20 lean lunches To Fill Your Belly, not Fatten It
Preparing your own lunch gives you the power to control the quality of ingredients, manage portion sizes, and track your macros, whether it’s fats, proteins, or any other focus. As many of us kick off the year with health and weight goals in mind, we’re here to assist you with easy-to-pack lunches that keep you energized throughout the day. Our options include vegan and vegetarian meals, dishes you can heat up, and others perfect for eating on-the-go. We even have a meal-prep bowl made entirely from just four convenient ingredients! Cheers to your health!
Baja Tempeh Taco Salad
Our plant-based Baja Tempeh Taco Salad features spicy, seasoned tempeh as the star of the show, but it doesn’t stop there! In addition to cumin, cayenne, smoked paprika and oregano tempered with maple syrup and soy sauce we have a fresh crunchy salad with arugula, cilantro, cabbage and pepitas. More texture and flavor from nutritional yeast and tortilla chips top everything off with a garlicky lime dressing. Get the recipe.
Vegan Chickpea Salad
Chickpeas are full of fiber and protein and can be made into more than just hummus! Here they are kept whole and combined with diced vegetables in creamy dressing. Get the recipe for Chickpea Salad.
Avocado Green Goddess Veggie Sandwich
Vegan and looking for a hearty, nutritious lunch? Our Vegan Avocado Green Goddess Veggie Sandwich entices visually, and then deeply satisfies with flavor and texture. LOFO sourdough bread layered with our Vegan Avocado Green Goddess Dressing, alfalfa sprouts, cucumber, arugula and the option of vegan cheese. Get the recipe.
Mason Jar Salads
“Mason” jars are glass, and might not b the best choice for the kids, but you can use any con trainer you like. The idea is to layer proteins, vegetables, fresh herbs, legumes, cheese – any and everything that you might use at the salad bar. Choose your favorite jar and follow our suggestions for satisfying, creative main dish salads. We like to pack dressing separately. Get the recipe.
Gluten Free Fusilli Pasta Salad with Chickpeas & Feta
The combination of pasta and chickpeas means that this is an especially hearty dish. It is quite the complete experience with the juicy tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. Speaking of cucumbers, I like the small Persian style cukes as their skin is tender – no need to peel – and they are practically seedless. Get the recipe.
Tofu Salad
Tofu Salad is easy, protein packed and versatile enough to serve as a sandwich filling, on a bed of greens or just scoop up with something crunchy of your choice, like crackers, corn chips or pretzels. A little mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, a spritz of lemon juice, salt and pepper, chopped carrot, celery and scallion greens and lunch is ready! The only trick is that you have to freeze the tofu overnight, so plan ahead. Full explanation below. Get the recipe.
The BEST Summer Rolls
Our Summer Rolls recipe is dairy-free and gluten-free, and can be stuffed with shrimp, or kept vegan with tofu. Rice vermicelli, cilantro, mint, lettuce, cucumber, scallion, cabbage – and our very own special pickled carrot that come together in a flash. The recipe has links for our homemade Sweet Chili Sauce, and also our peanut butter and ginger based Hoisin. Get the recipe for The BEST Summer Rolls.
Tuna Macaroni Salad
A mash up of classic macaroni salad – with tuna added! Protein and pasta with a creamy dressing. A family favorite. Get the recipe.
Italian Instant Pot Chicken Stew Recipe
Short on time but want to make a nutritious and comforting stew? This Instant Pot chicken stew recipe needs to happen! Italian chicken stew takes just 10 minutes to prep and combines simple, everyday ingredients like mirepoix (onions, celery, and carrots), tender chunks of chicken thighs, crushed tomatoes, garbanzo beans, and Italian seasoning. Let the pressure cooker do its work and you’ll have a Instant Pot chicken thigh stew that’s full of flavor (and it’s even better the next day!).
Serve this simple chicken stew recipe with a slice of garlic bread and a simple green salad or air fryer broccoli and cauliflower to round it out as the calories are a little low for a full meal. It’s a must for colder months when you need a hearty stew! Get the recipe.
Ground Turkey Meal Prep Bowl Recipe (4 Trader Joe’s Ingredients)
Looking for some trader joe’s meal prep ideas? This ground turkey meal prep bowl recipe is so EASY + HEALTHY and takes just 20 minutes to make!
When it comes to meal prep ideas, I have some criteria: FAST. EASY. HEALTHY. Because isn’t that the point of meal prep? To essentially batch cook meals that are made with nutritious ingredients (like this turkey and quinoa meal prep!) so that you can nourish yourself well throughout the week when life is a bit busy. Get the recipe.
Mediterranean Bean Salad
With fresh produce and simple ingredients, this Mediterranean bean salad is a satisfying and filling salad that should definitely be served at your next outdoor bbq and picnic. Serve with grilled chicken, fish, or shrimp, or simply enjoy as a quick and easy go-to lunch! Get the recipe.
Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls
Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls are the perfect gluten free appetizers to make when you want easy, healthy finger foods with loads of flavor! My favorite way to add a little kick is with my favorite hot sauce. So for the perfect mix of hot and cool in a fun appetizer or light dinner recipe, roll up a batch of Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls.
Italian Chicken Wrap Recipe
If you love wraps, this healthy Italian chicken wrap is definitely a delicious option for your meal prep, for an easy lunch or dinner.
This quick, easy, and healthy recipe is great for lunch or dinner. With fresh vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes, and sliced chicken, it’s a healthy choice for any meal of the day, especially lunch! Get the recipe.
Thai Peanut Chicken Wraps
These quick and easy, Thai peanut chicken wraps are made with a delicious peanut sauce and lots of fresh vegetables for a wonderful Thai-inspired chicken wrap.
If you love wraps like I do, this is a great recipe to take for lunch or enjoy for dinner. It has Thai-inspired flavors and is quite adjustable to your tastes. Get the recipe.
Vegan Curry Tempeh Salad Wrap
Vegan Curry Tempeh Salad Wrap! This plant-based sandwich is SO good! Curried tempeh salad with raisins, sunflower seeds, carrots, celery and more. So good, a must try, perfect for packed lunches. Get the recipe for Vegan Curry Tempeh Salad Wrap.
Chicken & Rice Salad with Fresh Basil and Lemon
This Chicken and Rice Salad with Fresh Basil and Lemon is a refreshing and flavorful recipe that combines tender chicken, hearty rice, and fragrant basil with a tangy lemon dressing. It is easy to make and perfect for a light lunch or dinner. Get the recipe.
Vegan Buddha Bowl
This Vegan Buddha Bowl recipe features the most luscious lemon tahini dressing. It is a delicious gluten-free grain bowl with a rainbow of vegetables. Perfect for healthy meal prep. Get the recipe.
Greek Rice Bowls
Meet your newest meal prep recipe: Greek chicken rice bowls! These Greek rice bowls are the perfect make-ahead meal to eat alllllllll week long.
They are made with a base of rice (hence the rice bowl recipe name!) and topped with Greekish seasoned chicken and vegetables. Everything’s finished with a sprinkle of feta and a fresh squeeze of lemon juice. Get the recipe.
I make this vegan egg salad at least once a month and it’s one of my favorite sandwich fillings. I actually like it much more than traditional egg salad as I think that egg yolks with mayo tastes almost mealy. Not so with this tofu egg salad! It really is the best. Get the recipe for Vegan Egg Salad.
Ultimate High Protein Vegan Caesar Salad
Are you ready for the ultimate high protein vegan Caesar salad? The one that’s covered in a creamy, vegan Caesar dressing and topped with crispy tempeh bacon bits, crispy chickpea croutons and homemade vegan parmesan cheese. Get the recipe for Vegan Caesar Salad.
