Lunch ideas
Lunch can be a little hard to define, and can be different in different places - sometimes it's the main meal of the day, other times it's something small. It might be grab and go. If you're looking for a full meal, you might want to see my main dishes instead, but for more "classic" lunch inspiration, try some of the following.
Popular soup recipes
Soup makes a great lunch, especially during the colder months. Some are lighter and might need something else alongside, others are heartier meals in a bowl. Here are some reader favorites to try.
Meal salads
Som salads are very much to go on the side, but others can be a meal in themselves! Try some favorites that are packed with flavor, variety and need very little, if anything, to go with them.
Sandwiches and pies
Sandwiches and savory pies can be a great option for lunch since they're often quick and/or packable. Try some favorites from around the world that are worth getting to know.
Get some more lunch inspiration:
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Butternut squash and apple soup
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Roasted beet and butternut squash salad
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Crab and corn chowder
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Caprese quinoa salad
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Salmon poke bowl
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Neua nam tok, Thai waterfall beef salad
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Choripán (Argentinian chorizo sandwich)
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Halloumi and watermelon salad
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Smoked salmon pizza
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Steak quinoa bowl
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Chupe de camarones (Peruvian shrimp chowder)
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Avgolemono soup (Greek lemon chicken soup)
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Chirashi sushi (scattered sushi)
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Ezogelin soup, Turkish lentil and bulgur soup
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Halloumi pomegranate salad
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Roasted butternut squash quinoa salad
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German potato soup (Kartoffelsuppe)
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Endives au jambon (Belgian endive gratin with ham)
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Avocado tartine with golden beet
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Tuscan white bean and tuna salad
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Caramelized onion and goat cheese tart
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Prosciutto and goat cheese croissant sandwich
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Chorba frik (Algerian lamb and freekeh soup)
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Chashu chahan (Japanese fried rice with pork belly)
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Yee sang (prosperity toss salad)
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French chestnut soup
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Jerusalem artichoke soup (sunchoke soup)
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Tom kha gai (Thai coconut soup)
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Apple kale salad
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Pork larb
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Tuna stuffed avocado (palta rellena de atun)
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Strawberry asparagus salad
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Nam khao (Lao crispy rice salad)
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Minestrone primavera
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Imeruli khachapuri (Georgian cheese filled bread)
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Lablabi - Tunisian chickpea soup/stew
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Cullen skink (smoked haddock chowder)
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Raw beet quinoa salad
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San choy bow - Chinese lettuce wraps
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Tom yum soup