53 Quick Lunch Recipes to Brighten the Workday
It’s midday, you’re working, the Slack channels are pinging, and your stomach starts to growl. Is it going to be boxed mac and cheese again? Consider these easy lunch ideas instead: lettuce wraps with ground chicken that’s ready after seven minutes in a skillet, or quick-cooking rice noodles with crunchy fresh veggies, or tuna salad leveled up with chickpeas. There are 50 more quick and easy lunch ideas where those came from (in the list below; that’s where they came from), and we think you deserve to try them all. Yes, you deserve to step away from the desk and take a proper pause to enjoy a tasty lunch!
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Tim Ferro1/53Just-Keeps-Getting-Better Lentil Salad
Here’s the answer to your question: “What can I make on Sunday night that will taste great for my 10:30 a.m. desk lunch on Wednesday?” Yes, there’s meal prep, but it’s full-on meal prep, as in this easy lunch is ready to go whenever you are; just pull it out of the fridge and eat.
Photograph by Eva Kolenko. Food styling by Susie Theodorou. Set design by Kira Corbin. On set producer: Jennifer Thomas2/53Mango and Avocado Salad
Actor and cookbook author Ayesha Curry developed this cooling salad recipe as a side dish, but we love it as a light lunch on those hot days when we've had a heartier breakfast.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Micah Morton, prop styling by Dayna Seman.3/53Gochujang-Sesame Noodles
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Gerri K. Williams4/53A Perfect Tuna Melt
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou5/53Lentil Burgers
Yes, the world needs another veggie burger: this one. It’s a cinch to put together if you make the patties ahead of time; they keep in the fridge for four days and need just six minutes to crisp up.
Photo by Emma Fishman, Plates by Meilen Ceramics6/53Healthyish Chicken Salad
This recipe is where quick and easy lunch ideas meet healthy lunch ideas: It's got tender poached chicken breast, crisp greens, cucumbers, and scallions—and no mayonnaise!
Gentl & Hyers7/53Turkey Club with Herb Mayo
Swap in your favorite store-bought turkey meat for the dry-brined bird in this recipe and it's a 15-minute club sandwich—crunchy bacon, DIY spread, and all.
Photo by Chelsie Craig8/53Chickpea and Chorizo Tostadas
These crunchy tostadas hit all the satisfying notes: herby yogurt sauce, a filling chorizo-chickpea combo, and a zingy hit of lime juice.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich9/53Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Low investment and high reward, this not-so-traditional riff on larb is the unofficial late-night meal of much of the BA staff—but it’s just as satisfying as a workday lunch. It’s filling, but it won’t slow you down before those afternoon meetings.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Chris Morocco, prop styling by Emily Eisen11/53Spicy Pork Bowl With Greens and Carrots
This is the kind of comfort food that doesn't make you want to take a nap. In fact, it's the perfect fuel for the rest of the workday: Giving pork tenderloin the bulgogi-esque treatment makes it super savory, and the carrots and collard greens are just kissed by the heat.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Emily Eisen12/53Rice Noodles with Cashew Sauce and Crunchy Veg
Gentl & Hyers13/53Egg Salad Tartines with Mixed Herbs
Not a mayo maker? That’s okay; we said these were easy recipes for lunch. Take your favorite brand of mayonnaise and doctor it with a little vinegar and hot sauce.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Aneta Florczyk14/53New-and-Improved Greek Salad
When you hear the word "marinade," you tend to think "lots of time," but this recipe proves that's not always the case. The (quick!) method for marinating feta works for other fresh cheeses, too—try goat, mozzarella, or paneer.
