Today I’m sharing 75 favorite lunch ideas to inspire your 2021 meal planning — perfect timing for the new year.
Whether you’re still working from home or returning to the office, these lunches can be prepared ahead of time so your midday meal is stress-free and delicious.
I love an egg-topped avocado toast or simply roasted vegetables for lunch, but I know that’s not always practical when you’re out of the house. All of the ideas below are easy to make in advance and still taste great at lunchtime.
For me, the difference between a satisfying lunch and a “sad desk lunch” is flavor and substance. While I include plenty of hearty salads below, you’ll also find soups, bowls and hot meals — options that feel more like dinner and hold up well as leftovers. If you need a truly filling midday meal (Eddie, I’m looking at you), there are plenty of those here.
75 LUNCH IDEAS FOR 2021
CLASSICS
These are tried-and-true favorites — recipes I turn to often and ones readers consistently love.
The Best Ever Egg Salad
Smashed Chickpea Salad
Summer Chicken Salad
Tomato and Avocado Bagelwiches
Green Goddess Tuna Melts
Nicoise Bagel Sandwiches
Crunchy Roasted Chickpea Pitas (pack the chickpeas separately with hummus and tomatoes for freshness)
Loaded Hummus Havarti Veggie Sandwiches
Thai Turkey Burgers (great made ahead and served on salads or in wraps)
Asian Turkey Burgers (also excellent for prepping ahead)
Tuscan Tuna Melts
Goat Cheese Tartines with Egg Vinaigrette
Southwest Chicken Salad Slider Melts
Chicken Salad Stuffed Avocados (peel and stuff the avocado just before eating)
Shaved Egg Avocado Toast (or simply slice the egg for an easy option)
Smoked Salmon Bagels with roasted-vegetable cream cheese
Breakfast Quinoa — filling enough to enjoy for lunch
Marinated White Beans with Toast (or serve with whole grain crackers)
Lemon Almond Roast Chicken Salad
Greek Chicken Lettuce Wrap
SALADS & BOWLS
Most of these salads can be prepped the night before. If a salad doesn’t include protein, add your favorite (chicken, chickpeas, tuna, etc.). Several of these—like Greek salads and chickpea-based options—improve as they sit and develop flavor.
Cilantro Lime Tortellini Salad
Warm Winter Farro Salad
Roasted Salmon Salad with Hot Ginger Dressing
Grilled Chicken Strawberry Poppyseed Salad
Honey Mustard Chicken Chopped Salad
Roasted Cauliflower Farro Salad
Summer Squash Pasta with Goat Cheese
Rosemary Chicken, Bacon and Avocado Salad
Mediterranean Kale Salad with Chicken
Cheeseburger Chopped Salad
Fuji Apple Chicken Salad
Slow Roasted Tomato Farro Salad
My Favorite Greek Salad
Crispy Chickpea Chopped Salad
Chickpea Bacon Ranch Chopped Salad
Winter Crunch Salad
Honeycrisp Quinoa Kale Salad
Nacho Quinoa Taco Salad
Black Pepper Balsamic Strawberry Pasta Salad
Goat Cheese and Arugula Pasta Salad
BBQ Quinoa Salad
Baja Grain Bowls
Honey Chipotle Chicken Bowls
Thai Chicken Quinoa Bowl
BLT Chopped Salad (with corn, feta and avocado)
Greek Orzo Salad in a Jar — great for transport
The Best Simple Chickpea Salad
Ramen Noodle Crunch Salad
SOUPS
Soups are ideal for make-ahead lunches. For soups with pasta, cook the pasta separately and add it just before eating to keep texture. I often make a batch and freeze half so lunches are ready weeks later.
Easy Maple Turkey Chili
Fire Roasted Minestrone with Kale Pesto
Chicken Taco Soup
Lemon Chicken Soup
30 Minute Asian Chicken Soup
Game Day Chili
White Chicken Quinoa Chili
Mini Chicken Meatball Soup
Butternut Squash Quinoa Chili
Ginger Sweet Potato Soup
Chickpea Pasta Soup
Spicy Sausage, Kale & Whole Wheat Pasta Soup
MEALS
Here are heartier dishes that feel like dinner but make excellent leftovers for lunch. They reheat well and offer more substance if you prefer a hot, filling midday meal.
Bruschetta Quinoa Zucchini Boats
Cashew Shrimp and Mango Stir Fry
20 Minute Basil Chickpea Curry
One Pot Salsa Chicken Quinoa
Korean Chicken with Coconut Rice
Kung Pao Cauliflower
Grilled Vegetable Orzo
Chicken Feta Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles
Broccoli Bacon Pasta
Broccoli Cheddar Spaghetti Squash
Pasta with Chickpeas, Spinach and Garlic
15 Minute Sesame Ramen Noodles
Farfalle with Arugula, Pine Nuts and Marinated Feta
Chicken Enchilada Stuffed Peppers
One Pan Sesame Chicken
Sesame Chicken and Green Bean Skillet
Slow Cooker Mini Turkey Meatballs
Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers
Korean Beef Bowls
Thai Drunken Zucchini Noodles with Honey Chicken
What are your go-to lunches? Whether you meal-prep on Sundays or toss something together each morning, I’d love to hear your favorite ideas — share them below!