Lunch recipes

Cold salads, sandwiches and wraps that come together in 10 to 40 minutes and travel well to work or the table. Much of the category leans on salads built around one fresh ingredient: pea salads with cheddar or boiled egg, cucumber salads in Greek, creamy dill and smashed Asian styles, plus pasta salads like the zesty Southwestern version.

For something heartier, look at the smoked turkey club wrap, burger bowls, pimento cheese tea sandwiches or the vegan chicken sandwich. Mason jar salads and the Mexican street corn quinoa salad are made for packing ahead. Quick recipes under 15 minutes suit a desk lunch, while the larger-batch pasta and potato salads are better for gatherings and picnics.

Monte Cristo Sandwich with Smoked Turkey

Monte Cristo Sandwich

4.00 (5 Ratings)

Ready in 21 minutes, this Monte Cristo Sandwich is a salty-sweet treat. The egg custard creates a fried crust that keeps the inside tender and juicy.

Pizza Grilled Cheese with Parmesan Crust

Pizza Grilled Cheese

5.00 (4 Ratings)

Pizza Grilled Cheese with a buttery, salty crust. Using a parmesan-crusted exterior achieves a satisfying crunch without overcooking the bread. Ready in 20 min.

Turkey Club Wrap in 15 Minutes

Turkey Club Wrap

4.83 (6 Ratings)

Ready in 15 minutes, this Turkey Club Wrap is a fresh lunch option. A specific layering order keeps it firm and fresh until lunchtime for easy meal prep.

High-Protein Mason Jar Salad

Mason Jar Salad for Meal Prep

4.57 (7 Ratings)

Vibrant, protein-packed lunches stay fresh with this Mason Jar Salad. A specific layering method keeps greens crisp for days; try it for your week.

Creamy Crab Rangoon Dip with Wonton Chips

Crab Rangoon Dip

4.67 (6 Ratings)

Tangy and bubbly Crab Rangoon Dip. A 20-minute bake time ensures the top is golden and bubbly. This is a crowd-pleasing choice for party snacks.

Crispy Buffalo Tofu Caesar Salad with Yogurt Dressing

Buffalo Tofu Caesar Salad

4.67 (6 Ratings)

Cornstarch-coated tofu roasts at high heat until crisp, no deep fryer needed. Buffalo Tofu Caesar Salad suits busy cooks wanting a protein-rich lunch.

Cheddar Herb Crackers with Rosemary

Cheddar Herb Crackers

4.56 (9 Ratings)

For busy cooks wanting a crunchy snack, these Cheddar Herb Crackers hold their shape because the cold dough chills 30 minutes before it goes in the oven.

Quick Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad in 20 Minutes

Quick Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

4.25 (8 Ratings)

Need a Quick Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad for your next meal? This chicken pesto salad recipe explains why adding acid prevents the pesto from clumping.

Roasted Butternut Squash Brussels Sprouts Salad

Butternut Squash Brussels Salad

4.67 (6 Ratings)

Ready in 40 minutes, this Butternut Squash Brussels Sprouts Salad is colorful. The section Why This Blend Works explains how to keep the greens crisp.

Vegetarian Pesto Zoodles in 20 Minutes

Vegetarian Pesto Zoodles

4.40 (5 Ratings)

Zucchini noodles often release too much water and become soggy. These Vegetarian Pesto Zoodles stay snappy via salting; see the why this works section.

Low-Carb Egg Zoodle Salad in 10 Minutes

Egg Zoodle Salad

4.67 (3 Ratings)

A zesty, crunchy lunch featuring this Egg Zoodle Salad. It includes a substitute table for ingredients to help you customize your meal. Try it today.

Pesto Zoodle Salad in 30 Minutes

Pesto Zoodle Salad

4.50 (2 Ratings)

Use a salting trick to keep the zucchini crisp in this Pesto Zoodle Salad. This guide includes a breakdown of why this method works and takes 30 minutes.

Vibrant Italian Zoodle Salad

Italian Zoodle Salad

4.67 (3 Ratings)

Remove excess moisture first to keep your Italian Zoodle Salad crisp. This guide includes an ingredients and substitutes table and takes 25 minutes.

Asian Zoodle Salad with Peanut Sauce

Asian Zoodle Salad

4.83 (6 Ratings)

Zucchini noodles often release water and turn your bowl into soup. This Asian Zoodle Salad stays crisp and includes a guide on what each ingredient does.

Zesty Greek Zoodle Salad

Greek Zoodle Salad

4.40 (5 Ratings)

Ready in 20 minutes, this Greek Zoodle Salad is refreshing. It includes an ingredient swap table to help you customize every bite for your taste.

Zoodle Pasta Salad: Mediterranean Style

Zoodle Pasta Salad

4.67 (3 Ratings)

A fresh Mediterranean side dish featuring a Zoodle Pasta Salad. Check out the recipe specifications and start prepping this crisp meal today.

Asian Zucchini Noodles in 20 Minutes

Asian Zucchini Noodles

4.67 (6 Ratings)

Enjoy a crisp, umami-rich meal with Asian Zucchini Noodles. This guide includes a breakdown of why this method works for a snappy crunch.

Zucchini Noodle Salad with Fresh Parsley

Zucchini Noodle Salad

4.50 (4 Ratings)

Health-conscious diners will love this Zucchini Noodle Salad. Our guide to making the salad ensures a snappy texture that stays crisp without getting soggy.

Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad Copycat in 30 Minutes

Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad

4.67 (3 Ratings)

Many side dishes lack punch. This Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad Copycat is a bold Smashed Cucumber Salad Recipe; see the section why the texture works.

Persian Yogurt Cucumber Dip: Fresh and Bold

Yogurt Cucumber Dip

4.75 (4 Ratings)

Party hosts looking for a fresh Yogurt Cucumber Dip will love this cooling side. This recipe includes an ingredient role table for a thick, bold result.

German Creamy Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream

German Creamy Cucumber Salad

4.75 (4 Ratings)

Want to make a German Creamy Cucumber Salad? This Gurkensalat stays thick and creamy, and the guide includes a breakdown of key steps for the crunch.

Smashed Asian Cucumber Salad with Chili Crisp

Smashed Asian Cucumber Salad

5.00 (3 Ratings)

A bold, crunchy side with a garlic chili punch is this Smashed Asian Cucumber Salad. See why this recipe works and get the full guide here.

Crispy Cucumber Broccoli Salad

Cucumber Broccoli Salad

4.33 (6 Ratings)

Many veggie salads turn soggy fast. This Cucumber Broccoli Salad stays snappy with a tiny chop; it includes an ingredient role table for easy swaps.

Fresh Cucumber and Bell Pepper Salad

Cucumber and Bell Pepper Salad

4.00 (1 Rating)

Use a quick emulsified dressing for this Cucumber and Bell Pepper Salad. This vibrant side includes quick recipe specs and takes 15 minutes total.