35 Easy Lunch Ideas and Recipes You Can Make in 5 Minutes (or Less!)

We hope you're hungry because these look *delish*.

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Breakfast might be the most important meal of the day, but lunch is often the most neglected. Between picking the easiest option (cold leftovers!) and thinking of lunch ideas in the midst of work, it's no wonder we need that afternoon cup of coffee so desperately. Despite what you may think, eating a healthy, delicious lunch every day doesn't mean you have to devote your entire Sunday to meal prep, and we're here to prove it. Keep reading for easy lunch ideas and recipes you can make in a matter of minutes.


Mermaid Veggie Bowl

Mermaid Veggie Bowl

Like a poke bowl, this veggie-friendly lunch is easily customizable with whatever chopped veggies you have on hand. (via Brit + Co)

Watermelon Radish Salad

Watermelon Radish Salad Watermelon radishes receive the name for their pink hue and green exterior alone. Flavor-wise, they are the opposite of sweet. The earthy, spicy veg goes best with a simple balsamic vinaigrette. (via Brit + Co)

Double Grilled Cheese

Double Grilled Cheese This version has cheese both on the inside and outside of the bread for the absolute best grilled cheese possible. (via Brit + Co)

Easy Quinoa Salad

Easy Quinoa Salad If you have leftover quinoa, add in all your fave fruits (dried or fresh), nuts, and herbs for a psuedograin salad that will satiate. (via Brit + Co)

Grilled Fluffernutter

Grilled Fluffernutter As long as you have all the ingredients on hand, you can certainly whip up this nostalgic bite in 5 minutes. (via Brit + Co)

Shaved-Egg Avocado Toast

Shaved-Egg Avocado Toast Beef up your usual avocado toast with a shaved hard-boiled egg, salt, and pepper. After noshing on that, you’ll have all the energy you need to conquer the rest of your day. (via How Sweet Eats)

Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad

Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad

Juicy grapes, tart apples, and cranberries is comfort food between two slices. (via Damn Delicious)

Easy Chickpea Spinach Salad

Easy Chickpea Spinach Salad This is one amazing salad in terms of taste, nutritional value, and meal prep-ability. (via She Likes Food)

Quick Spinach-Artichoke Turkey Panini

Quick Spinach-Artichoke Turkey Panini This panini is packed with fresh turkey, spinach-artichoke dip, and sun-dried tomatoes. Buy pre-made dip and already sliced turkey, and lunch basically makes itself. (via Whitney Bond)

Pear + Blue Cheese Flatbread

Pear + Blue Cheese Flatbread The combination of sweet pears with salty blue cheese and prosciutto (on a piece of naan) makes this a toaster-oven lunch you’ll crave even after you’re done eating it. (via Plain Chicken)

Sweet Potato Tostadas

Sweet Potato Tostadas Make this mouthwatering lunch extra easily with store-bought tostadas, which you spread with refried beans and your choice of taco toppings, such as shredded sweet potato and grated cheese. (via She Likes Food)

Asian Chicken Salad Healthy + Easy

Asian Chicken Salad Healthy + Easy Use a store-bought rotisserie chicken for this salad, and you’ll have plenty of leftovers for the rest of the week. (via Damn Delicious)

Coconut Bacon BLT

Coconut Bacon BLT Use pre-made coconut bacon (or your favorite meat substitute) to make this soft-yet-crispy vegetarian BLT in no time. (via Hello Glow)

Keto Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps

Keto Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps

This handheld take on chicken salad will please your tummy and your carb count. (via Brit + Co)

Super Quick Shrimp Avocado Salad

Super Quick Shrimp Avocado Salad Three-minute poached shrimp, avocado, cucumber, and fresh herbs compose a salad you never knew your lunch repertoire needed. (via Pinch of Yum)

Chicken Cobb Salad

Chicken Cobb Salad Use leftover chicken, pre-crumbled bacon, hard-boiled eggs, and your favorite dressing to quickly assemble a hearty lunch that hardly feels like a salad. (via No. 2 Pencil)

Mason-Jar Ramen

Mason-Jar Ramen

Pre-cooked protein and veggies don't just have to form grain bowls. Liven up your lunch with a fun, healthier take on Cup Noodles. (via Brit + Co)

We'd love to hear from you in the comments below with of these are your favorite easy lunch ideas and recipes. Next time you reach for a delivery app, remember there are definitely some secret weapons in your refrigerator or cupboard that can fill you up and save you money! Be sure to check out our new online baking and cooking classes as well!

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