20 Easy Vegan Lunch Ideas
The Lunch Hump is real. Making lunch day after day can seem daunting and never-ending, and the inspiration can run dry. Especially for those who are new to the vegan diet, it can be hard to stay creative in the kitchen. But, as they say, variety is the spice of life, and that’s why we at Planted Meals are committed to make every meal as exciting and fun as possible.
To make your lunch prep a little easier, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favourite lunch recipes, from snacks, to salads, to pizza. Here are some great vegan lunch ideas to make lunchtime exciting again.
Vegan Salad Lunch Ideas
Jalapeno Popper Chickpea Salad
Via Vegan Richa
Who said you can’t have jalapeno poppers for lunch? Vegan Richa takes a beloved fried snack and transforms it into a protein-packed chickpea salad that uses a zesty, creamy tofu dip to bring it all together. Say goodbye to the mid-day slump, because this spicy salad will definitely perk you up. Here’s a recap on what plant-based protein is all about.
Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
Via Well Plated
Get a taste of Thanksgiving dinner any day of the work week with Well Plated’s Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad. Your usual Thanksgiving dinner may leave you feeling heavy and sleepy, but this salad is perfect for lunch, flavourful and full of nutrients. To make this the perfect vegan lunch recipe, substitute the chicken stock for vegetable stock.
Kale Quinoa Salad
Via A Couple Cooks
Some days, you just need some greens, and on those days, A Couple Cooks has your back. This colourful salad isn’t only beautiful to look at, but it also tastes incredible. This vegan lunch recipe aims to use as few ingredients as possible, while creating maximum flavour.
Vegan Italian Pasta Salad
Via A Couple Cooks
Pasta salads have a bad reputation for being bland and boring. This Vegan Italian Pasta salad, though? It’s packed with flavour, featuring punches of savouriness from the briney capers and mouth-watering olives, juiciness from the tomatoes, and a fresh pop from the crisp romaine lettuce. It’s a salad that acts as a resounding answer to those midday hunger pangs.
Rice Noodle Salad
Via Rhian’s Recipe
Salad can be so much more than just greens. Rhian’s Recipe puts together one of those perfect vegan lunch recipes that’s great for hot summer days and requires very little or no cooking at all. Refreshing and light, but also nutritious and satisfying, it’s a great option to eat at your desk — or wherever else!
Bean, Tomato, and Watercress Salad
Via BBC Good Food
Not only is this recipe from BBC Good Food vegan, but it’s also gluten-free for those sensitive or allergic to gluten. The beans will fill you up, and the watercress and tomato keep things light. Another bonus? It only has four ingredients!
Roasted Broccoli Pasta Salad with Hemp Pesto
Via Minimalist Baker
There’s nothing like a roasted cruciferous vegetable, and when paired with Minimalist Baker’s hemp pesto, you’ve got yourself a match made in heaven. Like BBC Good Food’s Bean, Tomato, and Watercress Salad, this Roasted Broccoli Pasta Salad is both vegan and gluten-free.
Snacky Vegan Lunch Ideas
“Cheesy” Vegan Scones
Via BBC Good Food
Okay, we’re not saying only have scones for lunch… but those days when you only want scones exist! Cheese is often one of those ingredients that people who are new to the vegan diet miss the most, and this “cheesy” vegan scone really helps to quell that craving. We personally love this recipe with some chives mixed in.
Chickpea Pancakes
Breakfast for lunch? Why not? Hurry the Food Up’s Chickpea Pancakes is a savoury twist on the breakfast staple, and this recipe is incredibly versatile. Chickpeas are high in protein and fibre. This vegan lunch recipe is also gluten-free, and low FODMAP.
Vegan Zucchini Corn Fritters
For something a little different, these Vegan Zucchini Corn Fritters can be eaten as a main, or as a delicious side. Sometimes we just crave fried food, and this vegan lunch recipe won’t have you feeling guilty about eating it.
Easy Falafel
Sometimes you need to eat lunch right away — stat! Hurry the Food Up offers up a vegan lunch recipe that you can cook up super quickly, and features the star of vegan proteins, tofu. If you recall, tofu is a “complete” protein, meaning it doesn’t need to be supplemented with other foods for you to get the most out of your meal.
Handheld Vegan Lunch Ideas
Speed Vegan Burrito
Sometimes you need to eat lunch right away — stat! Hurry the Food Up offers up a vegan lunch recipe that you can cook up super quickly, and features the star of vegan proteins, tofu. If you recall, tofu is a “complete” protein, meaning it doesn’t need to be supplemented with other foods for you to get the most out of your meal.
Easy Chickpea Salad Sandwich
Via A Couple Cooks
Is there anything that screams “lunch” more than a sandwich? Of course, a tuna sandwich is out of the question (for obvious reasons), but it’s also an office faux pas. This Chickpea Salad Sandwich from A Couple Cooks only takes 10 minutes to make, will fill you up and keep you satiated until dinner time, and won’t turn your coworkers against you.
Gobi Aloo Wrap
Via Vegan Richa
For something a little different, this Gobi Aloo Wrap from Vegan Richa makes a delectable hand-held lunch that features a creamy red lentil hummus, fragrant Indian Aloo Gobi potato and pea stir-fry, and crisp pickled onions. Sometimes you just need a lunch that packs a punch in flavour!
Vegan Meatloaf Sandwich
Via Healthier Steps
We know that vegan meatloaf is a bit of an oxymoron, but hear us out: this Vegan Meatloaf Sandwich by Healthier Steps is something you’ll want as a part of your lunchtime rotation. Using Healthier Steps’ recipe for lentil loaf, it’s a great solution to your leftover “meat”loaf.
Vegan Gyros with Mushrooms and Tzatziki
Via Vegan Richa
This mouthwatering Vegan Gyros is the vegan lunch recipe you’ve been looking for that’ll make you forget you’re sitting at your desk. Vegan Richa’s five-ingredient recipe utilizes mushroom in place of meat and features a five-minute vegan tzatziki. It’s definitely a must-try in our books.
Vegan Bowl Ideas
Black Bean Burrito Bow
Via Cookie + Kate
Sometimes a sandwich just isn’t enough. Cookie + Kate’s Black Bean Burrito Bowl takes all your favourite things about a burrito, and adds greater nutritional value to it. Though this one takes a bit longer to make, it’s a great one if you do vegan meal prep — you’ll have lunch for the whole week.
Vegan “Tuna” Poké Bow
Via Live Eat Learn
Vancouver may be known for its sushi, and though you may no longer eat fish, this Vegan “Tuna” Poké Bowl is a great alternative. Using tomatoes (yes, tomatoes!) as a replacement for tuna, this bowl has all the great fixings you love about a poké bowl.
Vegan Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Via Minimalist Baker
Vegan mac and cheese is always killer; why not have it for lunch? Minimalist Baker takes the basic mac and cheese recipe and transforms it into a perfect fall vegan lunch by utilizing roasted pumpkin. If your mouth is watering, we don’t blame you.
Buffalo “Chicken” Pizza
Via Vegan Richa
Every now and then, you need to treat yourself, and what better way than by having Buffalo “Chicken” Pizza for lunch? Vegan Richa’s recipe packs a ton of flavour, also featuring a white garlic sauce and ranch dressing. Best of all, it takes no time at all to put this vegan soy-free, gluten-free pizza together.
A Final Note
For those who don’t necessarily enjoy cooking or simply don’t have the time for it, vegan meal prep companies like Planted Meals are a terrific alternative that will ensure you have a tasty and filling lunch every day. We offer a wide variety of options that will satisfy every palate, from our Thai Red Curry to our Watermelon “Tuna” Poke Bowl. Explore our many lunch options here.
What do you usually eat for lunch? Do you have a favourite vegan lunch recipe? Let us know in the comments below!
