20 No-Cook Lunch Recipes in 10 Minutes or Less

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Published on March 25, 2024

Avocado Tuna Spinach Salad — Photo: Greg DuPree

From vibrant salads to savory wraps, these no-cook recipes offer a quick and convenient way to enjoy a satisfying meal without ever needing to turn on the stove. Bonus: these lunches are ready in just 10 minutes or less. Recipes like our The Best Chicken Salad Recipe for Sandwiches and our Green Goddess Tuna Salad are sure to add excitement to your lunch break.

01 of 20

The Best Chicken Salad Recipe for Sandwiches

a recipe photo of the Chicken Salad served as a sandwich — Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

What’s the key to the best chicken salad? Use punchy, flavorful ingredients that pack in the flavor, like zesty herbs, acidic lemon juice, sharp onion or shallots. This herbaceous chicken salad recipe is perfect sandwiched between two slices of whole-wheat country bread, but don’t stop there! Enjoy it with crackers, in a wrap or serve it on top of greens.

02 of 20

Black Bean-Quinoa Bowl

Black-Bean Quinoa Buddha Bowl

This black bean and quinoa bowl has many of the usual hallmarks of a taco salad, minus the fried bowl. We've loaded it up with pico de gallo, fresh cilantro and avocado plus an easy hummus dressing to drizzle on top.

03 of 20

Chicken & Cabbage Bowls with Sesame Dressing

a recipe photo of the Chicken & Cabbage Bowls with Sesame Dressing — Photographer: Rachel Marek, Prop stylist: Holly Dreesman, Food stylist: Gabriel Greco

Four convenience products are all you need to prepare these tasty bowls. A bag of shredded coleslaw serves as the base that’s topped with seasoned chicken strips, crunchy flavored almonds and a drizzle of sesame dressing. Leftover chicken can easily stand in for the chicken strips. Traditional cabbage coleslaw works well, as does broccoli slaw for a slightly different look and flavor.

04 of 20

Avocado, Tomato & Chicken Sandwich

Avocado, Tomato & Chicken Sandwich

In this healthy chicken sandwich recipe, the avocado is mashed to create a healthy creamy spread.

05 of 20

3-Ingredient Salmon & Veggie Sandwich

a recipe photo of the Salmon & Grilled Vegetable Sandwich — Photographer: Carson Downing, Food stylist: Annie Probst, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek

This 3-ingredient salmon sandwich recipe is a great way to use up leftover cooked veggies and salmon (you can also use canned salmon). Pulling out the insides of the bread makes a nice pocket for the filling. Use those bread pieces to make breadcrumbs or croutons.

06 of 20

Green Goddess Tuna Salad

Overhead photo of Green Goddess Tuna Salad with tortilla chips — Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

Canned tuna makes this recipe convenient and pantry-friendly while also offering an impressive punch of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon, sardines or mackerel would work just as well in this quick recipe. Use the remaining herb sauce as a dressing for salads or grain bowls, as a spread on sandwiches or as a dip for vegetables. This recipe is easily doubled to make a big batch to meal-prep for the week. Serve on bread or in a wrap, over a bed of greens or scooped up with your favorite chips, crackers or cucumber slices.

07 of 20

Whole-Wheat Veggie Wrap

Whole-Wheat Veggie Wrap

Use whichever veggies you have on hand to fill up this veggie wrap. The avocado and hummus help hold the wrap together—and provide heart-healthy fat and fiber.

08 of 20

Turkey Meatball & Feta Lunchbox

Mediterranean Turkey Meatball Lunch Box — Diana Chistruga

This easy lunchbox lunch is inspired by the flavors of the Mediterranean, including feta, hummus and cucumber. Turkey meatballs are dipped in a homemade creamy yogurt-dill sauce, but ranch dressing would also work well in its place.

09 of 20

3-Ingredient Chicken Tabbouleh Bowls

3-ingredient chicken tabbouleh bowls — Photo by: Carolyn A. Hodges, R.D.

This almost-instant grain bowl makes the most of the prepared-foods section at your grocery store. Toss together a ready-made salad with proteins for a healthy, quick dinner.

10 of 20

White Bean & Veggie Salad

White Bean & Veggie Salad

This meatless main-dish salad combines creamy, satisfying white beans and avocado. Try mixing it up with different seasonal vegetables.

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Pickled Beet, Arugula & Herbed Goat Cheese Sandwich

Pickled Beet, Arugula, and Herb Goat Cheese Sandwich — Jacob Fox

This pickled beet, arugula and goat cheese sandwich is peppery with creamy notes from the goat cheese and sweet and tangy undertones from the pickled beets. Chopped walnuts add nuttiness and crunch to this easy sandwich.

12 of 20

Spring Roll Salad

Spring Roll Salad

All the tastes, color and fun of a spring roll without all the work! This healthy salad recipe is bursting with the colors of rainbow from generous amounts of fresh vegetables, shrimp and whole grains all topped with a peanut dressing for the ultimate satisfying salad.

13 of 20

Falafel Tabbouleh Bowls with Tzatziki

Falafel Tabbouleh Bowls with Tzatziki

Meal-prepping a week's worth of lunches doesn't need to take hours in the kitchen. These Greek-inspired meal-prep bowls can be prepared in just 10 minutes and only require 4 ingredients--greens, falafel, tabbouleh and tzatziki. We love going to our local specialty grocery store for fast shortcut ingredients like these. The high-fiber falafel and tabbouleh will help to keep you feeling satisfied all afternoon.

14 of 20

Open-Face Goat Cheese Sandwich with Tomato & Avocado Salad

Open-Face Goat Cheese Sandwich with Tomato & Avocado Salad

This simple lunch comes together in just 10 minutes, making it a great option for busy days.

15 of 20

Tuna Salad Sandwich with Sweet Relish

Tuna Salad Sandwich with Sweet Relish

This sweet twist on a classic tuna-salad sandwich is a healthy high-protein lunch that even your kids will love.

16 of 20

Loaded Veggie Club Sandwich

Loaded Veggie Club Sandwich — Jacob Fox

This loaded veggie club sandwich is layered with plenty of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots, with bacon, Cheddar cheese and an extra slice of bread in the middle adding savory flavors. Make sure your bread is sliced thinly to help keep the sandwich together.

17 of 20

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Avocado & Walnuts

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Avocado & Walnuts

Serve this summery strawberry spinach salad alongside soup or a half sandwich, or top with grilled chicken or roasted salmon for a complete and easy healthy meal.

18 of 20

Egg Salad Lettuce Wraps

Egg Salad Lettuce Wraps

We love the retro vibe of these egg salad lettuce wraps. Iceberg lettuce makes a perfect low-carb swap for bread to serve the egg salad.

19 of 20

Low-Carb Chicken & Cheddar Lettuce Wraps

Low-Carb Chicken and Cheddar Lettuce Wraps on a cutting board — Jennifer Causey

This fresh, crunchy wrap sandwich is brimming with vegetables, yet still delivers a satisfying amount of protein thanks to the chicken and cheese. Crisp iceberg lettuce is what keeps this wrap sandwich ultra low in carbs (just 4 grams per serving). The hardest part of this 10-minute recipe is rolling the sandwich, but our parchment paper trick makes it infinitely simpler.

20 of 20

Avocado Tuna Spinach Salad

Avocado Tuna Spinach Salad — Greg DuPree

Avocado adds creaminess while sunflower seeds provide texture and crunch in this easy tuna-spinach salad.

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