Struggling with work-from-home lunch ideas? Check out my 9 favorites below.
As someone who works primarily from home, I consider myself lucky when it comes to lunchtime. Whereas in my former life, I would dutifully pack dinner leftovers into a container and eat them sadly at my desk – or worse, pay $14 for a perfectly average salad – these days, my midday meal looks a bit different.
One of the many perks of working from home is the ability to take advantage of lunchtime and treat yourself a little.
Whether it’s as simple as putting fresh herbs on reheated leftovers or stirring up a “special sauce” for a sandwich – or as fancy as making something entirely from scratch (…or sneaking in an episode of “Fleabag” while you eat [hey, I won’t tell if you don’t]) – it sure beats the heck out of sad desk lunch.
Now that many of us are working from home, practical work-from-home lunch ideas have emerged as a whole new kitchen conundrum. So, I’ve compiled a few of my faves…
Portobello Banh Mi with Quick-Pickled Carrots
Cook the mushrooms and pickle the carrots in advance – assemble sandwiches between Zoom meetings.
Total time: 5 minutes
Curried Chickpea Hash with 7-Minute Eggs
Spicy, saucy chickpeas with red onion and canned tomatoes. Eat with brown rice or sourdough toast.
Total time: 30 minutes
Tempeh ‘Bacon’ BLT’s with Spicy Mayo
Cook the bacon in advance and tuck into sandwiches – along with lettuce, tomatoes, and spicy mayo – throughout the week.
Total time: 5 minutes
Mashed Avocado and Butter Bean Toast
Mashing your avocado with some beans takes avocado toast from snack to meal territory. Bonus points for sprouts and toasted seeds on top.
Total time: 5 minutes
Smoky Tempeh Chili
Like most chilis, this one gets even better with time. Make a big batch over the weekend and reheat throughout the week.
Soy-Maple Glazed Mushrooms
These meaty mushrooms are a nod to Chinese takeout, but are way better for you.
Total time: 20 minutes
Fajita Veggie and Black Bean Tacos
Here’s my formula: tortillas + guac + sautéed veggies + canned beans. Tacos are an excellent vehicle for vegetables that need using up.
Total time: 30 minutes
Curried Chickpea Salad
This salad keeps well in the fridge, so make a big batch and enjoy all week long.
Total time: 5 minutes
Vegetable Fried Brown Rice
Cook a pot of rice over the weekend and transform it into fried rice for lunch – using whatever vegetables you have on hand.
Total time: 20 minutes
