17 lip-smacking lunch recipes that won’t empty your wallet

Photo of author

| Published:

Discover a collection of 17 lip-smacking lunch recipes that are not only incredibly delicious but also budget-friendly.

A white bowl filled with noodles coated in a red sauce.
Gochujang Noodles. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Beet Feta Salad

A large white ceramic bowl filled with chopped beets, frehs green herbs and white feta cheese.
Beet Salad with Feta. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Indulge in the delightful flavors of the easy and delicious beet salad with feta cheese. This vibrant salad not only tantalizes the taste buds but also offers versatility as a meal, side dish, or appetizer.

Get the Recipe: Beet Salad

Gochujang Noodles

A white bowl filled with noodles coated in a red sauce.
Gochujang Noodles. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Indulge in the ultimate combination of comfort and flavor with our creamy and spicy Gochujang Noodles. In a mere 10 minutes, you can experience the delightful satisfaction of this dish.

Get the Recipe: Gochujang Noodles

Zucchini Curry

A large tan ceramic bowl of zucchini curry, white rice, fresh herbs and lemon slices.
Zucchini Curry. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Ready to break free from your usual summer squash routine? Look no further than this effortless zucchini curry recipe infused with rich coconut milk and aromatic Indian spices.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Curry

Egg and Cucumber Sandwiches

An egg and cucumber sandwich with pepper jack cheese, spring mix, and dill sauce is shown on a white plate over a rustic wooden cutting board.
Egg and Cucumber Sandwiches. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

These Egg and Cucumber Sandwiches feature crisp, sliced cucumber, pepper jack cheese, chopped hard-boiled egg, creamy dill sauce, and fresh spring mix for an easy, delicious sandwich that’s great for picnics, lunches, or parties.
Get the Recipe: Egg and Cucumber Sandwiches

Chickpea Kale Salad

A small white bowl of white salad next to a large wooden salad bowl.
Chickpea Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing. Photo Credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Savor the nourishing and refreshing delight of this Chickpea Kale Salad, complemented by a luscious tahini dressing.

Get the Recipe: Chickpea Kale Salad

Curried Chicken Salad

Curried chicken salad in a blue bowl.
Curried Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love

Ready for a chicken salad with a twist? Our Curry Chicken Salad with Raisins offers a flavor explosion with its hint of sweetness from raisins and crunchy almonds.

Get the Recipe: Curried Chicken Salad

Sesame Noodles

A black ceramic bowl filled with tan noodles and fresh green herbs.
Sesame Noodles. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Indulge in the simplicity of our delectable Sesame Noodles, crafted with wholesome ingredients. Enjoy the ease of preparation for this super simple and delicious dish.

Get the Recipe: Sesame Noodles

Creamy Dijon Egg Salad

Creamy dijon egg salad on bread.
Creamy Dijon Egg Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This creamy dijon egg salad is made with Greek yogurt for a healthier twist. Green olives, red cabbage, parsley, and pepitas make it flavorful and crunchy!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Egg Salad

Sweet and Sour Tofu

Low angle shot of a bowl of sweet and sour tofu.
Sweet and Sour Tofu. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Satisfy your cravings for a vegan Chinese favorite with our quick and delicious Sweet and Sour Tofu. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a must-try dish!

Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Tofu

Wheat Berry Salad

Wheat Berry Salad with Tomato & Tuna in a bowl.
Wheat Berry Salad with Tomato & Tuna. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Loaded with fiber, protein, and flavor, this Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna and Tomatoes is a must-try for healthier eating. It’s a simple salad that stays fresh in the fridge for days. Get ready to elevate your health and taste buds!

Get the Recipe: Wheat Berry Salad

Chickpea Pesto Sandwich

Chickpea pesto sandwich cut in half and stacked on a white plate.
Chickpea Pesto Sandwich. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Experience the savory delight of our Chickpea Pesto Sandwich. This easy vegetarian meal features a unique twist with smashed chickpeas and flavorful pesto filling.

Get the Recipe: Chickpea Pesto Sandwich

Middle Eastern Tofu Rice Bowl

Middle eastern rice bowl close up.
Middle Eastern tofu rice bowl. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.


Discover a kid-friendly delight with our Middle Eastern Tofu Rice Bowl. In just 4 simple steps, you can enjoy this comforting and flavorful meal that’s perfect for winter and those solitary work-from-home lunches.

Get the Recipe: Middle Eastern Tofu Rice Bowl

Bombay Sandwiches

Bombay Sandwiches layered with potato, tomato, cucumbers, and an herb chutney sauce.
Bombay Sandwiches. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Enjoy the deliciousness of a Bombay Sandwich, a vegetarian delight packed with layers of cooked and raw vegetables, buttered white bread, and flavorful chutney.

Get the Recipe: Bombay Sandwiches

Broccoli Salad with Bacon

Keto Broccoli Salad with Bacon inside wooden bowl.
Keto Broccoli Salad with Bacon. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Enjoy our easy and hearty Broccoli Salad with bacon and blueberries. This simple cold salad is perfect for summer, and it’s low-carb, keto, sugar-free, gluten-free, and great for diabetics. Elevate your next Potluck party with this nutrient-rich keto salad.

Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad with Bacon

Greek Chickpea Soup

a bowl of greek chickpea soup garnished with dill on a blue and white linen with a gold spoon.
Greek Chickpea Soup. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Savor a satisfying and lively meal in just 30 minutes with our Chickpea and Rice Soup. This comforting dish combines flavorful broth, chickpeas, rice, leeks, garlic, lemon, and dill for a delightful culinary experience.

Get the Recipe: Greek Chickpea Soup

Healthy Tuna Waldorf Salad

Tuna Waldorf salad on baby greens with bread and grapes on the side.
Healthier Tuna Waldorf Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This tuna Waldorf salad is a healthy spin on the classic Waldorf salad. It makes for a quick and easy lunch that doesn’t skimp on flavor or texture. Sweet red grapes, celery, pepitas, and walnuts come together with creamy yogurt and can be served over a bed of greens or with toasted bread.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Tuna Waldorf Salad

Veggie Pad Thai

Low angle shot of a light blue bowl of pad thai.
Sweet and Sour Tofu. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This veggie Pad Thai is delicious and easy to make. Rice noodles are quickly stir-fried with classic Thai seasonings (including vegan fish sauce!), bean sprouts, and fried tofu.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Pad Thai

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.