Choosing a healthy, plant-based lunch option can be tough. Here are 20 vegan lunch ideas to enjoy at home or on the go that are packed with protein instead of added sugars to see you through the rest of the day!

From seasonal quinoa salads to chickpea "tuna" salad sandwiches and tofu lettuce wraps, plenty of these healthier lunch options also happen to be gluten-free!
1. Easy Creamy Tomato Dal

This easy, creamy, and nourishing red lentil dal recipe is perfect to prep ahead for a couple of day's lunches; enriched with coconut and packed with coriander, ginger, and turmeric, it travels and reheats well, perfect either if you're working from home or taking lunch to the office!
Protein Content Per Serving: 20g
2. Vegan Chickpea "Tuna" Salad

If you aren't a big fan of chickpeas, you will be once you eat this delicious chickpea, cashew, and heart of palm-packed salad recipe. There are so many flavors going on it's hard not to like - we love using it to make a "tuna" salad sandwich, but it is also delicious in wraps or spooned onto a salad or grain bowl.
Protein Content Per Serving: 16g
3. Vegan Moroccan Chickpea Skillet

Freezer friendly and perfect for meal prep, this speedy chickpea and sweet potato skillet recipe is packed with flavor even though it uses just a handful of simple ingredients. Enjoy it by itself or served alongside quinoa for an extra protein boost!
Protein Content Per Serving: 12g
4. Tofu Stir Fry with Peanut Sauce

Both tofu and peanuts are great sources of protein. If you're working from home or you fancy something vibrant and nourishing at the weekend, this simple stir fry is rich and satisfying - we also think it would be great for using up any leftover veggies that might be lurking in the crisper drawer!
Protein Content Per Serving: 25g
5. Roasted Butternut Squash and Quinoa Salad

This simple salad bowl recipe is perfect for fall - or for any time you happen to have roasted squash in the fridge and you're craving something full of vibrant yet comforting flavors. With quinoa, avocado, and a healthy dose of micro-greens, it is the perfect plant-based recipe if you're looking for a little energy boost to see you through the afternoon.
Protein Content Per Serving: 10g
6. Hummus, Tomato & Sumac Salad

Protein-rich hummus forms the backbone of this Middle Eastern-inspired salad plate that is perfectly served alongside some vegan flatbreads for dipping and scooping. Or, if you're planning on entertaining, it makes just as good an appetizer as a lunch idea!
7. Vegan Collard Greens Wraps

If you're looking for a healthy, gluten-free lunch to enjoy on the go, can we suggest these highly customizable Collard Greens Wraps? Creamy hummus is joined by your choice of crunchy veggies and micro-greens before being wrapped in collard greens for an easy lunch. You can always also bulk out with tofu or crispy chickpeas. They're one of our favorite plant-based protein-packed lunches!
Protein Content Per Serving: 4g
8. Vegan Curried Broccoli Chickpea Salad

This crunchy veggie salad is perfect for meal prep, packed with vegetables, chickpeas, and almonds before being tossed in a rich, creamy tahini dressing. Bulk up the protein and create a bit of variety through the week by adding edamame beans or some crispy tofu or tempeh to one or two servings.
Protein Content Per Serving: 15.8g
9. Lentil Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Lentils are a fantastic source of protein, and they're also fantastic at soaking up delicious, tangy dressings, so this simple salad recipe really is a no-brainer! Gluten-free and meal prep friendly, it is just as well hot or cold, by itself or on the side of another piece of your favorite protein.
Protein Content Per Serving: 9g
10. Moroccan Chickpea Hand Pies

Can you believe that these spiced chickpea-stuffed hand pies are totally plant-based? We also can't believe that using a genius gluten-free wrap hack, they take just 20 minutes to prep for a hot (and re-heatable, so meal prep friendly!) lunch option that is as delicious as it is wholesome.
Protein Content Per Serving: 10g
11. Spinach Salad with Roasted Shiitake Mushrooms

With savory, umami shiitake mushrooms served over a bed of leafy spinach, this simple, customizable salad is a nutritional powerhouse, perfect if you're looking for something a little lighter but still extremely satisfying this lunchtime.
Protein Content Per Serving: 3g
12. Quinoa Buddha Bowl with Roasted Vegetables

Quinoa is always a great option for a high-protein lunch bowl, and here it is paired with a riot of colorful roasted spring veggies and a vibrant green herb sauce for a customizable veg bowl you'll want to make for lunch again and again.
Protein Content Per Serving: 19g
13. Realistic Vegan Egg Salad

It is easy to replicate the tastes and textures of a good egg salad sandwich using firm tofu, cashews, and dairy-free milk - as an added bonus. You can enjoy it at the office without upsetting anyone who is not a fan of that egg sandwich smell!
Protein Content Per Serving: 11g
14. Vegan Tempeh "Tuna" Salad

Another option for a delicious, totally plant-based "tuna" salad is our simple recipe for making it with tempeh. Packed out with delicious crunchy veggies along with generous hits of shoyu and mirin, it is a great, Asian-inspired alternative to the more common chickpeas. In our opinion, it is one of the best plant-based, protein-packed lunches you can make!
Protein Content Per Serving: 5.5g
15. Spring Asparagus & Pea Salad with Quinoa

This is the quinoa salad you need to make this spring. Asparagus and pea seasons are sadly a little short, but you can make the most of these vibrant veg that tastes delicious raw by adding plenty of fresh herbs and our lemon vinaigrette.
Protein Content Per Serving: 4g
16. Lemongrass Tofu Bahn Mi Pita Pockets

How amazing these fragrant marinated tofu pockets look, and that is before we even get onto the flavors! Totally gluten-free, quick pickled vegetables, plenty of herbs, and a slick of vegan may make these the ultimate lunchtime treat.
Protein Content Per Serving: 13g
17. Moroccan Instant Pot Lentils

If meal prep is your thing and your Instant Pot is your best friend, served with a side of quinoa, we think this protein-rich Moroccan Lentils recipe looks fantastic - the perfect, cozy lunch for chillier days.
Protein Content Per Serving: 8g
18. Air Fryer Black Bean Taquitos

These Air Fryer Black Bean Taquitos are one of our most popular recipes here at The Mindful Fork, and it is not difficult to see why - these perfectly spiced, black bean-filled fried tortillas are perfect served with your favorite salsa and guacamole for dipping and scooping.
Protein Content Per Serving: 7g
19. Crispy Teriyaki Tofu Lettuce Wraps

These Teriyaki Tofu Wraps are so easy to make, pairing crispy glazed tofu (that can be cooked in the oven or the air fryer) with crisp lettuce and crunchy cashews. For an extra flavor boost, we also think they'd be amazingly made with smoked tofu!
20. Falafel Sandwich with Maple Dijon Tahini Dressing

Falafel does seem like an obvious choice for a protein-packed lunch... that is because it is utterly delicious. We love how it has been stuffed into a pita with a maple Dijon tahini dressing and plenty of salad - so, so good!
Protein Content Per Serving: 13g
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