3 Quick and Delicious Office Lunch Meals

We all know how hard it is sometimes to find the time to sit down and have a meal, especially during busy office days. Normally, heading out for lunch simply isn’t an option – either there isn’t enough break time, or we’re simply too busy with work to actually leave our desks. In times like this, it is absolutely necessary to bring your own food – office lunch isn’t ideal, but it’s nice to sometimes have a sit-down with your co-workers and chat while eating a home-made meal (even if it’s just a salad).

To make your lunch-time office blues less severe, here are three simple recipes for you to try out next time you know you won’t be able to visit your favourite restaurant during your break.

Asian Chicken Salad Wraps

Instead of spending a fortune on expensive restaurant meals, why not buy the ingredients yourself and save some money? This easy-to-make, fresh, and delicious meal is not only super fun to make yourself, but it will also help you keep track of your health goals! And, to be honest, this recipe is probably more delicious that the one you’re used to ordering. Because of the ingredients, it will make you more energized, which is definitely a plus considering you have to get back to work right after.

Ingredients You’ll Need for the Wraps

• 250 grams of left-over cooked chicken, chopped
• 300 grams of mandarin oranges
• 2 stalks of celery, diced
• 65 grams of carrots, shredded
• 130 grams of purple cabbage, shredded
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 30 grams of almonds, sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• ¼ teaspoon of black
• 1 head of green lettuce

Ingredients You’ll Need for the Dressing

• 80 millilitres of rice vinegar
• 60 millilitres of soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons of sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons of fresh ginger, grated
• 1 garlic clove, grated
• 1 ½ teaspoon of sesame oil

Instructions

First, use a whisk to combine all the dressing ingredients (you can store it in a fridge for up to a week). Then, in a bigger bowl, mix together the rest of the ingredients (chicken, mandarin oranges, celery, carrots, cabbage, almonds, salt and pepper) and add in the dressing. Toss until the dressing covers the salad, then lay out some lettuce leaves. Add an appropriate amount of the spread (about 60-90 grams), fold in the sides, and roll.

Pack the wraps into a lunch box, add some slices of mango to the side, and your office lunch is good to go!

Olive and Feta Pasta

This healthy pasta recipe will keep you energized the entire day! Whether you prefer it hot or cold, it’s the perfect meal to take with you to the office. Not only is it easy to prepare, with enough protein and delicious ingredients, it is also suitable for vegetarians. To make it even more nutritious, consider replacing regular pasta with a whole-wheat alternative.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 130 grams of pasta, cooked
• 130 grams of tomatoes, chopped
• 1 clove of garlic, chopped
• 1 cup of cucumbers, sliced
• 65 grams of red peppers, chopped and roasted
• 170 grams of artichokes, marinated, drained and quartered
• 2 tablespoons of black olives, chopped
• 440 grams of beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 30 grams of feta cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Add all of the ingredients (tomatoes, garlic, cucumbers, red peppers, artichokes, olives, and cooked pasta) into a large bowl, then add the beans and mix gently. Season with lemon juice and olive oil, and add salt and pepper to taste. If at all possible, let the mixture sit for an hour so the pasta absorbs all the juices. After placing the salad into your lunch box, sprinkle some feta cheese on top for added taste.

Black Bean and Mango Salad

If you’re getting tired of eating sandwiches every day, why not opt for this fresh, healthy, and delicious not-your-everyday pasta? With both black beans and mangos, this office lunch will have your co-workers begging you for the recipe! Lucky for you, we have one ready – with minimal ingredients you’re able to make a flavourful and nutritious salad to wake you up and fill you with energy when you need it the most!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 450 grams of black beans, drained and rinsed
• 140 grams of sweet bell pepper, diced
• 6 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced, or hot sauce to taste
• 30 grams of cilantro leaves, chopped
• 240 milliliters of fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 260 grams of mango, diced
• salt to taste

Instructions

Combine the drained and rinsed black beans, diced bell pepper, green onions, minced jalapeno pepper, and fresh cilantro into a large bowl. In a separate, smaller bowl add in the olive oil and lime juice (if you’re using hot sauce instead of fresh jalapeno pepper add this as well) and whisk, then pour the mixture into the larger bowl. Gently mix, then add in the seasoning and fold in the mango.

Make sure you tightly seal your lunch box before leaving for work!

Hopefully, these recipes give you an idea of the countless meal options available to prepare for your busy office days – don’t let your eating habits suffer just because you have a lot on your plate at work!