23 Low Carb Lunch Recipes (2024)

By: Denise Bustard2 Comments
Posted: 11/12/21Updated: 11/12/21

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23 Low carb lunch recipes that work great for meal prep, with net carbs listed so you don't have to track them down. With healthy fats, protein, and vegetables to keep you feeling full, these recipes are easy to prep ahead and portable for a convenient worklunch.

Just like our popular lunch meal prep ideas, these recipes will have you looking forward to lunchtime (no boring sandwiches)!

23 Low Carb Lunch Recipes (1)

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Meal prep is one of the most effective ways to help you stick to your healthy eating goals. These low-carb lunch recipes are filled with healthy vegetables, protein and fats to keep you feeling full throughout the afternoon. Including portable lunches and snack options, these are great for prepping ahead!

There are so many options here - from meal prep bowls to soup, salad, snacks, and even a few breakfast recipes (which are great for either lunch or to pack as snacks)! Whether you’re following a low carb diet or not, these low carb lunch recipes are easy, delicious, and filled with nourishing ingredients.

Reasons You'll Love These Recipes

  • they are low carb, yet so delicious and satisfying
  • each one is filled with healthy, wholesome ingredients including healthy fats, protein, and low carb veggies
  • we've included the net carbs for each recipe to make things easier for you!

FAQ

How long do these low carb lunches last?

Most of these recipes will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days, and some are freezer friendly (see each recipe for specific details). If you want to prep lunches for the whole week, you can do a second meal prep session mid-week, or you can choose freezer-friendly recipes.

Do you have a low carb meal prep guide?

Yes! You can purchase our low carb meal prep recipes ebook here. It includes 10 of our favorite low carb meal prep lunch recipes + 2 bonus breakfast meal prep recipes!

Lunch packing tips

  • keep avocado seperate until you serve to prevent it from browning
  • store condiments and sauces separate until serving (we love these condiment containers!)
  • cook your veggies 'al dente' as they will cook a second time when reheating
  • include snacks in your meal prep so that you don't have to hit the vending machine or drive through when you get unexpectedly hungry!
  • see our how to meal prep beginners guide for more tips!

23 Low Carb Lunch Recipes (2)

Favorite Meal Prep Containers

Our tried and true favorite meal prep containers and jars that will keep your food fresh, help you reheat it evenly, and withstand the test of time. No more wasting your money, these are the absolute best containers out there!

Keep reading

Meal Prep Bowls

Santa Fe Chicken Low Carb Meal Prep Bowls

Santa Fe chicken low carb meal prep has cilantro lime cauliflower rice and bell peppers topped with seasoned chicken breast and cheese! 8 g net carbs.

Check out this recipe

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Santa Fe chicken low carb meal prep bowls - 8g net carbs

Low Carb Satay Beef Meal Prep Bowls

With a creamy Thai peanut sauce that serves as both a marinade and dipping sauce, this satay beef meal prep recipe is not short on flavor! Serve it up with cauliflower rice and green beans for a delicious low carb lunch option.

Check out this recipe

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Low carb satay beef meal prep bowls - 6g net carbs

Baked Meatball Meal Prep with Spaghetti Squash

This baked meatball meal prep with spaghetti squash is a lower carb lunch option! Save time and reduce your dishes by baking the meatballs right in your meal prep containers.

Check out this recipe

23 Low Carb Lunch Recipes (5)

Baked meatball meal prep with spaghetti squash - 11g net carbs

Instant Pot Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers

Instant Pot ground turkey stuffed peppers have 5 ingredients and are simple to prepare. With delicious TexMex flavor, they also work well for meal prep!

Check out this recipe

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Instant Pot ground turkey stuffed peppers - 21g net carbs

Low Carb Meatloaf & Cauliflower Mash

Low carb meatloaf and cauliflower mash meal prep is healthy comfort food. Makes five delicious servings perfect for a low carb lunch.

Check out this recipe

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Low carb meatloaf & cauliflower mash - 7g net carbs

Egg Roll in a Bowl (30 min, low carb)

Egg roll in a bowl tastes just like your favorite take out and comes together quickly using a single pan. With only 7 g net carbs, this recipe has slaw, ground pork, and a delicious sauce.

Check out this recipe

23 Low Carb Lunch Recipes (8)

Egg roll in a bowl - 7g net carbs

Perfect Cauliflower Fried Rice (with cashews!)

Cauliflower fried rice is flavored with ginger, soy sauce and sesame oil, and cooks up in one pan! Lighter, yet filling, it has soft scrambled eggs, chicken and cashews.

Check out this recipe

23 Low Carb Lunch Recipes (9)

Easy cauliflower fried rice recipe - 14g net carbs

Low Carb Cauliflower Pizza Muffins

Low carb cauliflower pizza muffins are a sinfully cheesy snack that is going to make you feel like you are treating yo-self!

Check out this recipe

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Low carb cauliflower pizza muffins - 3g net carbs

Low Carb Meatball Burrito Bowls

With taco-seasoned meatballs, lime cauliflower rice, pico de gallo, cheese and sour cream, these low carb meatball burrito bowls are healthy and delicious! Prep them ahead for easy grab and go lunches with just 5 g net carbs per serving.

Check out this recipe

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Low carb meatball burrito bowls - 5g net carbs

Low Carb Indian Chicken Skillet

This low carb Indian chicken skillet has incredible flavor with spiced cauliflower rice, chicken thighs and green beans. Easy to prep ahead for grab and go lunches.

Check out this recipe

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Low carb Indian chicken skillet - 5g net carbs

Low Carb Cheesy Chicken and Rice Meal Prep

Low carb cheesy chicken and rice is a delicious low carb lunch option! Pan-fried chicken breast and broccoli are smothered with cheese and served over cauliflower rice. Filling but light with only 5 g carbs and 43 g of protein.

Check out this recipe

23 Low Carb Lunch Recipes (13)

Low carb cheesy chicken and rice meal prep 4g net carbs

Low Carb Greek Turkey Meal Prep

Low carb Greek turkey meal prep is a filling lunch that is full of Greek flavors and low in carbs! With Greek seasoned ground turkey, lemon cauliflower rice, Greek salad and Greek yogurt tzatziki. Low carb, gluten-free, and easily made paleo-compliant.

Check out this recipe

23 Low Carb Lunch Recipes (14)

Low carb greek turkey meal prep 7g net carbs

Cajun Chicken Wrap Recipe

This cajun chicken wrap recipe is perfect for meal prep! Ready in under 20 minutes, packed full of veggies, and SO delicious for lunches or dinners!

Check out this recipe

23 Low Carb Lunch Recipes (15)

Cajun chicken wrap recipe - 23g net carbs

Wasabi Grilled Salmon Bowls (Low Carb)

These low carb grilled salmon bowls have just 5 g net carbs per bowl and are perfect for keeping your oven off this summer! Salmon, bok choy, mushrooms and zucchini are grilled to perfection and served with spicy wasabi mayonnaise.

Check out this recipe

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Wasabi grilled salmon bowls - 5 g net carbs

Low Carb Lasagna Skillet

This low carb lasagna skillet replaces noodles with spaghetti squash. So simple to throw together on a weeknight, and easy prep ahead and reheat for easy lunches!

Check out this recipe

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Low carb lasagna skillet - 9 g net carbs per serving

Sesame Ginger Beef + Zucchini Noodles

Sesame ginger beef and zucchini noodles is a delicious lower carb lunch option that is perfect for meal prep! Not only is it fast to make, but tastes delicious and only 4 g net carbs.

Check out this recipe

23 Low Carb Lunch Recipes (18)

Sesame ginger beef zucchini noodles - 4 g net carbs

Eggplant Lasagna

Eggplant lasagna is a low carb alternative to the real thing...you won't miss the traditional lasagna noodles replaced with eggplant! Perfect to stock up the freezer for easy lunches or dinners.

Check out this recipe

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Eggplant lasagna - 10 g net carbs

Soup & Salad

Crockpot Broccoli Turmeric Soup (keto, vegan)

This super healthy broccoli, ginger and turmeric soup is a powerhouse of anti-inflammatory ingredients and will warm you right up on a cold day.

Check out this recipe

23 Low Carb Lunch Recipes (20)

Crockpot broccoli turmeric soup - 6 g net carbs

Ranch Chicken Jar Salads

These ranch chicken jar salads are made with homemade ranch dressing, baked chicken breast, shredded cheese, and lots of veggies! Low carb with 6 g net carbs, and gluten-free, they are a healthy grab-and-go lunch.

Check out this recipe

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Ranch chicken salad jars - 6g net carbs

Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup

Creamy roasted cauliflower soup is simple, healthy, and so unbelievably tasty! Loaded with veggies, low carb, vegan-friendly, and works great for meal prep.

Check out this recipe

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Creamy roasted cauliflower soup - 10 g net carbs

Breakfast + Snacks

Chocolate Chia Pudding

This chocolate chia pudding is a healthy meal prep breakfast or snack, packed with protein and healthy fats. Made with just a few simple ingredients, this meal prep recipe makes four breakfasts in under 10 minutes.

Check out this recipe

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Chocolate chia pudding - 3g net carbs

Low Carb Meal Prep Breakfast Bowls

Start the day off right with these low carb breakfast meal prep bowls! Sauteed portobello mushrooms are served with asparagus, zucchini, red onion and Italian sausage, all with just 11 g carbs.

Check out this recipe

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Low carb breakfast meal prep bowl - 8g net carbs

Meal Prep Baked Eggs

Easy meal prep baked eggs in a muffin tin! Bulk prep your eggs for easy grab-and-go breakfasts in the morning. Low carb, gluten-free, and ready in under 20 minutes.

Check out this recipe

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Meal prep baked eggs - 0 g carbs

Meet Denise Bustard

Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.

Read more...

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Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

  1. Jernai Harris says

    I am new to keto and meal planning. I am open for all new and helpful suggestions. I need assistance with meal preparation and planning because of my three small children (boys).

    Reply

    • Jasmine @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says

      Hi Jernai, you're in the right place for all things meal prep! You might find this step by step guide on how to meal prep helpful. Cheers! 🙂

      Reply

23 Low Carb Lunch Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What foods fill you up but are low in carbs? ›

36 tasty, low-carb foods that will keep you full and satisfied
  • Avocado. A whole avocado has about 15 grams of carbs, but you're unlikely to eat the entire thing in one sitting, so it's more realistic that you'll get 4 or 5 carbs in one meal or snack. ...
  • Broccoli. ...
  • Coconut oil. ...
  • Eggplant. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Grapefruit. ...
  • Greek yogurt. ...
  • Green beans.
Mar 20, 2024

What can I eat for lunch without bread? ›

Healthy lunch ideas for work that aren't sandwiches
  • Butternut squash, apple and wild rice soup. This soup is comfort in a bowl. ...
  • Oven roasted falafel. ...
  • Bistro chicken pasta salad. ...
  • Three grain salad with goat cheese. ...
  • Artichoke and spinach rotini salad with tuna. ...
  • Lunchbox granola bar.

What is a low carb lunch for school? ›

The perfect low carb lunch could be tuna salad, chicken salad or egg salad served on a bed of mixed greens with chopped cucumber and grape tomatoes, or as a sandwich filling between leaves of romaine lettuce.

Is Rice a low carb food? ›

There are 50 grams of carbs in one cup of cooked brown rice, while the same amount of cooked, enriched short-grain white rice has about 53 grams of carbs. On the other hand, cooked wild rice only has 35 grams of carbs, making it one of the best options if you want to reduce your carb intake.

What daily food has no carbs? ›

Food and drinks allowed on a no-carb diet include meat, fish, eggs, cheese, butter, oils, water, and plain coffee or tea. If you're less stringent, you can also eat nuts, seeds, non-starchy vegetables, and high fat fruits like avocado and coconut since these foods are low in net carbs.

What is the number 1 worst carb? ›

1. Sugary Foods. Most people already think of many of the foods in this category as unhealthy treats. Candy, soft drinks, and sweet desserts such as cake, chocolate, and ice cream are all expected entries on a list of carbs to avoid to lose weight.

What can I replace bread with on a sandwich? ›

Healthier bread choices
  • Cornbread. ...
  • Homemade sourdough. ...
  • Rice paper wraps. ...
  • Lettuce is a good wrap substitute; ideally you want a soft butter lettuce or large cos leaf but you can use other varieties. ...
  • Egg wraps. ...
  • Rye bread.

What is the healthiest thing you can eat for lunch? ›

Healthy People Usually Eat These 7 Things for Lunch
  1. Avocado and egg sandwich. ...
  2. Summer rolls with peanut sauce. ...
  3. Quinoa pear salad with spinach, cranberries and pecans. ...
  4. Protein Salad. ...
  5. Loaded Vegetable Sandwich. ...
  6. Lentil vegetable soup. ...
  7. Chicken burrito bowl with rice and beans.
Aug 30, 2023

What can I replace a sandwich with? ›

13 simple alternatives to sandwiches
  • Asian chicken omelette wraps. ...
  • Courgette and white bean quesadillas. ...
  • Cottage cheese, grated carrot and rocket pittas. ...
  • Cheese and ham muffins. ...
  • Ham and cheese pinwheels. ...
  • Red pepper houmous with crudités. ...
  • Chicken and salsa wrap. ...
  • Roasted vegetable and ham pasta salad.

What is lazy low-carb? ›

The lazy keto diet is a less strict version of the ketogenic (keto) diet, the only rule being that you consume no more than 20 grams of carbs per day. Keto rules instruct you to eat a high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carb diet. Like the original diet, lazy keto is a method that helps with rapid weight loss.

What pasta has lowest carbs? ›

What type of pasta is lowest in carbs? "Vegetable-based pastas, such as zucchini noodles or hearts of palm noodles, tend to be lowest in carbs and calories," says Sassos. "They are also packed with nutrient-dense vitamins and minerals and are naturally gluten-free.

What carbs can I eat instead of rice? ›

Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and squash are excellent alternatives to rice in a healthy diet. These vegetables are high in complex carbohydrates, low in calories, and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They can be boiled, steamed, or roasted.

What can I eat instead of potatoes and pasta? ›

Although your usual favourite carbohydrates, such as pasta, rice, noodles and potatoes are very popular, they're not the only options. You could try grains like couscous, quinoa and barley to introduce a new flavour to your favourite dishes.

How much weight can you lose in 2 weeks without carbs? ›

The amount of weight you can lose on a low-carb diet in 2 weeks can vary widely depending on factors such as your starting weight, adherence to the diet, and individual metabolism. Some individuals have reported losing up to 10 pounds or more in two weeks, while others may experience less dramatic results.

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