16 Healthy Spring Lunches That Aren’t Salads

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

Salads aren’t the only healthy option you can have for lunch. These sandwiches, wraps and bowls are packed with spring produce like avocados, spinach and fresh herbs. Make our High-Protein Chicken Wrap with Pesto ahead of time and pack it for work, or whip up our Green Goddess Chickpea Bowl for a satisfying, high-protein option to keep you full until dinner.

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High-Protein Chicken Wrap with Pesto

Credit: Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
Credit: Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

This high-protein chicken wrap is packed with fresh flavor and comes together in just 15 minutes. A quick vegan pesto made with basil, spinach and toasted nuts coats the chicken, adding bright herb flavor without cheese. Wrapped in whole-wheat tortillas with creamy avocado and fresh greens, these wraps make an easy lunch or light dinner.

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Cucumber-Avocado Sandwich

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 creamy, crunchy sandwich layers salty feta, crisp cucumber and silky avocado between slices of whole-wheat toast. A simple yogurt-feta spread adds richness and tang, while spinach and red onion bring freshness and bite, perfect for a quick lunch.

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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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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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Chicken & Sweet Potato Wrap

Credit: Photographer: Abbey Littlejohn.
Credit: Photographer: Abbey Littlejohn.

These hearty wraps are filled with roasted sweet potatoes, chicken and mashed avocado. Using a rotisserie chicken saves time, but any leftover cooked chicken will work well.

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Turkey, Cucumber, Cream Cheese Roll-Ups

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.

These turkey-cucumber roll-ups are a protein-packed lunch that comes together in minutes. Sliced deli turkey wraps around crisp cucumber slices and a layer of dill-infused cream cheese for a cool, satisfying bite. Once rolled, it’s sliced into pieces, ideal for a quick lunch.

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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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Canned Tuna Rice Bowl

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.

This canned tuna rice bowl is a quick, flavor-packed meal combining a pantry staple and fresh ingredients. Flaky chunks of tuna combine with tangy kimchi and sit atop warm brown rice, paired with crunchy cucumbers, creamy avocado and toasty nori. A drizzle of Sriracha mayo brings everything together. It's easy to customize and comes together in minutes—perfect for a satisfying lunch or weeknight dinner.

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Veggie Sandwich with Garlic-Herb Cheese

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

The creamy spreadable cheese in this veggie sandwich adds flavor while holding everything in place. This colorful, well-balanced sandwich is crispy from the cucumber and peppers, sweet from the tomatoes and beets, and tangy from the banana peppers.

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Chickpea Grain Bowl with Feta & Tomatoes

Credit: Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Shannon Goforth, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali.
Credit: Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Shannon Goforth, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali.

This chickpea-farro grain bowl is a hearty dish that’s packed with plant-based protein, fiber and tons of fresh flavor. Farro, a whole grain with a nutty taste and chewy texture, forms the base and pairs perfectly with tender chickpeas and veggies. If you don’t have farro on hand, you can easily swap in quinoa, brown rice or barley.

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Cucumber-Hummus Wrap

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

This cucumber-hummus wrap is a crisp, refreshing lunch packed with veggies. Shredded green cabbage adds a satisfying crunch, while the creamy dressing (flavored with pickle juice, but no pickles) adds tang without excess sodium. Hummus provides a creamy base that pairs perfectly with the fresh crispy vegetables. For a shortcut, swap in pre-shredded coleslaw mix instead of shredding your own cabbage.

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Chickpea-Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.

These Chickpea-Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps give classic tuna salad a fresh, flavorful upgrade. Mashed chickpeas add creamy texture and extra protein, while Greek yogurt gives the salad a light, creamy base. A generous shake of everything bagel seasoning ties it all together with savory crunch. Wrapped in crisp butter lettuce instead of bread, it’s a satisfying, high-protein lunch that’s perfect for meal prep or a quick, no-cook dinner.

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Cucumber-Spinach Sandwich

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

This cucumber-spinach sandwich is light and refreshing, combining crisp cucumbers with tender spinach for a fresh, green bite. Layered on whole-grain bread with a creamy spread, it’s both simple and satisfying. Perfect for a quick lunch at work or at home, this sandwich is a no-fuss option.

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Turmeric Chicken & Avocado Wraps

Credit: Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
Credit: Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley

These chicken salad wraps are packed with ingredients that help reduce inflammation. Turmeric, with its bright golden hue, is well-known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, while chickpeas add fiber and plant-based protein. Mix up the chicken salad at the beginning of the week to enjoy in a wrap or serve it over greens if you prefer.

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The Only High-Protein Veggie Sandwich Formula You Need

Credit: Ali Redmond
Credit: Ali Redmond

From beans to tofu to tempeh bacon, this high-protein veggie sandwich formula can help mitigate blood sugar spikes and keep you feeling full until your next meal.

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Gut-Friendly Veggie Sandwich

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

This high-fiber sandwich features a tangy yogurt spread for a probiotic boost, plus shaved asparagus for a healthy dose of prebiotics to support a healthy gut. Shaving is a great way to enjoy raw asparagus. To shave the asparagus, use a vegetable peeler to peel the spears lengthwise.

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Original Source:

https://www.eatingwell.com/spring-lunch-recipes-not-salads-11965811