I always find lunch difficult. I am usually busy throughout the day and in the past this has led to me choosing unhealthy but quick and convenient lunch options. The problem is, they often left me feeling unsatisfied, tired and hungry just an hour or two later. These days I am on a mission to ensure that I instead choose a nourishing lunch that is not only delicious but will also keep me feeling energized and satisfied throughout the afternoon. Here are some of my favourite vegetarian lunch recipe ideas! They can all be prepared ahead of time so that you can simply grab them and go.

Spicy Peanut Salad

I make this Spicy Peanut Salad on repeat! The sauce is so delicious with a little spice and lots of flavour. The tofu and edamame are both plant-based sources of protein. This will help you to feel satisfied and keep you feeling fuller for longer – no more reaching for that mid-afternoon slightly stale donut!

This recipe is packed with colourful vegetables which are a source of fibre, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Research also suggests that increasing the diversity of the plant foods that you eat can help to support your gut health. This truly is a lunch that you can feel good about eating.

This salad holds up well in the fridge (the tofu will have more time to soak up all the delicious flavour from the sauce). I like to make this the night before so that it’s waiting for me at lunch time.

You can grab the recipe here.

Tempeh and Red Pepper Pasta

Some days a salad just isn’t going to cut it and I need something a little more hearty. On those days, this lunchbox-friendly Tempeh and Red Pepper Pasta is a great choice!

I know some people can be hesitant about tempeh, however the smoky tempeh in this pasta recipe works really well with the sweetness of the red pepper. The sauce also contains other hidden veggies, making this is a dish you can truly feel great about eating!

Find the recipe here.

Crispy Lentil Bowl

If you’re looking for a well-balanced vegetarian lunch recipe idea, look no further! This Crispy Lentil Bowl is packed with nutritious ingredients, fibre and protein. The saltiness of the feta, crunch of the pumpkin seeds and sweetness of the tomatoes and bell pepper work incredibly well together.

If you are prepping this ahead of time, I would put the dressing in a separate container and add it just before serving.

Grab the recipe here.

Smoky Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup

If you fancy something comforting, then this is for you! Some days all I want is a nice warm bowl of soup. This Smoky Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup is a great make-ahead lunch option that you can freeze so that you have a convenient lunch to grab on days when you are tight on time. It’s sweet, smoky and packed with nutritious ingredients.

Lentils are a plant-based source of protein and sweet potatoes are a source of vitamin A and vitamin C.

You can find the recipe here.

Looking for more vegetarian lunch recipe ideas?

If you are a vegetarian, vegan, flexitarian or want to start eating more plant foods and would like nutrition coaching tailored specifically to you and your needs, I would love to work with you! You can book a free discovery call here or email me at hello@hannahbristownutrition.com