Hurry The Food Up Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes For Busy People 
Eating lunch in a restaurant every day is often repetitive, probably boring, definitely bad for your wallet and possibly even worse for you.
Even if you stumble across a local that’s unique, exciting and great value, there’s a good chance that as non meat-eaters you’ll still only have the choice between a bowl of tomato soup (the appetizer for others) or a bland salad consisting of lettuce and tomato.
Vegans get it even worse.
So we’re here to put you out of your misery – this round up boasts 18 vegetarian lunch ideas and all of them are…
- quick to make
- healthy
- filling and
- easily storable in a lunchbox!
Talking of lunchboxes!
If you need a new one, we suggest perusing these:
1. Plastic Container Set (BPA free, will do for anything, even liquid)
2. Glass Container Set (BPA free and leak proof. 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 excellent with soups)
3. Stainless Steel Lunch Box (lighter, definitely BPA free, but also not truly watertight. I 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 😉
Then without further ado – it’s time to spice up your lunch life.
1. Amazing Chickpea Spinach Salad (Vegetarian)
High in protein, fiber and with an absolutely delicious dressing. Excellent for a quick lunch.
Ready in: 7 minutes
Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
2. Smoky Tempeh, Apple, and Arugula Sandwich (Vegan)
The sandwich that encompasses fall and all its flavors! Smoky tempeh, sweet apples and spicy arugula, a perfect dipper for those winter soups.
Ready in: 5 minutes
Recipe by: Veggies Don’t Bite
3. Easy Mexican Breakfast Burritos (Vegan)
These amazing burritos only require 8 ingredients (plus salt & water), and by repeating some of the ingredients in the avocado cream, it’s incredibly easy to make.
Ready in: 30 minutes (Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes)
Recipe by: TheVegan8
4. Egg Fried Cauliflower Rice (Vegetarian)
Now how easy is that? So so good for you, basic ingredients and delivers on the flavour too!
Ready in: 15 minutes
Recipe by: Hedi Hearts
5. Lentil Quinoa Salad with Spinach and Lemon (Vegan)
This delicious Lentil Quinoa Salad with Spinach and Citrus is protein packed and filling while still being an energizing light lunch.
Ready in: 30 minutes (Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes)
Recipe by: Veggie Inspired Journey
6. Pasta Salad in Peanut Butter Dressing (Vegan)
Pasta Salad with an unbelievable Peanut Butter Dressing. Did we mention it’s actually healthy too? Ready in 15 minutes, and packed with fiber and protein.
Ready in: 15 minutes
Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
7. Butternut Squash and Quinoa Mason Jar Salad (Vegan)
A healthy, light, and flavourful butternut squash and quinoa mason jar salad with arugula and pine nuts.
Ready in: 30 minutes (Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes)
Recipe by: Green Evi
8. Addictive Chickpea Soup (Vegan)
You’re in luck: this addictive, creamy vegan chickpea soup tastes even better the next day once flavors have had time to meld. A perfect vegan lunch you can take to work!
Ready in: 45 minutes (Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes)
Recipe by: PopSugar
9. Red Lentil Salad with Feta & Mint Yogurt Dressing (Vegetarian)
This satisfying salad that makes for a light yet filling lunch. One thing about this salad is that it tastes even better leftover, so I urge you to make extra!
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: Food Hunters Guide
10. Tofu and Kale Pesto Sandwich (Vegan)
This vegan tofu and kale pesto sandwich with grilled zucchini, carrots, and lettuce, is not only super delicious but also pretty easy to make.
Ready in: 15 minutes
Recipe by: Vegan Heaven
11. The Best Kale Caesar Salad (Vegan)
Crisp, hearty, and tangy, this kale caesar salad has to be one of the best “classic salads” out there.
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: Wake The Wolves
12. High Protein Kidney Bean Salad (Vegetarian)
A delightfully crunchy and satisfying bean salad bursting with Mediterranean flavors, including lemon, garlic and fresh herbs. This healthy salad is gluten free, but mostly just delicious!
Ready in: 7 minutes
Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
13. Sweet Potato Salad (Vegan)
This sweet potato salad is best served cold but can also be enjoyed warm, easily portable and even more delicious the next day.
Ready in: 35 minutes
Recipe by: Vegan Family Recipes
14. Back to School Lunch Idea: Tri Colored Pasta Salad (Vegan)
A fresh and savory pasta salad that you can enjoy hot or cold.
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: Veganosity
15. Quick and Easy Thai Green Curry (Vegan)
Quick and Easy Vegetarian Thai Green Curry. Ready in 30 minutes and packed full of taste, spice and a fresh lime kick. Delicious and nutritious!
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
16.Greek Couscous Salad with Watermelon and Feta (Vegetarian)
The combination of watermelon and feta is all the rage, so Katie took it one step further and added a few more Greek elements – kalamata olives, cucumber, and a tangy vinaigrette.
Ready in: 15 minutes
Recipe by: Katie at the Kitchen Door
17. Buddha Bowls (Vegan & delicious!)
Not exactly a recipe, but you need to check out this guide on Buddha bowls to see what’s possible with rice, beans and greens. Of course, perfect for lunch as well!
Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
18. Tangy Veggie Wrap (Vegetarian)
A refreshing and tangy summer veggie wrap that’s easy to make and perfect for on the go – ideal for BBQs, picnics or wherever it’s needed!
Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
19. Coconut Zucchini Fried Rice (Vegan & delicious!)
This healthy fried rice is a delicious and easy way to boost your intake of fibre, antioxidants, good fats and protein!
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: Green Living Soul <– Currently offline 🙁
Check out our Breakfast in Six Cookbook
Our beautiful ebook, Breakfast in Six is out! It’s our favourite 30 vegetarian and vegan breakfast recipes – all made with six or less ingredients. They’ve never been seen on the site before (and never will). Check it out!
And now I’m hungry!! Any of these would make the absolutely perfect easy lunch!! So many great choices! Thanks for including my Lentil Quinoa Salad! Sharing!
You’re welcome, Jenn!! 😀
Thanks for including me Howie! Fantastic Roundup! I scheduled to share on Fb today!
You’re welcome Sophia!!
Nothing better than a great salad in a jar 😀
Thanks for sharing!
What a delicious roundup – every single one of these look tantalizing!
Thanks Sashi!! 😀
Yeess, it was quite easy to pic those haha
Thanks for including my tri-colored pasta salad, Howie! This is such a colorful and healthy roundup. It made me hungry. Sharing on social media now.
You’re salad deffo earned it’s spot in this roundup 😀
Thanks for sharing, Linda!!
What a wonderful list of veggie lunch ideas! Thanks for including my sweet potato salad 😉 I’ll have to give that yummy summer wrap a try! Sharing 🙂
GREAT post!! Quesadillas are my favorite comfort food! There’s something about the crispy tortillas with a gooey gooey center sandwiched between them. Thanks for such a fantastic post!!
Hi Erin!!
So cool you like the post 😀
Yep we became big fans of quesadillas over here as well. I think for a while I even was addicted. You know, similar to when you have the sandwich maker up on the kitchenet, haha
Quesadillas are defffo not even the list!! 🙂
Thank you for the ideas I have a middle school er that have decided going vegetarian I need ideas for school.
Hi Juana,
I assume you are his/her teacher? So cool you’re taking so much care of your pupil! Maybe you also find our “How to make a Salad in a Jar Tutorial” helpful. Deffo quite handy to take to school 🙂
I’ve been looking for some good lunch/dinner recipes that are packed with protein but are mostly vegan. I ran across this in a google search and I can’t wait to try most of these recipes! Thanks so much!
You’re very welcome Te! Glad we could help – go make those colleagues jealous 😀
I am a middles schooler in the seventh grade and I recently became vegetarian this past September. This website helped me get some healthy, yummy, and easy to make lunch ideas that I can bring to school. Thanks so much!
Happy to be of service, Crystal! Really glad to hear your vegetarian way of living is such a success 🙂
Is the app available at the iPhone app store?
Hi Adriana, at the moment not unfortunately 🙁
But we’re working on it!!