Healthy and delicious, each one of these vegetarian lunch ideas are perfect for bringing into work or enjoying at home. Discover tons of easy veggie-forward recipe suggestions here—many are amazing for meal prep lunches, too
Thinking of healthy vegetarian lunch ideas can be one of the trickiest meals to plan for as a vegetarian. Because you can’t just take the ham off a ham cheese sandwich and call it a day (my inner nutritionist cringes when I see people eating plain cheese sandwiches!). And don’t get me started on the sad, lifeless cafeteria salads.
And, I mean, dinner? That’s easy. I could give you a million vegetarian dinner suggestions. But what do you do when you’re out of the house? On the go? Or need something quick and filling?
So today I’m sharing a few of my favorite vegetarian lunch ideas that are perfect for bringing to work or enjoying at home.
I’ve included a bunch of my favorite vegetarian lunch meal preps, along with some hearty salads and sandwiches. Moral of the story: you’ll be looking forward to your (meatless) lunch this week! Enjoy these recipes, or check out all of our healthy lunch recipes!
Sandwiches
When it comes to meatless lunch ideas, sandwiches usually aren’t top of mind. Because how to you make a sandwich without deli meats? Here are a few ideas.
The most popular recipe on this site (you'll understand why when you try it!) Pack the components of this gyro separately then assemble just before eating.
Everything you love about chicken salad...but with chickpeas! This cold vegetarian lunch idea packs well and will have you looking forward to noon!
Who knew your could make a Pressed Eggplant Sandwich with a stack of books? Pesto, mozzarella, grilled eggplant, and roasted bell pepper pressed into Mediterranean deliciousness.
These vegetarian Portobello Mushroom Gyros are seasoned with a flavorful blend of Mediterranean spices and sautéed to meaty perfection. Pack each component separately then throw it all together right before eating.
These tuna melts have it all...well, except the tuna. Bound to be a new favorite! This quick vegetarian lunch is great for whipping up on a work-from-home day.
Fill up on savory roasted veggies with this Roasted Veggie Grilled Cheese. Stuffed with pepper, onion, and mushrooms and perfect for dipping in toasty sauce.
For when it's light lunch ideas you need, this one has you covered. Enjoy the flavors of the Mediterranean right at home with this quick and simple Caprese Panini. Made with juicy tomatoes, rich mozzarella, flavorful pesto, and light and fluffy focaccia bread!
Meal Prep
We love plant-based meal prep ideas around here. But what vegetarian meals are good for meal prep? Generally, any hardy veggie will stand up well to meal prep (think broccoli, squash, potatoes, and even zucchini). Avoid using tender leafy greens, like lettuce or spinach, which won’t last the week in the fridge (or even a night). Here are a few of our favorite vegetarian meal prep ideas!
This vegetarian stir fry meal prep idea is packed with flavorful cauliflower fried rice, soy-glazed tofu, steamed broccoli, and sriracha mayo! As far as veggie-packed lunch ideas go, this one is a real winner.
This vegan Burrito Bowl Meal Prep is the perfect make ahead lunch that makes clean eating all week easy (and delicious)!
This Thai Red Curry Meal Prep is a vegan-friendly lunch idea that will have you so excited for lunch this week!
In need of some new ideas for your vegan meal prepping? Try out this Chickpea Tikka Masala meal prep! Ready quickly and it’ll have you looking forward to lunch all week. One of my favorite meatless lunch ideas!
These vegetarian meal prep boxes have enchilada-flavored quinoa stuffed bell peppers and an easy bean salad. Lunch this week is taken care of!
This vegan Tempeh Chili Meal Prep is ready in 30 minutes and takes care of lunch for the week (plus it’s like…really tasty).
Want to get into meal prepping, but overwhelmed by how to make your meals? I’ve created a formula for the easiest, tastiest vegetarian meal prep recipe…Mix & Match Vegetarian Meal Prep! The ultimate solution to finding vegetarian lunch ideas for work.
Serving up some easy vegetarian meal prep today in the form of roasted veggies with Spanish rice, tossed in a creamy cilantro dressing!
This Zucchini Noodles Vegetarian Meal Prep is a low carb lunch solution that will have you looking forward to lunchtime! Packed with fresh veggies, avocado pesto, and crispy baked tofu.
This Butternut Bowl Meal Prep is packed with spiced roasted chickpeas and butternut, drizzled with lemony hummus sauce, and is totally vegan!
Bowls & Salads
These bowls and salads are mostly light lunch ideas (that will still fill you up). There’s even a few vegetarian lunch ideas for kids in here (one word: nachos).
With fresh seasonal veggies and a creamy tahini sauce, this is the only veggie salad you’ll need all summer!
This 15 Minute Buddha Bowls recipe, with healthy grains, chickpeas, fruit, and avocado, is a balanced, healthy meal that comes together in no time!
These vegan nachos are piled high with easy mushroom BBQ “pulled pork” and a cashew-based queso cheese sauce that will knock your dairy-free socks off. Pack each component separately then throw it all together right before eating.
No bowl required here, just eat straight out of the avocado!
Ingredients
- 1 15-oz can chickpeas 425 g, rained and rinsed
- 1 Tbsp olive oil 15 mL
- 1 Tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
- 4 pita flatbreads
- 1 cup tzatziki 250g
- ¼ red onion cut into strips
- 2 lettuce leaves roughly chopped
- 1 to mato sliced
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Pat dry chickpeas with paper towel, removing any skins that may come off. Gently toss chickpeas with oil, paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt.
- Roast: Spread chickpeas onto a greased rimmed baking sheet and roast for about 20 minutes, until lightly browned but not hard.
- Assemble: Spread some tzatziki onto one side of the pita, then sprinkle in ¼ of the chickpeas and add veggies. Fold in half and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
For more inspiration, check out all of our vegetarian lunch recipes or vegetarian meal prep recipes (I’m always adding more to those pages so be sure to bookmark them for later!)
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