12 20-Minute Lunch Recipes to Help Lower Your Cholesterol

Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

Credit: Photographer: Ali Redmond.

A tasty lunch will be ready to enjoy in 20 minutes or less with these delicious recipes! All of these dishes help support healthy cholesterol levels, as they are lower in saturated fat and have at least six grams of fiber per serving. From salads to sandwiches and grain bowls, you’re sure to find a nourishing and satisfying option on this list. Try our Chickpea Cucumber Sandwich or our Avocado Tomato Chicken Sandwich for a delicious midday meal.

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Easy Chickpea Salad Lunch Box

Credit: Ali Redmond
Credit: Ali Redmond

This easy chickpea salad lunch box is a fresh, no-cook lunch that’s perfect for busy weekdays. Chickpeas are tossed with crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes and a splash of lemon juice and olive oil for a refreshing bite. It’s easy to scale up the recipe to prep multiple servings at once, so you can stock your fridge with grab-and-go lunches for the week. Just remember to add the crackers on the day you plan to enjoy it to keep them crunchy and delicious.

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Chickpea-Cucumber Sandwich

Credit: Photographer: Ali Redmond.
Credit: Photographer: Ali Redmond.

Make this vegetarian sandwich whenever you need a quick and satisfying lunch. Chickpeas add plant-based protein and fiber, while strained yogurt adds calcium. Be sure to leave some chickpeas whole for the best texture.

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Stuffed Sweet Potato with Hummus Dressing

Credit: Ali Redmond
Credit: Ali Redmond

Hearty yet simple to prepare, this stuffed sweet potato with black beans, kale and hummus dressing is a fantastic 5-ingredient lunch for one!

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5-Ingredient Avocado & Black Bean Salad

Credit: Ali Redmond
Credit: Ali Redmond

This Avocado & Black Bean Salad comes together in just 20 minutes with a handful of simple ingredients. The combination of fiber-rich beans and healthy fats from avocado makes this salad both satisfying and refreshing. It’s an easy option for potlucks, picnics and busy weeknights.

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Green Goddess Chickpea Bowl

Credit: Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.
Credit: Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.

This veggie-packed chickpea bowl features hearty chickpeas and quinoa topped with an herby green goddess dressing made creamy with Greek-style yogurt and avocado. It’s a satisfying vegetarian lunch or light dinner that delivers fiber, protein and fresh flavor in every bite.

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Avocado, Tomato & Chicken Sandwich

Credit: Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser
Credit: Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser

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

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Green Goddess Salad with Chickpeas

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Joshua Hoggle
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Joshua Hoggle

In this cucumber, tomato, feta cheese and chickpea salad recipe, a healthy green goddess dressing is made from avocado, buttermilk and fresh herbs. Make a double batch of the dressing to use for another salad or drizzle over grilled vegetables.

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Cucumber-Spinach Wrap

Credit: Photographer: Ali Redmond.
Credit: Photographer: Ali Redmond.

This fresh and creamy cucumber-spinach wrap comes together in minutes. A quick yogurt spread, brightened with lemon and dill, acts like a shortcut tzatziki, while crisp cucumber, buttery avocado and a sprinkle of za’atar add cool crunch and herby depth.

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High-Protein Cucumber Sandwich

Credit: Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong.
Credit: Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong.

This high-protein cucumber sandwich features a creamy spread made by whipping cottage cheese with white miso, soy sauce and rice vinegar. This mixture delivers a creamy boost of protein that pairs perfectly with sliced cucumbers, which add a crisp, fresh bite.

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Vegan Superfood Grain Bowls

Credit: Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey
Credit: 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, microwaveable quinoa and precooked beets. Pack these ahead to keep on hand for easy meal-prep lunches or dinners on busy nights.

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Chopped Salad with Sriracha Tofu & Peanut Dressing

Prep four days’ worth of high-protein vegan lunches using just four store-bought ingredients, including a veggie-heavy salad mix and a spicy peanut vinaigrette. Because this salad mix is hearty, you can dress these bowls up to 24 hours before serving to allow the flavors in this healthy chopped salad to marry. If you can’t find a hearty mix, go with broccoli slaw or shredded Brussels sprouts.

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High-Protein Veggie Salad

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey.

This colorful, protein-packed salad combines black beans, fresh vegetables and a zesty lime dressing for a quick, satisfying meal. With fiber-rich beans, leafy greens and healthy fats from avocado oil, it delivers bold, fresh flavor in every bite.

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