45 Easy Vegan Lunch Ideas (Quick and Healthy Recipes)
These delicious recipes are perfect for a simple midweek meal or super hearty, protein-packed vegan lunch ideas for busy days.
There’s something in here for just about every mood, preference or season!
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Let’s face it, lunch doesn’t get many people going as much as dinner does. It can be boring and perceived as a major step-down from the delightful breakfast.
To put it bluntly, lunch is the meal we stuff our faces in just to quell hunger, which is kinda sad because there are a billion savoury and exciting ideas out there.
Just take the tasty ones in our compilation as examples.
They’re colourful, full of flavour, loaded with veggies and include your favourite store cupboard ingredients.
In fact, combined with vegan breakfasts and vegan dinners, you could make a complete menu out of them. Not sure which to pair?
I’ve made all the decisions for you in our free 7-day vegan meal plan, a complete guide to making the most delicious and easy vegan recipes!
Easy and awesome vegan lunch ideas and recipes
Don’t get us wrong, salads are great and I’ve included some solid choices here but there’s more to life than those colourful mixtures.
That’s why I’m presenting you with a much more delicious and diverse variety of dishes.
Just scroll through the different sections of our vibrant list and experiment with new flavours and textures, making lunch a meal you look forward to!
Sandwiches, wraps and spreads
1. Vegan Tempeh Sandwich
Bonus: my pick for a quick and hearty sandwich
This tempeh sandwich is THE new vegan sandwich. Mega tasty and super nutritional, it sets the new bar for all sandwich lovers out there.
2. Speedy Vegan Burrito
Bonus: an easy recipe that makes a healthy and versatile meal
The new vegan burrito is here, paving the way and setting the standard. Mega quick and perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
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3. Chickpea Wraps
Bonus: slather some avocado on these before adding the filling!
Chickpea Wraps – these firm faves are really easy to make, super tasty and oh-so-satisfying (if you like this then try our vegetarian wraps too). We’ll even show you how to roll them properly!
4. Smooching Mushrooms on Toast
Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
Bonus: quick, comforting, delicious and so healthy 🙂
Our delicious vegan take on the trendiest cafe food of the moment, Mushrooms on Toast. It’s perfect for everything from a savory breakfast, quick and nourishing lunch to a light dinner (check out our light vegetarian dinner ideas if you want more like this!).
5. Asian Slaw Vegan Wraps
Protein: 6 g
Calories: 197 kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: ThisHealthyKitchen
Bonus: flavourful, savoury, peanutty and satisfying
For AMAZING fresh wraps with peanutty, delicious flavour, look no further than these nutritious Asian slaw vegan wraps. Perfect to feed a crowd.
6. Vegan Egg Mayo Sandwich
Protein: 9 g
Calories: 132 kcal
Ready in: 10 minutes
Recipe by: VeganPunks
Bonus: tasty, easy, healthy, perfect for a quick lunch
This vegan egg mayo sandwich could be the quickest recipe on our website! It takes just ten minutes to make. Perfect for lunch in a hurry or make the night before ready for the next day.
7. Easy Vegan Caprese Sandwich
Protein: 11 g
Calories: 210 kcal
Ready in: 10 minutes
Recipe by: StaceyHomeMaker
Bonus: quick, filling, tasty and so healthy
Thick-cut slices of juicy heirloom tomatoes, creamy vegan mozzarella, fresh basil, and tangy balsamic glaze between two slices of toasted bread makes a delicious, easy vegan sandwich that you can enjoy for lunch or dinner!
8. Crispy Buffalo Tofu Wrap
Protein: 15 g
Calories: 358 kcal
Ready in: 50 minutes (20 minutes prep)
Recipe by: TheHealthyToast
Bonus: full of flavor, taste and health benefits meal
This vegan crispy buffalo tofu wrap recipe is packed with flavor and texture. It makes for the perfect high protein vegan lunch.
9. Peruvian Sandwich (Sanguche)
Protein: 11 g
Calories: 404 kcal
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: VeggieDesserts
Bonus: one of the best sandwich recipes out there
This tasty Peruvian Sandwich (vegetales sanguche) is filled with vegetables roasted in Peruvian spices, then layered with avocado and quick pickled red onions.
10. Smoky Chickpea Lavash Wrap
Protein: 10 g
Calories: 222 kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: StaceyHomeMaker
Bonus: easy, flavorful, simple ingredients and high in protein meal
Vegan lavash wraps stuffed with a smoky chickpea, tomato, and onion mixture, crisp slices of refreshing cucumber, and fresh spinach make the best lunch or dinner! The wraps are easy to make and ready in 30 minutes! Enjoy them at home or eat them on the go for a satisfying and filling meal.
11. Vegan Pepperoni Pizza Panini
Protein: 28 g
Calories: 460.6 kcal
Ready in: 15 minutes
Recipe by: APlantifulPath
Bonus: packed with protein
This Vegan Pepperoni Pizza Panini is a delicious pizza in a sandwich! An easy, and satisfying lunch or dinner that’s quick and easy, and oh so good!
12. Best Vegan Egg Salad
Protein: 7 g
Calories: 190 kcal
Ready in: 5 minutes
Recipe by: VeganBlueBerry
Bonus: super quick, nutritious, tasty and perfect for lunch box
This easy Vegan Egg Salad recipe is created in 5 minutes or less with mashed tofu, vegan mayo, nutrition yeast flakes, and amazing black salt (kala namak) that adds real ‘eggy’ flavor.
The texture and flavor might fool your taste buds into thinking that this is ‘real’ egg salad!
Salads
13. Chickpea Winter Salad
Bonus: fresh, tasty, incredibly healthy salad
An animal-friendly, fresh and tangy winter salad with some serious health benefits. It’s fresh and new, but still prepped within 15 minutes – awesome!
14. Fitness Lentil Bean Salad
Bonus: eat with some bread on the side for a filling lunch
This fitness lentil bean salad is a ridiculously high in protein post-workout or pack-and-go lunch salad (one of our top plant-based high protein lunch recipes!). 40g per bowl. Ready in 7 minutes. Tasty and effective.
15. Colourful Tabbouleh Salad
Bonus: use the vegetable broth to cook the couscous
Colourful Tabbouleh Salad – bring Mediterranean flair to the table or into your lunch box! Ready in just 15 minutes, vegan and super tasty!
16. Vietnamese Green Noodle Salad
Bonus: a unique, quick and filling salad
Ready to blow your taste buds away with a Vietnamese green noodle salad? Grab your noodles and tofu and chop-chop!
17. Moroccan Couscous Salad
Bonus: amazingly delicious, fun to make and so healthy
Authentic Moroccan Couscous salad. An exotic blend of heady spices, juicy fruits and fresh veggies and fluffy couscous. Exceptionally high in fiber and veggie goodness.
18. Arugula Lentil Salad
Bonus: simple, tasty, nutritious and really healthy
High protein, iron and fibre in exotic Arugula and Lentil Salad that’s healthy and vegan. Only 12 minutes to make with easy to find ingredients.
19. White Bean Salad
Bonus: quick, filling, satisfying and incredibly healthy
High Protein White Bean Salad that’s healthy and vegan (and also one of our favorite vegan protein salads ever!). High in fiber, vitamins A, C, E, B2 and B6 as well as iron and calcium. Takes less than 10 minutes.
20. Thai Quinoa Salad
Bonus: light, tasty and really healthy
Thai Quinoa Salad – Tropical Vibes. A refreshingly light, tasty Asian super-dish with lots of protein, fiber and tropical flavour. Get your summer feeling here.
21. Lentil Quinoa Salad
Bonus: serve with a dressing for the ultimate lunch
In this superfood salad red lentils and quinoa are jazzed up with crunchy almonds, tangy olives and creamy avocado.
22. White Bean Salad
Bonus: very quick, tasty and nutritious lunch
Speedy White Bean Salad – this tangy take on the classic is super-quick and super-tasty. It’s time to make lunch a thing to look forward to again.
23. Summer Salad with Black Beans
Bonus: easy, nutritious and delicious salad
High Protein Black Bean and Corn Summer Salad. Simple recipe ready in just 10 minutes, bursting with summery flavours, protein, fiber and iron.
24. Turkish Lentil Salad
Bonus: healthy, tasty, very quick and high in protein
Turkish Lentil Salad with a honey mustard dressing. Easy and quick, ready in 7 minutes. Full of fiber, protein and vitamin K.
25. Raunchy Sweet Potato Salad
Bonus: beautiful, healthy and so tasty
This sweet potato salad takes lunch to a whole new level – make your lunchbox proud again!
26. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Protein: 1 g
Calories: 118 kcal
Ready in: 45 minutes (just 15 minutes prep)
Recipe by: TheSubUrbanSoapBox
Bonus: easy, fresh, so healthy and full of vibrant flavors
Simple, fresh, healthy and delicious! This easy Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is quick and easy to make. So perfect for picnics and potlucks!
Bowls and pasta
27. Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Bonus: keeps well for sometime
Looking for a healthy vegan pasta salad that you can prep ahead for lunch? Try our Mediterranean pasta salad!
28. Chickpea and Quinoa Bowl
Bonus: sweet, tangy and healthy
This easy (and animal-friendly) lunch and dinner bowl hits all the right spots – grains, greens and a legume! What’s not to like?
29. Red Pesto Pasta
Bonus: quick, simple yet delicious and nutritious pasta
Red Pesto Pasta – The natural evolution of a classic dish. The pesto is all vegan and has received so much praise already you won’t believe it!
30. Tofu & Hummus Buddha Bowl
Bonus: quick, healthy, delicious and full of flavor dish
Indulge with this smoky and savory Buddha Bowl. The combination of smoked tofu, hummus, and turmeric rice makes for a perfect vegan lunch (or dinner!)
31. Quick and Creamy Avocado Pasta
Bonus: a super easy and creamy pasta
Quick and creamy Avocado Pasta that’s healthy and vegan. High in fiber, vitamin C, iron and good fats. Easy to make in under 15 minutes.
32. Sexy Vegan Lentil Stew
Bonus: can be stored for a while in the fridge
The sexiest lentil stew you have ever eaten. A nutritional powerhouse, this recipe is here to kickstart your year – and your health.
33. Spicy Peanut Noodle Salad
Protein: 21 g
Calories: 382 kcal
Ready in: 15 minutes
Recipe by: CheneeToday
Bonus: this noodle salad has a short meal prep time and is one of my favorite vegan lunch recipes
A vegan and gluten-free cold noodle salad recipe made with peanut butter, sesame oil, and Banza chickpea spaghetti, full of spicy Thai and Asian flavors!
34. Broccoli Pesto Pasta Salad
Protein: 10 g
Calories: 310 kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: IHeartUmami
Bonus: easy, nutritious, and flavorful
Broccoli Pesto Pasta Salad recipe is easy to make and bust with summer flavors. This healthy pesto pasta recipe is gluten-free and vegan friendly!
Assortments
35. Vegan Breakfast Potatoes
Bonus: works well for lunch too
Vegan Breakfast Potatoes – the best way to start the day and fuel up your afternoons. Animal-friendly, high in protein and even higher in taste. Yes please!
36. Healthy Masabacha
Bonus: serve with soy yoghurt and flat bread
Love hummus? Try masabacha! Made with whole chickpeas and served with roasted tomatoes, this is not one to miss!
37. Low Carb Zoodles
Bonus: amazingly quick, light and full of health benefits meal
Low Carb High Taste Zoodles. Italian style spiralized zucchini noodles ready in just 15 minutes, excellent for a quick lunch or dinner (just one of many delicious vegan Italian recipes you can try).
38. Chickpea Flour Pancakes
Bonus: so tasty, quick and spicy
A savory pancake begging to be eaten with pickles and chutneys or yogurts and cream. East meets West with this beautifully, wonderfully healthy dish.
39. Microwave-Baked Potato
Bonus: with fresh vegetables, olive oil and some spice, you could make this quick afternoon meal
So many vegetables, so little time to make. Hit your nutrient and vitamin count for the day with ease. No need to spend loads of time doing it, either.
40. British Baked Beans (Heinz Copycat)
Bonus: enjoy with some toast
Vegetarian Baked Beans. Thick and full flavoured with a moreish tang. Low in calories, ready in 15 minutes and just as good as the ‘original’ from Heinz!
41. Chickpea Fennel Olive Pancake
Bonus: easy, delicious and tangy pancake
These tangy chickpea pancakes are vegan and incredibly tasty. Getting them right is easy – just follow our simple cooking steps!
42. Roasted Pepper Dip
Bonus: the best dip for your favourite veggies
Looking for a simple red pepper dip recipe? Try our Muhammara dip and lunch platter – with fresh veggies & flatbreads (one of our fave easy dip recipes)!
43. Zucchini & Corn Fritters
Protein: 6 g
Calories: 205 kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: HappyKitchen
Bonus: quick, crispy, tasty and really healthy
The most amazing vegan zucchini corn fritters you’ll ever have. Crispy, delicious and perfect with a salad or dipped into your favorite dip.
44. Peanut Butter Noodles with Tofu
Protein: 23 g
Calories: 470 kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: MyPlantifulCooking
Bonus: one of my favourite protein-packed meals
Flavourful peanut noodles are paired with crispy baked tofu and colourful vegetables. Ready in under 30 mins and is super filling and satisfying.
45. Vegan Tuna Salad
Bonus: a meat-free alternative to the classic
All the taste and all the goodness – without the fish. The new kid on the vegan block is even tastier than the original!
Super high in protein and fibre, this vegan tuna salad will keep you going throughout the day. Try it now!
Ingredients
Optional
- parsley, fresh (for garnish)
Instructions
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas.
- Put the chickpeas, soy sauce, olive oil, mustard, and the lemon juice into a food processor or blender. Blend until it’s mostly smooth.
- Roughly chop the green onions and bell pepper. Add them together with the gherkins into the food processor. This time pulse gently – you want the salad to have a little consistency (it shouldn’t be a super-smooth sauce).
- Taste test – if you’d like it a little stronger add the more of the mustard and lemon juice.
- Garnish with parsley and serve on thick bread.
NOTES
Nutrition
Vegan lunch ideas FAQs
Want to know more about what makes a great vegan lunch? Read on to find out.Â
What do vegans eat for lunch and dinner?
There are many vegan couscous salads, sandwich recipes, or Buddha bowls available. Vegan burritos or dips with veggies work very well too. Many pasta and curry recipes are suitable for people on a vegan diet by default.
What lunch boxes do you recommend?
- Plastic Container Set (BPA free, will do for anything, even liquid)
- Glass Container Set (BPA-free and leakproof. A little heavier, but great if you don’t want to microwave your food in plastic containers. I have a set, and I’m super satisfied – works excellently with soups)
- Stainless Steel Lunch Box (lighter, definitely BPA-free, but also not truly watertight. I also own one though and I love it)
One last most obvious tip: always chuck your lunchbox in a plastic bag to be sure nothing leaks. Better to be safe than sorry 😉
With these vegan recipes, you will never run out of creative ideas to incorporate nutritious, high-protein ingredients into your diet, that is rich in antioxidants and perfect for fueling you with energy!
So give it a whirl and experiment with our easy vegan lunch ideas! Don’t forget you can share your favourite recipes by leaving a comment below or tagging us on social @hurrythefoodup.
Dave Bell
I’m not a foodie, although I do love eating. I believe food should serve us and our goals, not hinder. Taking control and responsibility for what I eat is important to me. Lots of veggie protein is my way forward.
This article has been medically reviewed by James LeBaigue MSc Learn More
James LeBaigue MSc
James has a Masters Degree in Sport and Exercise Nutrition, as well as an Advanced Diploma in Human Nutrition.
He loves combining his scientific knowledge along with food in the real world, and these recipes are the result.
He’s on top of all the latest evidence and guidelines to make sure our nutrition advice on the website is as accurate as it can be.
By day he works as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner in a busy NHS GP Practice.
Each recipe is tested and then eaten (much to James’ delight), many times before it is deemed worthy to be published. Bon appetit!
Comments
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7 comments
Excited to try these 🙂 I need something different from my Vegan Norm, and I think these will do just fine 🙂
Thanks for your interest Megan! These will do indeed! 🙂
These are not all vegan. I would change the title to Vegetarian so it’s not misleading?
Hey Jennifer! Ahh you’re absolutely right, two naughty recipes made it on there somehow. It’s updated now and all recipes should be completely vegan. Thanks for letting us know!
So many yummy recipes – can’t wait to try a whole bunch of them!
They do look good, indeed! 😀
What a fabulous roundup! So much delicious lunch inspiration!