Lunch doesn’t always have to be take-out, leftovers, or boring sandwiches! We’ve got the best soups, salads, and sandwiches around and they make a perfect lunch for you to make at home!
Lunch is one of my favorite meals, but when I’m working from home, it has to be fast and easy and without a ton of mess involved so I can get on with my day.
Read on to find my favorite lunch recipes and recipes that work great as leftovers to reheat all week.
Soups
Hearty, delicious soup recipes, many of which could easily be made into a full meal! Homemade, perfect for leftovers or to make on the weekend for easy lunches all week long.
Get the Recipe: Soups
Chicken and Dumpling Soup
A hearty and comforting soup, this recipe combines tender chicken and fluffy dumplings in a savory broth, perfect for a cozy meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Dumpling Soup
Smoked Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
This comforting soup combines the zest of lemon with the smokiness of chicken, integrated with orzo pasta. It’s a heartwarming dish, perfect for those seeking a smoky twist on traditional chicken soup.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Traeger Chicken Chili
A unique chili recipe that utilizes the Traeger grill for cooking the chicken, infusing it with a smoky flavor. It’s a comforting and satisfying meal, perfect for chilly days.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Chicken Chili
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
A comforting and nourishing dish, this homemade chicken noodle soup is ideal for cold days or when in need of a soothing meal.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Beef Barley Soup with Prime Rib
Elevating traditional beef barley soup, this recipe incorporates prime rib, adding a luxurious twist. It’s a great way to utilize leftover prime rib, transforming it into a comforting and rich soup.
Get the Recipe: Beef Barley Soup with Prime Rib
Smoked French Onion Soup
A classic French onion soup with a smoky twist, this recipe is ideal for those who love a rich, flavorful broth. The smokiness adds complexity to a beloved comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Smoked French Onion Soup
Smoked Broccoli Cheese Soup
This is a comforting broccoli cheese soup enhanced with the addition of smoked broccoli. It’s a hearty and creamy option for a cozy meal.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Broccoli Cheese Soup
Venison Chili
A hearty and warming chili recipe that features venison as a lean and flavorful protein. It’s a perfect dish for those who enjoy game meats or are looking for a twist on classic chili.
Get the Recipe: Venison Chili
Italian Sausage and Cabbage Soup
Italian Sausage and Cabbage Soup combines the heartiness of Italian sausage with the comfort of cabbage and vegetables, creating a warm and satisfying dish. It’s a great option for a filling meal on a chilly day, embodying a blend of flavors and textures that complement each other well.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage and Cabbage Soup
Zuppa Toscana
Zuppa Toscana is a comforting, hearty soup featuring Italian sausage and kale, immersed in a savory broth with potatoes. This dish is a perfect blend of flavors and textures, making it an ideal meal for cozy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Zuppa Toscana
Smoked Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Smoked Chicken Pot Pie Soup is a creative take on the classic pot pie, transforming it into a soup. This recipe involves smoked chicken, mixed with a blend of vegetables and a creamy broth, offering a comforting and hearty meal. The soup captures the essence of traditional chicken pot pie, with the added depth of smoked chicken flavor. It’s a versatile dish, perfect for cozy family dinners or as a comforting meal on a chilly day.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Smoked Tomato Basil Soup
Smoked Tomato Basil Soup is a flavorful twist on a classic soup recipe. It features smoked tomatoes, bringing a unique depth to the taste profile. The soup combines these smoked tomatoes with aromatic basil, onions, garlic, and chicken broth, creating a rich and comforting dish. Cream is added for a luxurious texture, making the soup both hearty and satisfying. This recipe is adaptable for different seasons, serving as a warming winter meal or a refreshing summer appetizer. Its versatility extends to variations, allowing for vegan options or added proteins.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Tomato Basil Soup
Italian Sausage and Potato Soup
This Italian Sausage and Potato Soup recipe is a hearty, flavorful soup perfect for chilly days. It combines Italian sausage with potatoes, onions, garlic, and mushrooms, creating a robust and satisfying dish. The soup is easily customizable, allowing for adjustments like spicier sausage or added vegetables for extra nutrition. It pairs well with bread or a salad, making for a comforting, full meal. This dish is a great choice for both family dinners and meal prepping.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage and Potato Soup
Sarma {Cabbage Roll} Soup
Inspired by traditional cabbage rolls, this soup deconstructs the classic dish into a hearty, flavorful broth-based version. It’s a novel way to enjoy the essence of cabbage rolls in a simpler form.
Get the Recipe: Sarma {Cabbage Roll} Soup
Beef Dumpling Soup Recipe
This comforting recipe combines hearty beef dumplings in a rich, savory broth. It’s a perfect choice for a cozy meal, bringing together the heartiness of beef and the soft, delightful texture of dumplings.
Get the Recipe: Beef Dumpling Soup Recipe
Chicken Lime Soup
This spicy chicken lime soup is like chicken noodle meets chicken tortilla soup for a spicy, noodle-less middle ground perfect for a cold winter day.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Lime Soup
Mexican Vegetable Soup
Mexican vegetable soup is a hearty and nutritious vegetarian meal featuring quinoa for added protein and satiety. Ready in under 20 minutes and easily customizable to the veggies you have on hand.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Vegetable Soup
Cucumber Gazpacho
This cucumber gazpacho recipe is made with avocado and soaked cashews for a creamy texture highlighted with bright lime, basil and mint flavors. It’s the perfect refreshing chilled summer soup.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Gazpacho
Buffalo Chicken Orzo Soup
Love buffalo wings? Then you’ll love this cheesy, spicy, buffalo chicken soup with orzo. It’s a simple and easy meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Orzo Soup
Pressure Cooker Creamy Carrot Soup
A smooth and comforting soup made easily in a pressure cooker. This creamy carrot soup is perfect for a quick and healthy meal.
Get the Recipe: Pressure Cooker Creamy Carrot Soup
Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Wild Rice Soup
A comforting and hearty soup, this dish combines chicken and wild rice in a creamy base. Cooked in a crock pot, it’s a warming meal perfect for chilly days.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Roasted Butternut Squash & Bacon Soup
This soup combines the sweetness of roasted butternut squash with the savory richness of bacon. It’s a warming and comforting dish, ideal for chilly days or as a cozy meal.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash & Bacon Soup
Pressure Cooker Creamy Mushroom Beef Soup
A hearty and comforting soup made in a pressure cooker, featuring beef and mushrooms in a creamy broth. It’s perfect for a satisfying and warm meal on a cold day.
Get the Recipe: Pressure Cooker Creamy Mushroom Beef Soup
Instant Pot E Fagioli Soup
A hearty and traditional Italian soup made easily in an Instant Pot, combining pasta, beans, and vegetables. It’s a warm and comforting meal, ideal for a cozy night in.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot E Fagioli Soup
Sandwiches
These sandwich recipes are anything but boring! You will be okay with sandwiches all day every day with these on the menu!
Get the Recipe: Sandwiches
Traeger Grilled Chicken Sandwich
This sandwich features grilled chicken with a fresh basil accent, creating a light yet satisfying meal. Ideal for a quick lunch or dinner, it’s a simple and flavorful way to enjoy chicken.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Smoked Chicken Salad Sandwich
A fresh approach to chicken salad, this recipe uses smoked chicken for added depth, creating a satisfying sandwich filling.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Salad Sandwich
Million Dollar BLT
The “Million Dollar BLT” offers a gourmet twist on the traditional BLT sandwich, featuring a secret ingredient that elevates its taste. It’s an ideal recipe for a luxurious lunch or a casual dinner.
Get the Recipe: Million Dollar BLT
Traeger Reuben Sandwich
A classic Reuben sandwich with the added depth of smoked meat, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal. Perfect for those who love a hearty sandwich with a twist.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Reuben Sandwich
Traeger Grilled Steak Sandwich
This steak sandwich recipe, cooked on a Traeger grill, combines the savory taste of grilled steak with the convenience of a sandwich. It’s a great option for a fulfilling meal that’s both easy to make and enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Grilled Steak Sandwich
Griddle Patty Melt
This recipe highlights the classic patty melt, cooked on a griddle for that perfect sear, and is great for a quick and satisfying lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Griddle Patty Melt
Blackstone Philly Cheesesteaks
A classic Philly cheesesteak recipe prepared on a Blackstone griddle, offering a perfect sear on the meat and melding flavors of cheese, peppers, and onions.
Get the Recipe: Blackstone Philly Cheesesteaks
Chopped Italian Sandwich
The Chopped Italian Sandwich is a hearty, flavorful option packed with various Italian meats, cheese, and vegetables. This sandwich is ideal for those who crave a robust, deli-style meal, offering a satisfying mix of textures and flavors.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Italian Sandwich
Quick Blackstone Runza Recipe
A fast and flavorful version of the traditional Runza, making it an ideal choice for a satisfying meal when time is short.
Get the Recipe: Quick Blackstone Runza Recipe
Garlic Yogurt Chicken Salad Sandwich
This garlic yogurt chicken salad sandwich is topped with a sun dried tomato spread on ciabatta bread.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Yogurt Chicken Salad Sandwich
Roast Beef Gouda Grilled Cheese
This roast beef smoked gouda grilled cheese is the perfect lunch sandwich. Meaty and cheesy and delicious with a bowl of tomato soup or on its own.
Get the Recipe: Roast Beef Gouda Grilled Cheese
Herbed Cheddar Sausage & Egg Waffle Sandwiches
These mini sausage and egg waffle sandwiches are the perfect breakfast or brinner! Fresh greens, melted cheddar, herbed scrambled eggs and breakfast sausage make the perfect bite.
Get the Recipe: Herbed Cheddar Sausage & Egg Waffle Sandwiches
Chickpea Pesto Sandwich
This chickpea pesto sandwich is a non-traditional pesto with smashed chickpeas that makes a delicious sandwich filling for an easy vegetarian meal.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Pesto Sandwich
Smoked Turkey Orchard Sandwich
A flavorful sandwich featuring smoked turkey, apples and goat cheese perfect for a delicious and satisfying lunch option.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Turkey Orchard Sandwich
Pesto Chicken Sub Sandwich
A flavorful sandwich featuring pesto chicken, tomato and onions that is perfect for a satisfying and tasty lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Chicken Sub Sandwich
Cranberry, Feta & Almond Chicken Salad Sandwich
This sandwich offers a unique combination of tart cranberries, creamy feta, and crunchy almonds, mixed with chicken salad. It’s a flavorful and satisfying choice for a lunch or picnic.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry, Feta & Almond Chicken Salad Sandwich
Italian Hero Sub Sandwich
A delicious and hearty sandwich inspired by the classic Italian hero, perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Italian Hero Sub Sandwich
Salads
These incredible salad recipes could easily be made into a meal, but they work just as well as a side or a part of a soup/salad/sandwich combo! Move over Panera bread, these recipes are going to have you coming back for seconds and eating more salad all week long!
Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Salad Recipe
A fresh and flavorful salad featuring grilled Mediterranean spiced chicken. This dish is ideal for a light yet satisfying meal, perfect for health-conscious individuals who enjoy bold flavors.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Salad Recipe
Greek Salad
A refreshing and healthy option, this Greek salad recipe highlights the crisp flavors of fresh vegetables, olives, and feta cheese, all tossed in a light dressing.
Get the Recipe: Greek Salad
Broccoli Salad
This broccoli salad recipe is a refreshing and nutritious addition to any meal, combining the crispness of fresh broccoli with a variety of complementary flavors. It’s great for health-conscious diners looking for a flavorful side.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad
Strawberry Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette
A fresh and vibrant strawberry salad dressed with a red wine vinaigrette, ideal for a light and healthy meal or as a colorful side dish.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette
Baby Kale Salad
The best tasting recipe for a quick and easy baby kale salad! Tossed in a simple tahini dressing and topped with roasted BBQ chickpeas and apple slices, it’s a complete plant-based meal with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Baby Kale Salad
Bok Choy Salad
This crispy, crunchy bok choy salad is served with an Asian inspired sesame dressing and topped with sliced almonds and toasted sesame seeds. Enjoy it as is or pair with some grilled steak or chicken.
Get the Recipe: Bok Choy Salad
Carrot Citrus Salad
This chopped carrot citrus salad has roasted rainbow carrots, oranges and Meyer lemons tossed in a citrus mustard vinaigrette. It’s bright and refreshing and wonderful paired with poultry.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Citrus Salad
Creamy Cucumber Salad
A healthier twist to the classic creamy cucumber salad recipe with quick pickled red onions. The perfect summer salad for any cookout!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Cucumber Salad
Quinoa Beet & Orange Salad
A vibrant and healthy salad combining quinoa, beets, and oranges for a mix of flavors and textures. It’s a great choice for a nutritious and satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Beet & Orange Salad
Pulled Pork Apple Salad
A unique salad combining pulled pork and apples for a blend of savory and sweet flavors. It’s a great choice for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork Apple Salad
Pomegranate Apple Spinach Salad
A fresh and vibrant salad combining pomegranate, apple, and spinach, perfect for a healthy and light meal or side dish.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Apple Spinach Salad
Southwest Penne & Romaine Salad
A flavorful and hearty salad that combines penne pasta with romaine lettuce and Southwest-inspired ingredients. It’s a great option for a filling lunch or a light dinner, offering a satisfying blend of textures and tastes.
Get the Recipe: Southwest Penne & Romaine Salad
Fruit & Chicken Salad Lettuce Cups with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing
A refreshing and light meal, these lettuce cups are filled with a fruit-infused chicken salad, making them a healthy and flavorful choice for a quick lunch or light dinner.
Get the Recipe: Fruit & Chicken Salad Lettuce Cups with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing
Nicole Johnson
Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.