12 Healthy Lunch Ideas for Easy Summer Cooking

Michelle

August 5, 2021

chicken schnitzel with courgette and carrot salad

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Summer is here which is always an opportunity to enjoy more outdoor living (weather permitting!) and healthy eating.

Check out our 12 healthy lunch ideas for summer which can be packed up for picnics, added to lunch boxes for summer camps or work, or just be enjoyed on a sunny afternoon at home.

Healthy Lunch Ideas for Summer

When the weather warms up you want easy things to make that aren’t too much trouble but are tasty for the whole family. We’ve picked out some recipes to inspire you!

#1. Scrambled Eggs with Red Pepper Hash and Tomato Salad

bord bia smoked salmon scramble

Serve up these scrambled eggs for a filling healthy lunch treat and add an extra dimension with a tasty bacon and red pepper hash, and a tomato and cumin salad on the side. Yum!

#2. Ham Tacos, Tomato Salsa, Fresh Guacamole and Salad

summer lunch ideas

Chunky homemade guacamole, tomato salsa, crisp salad, cooked ham all combined together in a crisp taco shell makes an ideal healthy lunch for work, school, camps, picnics or outdoors in the sunshine. Ready in just 15 minutes which is even better!

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#3. Spicy Beef Tortilla Wraps

spicy beef tortilla wraps

These tasty Spicy Beef Tortilla Wraps are quick and simple to make and are an ideal alternative to sandwiches. Packed full of goodness with a tomato, red onion and avocado salad, everyone will be asking for seconds! I like to add crunchy cucumber and tomatoes to my wrap for added bite.

#4. Chicken Schnitzel with Courgette and Carrot Salad and Garlic Aoili

chicken schnitzel with courgette and carrot salad

Now this is a healthy lunch recipe that will wow both kids and adults. It uses lean chicken baked in Panko breadcrumbs with a simple courgette and carrot salad topped off with low fat garlic aioli.

Alternatively, you can pack the cooled chicken pieces into a lunch box with the salad, and pack the garlic aoili separately to be added when eaten.

#5. Spanish Pork Pies

bord bia spanish pork pies

Packed with the flavours of Spain, this recipe for Spanish Pork Pies makes 12 mini pies for a healthy on to go lunch, for picnics, or serve them warm at the table with a simple dressed green salad and fresh tomatoes with olive oil, salt and black pepper.

#6. Greek Style Lamb Kebabs

summer lunch ideas

These Greek Style Lamb Kebabs pack a real flavour punch. Created with peppers, red onions and served with a fresh mint and yoghurt dressing they are ideal for a healthy lunch at home or could be added to a tortilla wrap for an on the go lunch. They can be grilled or cooked on the BBQ.

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#7. Grilled Mackerel with Tomato Salad

healthy lunch ideas mackerel with tomato salad

My girls love to go fishing with their Grandad during the summer months. Most often they bring home fresh mackerel and you really can’t beat the taste of them, simply grilled for 6 minutes and served with a fresh tomato salad and bread to mop up all those juices!

For any fussy eaters, simply fillet the fish before cooking. And if you have any leftovers, flake the fillets and add them to the tomatoes with some salad leaves to make a tasty lunch box salad.

#8. Open Veggie Sandwich

summer healthy lunch ideas

For a change from closed sandwiches, try this simple recipe for a veggie open sandwich. Just spread cream cheese onto your bread, then top with sliced veggies e.g. radish and cucumber, sprinkle of salt and some cracked black pepper and you’re good to go!

#9. Cheddar and Bacon Quiche

Bacon quiche

This Cheddar and Bacon Quiche is equally delicious hot or cold. Served with a dressed green salad, it is makes an ideal healthy, but filling lunch for summer days. Slice it up for picnics or lunchboxes.

#10. Savoury Pancakes

veggie pancakes

Pancakes make a healthy lunch, try a savoury version where you add in some grated vegetables like carrot or courgette into your batter. Then you can try different fillings like

  • smoked salmon and avocado
  • goats cheese and beetroot
  • cooked chicken and rocket
  • mushrooms, ham and rocket
  • grated cheese.

They are nice served with a green salad. And if you have extra pancakes left over, you can then serve them with some sliced strawberries and a dusting of icing sugar for a sweet treat.

#11. Croque Monsieur with Carrot and Beetroot Salad

croque monsieur

This sophisticated version of a toasted ham and cheese sandwich is both tasty and filling. Ready in 15 minutes, combine it with a fresh carrot and beetroot salad as a quick summer lunch for all the family to enjoy.

#12. Italian Style Frittata with Bacon, Spinach and Goats Cheese

Recipes with Eggs

Last but not least why not try a frittata? Frittatas are different from omelets because the fillings are mixed in with the eggs in the pan, rather than folded int he centre, and you make them in a cast iron pan or oven-safe skillet to start them on the stove then finish them in the oven.

Great hot or cold, you can try lots of different fillings, e.g. mozzarella and tomato and basil for an Italian version, or ham and yellow pepper, or cheese and bacon.

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