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

Breakfast might be the most important meal of the day, but lunch is often the most neglected. Between picking the easiest option (fast food!) and finding the time in the midst of a busy schedule, it’s no wonder we need that afternoon cup of coffee so badly. 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 quick lunch recipes you can make in a matter of minutes.

1. 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)

2. 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)

3. 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)

4. 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)

5. 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)

6. 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)

7. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad: Juicy grapes, tart apples, and cranberries give your local deli’s chicken salad a run for its money. (via Damn Delicious)

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

9. 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)

10. 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)

11. 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)

12. Asian Chicken Salad: 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)

13. 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)

14. Keto Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps: Whether you’re sitting in the cafeteria or running to a meeting, this handheld take on chicken salad will please your tummy and your carb count. (via Brit + Co)

15. 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)

16. 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)

17. 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)

18. Chickpea Lettuce Wraps: With a filling made of chickpeas, walnuts, celery, and raisins, these lettuce wraps will become a fast favorite. (via Show Me the Yummy)

19. Egg and Vegetable Bagel Sandwich: Light fluffy egg whites (just 90 seconds in the microwave!) are sandwiched between your favorite bagel for weekday brunch. (via Foodie Crush)

20. Chicken Caprese Sandwich: Take leftover chicken from last night’s dinner, and put it on a slice of toasted baguette with thick tomato slices and a sprinkle of cheese. Slide the whole thing under the broiler for a minute, and you’re ready to eat. (via Iowa Girl Eats)

21. Egg, Avocado, and Pesto Bagel Sandwich: Fluffy eggs (which you could even cook in the microwave for extra speediness) are sandwiched between your favorite bagel for weekday brunch in minutes. (via Two Peas and Their Pod)

22. Open-Faced Tuna Melt: You’re only using one slice of bread for this toasty tuna melt, so the layer of cheese and potato chips is totally justified. (via Brit + Co)

23. Superfood Egg Salad Sandwich: Health-ify classic egg salad with Greek yogurt in place of some of the mayonnaise, plus mixed seeds and lots of green color from spinach, avocado, and baby shoots. After noshing on that, you’ll have all the energy you need to conquer the rest of your day. (via Brit + Co)

24. Shrimp-Stuffed Avocado: Pile spicy, citrusy shrimp salad into a halved avocado (instead of over greens) for a dose of healthy fat and creamy texture. (via Brit + Co)

25. Caprese Avocado Salad: A light and refreshing salad full of cubed avocado, fresh balls of mozzarella, and a balsamic vinaigrette dressing is the ultimate lunch for a sweltering day. (via Damn Delicious)

26. BBQ Tofu-Stuffed Pita Pockets: Make this simple BBQ recipe and refrigerate for an easy weekday lunch solution. Note: You definitely don’t have to be vegan to enjoy these tasty pita pockets, believe us! (via Brit + Co)

27. Mason Jar Chicken Ramen: It’s time to upgrade your Cup Noodles! Just add hot water to this make-ahead recipe for a seriously gourmet meal! (via Brit + Co)

28. Beet Hummus Bowl: This tastes as good as it looks! Get your daily fill of veggies dipped in flavorful (and very filling) hummus! (via Brit + Co)

29. Spring Chicken Salad: If a salad sounds too light, consider this savory chicken, potato, and pine-nut packed recipe instead. (via Brit + Co)

30. Mason Jar Lasagna: Spend Sunday night fixing up these babies and the rest of the week enjoying a speedy — and very comforting — lunch. (via Brit + Co)

31. Caprese Salad: Nothing beats this fresh and fragrant combo. We especially love a take on the classic when it involves cheese-stuffed tomatoes! (via Brit + Co)

32. Sweet Potato Toast with Spicy Chickpeas: Swap out the carbs for a slice of sweet potato and you won’t remember that you’re missing anything. Spiced chickpeas give this easy chick-peasy lunch even more substance and a little kick! (via Brit + Co)

33. Veggie-Stuffed Picnic Rolls: No meat, no problem. This scrumptious and veggie-packed ‘wich will give you that much need, midday nourishment. (via Brit + Co)

34. Thai Chicken Lettuce Wrap: Everything good tastes better wrapped. This lightweight yet hearty lunch is as tasty as it is pretty! (via Brit + Co)

35. Avocado Toast: Introducing avo toast 2.0 — because sometimes you need to go just beyond the basics. (via Brit + Co)

RELATED: 9 of Our Fave Coffees-in-a-Can for On-the-Go Caffeination

Additional reporting by Sara Cagle

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.