Once you try these, you may never go back to picking up takeout.
Especially when you're at work (whether it's at your office or home), trying to eat healthier at lunch time can be tricky. We know healthy doesn’t have to mean boring, but it’s easy to fall into a rut when you’re packing or making your lunch 5+ days a week. Don’t even get us started on how easy it is to ditch that healthy habit and start hitting the takeout spots. Sound familiar? We’ve got you. Whether you’re looking for salads or wraps, grain bowls or sandwiches, we’ve got a ton of healthy recipes here for you. Bonus: You’ll save a ton of $$$ on takeout and delivery (win win!). Check out our 72 healthy packed lunches for ideas—once you start bringing these, you might never go back to boring, expensive lunches again.
We know health looks different to different people, so we’ve included options for a variety of diets here, like low-carb, vegan, pescatarian, and gluten-free. Looking for something low-carb? Try our taco tomatoes, our cilantro-lime shrimp wraps, or our Philly cheesesteak cabbage wraps. They’re full of flavor, but skip the bread and tortillas. (Hot tip: If you are cool with bread and tortillas, these recipes are killer all wrapped up too!) Craving a plant-based lunch? Check out our vegan crunchwraps, our warm tahini ramen noodles, our Greek chickpea salad, or our caramelized tofu lettuce cups. They're great whether you're ditching meat for life or just for lunch. Love a rice bowl? Us too. Get inspired by the flavors of our copycat Chipotle burrito bowls, our steak grain bowls, our goddess bowls, our , or our Reuben bowls. Swap in healthier, nutty brown rice when you can, and then swap in and out your favorite toppings 'til you find your perfect bowl. Craving a good old fashioned salad? Try our BBQ chicken salad, our copycat Panera Bread strawberry poppyseed salad, our taco salad, or our Caribbean Cobb salad. They’ll help you feel full, and will keep you going 'til dinnertime.
Speaking of getting through 'til dinner, check out our healthy snacks for work. They're just the pick-me-up to get you through whatever your work day throws at you. Need something to carry it all in? Check out our top lunch containers too.
1
Goddess Bowls
A good sauce changes everything, and this green goddess dressing is one of our favorites yet. The veggies here are interchangeable, but in the spirit of goddess dressing, we think green is the way to go. Roasted asparagus, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts are all good choices.
Get the Goddess Bowls recipe.
2
Indian Butter Chickpeas
Looking for your new favorite way to dress up canned chickpeas? You’re in the right place. Simmered in an aromatic tomato gravy, this vegetarian spin on classic butter chicken will forever change the way you look at a can of beans.
Get the Indian Butter Chickpeas recipe.
3
Copycat Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl
Attention, Sweetgreen lovers! Your regular weekday lunch is about to get an instant upgrade. Loaded with roast chicken, sweet potato, and that signature balsamic vinaigrette, our copycat version of Sweetgreen’s beloved harvest bowl will make your favorite takeout lunch an everyday reality.
Get the Copycat Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl recipe.
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4
Ultimate Veggie Sandwich
There's something so special and refreshing about a sandwich that is absolutely packed to the gills with veggies. The miso eggplant in here makes this one extra special.
Get the Ultimate Veggie Sandwich recipe.
5
Big Mac Salad
Got a craving for a Big Mac, but avoiding the drive-thru? This salad is for you—it's got everything you love, minus the bun!
Get the Big Mac Salad recipe.
6
One Skillet Creamy Thai Basil Chicken
This totally delicious mashup of coconut rice and Thai basil chicken gets lunch done in one skillet. It's typically served over steamed rice, but pairing it with coconut rice and eating it as a lettuce wrap is a great way to switch up the dish.
Get the One Skillet Creamy Thai Basil Chicken recipe.
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7
Pinwheel Sandwiches
Pinwheel sandwiches are here with their totally retro swirls, ready to be packed into lunchboxes or eaten as an afternoon snack. To make them, you'll layer flour tortillas with ranch-flavored mayonnaise, sliced cheese, deli meats, and lettuce. All that's left to do is roll them up tightly and slice. Simple!
Get the Pinwheel Sandwiches recipe.
8
Philly Cheesesteak Lettuce Wraps
You won't miss the hoagie in these low-carb Philly Cheesesteak lettuce wraps. Yes, they're made with provolone—NOT Cheez Whiz. And before you get all riled up, no, they're not in any way authentic. We'll be the first to admit it!
Get the Philly Cheesesteak Lettuce Wraps recipe.
9
Panera Thai Chicken Salad
If you were shocked and dismayed when Panera Bread discontinued their Thai Chicken Salad, today’s your lucky day. Featuring chicken breast, blistered vegetables, and that iconic peanut sauce drizzle, our copycat version of this beloved Panera classic allows you to enjoy it at home any time you like.
Get the Panera Thai Chicken Salad recipe.
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10
Best Chicken Salad
Classic chicken salad is a delicious lunch staple that expertly combines well-seasoned chicken, a rich mayo dressing, plenty of fresh celery, and a touch of acid. We'd argue that our balance of add-ins here is the pinnacle, but once you nail the chicken and the dressing, you can feel free to spread your wings and give it your own personal flair.
Get the Best Chicken Salad recipe.
11
Buffalo Chicken Wrap
This wrap is just as easy to customize as it is to make. Feel free to adjust the spices to add more or less heat, swap out the slaw for lettuce, the blue cheese sauce with ranch dressing, use cauliflower or tofu instead of meat, or try Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise.
Get the Buffalo Chicken Wrap recipe.
12
Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl
While we’re all about switching things up, when we want a tried-and-true perfect meal, we always go back to the chicken burrito bowl at Chipotle. It’s classic, reliable, and, best of all, completely customizable depending on our mood. We’ve included copycat recipes here for all our favorite burrito bowl toppings, but feel free to swap them in and out for yours!
Get the Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl recipe.
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13
Chicken Caesar Wraps
Ask a random Delish employee what they’re going to order for lunch from a deli, and at least half of them will respond with a chicken Caesar wrap. And there’s very little question as to why! It’s one of the all-time best salads, tossed into a wrap. It’s simple yet timeless, like many of our favorite recipes are.
Get the Chicken Caesar Wraps recipe.
14
Greek Stuffed Peppers
Filled with zucchini, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives and sharp crumbled feta, these tender stuffed peppers have all the flavors you love from a Greek salad, plus a hearty addition from herby chicken breast and couscous.
Get the Greek Stuffed Peppers recipe.
15
Sushi Bake
Recipes only go viral when they’re insanely good or insanely bad, and this sushi bake falls firmly at the top of the “insanely good” list. This easy casserole is the perfect entry point for trying your hand at making sushi at home or introducing sushi to picky kiddos. Plus, it’s exactly like your favorite spicy roll.
Get the Sushi Bake recipe.
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16
Caramelized Tofu Lettuce Cups
Sweet, sour, and salty, these lettuce cups are ripe for improvisation and can be served with all sorts of accompaniments. Crunchy raw vegetables like cucumbers, bell peppers, and carrots can add heft, and a drizzle of chili oil is a must for spice lovers. If lettuce isn’t cutting it, a heaping spoonful of rice is a perfect pairing too.
Get the Caramelized Tofu Lettuce Cups recipe.
17
Taco Salad
When it comes to healthy salads, none are more hearty than a taco salad. Load it up with veggies, cheese, and ground beef for the perfect satisfying lunch. We love this classic version, but if you want to get fancy, feel free to swap in and out your fave toppings.
Get the Taco Salad recipe.
18
Cottage Cheese Alfredo
This classic creamy sauce already had a place in our hearts, but adding cottage cheese and spinach took the love to new heights. The cottage cheese-based sauce comes together in a blender or food processor in a few seconds, then simmered to thick, velvety, cheesy perfection before getting tossed with fresh spinach and al dente fettuccine.
Get the Cottage Cheese Alfredo recipe.
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19
Creamy Tomato Vegan Pasta
Rich and creamy with deep tomato flavor, this is the vegan pasta to make if you're a lifelong dairy lover. Vegan or not, this indulgent pasta is sure to have looking forward to lunch.
Get the Creamy Tomato Vegan Pasta recipe.
20
Stuffed Peppers
The bell pepper is an excellent vessel for stuffing ground beef (or turkey or chicken!), rice, and, of course, cheese. It's strong enough to hold its shape in the oven, and the flavor is subtle enough to go well with just about anything. This is our favorite recipe but the customization options are endless.
Get the Stuffed Peppers recipe.
