Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
Credit: Ali Redmond
When you’re short on time, you can still make a healthy vegetarian lunch that will help you power through the afternoon. Whether you prefer a simple salad packed with veggies, a tasty sandwich or a hearty grain bowl, there’s something for you in this mix. You need just 10 minutes in the kitchen to pull together recipes like our Cucumber-Avocado Sandwich and our No-Cook White Bean & Spinach Caprese Salad.
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Cucumber-Avocado Sandwich
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.
This creamy, crunchy sandwich layers salty feta, crisp cucumber and silky avocado between slices of whole-wheat toast. A simple yogurt-feta spread adds richness and tang, while spinach and red onion bring freshness and bite, perfect for a quick lunch.
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Easy Chickpea Salad Lunch Box
Credit: Ali Redmond
This easy chickpea salad lunch box is a fresh, no-cook lunch that’s perfect for busy weekdays. Chickpeas are tossed with crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes and a splash of lemon juice and olive oil for a refreshing bite. It’s easy to scale up the recipe to prep multiple servings at once, so you can stock your fridge with grab-and-go lunches for the week. Just remember to add the crackers on the day you plan to enjoy it to keep them crunchy and delicious.
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No-Cook White Bean & Spinach Caprese Salad
This easy white bean and spinach caprese salad features the classic combination of juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fragrant basil and tangy balsamic vinegar, but adds tender white beans and fresh baby spinach to the mix. If you can’t find mozzarella pearls, cut or tear a fresh ball of mozzarella into bite-size pieces instead. If you like your salad with a little kick, try swapping out the spinach for arugula or use spring mix for a more mild flavor.
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Cucumber-Spinach Sandwich
Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This cucumber-spinach sandwich is light and refreshing, combining crisp cucumbers with tender spinach for a fresh, green bite. Layered on whole-grain bread with a creamy spread, it’s both simple and satisfying. Perfect for a quick lunch at work or at home, this sandwich is a no-fuss option.
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Cheese Dreams with Tomatoes
Credit: Abbey Littlejohn
Cheese Dreams are nostalgic open-faced cheesy toasts—simple, satisfying and perfect for lunch. This version is inspired by a family favorite: juicy tomato slices layered under melted Cheddar cheese on crisp whole-wheat toast. Toasting the bread first keeps it from getting soggy under the tomatoes. Watch out: The scalding cheese-and-tomato can burn the roof of your mouth if you’re not careful. I like to eat mine with a fork and knife to cool off each bite, but feel free to eat these however you choose.
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The Only High-Protein Mason Jar Salad Formula You Need
Credit: Ali Redmond
Mason jar salads make for a convenient lunch that can easily be taken on the go or enjoyed at home. With just a few ingredients, you have a well-rounded lunch packed with fiber, protein and micronutrients that won’t spike your blood sugars. This nutritious Mason jar salad allows plenty of room for customization based on your preferences.
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Get Your Greens Wrap
Credit: Sara Haas
This healthy, quick wrap is packed with plenty of green vegetables—cucumber, sprouts and lettuce add crunch, avocado lends creaminess and edamame provides some plant-based protein.
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Chickpea Salad Sandwich
Credit: Photographer: Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
This vegan chickpea salad sandwich is lemony, bright and surprisingly delicious. It’s got all the flavors of a classic tuna salad sandwich—dill, lemon and a bit of garlic—but with chickpeas instead to add a vegan source of protein and a healthy boost of fiber. Celery brings a nice crunch.
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Open-Face Goat Cheese Sandwich with Tomato & Avocado Salad
This simple lunch comes together in just 10 minutes, making it a great option for busy days.
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Avocado Egg Salad
This quick recipe takes classic egg salad to the next level with the addition of creamy avocado. Serve it on a piece of toasted whole-grain bread or inside a tender lettuce leaf. Avocados brown quickly, so plan on making it no more than two hours before you plan to serve it.
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Falafel Tabbouleh Bowls with Tzatziki
Meal-prepping a week’s worth of lunches doesn’t need to take hours in the kitchen. These Greek-inspired meal-prep bowls can be prepared in just 10 minutes and only require 4 ingredients–greens, falafel, tabbouleh and tzatziki. We love going to our local specialty grocery store for fast shortcut ingredients like these. The high-fiber falafel and tabbouleh will help to keep you feeling satisfied all afternoon.
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Buffalo Chickpea Salad
Credit: Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly
We took all the flavors you know and love from Buffalo wings and used them in this plant-based chickpea salad. Celery adds a satisfying crunch, while blue cheese provides a cooling element to balance the spicy sauce. Serve on top of leafy greens or use as a sandwich filling.
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Gut-Friendly Veggie Sandwich
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
This high-fiber sandwich features a tangy yogurt spread for a probiotic boost, plus shaved asparagus for a healthy dose of prebiotics to support a healthy gut. Shaving is a great way to enjoy raw asparagus. To shave the asparagus, use a vegetable peeler to peel the spears lengthwise.
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English Muffin Pizza with Tomato & Olives
Credit: Ted & Chelsea Cavanaugh
This pizza-inspired English muffin topped with tomato, cheese, olives and oregano does triple duty—it’s great as a snack or as part of a delicious breakfast or lunch.
Read the original article on EatingWell
