20 quick lunch ideas for work
Take the stress out of packed lunches with our quick work lunches. These easily portable meals including filling wraps, hearty salads and warming soups
Get some inspiration for tasty, easy lunch ideas for work that can be made in under 30 minutes. From easily portable lunchbox ideas to warming soups for your flask, workday lunches will be an event to look forward to!
If you’re after more nourishing recipes, take a look at our healthy lunch ideas for work, all packed full of goodness. Also whip up more fuss-free family meals with our easy lunch ideas.
Or, if you’re tired of slaving away over school meals, try our quick 15 healthy lunch ideas for kids, with recipes that will banish any thoughts of crisps.
Working from home? Discover our working from home lunches as well as our healthy lunch ideas.
Discover even more stress-free recipes with our top 50 easy lunch ideas.
20 quick work lunch ideas
1. Chicken taco salad
Say goodbye to boring salads with this zesty Mexican-inspired recipe. Packed with four of your 5-a-day, this salad will trump any supermarket sandwich for health value, and it’s got a gloriously crunchy topping, too.
Use up any leftover chicken with these nutritious chicken salad recipes.
2. Tomato & pasta soup
Making soup doesn’t have to be a chore with this budget-friendly, healthy recipe, which takes just half an hour to whip up. Store in a flask to avoid leakage, or reheat at the office if you have a microwave on hand.
For more warming recipes to enjoy on a cold day, try our other soup recipes.
3. Super salad wraps
For a healthier and more exciting alternative to the classic sandwich, try these healthy wraps packed with nutritious fresh veg and bursting with flavour. Leave out the cheese for a vegan-friendly version, and wrap in food wrap or foil to avoid spillage.
Never eat a soggy sandwich again with our collection of tasty wrap recipes.
4. Vegan salad bowl
If you want a lunch that’s as good-looking as it is tasty, try this healthy vegan salad with beans, radish, pickled cabbage and couscous. It takes just 15 mins prep time and can easily be transported in a lunchbox to work.
For more office-friendly salads and plant-based snacks, check out our vegan lunch recipes and also try our veggie burrito bowl for another colourful plate.
5. Chicken wraps
Make the most of a pack of tortilla wraps in this perfectly portable work lunch. Fill them generously with chicken, charred aubergine, tomatoes, red onion, avocado and a gorgeous garlicky tahini sauce. Guaranteed to leave you satisfied, and easy to swap out with other ingredients to switch things up. Wrap up in foil and you’re ready to go!
Be the envy of your colleagues and make your own flatbreads with our easy flatbread recipes.
6. Deli-style stuffed falafel wrap
Beat the deli queues with a delicious homemade falafel wrap. Stuffed with red cabbage, cucumber, gherkin and spinach, this wrap tastes better than shop-bought, and is full of goodness to power you through the afternoon.
Use the weekend to have a go at making your own falafels with our easy healthy falafel recipe.
7. Ham, mushroom & spinach frittata
Frittatas are just as good cold as they are hot, and this filling dish will leave you satisfied while keeping the calorie count low. If you’re cooking for one, this recipe will give you two work lunches in just 13 mins.
Discover gluten-free lunches galore with both meaty and vegetarian frittata recipes.
8. Store-cupboard pasta salad
No time for a supermarket trip but need to prep tomorrow’s lunch? We’ve got you covered with this simple pasta salad made using store-cupboard ingredients. But that doesn’t mean it lacks flavour, with punchy capers and pesto pepping up this nutritious lunch.
Learn how versatile pasta can be with our collection of pasta salad recipes.
9. Caesar pitta
Love the flavours of a caesar salad but want something more filling? This pitta is stuffed full of goodness and the caesar dressing packs a punch, all taking just 10 mins to prep.
Discover pitta pizzas and pockets with our collection of pitta bread recipes.
10. Curried turkey lettuce wrap
Enjoy a low-carb, low-fat lunch with these deliciously spiced lettuce cups. A great gluten-free alternative, using lettuce instead of a tortilla wrap ups the nutrition and adds a satisfying crunch.
Find more lighter lunches with our collection of lettuce wrap recipes.
11. Tomato & black bean taco salad
Take this refreshing taco salad for a spin on a day when you’re craving something quick, fresh and crunchy. This no-cook dish can be ready on the table in just 20 minutes, with leftovers suitable for tomorrow's lunch (the salad will keep in the fridge, minus the taco shells and seeds, for a day).
See more fresh lunches with our collection of budget salad recipes.
12. Smoky chickpea salad
Crisp, fried chickpeas, crunchy raw broccoli, and a smoked paprika dressing turn this salad into a next-level lunch, offering layers of flavour and contrasting textures.
Discover lunches with health benefits with our collection of healthy vegetarian lunch recipes.
13. Broad bean, pea & ricotta frittata
Rustle up this easy frittata for your lunch, combining salty feta with fresh broad beans, peas and spring onions. Pod fresh broad beans for this, or opt for frozen for ease.
Find more ways with broad beans in our collection of broad bean recipes.
14. Ponzu tofu poke bowl
Look forward to lunch with this zingy, fresh and flavourful poke bowl with silken tofu. It's similar to a Japanese dish called ‘hiyayakko’, which is usually enjoyed at the height of summer.
Find more inspiration with our healthy Japanese-inspired recipes as well as our top recipes using tofu.
15. Harissa broccoli & flatbreads
Whip up this speedy one-pan vegetarian lunch with just five ingredients, plus some salt and oil. The accompanying no-knead flatbreads couldn’t be simpler, too.
Discover more meals made in one pan with our one-pan budget meal plan.
16. Chicken & tzatziki wraps
Make these easy and budget-friendly wraps for lunch, piling chunks of chicken, cucumber, tomatoes and tzatziki into wholemeal wraps. They only require five ingredients and take less than 30 minutes to make.
Check out these healthy chicken breast recipes for more meal inspiration.
17. Monte Cristo sandwich
Switch up your sandwich order with this sarnie inspired by the croque monsieur. Turkey, ham and Emmental are generously layered between slices of eggy bread to make a treat-yourself kind of lunch.
Add more of our high-protein lunch recipes to your rotation.
18. Air-fryer ham, cheese & egg bagel
Put your air-fryer to good use with our ham, cheese and egg bagel sandwich for lunch. We like ours served with chilli jam or red onion chutney for added tang.
Discover more speedy yet delicious 20-minute recipe ideas.
19. Spicy bean & avocado quesadillas
As well as being quick to make, these Mexican-inspired quesadillas are healthy, low in calories, plus three of your 5-a-day. They're packed with spicy and zingy flavours for a guaranteed pick-me-up.
Try more Mexican-inspired recipes, from birria tacos to black bean tostadas.
20. Tuna salad sandwich
Turn your hand to a classic tuna sandwich for lunch. To turn it into a tuna melt, simply toast the bread, then top one with cheese and grill until bubbling.
Explore our top 10 tips for crafting unforgettable sandwiches.
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