15 Veggie-Packed Lunches That Are Ready in 15 Minutes

By

Published on January 26, 2024

Black Bean-Quinoa Bowl

These veggie-packed lunches come together in just 15 minutes or less. From hearty grain bowls to refreshing salads, these easy meals feature ingredients like cucumbers, chickpeas and kale, so you can enjoy a healthy, vegetable-forward lunch. Recipes like our Cream Cheese & Veggie Roll-Up and Black Bean-Quinoa Bowl are simple, nutritious dishes you’ll look forward to eating at lunchtime.

01 of 15

Chickpea & Quinoa Grain Bowl

It seems grain bowls have as many variations as there are stars in the sky, and there is no wrong way to build one! But we prefer to keep things classic and simple with hummus, quinoa, avocado and loads of veggies!

02 of 15

Cucumber Sandwich

Cucumber Sandwich — Photographer / Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke, Food Stylist / Ruth Blackburn

This creamy, crunchy cucumber sandwich recipe strikes a lovely balance between decadent and light. The cream cheese-yogurt spread complements the crisp refreshing cucumber, while the hearty flavor and texture of the whole-wheat bread hold everything together.

03 of 15

Cream Cheese & Veggie Roll-Up

Cream Cheese & Veggie Roll-up — Jacob Fox

With sliced vegetables, a whole-wheat tortilla and baby spinach, these roll-ups make the perfect healthy lunch for your kids to take to school.

04 of 15

Miso Cup Soup

a recipe photo of the Gut-Healthy Miso Soup — Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

This miso soup is packed with gut-healthy ingredients like miso, a fermented paste that may improve digestion plus reduce gas and bloating. The base of the soup is prepared in advance and stored in separate containers. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply add the broth and heat it in the microwave. If you don’t wish to travel with vegetable broth or don’t have access to a microwave, you can use reduced-sodium bouillon instead and just add hot water. Cover and let the soup stand for 10 minutes before serving.

05 of 15

Veggie & Hummus Sandwich

Veggie & Hummus Sandwich

This mile-high vegetable and hummus sandwich makes the perfect heart-healthy vegetarian lunch to go. Mix it up with different flavors of hummus and different types of vegetables, depending on your mood.

06 of 15

Kale Salad with Quinoa & Chicken

Greek Kale Salad with Quinoa & Chicken

Toss the cooked chicken into this healthy salad recipe while it's still warm to lightly wilt the kale, making it softer and easier to eat. Using store-bought salad dressing saves time, but you could also make your own tangy vinaigrette.

07 of 15

Black Bean-Quinoa Bowl

Black Bean-Quinoa 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.

08 of 15

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.

09 of 15

Vegan Superfood Grain Bowls

overhead shot of vegan grain bowl filled with beets, edamame and avocado — Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey

This nutrient-packed grain bowl recipe comes together in 15 minutes with the help of a few convenience-food shortcuts like prewashed baby kale, microwavable quinoa and precooked beets. Pack these ahead to keep on hand for easy meal-prep lunches or dinners on busy nights.

10 of 15

Kale, Quinoa & Apple Salad

Kale, Quinoa & Apple Salad — Photographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

This kale, quinoa and apple salad is perfect for fall. Fresh apples bring crisp autumn flavor, and the kale breaks down when it's massaged with the dressing. Nuts, fennel and quinoa add more layers of texture, while blue cheese lends a savory note.

11 of 15

Veggie & Cream Cheese Sandwich

Veggie and cream cheese sandwich — Victor Protasio

The cream cheese in this veggie and cream cheese sandwich adds flavor while holding everything in place. This colorful, well-balanced sandwich is crispy from the cucumber and peppers, sweet from tomatoes and beets, and tangy from the banana peppers.

12 of 15

Mason Jar Power Salad with Chickpeas & Tuna

This power salad will keep you fueled for hours, thanks to 26 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber. Tossing the dressing and kale, and then letting it stand in the jar, softens it enough so you don't need to massage or cook it to make it tender.

13 of 15

Chopped Chicken & Sweet Potato Salad

chopped chicken and sweet potato salad

This easy salad recipe allows for a wonderful use of leftover cooked chicken. Look for escarole in the produce section near the leafy greens; if you can't find it, you can use romaine instead.

14 of 15

Chickpea & Roasted Red Pepper Lettuce Wraps with Tahini Dressing

Mediterranean Lettuce Wraps

A tangy, nutty tahini dressing brings together no-cook ingredients like canned chickpeas and roasted red peppers for these easy meal-prep lettuce wraps. Make these wraps ahead of time for a grab-and-go lunch or dinner. A few wedges of warm pita finish off the meal perfectly.

15 of 15

Brussels Sprouts Salad with Crunchy Chickpeas

Brussels Sprouts Salad with Crunchy Chickpeas

This healthy high-fiber salad comes together in just 10 minutes. Serve it right away or pack it in individual servings for four super-satisfying high-fiber lunches for the week ahead. To cut down on prep time, we're using preshredded Brussels sprouts from the produce department and store-bought roasted chickpeas. Look for roasted chickpea snacks with the healthy snacks or nuts at your grocery store.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!

Related Articles

15 High-Protein Heart-Healthy Lunches in 15 Minutes

Pear, Gorgonzola Walnut Salad

17 Healthy Lunch Salads You Can Make In 15 Minutes or Less

11 15-Minute, High-Fiber Lunches for High Blood Pressure

a recipe photo of the White Bean & Cherry Tomato Salad

12 Easy, No-Cook Lunch Recipes with 5 Ingredients or Less

Teriyaki Tofu Rice Bowls

15 Easy 5-Ingredient Lunches in 15 Minutes or Less

a photo of the Spicy White Bean & Spinach Salad

17 Healthy Lunch Salads You Can Make in 10 Minutes

a recipe photo of the Gut-Healthy Miso Soup

21 Easy High-Protein Vegetarian Lunches in 15 Minutes

Spring Roll Salad

19 15-Minute Lunch Salads You Can Pack for Work

Black Bean-Quinoa Bowl

20 10-Minute Lunch Recipes You'll Want to Make Forever

green goddess wrap

17 10-Minute High-Protein Lunches for Weight Loss

3 ingredient chicken tostadas

14 5-Ingredient Lunch Recipes That Are Ready in 5 Minutes

a recipe photo of the Bell Pepper and Feta Chickpea Salad served in a bowl

14 10-Minute Chickpea Lunch Recipes

a recipe photo of the Chicken & Cabbage Bowls with Sesame Dressing

15 5-Ingredient Lunches That Are Ready in 10 Minutes

a recipe photo of the Tomato Toasts

28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes

Overhead photo of Green Goddess Tuna Salad with tortilla chips

15 Cold Lunch Recipes Ready in 10 Minute or Less

green goddess sandwich

20 Veggie-Packed Lunches for When You're Bored of Salad