Staying committed to a low-carb lifestyle can be tough, especially when it comes to packing a satisfying lunch at work. To help make meal prep easier, we’ve compiled a list of 30 mouth-watering and nutritious low-carb lunch ideas that are perfect for busy professionals on-the-go. Whether you’re looking for a boost of energy or a way to curb those pesky hunger pangs, these options are sure to hit the spot.
30 Low-Carb Lunch Ideas for Busy Professionals
Keto Fried Chicken Salad
Indulge in this mouthwatering low-carb take on the classic fried chicken salad, designed to satisfy your cravings while keeping you fueled throughout the day. To prepare, combine cooked chicken tenders with crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, creamy avocado chunks, sweet and tangy cherry tomatoes, nutrient-rich spinach, and pungent blue cheese crumbles in a single bowl. Finish it off by drizzling with your preferred oil-based or homemade dressing to elevate the flavors even further.
Avocado Tuna Salad
Crafting a wholesome and low-carb lunch that’s quick to prepare is a feat worth accomplishing. Simply combine canned tuna, diced avocado, chopped celery, and a judicious amount of mayonnaise in a bowl. To add a satisfying textural element, serve with crackers or crunchy veggie sticks.
Turkey Spinach Wrap
Give your taste buds a thrilling twist by swapping traditional wraps for a mouthwatering turkey spinach wrap alternative. The combination of sliced deli turkey, juicy tomatoes, crunchy radish, and crumbly feta cheese layered within a large spinach tortilla is simply divine. Take it to the next level by drizzling with a rich oil-based dressing or creamy tzatziki sauce, allowing the flavors to meld together in perfect harmony.
Egg Salad Sandwich
Indulge in a quick and satisfying low-carb egg salad sandwich, perfect for a lunch on-the-go. Combine boiled eggs with a creamy mayonnaise base, crunchy celery, and sweet diced onion to create a flavorful filling. For added texture, serve it between two slices of whole wheat bread or opt for crisp lettuce wraps instead.
Greek Salad Bowl
Satisfy your cravings with this filling and flavorful Greek salad bowl recipe! To create this hearty dish, begin by building a solid foundation of crisp lettuce. Then, add an assortment of delicious toppings including crumbly feta cheese, briny kalamata olives, juicy tomatoes, refreshing cucumbers, and thinly sliced red onion. Take it to the next level by drizzling with a light and tangy Greek dressing for an explosion of flavors that will keep you satisfied until dinner time.
BLT Salad
Indulge in a creative take on the classic BLT sandwich that not only preserves its iconic flavors but also minimizes the carbohydrate content. Begin by combining crisp lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, crumbled bacon bits, shredded cheese, and diced avocado in a bowl. To elevate the taste experience further, pair with your preferred oil-based dressing.
Turkey Bacon Lettuce Wraps
Savoring a healthy and satisfying meal on-the-go just got a whole lot easier with these scrumptious lettuce wraps. To make them, begin by stacking four large romaine leaves with a generous helping of sliced deli turkey, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado slices, crispy bacon bits, and your preferred cheese. For an added boost of flavor, drizzle the entire ensemble with your favorite oil-based dressing.
Zucchini Noodle Bowl
Indulge in a revitalizing lunch with this zucchini noodle bowl recipe. Begin by transforming two small zucchinis into spaghetti-like strands using a spiralizer. Then, heat some olive oil over medium heat and cook the noodles for 3-4 minutes, or until they’re slightly tender. Next, add some protein-rich ingredients to the mix, such as cooked shrimp or diced chicken, along with cherry tomatoes and crumbled feta cheese. The combination of flavors and textures will leave you feeling satisfied without weighing you down.
Cobb Salad Bowl
Indulge in this creative low-carb rendition of the iconic Cobb salad, where every bite is a satisfying treat! To create this masterpiece, start by mixing together crisp lettuce, juicy diced chicken, crispy bacon bits, tender hard-boiled egg slices, vine-ripened tomatoes, creamy avocado slices, and shredded cheese in a bowl. Next, take it to the next level with your go-to oil-based dressing, expertly blending flavors for an unforgettable experience.
Buffalo Chicken Bowl
Indulge in this satisfying buffalo chicken bowl that’s packed with flavor and will keep you fueled throughout the day! To create this mouthwatering dish, simply combine cooked, diced chicken with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, shredded cheese, and creamy avocado slices in a bowl. For an added kick, drizzle your favorite oil-based hot sauce or buffalo sauce over the top.
Caprese Salad
Transforming the timeless caprese salad into a low-carb delight requires mere minutes of preparation. To create this refreshing twist, merely combine fresh tomatoes, sliced to perfection, with creamy mozzarella cheese, sautéed onions, fragrant basil leaves, and a drizzle of olive oil in a bowl. The addition of balsamic vinegar brings forth an explosion of flavors, making this dish perfect for a light and satisfying lunch.
Turkey Avocado Wrap
For a satisfying and healthy meal on-the-go, look no further than this mouthwatering wrap. Begin by assembling the base ingredients: tender deli turkey slices, creamy avocado chunks, crisp lettuce leaves, and juicy tomato pieces – all nestled within a wholesome whole wheat wrap. To elevate the flavor profile, pair it with your go-to oil-based dressing or hummus for an added layer of zest.
Taco Bowl
Kickstart your Taco Tuesday with a nutritious twist! Combine the freshness of lettuce with the protein-rich goodness of cooked, diced chicken, along with black beans, diced tomatoes, creamy avocado slices and shredded cheese in a bowl. Next, add a drizzle of your preferred oil-based dressing to bring all the flavors together.
Salmon Salad Bowl
Indulge in a refreshing and nutritious light lunch with this delectable salmon salad bowl. Begin by harmoniously combining crisp lettuce leaves, succulent cooked salmon fillet, juicy cherry tomatoes, refreshing cucumber slices, creamy avocado cubes, and tangy feta cheese in a single vessel. Complete the dish by drizzling your preferred oil-based dressing for an explosion of flavors that will leave you craving more.
Chicken Chipotle Salad
Indulge in a mouth-watering fusion of flavors with this show-stopping chicken chipotle salad! Begin by uniting cooked, diced chicken with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, sweet corn kernels, creamy black beans, and silky avocado cubes in a large bowl. To take it to the next level, drizzle your preferred oil-based dressing over the top, allowing its rich flavor profile to meld seamlessly with the other ingredients.
Salmon Avocado Wrap
Indulge in a satisfying and wholesome lunch with this mouth-watering wrap. Begin by assembling the filling by layering thinly sliced cooked salmon, creamy diced avocado, crisp lettuce leaves, and juicy tomato slices within a sturdy whole wheat wrap. To elevate the flavors, accompany it with your preferred oil-based dressing.
Greek Salad Pita
Indulge in a quick and satisfying low-carb lunch that’s perfect for busy days. Begin by stacking a pita pocket with a mix of fresh greens, crumbled feta cheese, briny kalamata olives, juicy tomatoes, refreshing cucumber slices, and thinly sliced red onion. Finish the combination with a drizzle of your go-to oil-based dressing to add depth and richness.
Southwest Salad
Indulge in the rich flavors of this filling southwest salad, perfect for satisfying your hunger all day long. To create this mouthwatering masterpiece, begin by combining crisp lettuce leaves with the savory trio of black beans, diced chicken, and diced tomatoes. Add a burst of freshness with corn kernels and creamy avocado cubes, then tie everything together with a drizzle of your preferred oil-based dressing.
Egg Muffins
Egg muffins make for an excellent go-to option when you need a healthy and satisfying lunch in a flash. The process begins with whisking together eggs, crispy cooked bacon, fresh diced tomatoes, and melted shredded cheese in a bowl. Next, portion out the mixture evenly among 12 well-greased muffin cups and pop them into the oven preheated to 350°F for a cooking time of 15-20 minutes or until they’ve reached a beautiful golden brown.
Chicken Caesar Salad
A revitalized twist on the classic chicken caesar salad, this dish is ideal for a quick and satisfying lunch. To begin, combine crisp lettuce leaves with cooked diced chicken, crunchy croutons, shaved parmesan cheese, and a rich Caesar dressing in a bowl. For an added layer of flavor, incorporate juicy cherry tomatoes and creamy avocado cubes into the mix.
Tuna Salad Sandwich
When it comes to quick and satisfying lunches, this low-carb tuna salad sandwich is a winner. Combining canned tuna with mayonnaise, crunchy celery, and sweet onion creates a flavorful mixture that’s perfect for grabbing on the go. Simply mash all the ingredients together, then serve between two slices of whole wheat bread or lettuce wraps for an added crunch.
Chicken and Avocado Lettuce Wraps
Transform ordinary lettuce into a nutritious powerhouse by filling its generous leaves with succulent cooked chicken, creamy sliced avocado, and an array of colorful vegetables. Elevate the flavors with a drizzle of rich olive oil and a sprinkle of your preferred seasonings.
Mushroom and Spinach Salad
A harmonious blend of flavors and textures can be achieved by combining the earthy sweetness of fresh mushrooms, the crisp freshness of baby spinach, the burst of juicy flavor from cherry tomatoes, and the smoky richness of diced bacon. To elevate this medley to new heights, a light and zesty vinaigrette dressing serves as the perfect crowning glory, resulting in a delectable low-carb salad that’s sure to please even the most discerning palates.
Shrimp and Asparagus Stir-Fry
In just a few minutes, you can whip up a flavorful and nutritious lunch by stir-frying succulent shrimp and fresh asparagus in a scorching hot pan infused with the aromatic flavors of garlic and ginger. To elevate this dish to new heights, simply add your preferred low-carb sauce for a culinary experience that will leave you feeling satisfied and energized.
Beef and Broccoli Bowl
Transform the flavors of China with a mouthwatering beef and broccoli stir-fry, expertly crafted with tender slices of beef, crunchy broccoli florets, and a savory low-carb stir-fry sauce that will leave you craving for more. To complete this culinary masterpiece, serve it atop a bed of creamy cauliflower rice, perfectly balancing the bold flavors of the dish.
Cauliflower and Broccoli Soup
Transform the humble trio of cauliflower, broccoli, and vegetable broth into a rich and velvety soup by blending them together. Add a touch of magic with your preferred seasonings, then take it to the next level with a sprinkle of shredded cheese and a crunchy topping of crispy bacon.
Salami and Cheese Roll-Ups
Savory fusion at its finest! Wrap sliced salami around melty cheese sticks, securing them with toothpicks to create a delightful, low-carb twist on the classic snack-turned-lunch.
Cucumber and Tuna Boats
Transform cucumber halves by carefully removing their seeds. Then, create a delectable filling by combining canned tuna, mayonnaise, and finely chopped pickles. This ingenious snack offers a delightful respite from traditional options while catering to low-carb dietary preferences.
Chicken Zoodle Soup
Transform your traditional chicken soup recipe by swapping out the pasta for zucchini noodles, creating a comforting and low-carb lunch option that’s perfect for a cozy day in. This simple substitution not only reduces the carbohydrate content but also adds a burst of freshness and flavor to this classic dish.
Mediterranean Chicken Bowl
Transform cooked chicken breast into a refreshing Mediterranean-inspired salad by combining it with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and drizzle with a zesty vinaigrette dressing for an explosion of flavors. Remember to be as creative as you like with your ingredients, incorporating additional veggies or dressings to tantalize your taste buds. These satisfying low-carb lunches will keep you energized and full all day long! Whether you’re in the comfort of your own home or on-the-go, they provide a convenient and nutritious way to power your body throughout the day.