. In this case, grilled salmon is the perfect accompaniment for a fun twist on Caesar salad.
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