Tonight, lend future you a helping hand by preparing lunch ahead of time.
Serve with whole-wheat pitas, if desired.
Cilantro adds a pop of freshness to each bite.
Photographer: Jen Causey
you could lightly toast the bread if you want to add a little crunch.
Fresh dill adds a grassy flavor.
If you don’t have fresh, stir an 1/8 teaspoon dried dill in its place.
Photographer: Jen Causey
It’s also a great way to use frozen vegetables when the produce section is looking bleak.
Pack these ahead to keep on hand for easy meal-prep lunches or dinners on busy nights.
Enjoy it with a warm baguette or steamed rice.
Chickpea “Chicken” Salad
This chickpea salad is a vegetarian version of a classic chicken salad.
It doesn’t mimic the flavor of chicken; it swaps chickpeas in for the chicken.
It’s an ideal recipe if you’re looking for simple, healthy lunch ideas.
Photography / Jennifer Causey, Styling / Melissa Gray / Kay Clarke
It is a delicious and fiber-packed vegetarian alternative!
Plus, it’s easily transportable, perfect for picnics and will surely step up your usual desk lunch.
Vegetable Cabbage Soup
Cabbage soup gets a boost of fiber and heartiness with the addition of beans.
Photography: Carson Downing, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabe Greco
A simple tomato broth is brightened by fresh herbs and has slight heat from crushed red pepper.
Serve with crusty bread.
Try other mayo varieties, like roasted garlic or chipotle lime, in this fast, no-cook lunch recipe.
Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
Serve this rotisserie chicken salad recipe with whole-grain crackers.
Bulgur, also called cracked wheat, is a quick-cooking whole grain.
These bowls would be excellent make-ahead lunches.
Pack the avocado mixture separately, adding a little water to thin it as needed.
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
Photographer / Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Christine Keely
Jacob Fox
Photography / Jennifer Causey, Styling / Ali Ramee / Audrey Davis
Carolyn Hodges
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
