17 Heart-Healthy Lunch Recipes to Bring to Work

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

Credit: Photographer: Ali Redmond.

Get excited for lunch every day with these delicious recipes that are easy to take on the go. These packable meals, like our Ginger-Soy Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp and our Herb-Marinated Veggie & Chickpea Salad, fit our parameters for a heart-healthy meal, meaning they are low in saturated fat and sodium. With heart-healthy ingredients like leafy greens, legumes and fish, not only are these recipes delicious, but they can help lower your risk of heart disease, too!

01 of 17

Herb-Marinated Veggie & Chickpea Salad

Credit: Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.
Credit: Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.

This herb-marinated veggie-and-chickpea salad is a refreshing, no-cook dish packed with fresh flavors. It brings together crisp raw vegetables and fiber-rich chickpeas, all tossed in a zesty herb dressing that infuses every bite. Since it requires no stove or oven time, it’s perfect for warm days, meal prep or busy weeknights when you want something quick.

View Recipe

02 of 17

Ginger-Soy Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp

Credit: Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.
Credit: Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.

These ginger-soy zucchini noodles with shrimp are a light, flavorful no-cook dish that’s perfect for warmer days. Thinly sliced zucchini offers a crisp and refreshing base, while the sauce, made with ginger, soy and lime juice, adds bold and bright flavors. Precooked shrimp make this meal fast and convenient—just toss everything together and serve! It’s a fresh, protein-packed bowl that comes together in minutes.

View Recipe

03 of 17

5-Ingredient Avocado & Chickpea Salad

Credit: Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco.
Credit: Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco.

This avocado-and-chickpea salad is a fresh, flavorful dish that comes together in minutes. Made with just five ingredients, it’s as simple as it is satisfying. Creamy avocado pairs perfectly with hearty chickpeas for a filling, plant-based meal. With no cooking required and minimal prep, it’s a perfect quick lunch or dinner.

View Recipe

04 of 17

High-Protein White Bean Salad with Feta & Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

This white bean salad with feta and lemon-garlic vinaigrette is quick and requires no stove time. White beans bring plant-based protein and fiber to help keep you full. Creamy feta cheese provides a tangy, salty contrast to the bright vinaigrette. Tossed with fresh herbs and toasted walnuts, this salad is perfect for a light lunch.

View Recipe

05 of 17

Pickled Tuna Salad

Credit: Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Credit: Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

This pickled tuna salad gets its flavor from chopped dill pickles and uses the pickle brine to enhance the flavor. Serve it on a slice of toasted whole-wheat bread, on crackers or with crisp veggies for an easy snack.

View Recipe

06 of 17

Green Goddess Sandwich

Credit: Victor Protasio
Credit: Victor Protasio

This green goddess sandwich is fresh and satisfying. The dressing packs a flavorful punch with capers and lemon juice. The cucumber and sprouts add nice crunch, and the seasoned avocado brings in the creaminess.

View Recipe

07 of 17

Sweet Potato, Kale & Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing

Credit: Ali Redmond
Credit: Ali Redmond

These hearty kale salads hold up well for 4 days, making them perfect for meal-prep lunches. To keep the ingredients from getting soggy, dress this salad and top it with peanuts just before serving.

View Recipe

08 of 17

Anti-Inflammatory Beet & Avocado Wrap

Credit: Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Credit: Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Packed with fiber and monounsaturated fats, avocados are one of the best foods to eat to fight inflammation. Combined with raw beets, which contain their own inflammation-fighting phytochemicals, you’ll get a lunch that packs a healthy punch. The tahini-lemon mixture adds brightness and a nutty flavor to the wrap. To julienne beets, cut them into thin rounds, then slice the rounds into matchsticks. Or to save time, simply grate the beets on the largest holes of a box grater.

View Recipe

09 of 17

Lemon Shrimp & Orzo Salad

Consider making a double batch of this easy pasta salad—it’s delicious the next day. The orzo will absorb the dressing as it sits, so add a little more olive oil and lemon juice if you’d like.

View Recipe

10 of 17

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!

View Recipe

11 of 17

Salmon Salad–Stuffed Avocado

Credit: Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Addelyn Evans
Credit: Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Addelyn Evans

Good-quality canned salmon is high in protein and brain-loving omega-3 fatty acids. Mix it with pesto-spiked yogurt and pile it old-school style into a halved avocado for a quick healthy lunch.

View Recipe

12 of 17

Chipotle-Lime Cauliflower Taco Bowls

Credit: Ali Redmond
Credit: Ali Redmond

A bold, smoky marinade elevates roasted cauliflower in this meal-prep version of our popular Chipotle-Lime Cauliflower Tacos by Carolyn Malcoun. To cut down on prep time for these healthy taco bowls, look for precut cauliflower in the produce department. You can also save time by using microwaveable quinoa pouches (you’ll need one 8-ounce pouch for this recipe) instead of cooking quinoa.

View Recipe

13 of 17

Broccoli & Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad

We’ve loaded this healthy pasta salad with vegetables and bright flavors. Sun-dried tomatoes and a touch of lemon zest jazz up the dressing, while tender-crisp broccoli florets cook alongside the pasta, making assembly (and cleanup!) a breeze.

View Recipe

14 of 17

High-Protein Pasta with Peas

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

This one-pot pasta with peas is packed with plant-based protein and a healthy dose of fiber. The chickpea pasta is cooked with vibrant green peas and tossed with fragrant basil and a rich pesto sauce for fresh flavor in every bite. Nutty toasted pine nuts provide the perfect crunch, adding depth and texture.

View Recipe

15 of 17

Dill-Pickle Pasta Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing

If you’re a fan of pickles, this easy pasta salad will become your go-to. If you want to give it some extra kick, an additional teaspoon or two of hot sauce will do the trick. Pair it with anything hot off the grill or pack it up for a picnic. It can also easily translate from a side dish to an entree by adding a can of flaked tuna or shredded chicken.

View Recipe

16 of 17

Veggie & Hummus Sandwich

Credit: Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey
Credit: Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey

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.

View Recipe

17 of 17

Edamame & Veggie Rice Bowl

The ingredients in this vegan grain bowl recipe can be prepped ahead for an easy lunch to pack for work. The tangy citrus dressing is a refreshing flavor with the sweet caramel of the roasted sheet-pan veggies.

View Recipe

Leave a Comment