15 healthy summer recipes to pack for lunch

healthy lunch ideas for a busy workweek.
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lentil salad with sweet potato, granola, and honey vinaigrette  Um…yum! This fun and easy-to-pack lunch has a ton of textures and flavors to keep sad desk lunch at bay. Don’t be surprised if you start enjoying this homemade dressing on EVERYTHING.

brown rice sushi bowl With poké growing in popularity, we’ve got all sorts of sushi variations on the brain. This brown rice sushi bowl is full of fresh veggies, and that “mayo” on top is actually made from Greek yogurt!

green goddess bowl with herbed buckwheat, avodcado, and microgreens How many wonderful things can you pack into one lunch? This bowl attempts to set a new record. It’s fresh, full of enticing herbs, and there’s an awesome, lemony kick, too.

the big vegan bowl

Who knew vegan could look so good? This delightfully eclectic blend includes roasted sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and hummus.

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harissa roasted vegetable bowl

The best way to elevate a basic plate of rice and veggies? A generous dab of spicy harissa with a side of fresh avocado.

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avocado caprese chicken salad with balsamic vinaigrette

Can something really be guilt-free if it tastes this good? Think of this 15-minute summer chicken salad (with an utterly delicious vinaigrette) as an upgraded take on the classic caprese.

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honey lime quinoa fruit salad

When 2 PM rolls around and you find yourself reaching for that bag of M&Ms, this refreshing blend of summer berries is all you’ll need to satisfy your sweet tooth.

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smashed white bean and avocado sandwich

A veggie-friendly combo of creamy avocados and smashed white beans that’ll definitely earn its way into your weekly lunch rotation.

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rainbow veggie bowls with jalapeño ranch

Start with a base of grains or beans and build up with your favorite seasonal veggies. Top the bowl off with a jalapeño ranch dressing, nuts, and slivers of fresh basil.

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italian style quinoa noodle pot

We’ll admit it – leftovers never looked this good. This summer-friendly noodle pot with freshly grated zucchini and quinoa is as filling as it is delicious.

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mediterranean vegetable bowls with quinoa, toasted chickpeas, and harissa tahini

This Mediterranean-inspired dish features the season’s best in produce. Start out with a bed of quinoa and top with roasted eggplant, chickpeas, and a spicy harissa tahini sauce.

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chicken, sun-dried tomato, and asparagus pesto sandwich

This hearty blend features a creamy asparagus pesto with a hint of basil and mozzarella cheese. Now that’s our idea of a satisfying bite!

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thai chicken zucchini noodles with spicy peanut sauce

When cravings call for something slightly more exotic, this gluten-free, Thai-inspired dish (with zucchini noodles!) will certainly hit the spot.

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cluck and kale sandwich

We’d hardly call this a sandwich. Picture an entire meal (chicken, sweet potatoes, kale salad) packed into one. Yep, this is just what our lives were missing.

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chicken goat-cheese quesadillas

A mouthwatering combo that’s packed with flavor, oozing with cheese, and surprisingly light on the calories.

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Anna Kocharian Avatar

Anna Kocharian

Writer/Editor

Anna has a penchant for travel, fresh flowers, and books. You can usually find her on some sort of culinary adventure, seeking the best burgers or waffles in the city.