Healthy vegetarian dishes can be flavorful and easy to prepare. Use these easy vegetarian lunch ideas and recipes as inspiration for your next midday meal!
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What Can Vegetarians Eat for Lunch?
You might be wondering what makes for a good vegetarian lunch! Here are some general ideas to get you started before we jump into some delicious lunch recipes.
Non-toxic + truly non-stick!
Salad: Throw in some healthy fats like avocado and some cheese or black beans for a little protein. Serve pita bread or crackers on the side for additional substance.
Mixed Veggies: You can make vegetables a meal if you throw in a good condiment and some toppings like seeds and cheese. Charred peppers, broccoli, tomato, spinach and carrots make a great cooked veggie mix.
Non-toxic + truly non-stick!
Sandwiches: It's easy to make a good vegetarian sandwich if using a mix of fresh vegetables, cheeses, sprouts, seeds, and condiments like mayo, mustard or pesto.
Wraps: Throw a favorite salad mix into a tortilla or flatbread, drizzle with a favorite sauce or a slather of hummus and you're well on your way to lunch wrap bliss.
Power Bowls: Fill a bowl with grains like white or brown rice, quinoa or millet then top off with lentils, a veggie burger, fresh veggies like cucumber or bell pepper, herbs like parsley or cilantro, crispy tofu, nuts like almonds or seeds and finish with components like salsa, guacamole, tahini, romesco, green onions or soy sauce. Enjoy!
Lunchboxes
If you have to meal prep for lunchtime at work or a school lunch, investing in a good lunch box can make things easier! A good lunchbox will ensure your leftovers stay well protected and divided so you can avoid the dreaded soggy lunch. Here are some of our favorite lunch box finds:
- Stainless steel Bento box with a divider - perfect for a sandwich and a salad, for instance.
- This Bento box is designed for salads! You get a compartment for the greens, small compartments for toppings, and a compartment for a dressing - it's fun and works well!
- This packable lunch bowl is perfect for soups, curries, and grain bowls that need reheating.
- This insulated fabric lunch bag is great for carrying snacks and small containers. It will keep things warm or cold and prevent them from getting smushed.
25+ Delicious Vegetarian Lunch Ideas
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📖 Recipe
25+ Vegetarian Lunch Ideas: Maple Ginger Tofu Bowls & More!
Ingredients
- 1 14 oz package extra firm tofu pressed, drained, cubed
- 2 tbs tapioca flour
- 3 tbs coconut oil
- 4 tbs maple syrup
- 2 tbs coconut oil
- 1 tbs ginger root grated
- 1 tbs apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbs sriracha sauce optional
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1 14 oz package rice noodles cooked according to package directions
- 2 cup broccoli florets steamed
- optionally sesame seeds, for garnishing
Instructions
- Press package of tofu in a tofu press, or wrap in a tea towel and place a heavy object on top (book, canned food, etc.) and let sit for ten minutes to allow the brine to drain. Pat tofu to dry. Slice into 1/2-1″ cubes.
- In a large bowl combine pressed, drained and cubed tofu; and tapioca starch. Toss to coat.
- In a large oven-proof frying pan or cast iron skillet heat 3 tbs coconut oil over medium heat.
- Place coated tofu in one even layer in skillet and fry, turning a few times until all sides of tofu cubes are beginning to brown (about ten minutes).
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- In a mixing bowl combine maple syrup, coconut oil, grated ginger, vinegar, sriracha (optional), garlic powder, and ground ginger. Whisk until smooth.
- Pour maple ginger sauce over tofu; toss to coat.
- Place coated tofu in preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until sauce is sticky and bubbling.
- To serve, place cooked rice noodles in a bowl and top with maple ginger tofu, steamed broccoli, and sesame seeds (optional).
- Enjoy!
Irina says
What a great collection of recipes it is! I am choosing the first one to start with. 🙂 Pinning!!
MJ says
SO many yummy looking vegetarian lunch recipes here! Can't wait to make the teriyaki tofu. Yum.
Jill says
Saving this collection for reference throughout the year. Eyeing that salad in the jar and hummus veggie wrap to start!
Alison says
I'm always on the lookout for simple vegetarian lunch ideas! This will be my go-to resource! The lettuce wraps look amazing!