Last updated on March 25, 2021 at 02:47 pm
Lunch always tends to be the hardest meal of the day to organize, and if you’ve recently switched to a plant-based diet, maybe it’s becoming tougher than ever.
You’re tight on time, away from home, and trying to get work done. But just because you only have time for a quick lunch doesn’t mean that it can’t be healthy.
Plant-based meals are a great way to increase your vegetable, protein, and grain intake and are an easy way to eat clean and healthy food.
So whether you’re eating on the go, at your desk, or planning a lunch for friends, we’ve found the quickest and most delicious plant-based lunch ideas to help you eat healthier.
1. Rice Paper Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce
These rice paper rolls will look delicious in your lunch box and will make your co-workers jealous.
Filled with colorful vegetables like avocado, bell peppers, and cabbage, they’re a light but filling plant-based lunch idea. They are perfect for dipping in the zingy peanut sauce. Plus, you can customize them with your favorite vegetables.
Get the full recipe here.
2. Spicy Chickpea and Roasted Veggie Pitas
Stuffed with roasted vegetables and spiced chickpeas, these plant-based pitas are a delicious alternative to your standard sandwich. High in protein and vitamin C, these pitas will do more than just fill your stomach.
The spice combination of paprika, cumin, and coriander makes this meal a flavor explosion. These pitas are so impressive, you could even serve them as a plant-based dinner.
Get the full recipe here.
3. Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta
On a cold rainy day, there’s nothing quite like a bowl of pasta to warm you up. This creamy tomato pasta hits just the spot and is a great alternative to cheesy pasta if you want to try a plant-based lunch idea.
The addition of soaked cashews adds creaminess to the dish while keeping it plant-based. Using classic flavors of tomato, garlic, and basil, it’s a delicious Italian lunch.
Get the full recipe here.
4. Guacamole and Mango Salad with Black Beans
We’ve all had sad, tired salads for lunch, but this is a salad to brighten to your day. Filled with zesty flavors, it’s a great way to get both fruits and vegetables into your lunch.
The combination of mango and avocado makes this salad perfect for a plant-based, summer lunch.
Get the full recipe here.
5. Plant-Based Sushi
Making your own sushi might sound intimidating, but it’s easy and fun. By replacing fish with tofu and vegetables, this recipe is a simple and customizable plant-based lunch idea.
It will also fill you up with all the grains and vegetables you can add. Kids will also love this. Just add it to their lunchboxes with some soy sauce for dipping, and you’ve got an easy plant-based school lunch.
Get the full recipe here.
6. 15-Minute Miso Soup
When we say quick, we mean quick.
This miso soup only takes 15 minutes to whip up. With the umami flavors of miso, the protein-boost of tofu, and filling noodles, this miso soup is just the thing to get you through the rest of the day. If you want to keep this lunch completely plant-based, look for noodles free from eggs.
Get the full recipe here.
7. Creamy Avocado Pasta
This pasta recipe is a great plant-based lunch idea for those looking to cut back on their dairy intake. By using an avocado puree, you get a delicious creamy texture with a nutritional boost.
Avocados are full of vitamin C and omega-3, so dive right into that sauce. With the flavors of basil, lemon, and garlic, this pasta will have you coming back for more. The best part is it only takes 15 minutes to make.
Get the full recipe here.
8. Lentil Burgers
We all deserve a burger for lunch from time to time, and this plant-based lentil burger ensures you’re getting a delicious but healthy, meal. Using a mix of lentils, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, this burger delivers on protein and iron.
The thyme and oregano flavors in the patty are delicious, and you can even cook them a few days ahead to make for an easier lunch. Just use a flax egg instead of a regular egg to keep this burger plant-based.
Get the full recipe here.
9. Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Orzo salad is a great idea for a quick lunch as it doesn’t require heating and can be made days in advance.
This Mediterranean recipe is a great plant-based lunch option that is elevated by flavors of artichoke hearts, olives, and pine nuts. This colorful salad would make a beautiful addition to any table, so keep it in mind for your next potluck or summer barbeque.
Get the full recipe here.
10. Moussaka Bowls
Moussaka is delicious but time-intensive. Luckily, these plant-based moussaka bowls only take 15 minutes and still have all the flavors of a slow-cooked moussaka, making them a great lunch option.
With layers of aubergine and a lentil mince, this plant-based lunch idea increases the flavor of its vegetables and grains. By switching out the dairy yogurt for soy, you won’t even notice that this recipe is plant-based.
Get the full recipe here.
11. Smashed Chickpea and Avocado Sandwiches
Sandwiches are a lunch staple for a reason. They’re quick, easy, and delicious, and this sandwich is no exception.
Packed full of avocado and chickpeas, this spicy, lemony sandwich is guaranteed to be a hit. Adding sliced radish and fresh herbs give this sandwich extra flavor. If you aren’t sold on it already, it only takes 10 minutes to make.
Get the full recipe here.
12. Curried Tofu Wraps
If you’re looking for a lunch wrap with a flavor hit, this is just the lunch for you. This curried tofu wrap will bring a little extra something to your lunchtime with tandoori-spiced tofu, minted dairy-free yogurt, and lime juice.
This high-protein plant-based lunch will fill you up with a whopping 54g of protein per serving. The flavor, quick prep-time, and transportability will make this your new go-to lunch.
Get the full recipe here.
13. Blueberry Bran Muffins
Sometimes you just have those days where you need something sweet for lunch, and these plant-based blueberry bran muffins are the perfect sweet treat. Full of fruit and whole grains, their added flavors of coconut sugar and apple make it a perfect pick-me-up.
These plant-based muffins are also kid-friendly and would make a great lunchbox addition. Adding peanut butter can also give these muffins for an extra protein hit.
Get the full recipe here.
14. Avocado Quesadillas
Quesadillas are great for lunch. They’re filling, quick, and delicious. If you’re looking to cut down on dairy, this plant-based avocado quesadilla is a tasty alternative to the typically cheesy quesadillas.
These quesadillas are easy to make, and the smashed avocado and refried beans replicate the texture of cheese. The range of spices and vegetables added to the quesadillas means that you’re going to be full and satisfied after a plate of these.
Get the full recipe here.
15. Plant-Based Nachos
Continuing with the Mexican theme are these plant-based nachos. Using guacamole, black beans, salsa, and plant-based queso, they’re an indulgent yet healthy plant-based lunch idea.
These nachos are simple to make and will satisfy your appetite. For those who like their Mexican hot, pack these with jalapenos and hot sauce for a spicy kick.
Get the full recipe here.
16. Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salads
Quinoa is gaining a reputation as a superfood for a good reason. It’s a great source of protein, fiber, and nutrients, not to mention it has a great texture and taste. This recipe makes the most of quinoa by adding roasted vegetables, kale, peas, and a tasty tahini dressing.
This salad can be made well in advance, making it a handy plant-based lunch idea.
Get the full recipe here.
17. Plant-Based Meatball Subs
By using chickpea meatballs, this recipe is a tasty plant-based alternative for those looking to reduce their meat intake. These meatballs are made of chickpeas, walnuts, and Italian herbs and will fill you up at lunch.
Covered in marinara sauce and added to a bun, this plant-based recipe rivals a regular meatball sub. You can even add vegan parmesan for the full plant-based meatball sub experience.
Get the full recipe here.
18. Plant-Based Pizza
Trying to eat more plant-based foods doesn’t mean you have to miss out on pizza. This plant-based pizza recipe uses a parmesan alternative and is packed with veggies. With basil, oregano, garlic, and onion, you’re not going to miss out on flavor with this lunch idea.
This pizza can be made even simpler by purchasing premade bases. It is also a great plant-based recipe for school lunches since pizza is always kid-friendly.
Get the full recipe here.
19. Curried Broccoli Salads
Some salads can be disappointing as they leave you hungry, but with a broccoli base, this salad is sure to satisfy. Since you use raw broccoli, this plant-based lunch only takes a few minutes to whip up.
The combination of red onion, vegan yogurt, curry powder, and crunchy broccoli make this a delicious choice for lunch. It’s a salad that will turn heads.
Get the full recipe here.
20. One-Pot Lentil Soup
Lentil soup is great for those days where you feel like a minimal effort meal, and this recipe goes even further with a 10-ingredient lentil soup that you can whip up in around half an hour.
With the classic flavors of carrot, onion, celery, and lentils, this plant-based soup is going to leave you satisfied and give you a good daily dose of vegetables. Whip this soup up for a quick, last-minute lunch or make it ahead of time and simply reheat.
Add some warm crusty bread to soak up the last of the soup, and you have a delicious plant-based lunch.
Get the full recipe here.
21. Thai Pumpkin Soup
There’s nothing like a bowl of soup for lunch on a cold, rainy day, and this recipe is a favorite. Easy to make and packed with pumpkin, this soup can be prepared in 30 minutes and will keep in the fridge for three weeks.
The Thai twist to this pumpkin soup thanks to the addition of coconut milk, lemongrass, and chili makes the flavor really stand out. If you want this recipe for your next plant-based lunch, just leave out the fish sauce.
Get the full recipe here.
22. Garlic Sesame Noodles
These Asian-inspired noodles are an excellent lunch choice. Whether cooked fresh or reheated at work, this plant-based dish will be a treat. Garlic and sesame is a tried and true combination and with the vegetables and chickpea noodles, so you won’t go hungry.
These noodles are high in protein, iron, and vitamin C.
Get the full recipe here.
23. Grilled Green Goddess Wraps
Boring lunches are a thing of the past with these green goddess wraps. Filled with a lima bean spread, raw broccoli, and hearts of palm, these wraps will satisfy everyone in the family.
They can even be fully made and frozen in advance, making them the perfect plant-based lunch for school-aged kids.
Get the full recipe here.
24. Jackfruit Tacos
Jackfruit is a great plant-based alternative for those looking to lower their meat intake. Its texture perfectly suits these spicy-style jackfruit tacos. With spicy seasoning, vegetables, and beans, these tacos will have everyone at the office jealous of your lunch.
You can even make the filling ahead of time to ensure a quick and easy plant-based lunch. Feel free to customize your tacos with your favorite plant-based sauces and toppings.
Get the full recipe here.
25. Vegetable Potato Fritters
These red lentil and potato fritters are a great option for a plant-based lunch at home. Filled with potatoes, carrots, and lentils, these fritters are best served hot with your favorite dip. One great option is vegan sriracha mayonnaise.
These fritters will go fast with their crispy outsides and tender insides. These fritters are also kid-friendly because they’re not too spicy and are protein-rich.
Get the full recipe here.
26. Thai Zucchini Noodle Salads
This Thai noodle salad uses spiralized zucchini and carrots instead of wheat noodles to add flavor and a nutritional boost. To make this recipe you will need a spiralizer, but they are easy to use and can be found for a reasonable price.
This recipe is loved for the Thai peanut and citrus flavors in the sauce and the fun of the vegetable noodles. This light and summery plant-based lunch only takes half an hour to make and will add a zing of color to your plate.
Get the full recipe here.
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