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Home Eat Lunches

20+ Recipe Suggestions for Eating a Vegetarian Lunch

5 from 1 vote
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By: Sarah BondUpdated: Sep 30, 2022 Leave a Comment

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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

Roasted chickpea gyro closeup.

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!

Table of Contents

  • Sandwiches
  • Meal Prep
  • Bowls & Salads

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.

Roasted Chickpea Gyros

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.

Vegetarian Chicken Salad

Everything you love about chicken salad...but with chickpeas! This cold vegetarian lunch idea packs well and will have you looking forward to noon!

Pressed Eggplant Sandwiches

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.

Portobello Mushroom Gyros

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.

Chickpea Tuna Melt

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.

Roasted Vegetable Grilled Cheese

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.

Caprese Panini

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!

Stir Fry Meal Prep with Cauliflower Fried Rice and Tofu

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.

Vegan Burrito Bowl Meal Prep

This vegan Burrito Bowl Meal Prep is the perfect make ahead lunch that makes clean eating all week easy (and delicious)!

Thai Curry Meal Prep

This Thai Red Curry Meal Prep is a vegan-friendly lunch idea that will have you so excited for lunch this week!

Chickpea Tikka Masala Meal Prep

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!

Stuffed Pepper Vegetarian Meal Prep

These vegetarian meal prep boxes have enchilada-flavored quinoa stuffed bell peppers and an easy bean salad. Lunch this week is taken care of!

Tempeh Chili Meal Prep

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).

Mix & Match Vegetarian Meal Prep

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.

Roasted Veggie and Spanish Rice Meal Prep

Serving up some easy vegetarian meal prep today in the form of roasted veggies with Spanish rice, tossed in a creamy cilantro dressing!

Zucchini Noodles Vegetarian Meal Prep

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.

Butternut Bowl Meal Prep

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).

Rudy's Sunshine Salad

With fresh seasonal veggies and a creamy tahini sauce, this is the only veggie salad you’ll need all summer!

15 Minute Buddha Bowls

This 15 Minute Buddha Bowls recipe, with healthy grains, chickpeas, fruit, and avocado, is a balanced, healthy meal that comes together in no time!

Vegan Nachos with BBQ "Pulled Pork" and Queso

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.

3 Stuffed Avocados Recipes: Chickpea Tuna & More!

No bowl required here, just eat straight out of the avocado!

16+ Healthy Vegetarian Lunch Suggestions: Roasted Chickpea Gyros

5 from 1 vote
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Author: Sarah Bond
Calories: 331kcal
Servings: 4 servings
Print Rate
These roasted chickpea gyros are one of the most popular recipes on Live Eat Learn. Try them, and you’ll see why! Or, try making one of the other 20 vegetarian lunch ideas perfect for bringing into work or enjoying at home.

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

Serving: 1gyro Calories: 331kcal (17%) Carbohydrates: 45g (15%) Protein: 11.5g (23%) Fat: 12.6g (19%) Sodium: 575mg (25%) Fiber: 7.5g (31%)
Did You Make This?

Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!

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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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A flavor-loving nutritionist and sensory science specialist showing you how to make easy vegetarian recipes, one ingredient at a time.

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