These 14 Healthy, Packable Salads Are a Breath of Fresh Air in Your Weekday Lunch Routine
I'm forever looking for new ways to spice up my usual deskside lunch, and healthy salads (like these 14 fresh options) are a nutritious, filling way to do it. With the right recipe, you can assemble the whole salad beforehand (yes, sometimes even the dressing), pack it up in plastic containers, and have your lunch ready to go for the full work week. Sounds like heaven, right?
These healthy salad recipes pack in nutrients, fiber, and protein while keeping things low-carb and tasty. Even better, with a few meal prep strategies, they can all be made ahead of time and assembled at work, on the road, or during a busy day at home. Wherever your lunchtime takes you, these veggie-filled dishes have your back.
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
This spinach-packed salad is a breeze to make and keeps wonderfully in the fridge. No need to hold the dressing; make a double batch, portion it into four containers, and you have the majority of your weekday lunches ready to go.
Get the recipe: Mediterranean quinoa salad
Baby Kale and Sesame Chicken Salad
Baby kale, chicken, cucumbers, apple, sweet potatoes: this recipe is nutrient-packed and full of protein. Keep the component separate in your fridge and toss them together with the dressing when you're ready to eat.
Get the recipe: baby kale and sesame chicken salad
Mexican Tempeh Salad
If you've never tried tempeh, now's a great time! It's easy to cook and keeps well, especially in this delicious and colorful quinoa salad. Eat warm or cold and add the diced avocado right before you serve.
Get the recipe: Mexican tempeh salad
Kale, Toasted Almond, and Orange Salad
We can't stop staring at this gorgeous salad, and with sweet and tangy oranges and dressing plus crunchy almonds and fresh kale, it's bound to taste as good as it looks. Prep the salad beforehand, store it in the fridge, and fold in the oranges and dressing just before serving.
Get the recipe: kale, toasted almond, and orange salad
Cucumber Quinoa Salad
This light, hydrating salad is filled with fiber, potassium, and Vitamin C. It's easy to pack for a weekday lunch; simply mix up the ingredients and add the avocado before you eat.
Get the recipe: cucumber quinoa salad
Pineapple Blueberry Salad With Lemon Chia Seed Dressing
If you like your salads on the sweeter side, look no further than this light, bright, tropical recipe! We recommend topping it with tofu, chicken, or salmon for a little extra protein. Toss it beforehand, then add the avocado and dressing before you eat.
Get the recipe: pineapple blueberry salad with lemon chia seed dressing
BLT Chicken Salad
With a whopping 30 grams of protein, this healthy, kale-filled chicken salad is low in carbs and will make your taste buds so, so happy come lunchtime. It keeps for four to five days in the fridge, so feel free to make a big batch to last the whole week.
Get the recipe: BLT chicken salad
Lentil Salad With Mustard and Tomatoes
One of those rare (and wonderful) dishes that get better the longer you keep it in the fridge, this bright lentil salad becomes even more filling, tasty, and healthy with the addition of protein like tofu, feta cheese, or grilled chicken.
Get the recipe: lentil salad
Lightened-Up Cobb Salad
Our version of a Cobb salad doesn't skimp on any of your fave ingredients (note the bacon, chicken, and egg!) but comes in at under 375 calories for a healthy, filling lunch. Prep it ahead of time, store it covered in your fridge, and mix in the dressing just before you eat.
Get the recipe: lightened-up Cobb salad
Kale Caesar Salad
The kale in this remixed Caesar salad is hardy enough to hold up in the refrigerator for a few days even after it's been dressed, making for a speedy weekday lunch. Simply sprinkle on the croutons and enjoy!
Get the recipe: kale Caesar salad
Cucumber Corn Salad
Crafted with simple, whole produce and beans, this satisfying salad has just 274 calories per serving! Store it covered in the refrigerator and wait to dice up and fold in the avocado until just before you eat.
Get the recipe: cucumber corn salad
Mexican Salad With Creamy Lime Dressing
This pretty salad, full of sweet potatoes, radishes, tomatoes, and greens like cilantro, has the perfect mix of sweet and spicy to perk up your weekday routine. Mix together the ingredients but keep the dressing separate and the crushed tortilla chip topping out of the refrigerator for the best meal prep results.
Get the recipe: Mexican salad with creamy lime dressing
Quinoa, Black Bean, Corn, and Tomato Salad
Low in sugar and with a solid 16 grams of protein, this simple salad stores well (no greens to get wilted), and you can eat it cold or pop it in the microwave to enjoy it warmed-up.
Get the recipe: quinoa, black bean, and corn salad
Arugula Salad With White Beans
This low-carb arugula salad is full of rich, tangy taste and nutrients like potassium, vitamin A, and calcium. It's a fresh addition to any lunch, especially paired with grilled chicken, shrimp, or steak for extra protein! Arugula wilts easily, so if you're prepping this ahead for a weekday lunch, store the components separately and toss them with the dressing just before serving.
Get the recipe: arugula salad with white beans