28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (2024)

As one of the healthiest eating patterns in the world, the Mediterranean diet can take on many shapes and forms. From refreshing salads to hearty grain bowls, these quick and easy lunches come together in just 20 minutes or less. Plus, these meals highlight staple ingredients of the Mediterranean diet like beans, fish, whole grains and greens. Recipes like our Ricotta-Tomato Toast and Kale, Quinoa & Apple Salad are nutritious, simple and delicious options for the middle of the day.

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Farro Salad with Arugula, Artichokes & Pistachios

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (1)

Precooked farro makes this dish come together in no time. And you can make it in the same bowl you serve it in, minimizing cleanup!

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We'd Happily Eat This Ricotta-Tomato Toast for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (2)

This tomato toast features a creamy ricotta cheese spread and, of course, juicy ripe summer tomatoes. A serrated knife makes cutting thin slices of the heirloom tomatoes easier when they are on the softer side. If you have cherry tomatoes on hand, they will work well too, either sliced or blistered under the broiler.

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Caprese Sandwich

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (3)

This caprese sandwich is fresh from the basil and hearty from thick, crusty ciabatta. The sun-dried tomatoes deepen the flavor. Topping the bread with a layer of basil leaves and using toasted bread helps to keep the sandwich from getting soggy if you need to make it a few hours ahead.

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Savory Oatmeal with Tomato & Sausage

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (4)

Oats get a new life in this savory dish, serving as the backbone for a satisfying combo of sausage, greens, tomatoes and herbs.

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Caprese Pasta Salad

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (5)

This light and fresh caprese pasta salad is brought together with a bright and tangy dressing, with fresh mozzarella pearls adding creaminess to every bite.

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Mozzarella, Tomato & Prosciutto Sandwich

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (6)

This prosciutto sandwich takes the classic ham-and-cheese sandwich to a new level with savory prosciutto and fresh, creamy mozzarella. The toasted bread adds a nice crispiness that complements the softness of the fillings. If you want to enhance the basil flavor even more, a smear of pesto on the toasted bread will do the trick.

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Tangy Chicken Salad with Grapes

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Sweet red grapes and crunchy celery make this chicken salad sing, and also balance out the slight tang from the yogurt and lemon. But go ahead and customize the mix-ins with whatever you desire (perhaps some chopped nuts or dried fruit) because this chicken salad recipe is easily adaptable. We use rotisserie chicken (look for unseasoned to keep sodium in check!) to simplify things, but any leftover cooked chicken will work.

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These Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps Have 38 Grams of Protein to Keep You Satisfied

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (8)

These chicken Caesar salad wraps make for a quick, easy lunch or dinner. We like a mix of romaine and kale for texture and color, but you can use one or the other if you prefer. Romaine will not hold well once dressed, so we recommend making this wrap up to 1 day in advance or the leaves will get soggy. Parmesan crisps act as another crouton-like element—use store-bought crisps or make your own with our Parmesan Crisps recipe.

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Kale, Quinoa & Apple Salad

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (9)

This kale, quinoa and apple salad is perfect for fall. Fresh apples bring crisp autumn flavor, and the kale breaks down when it's massaged with the dressing. Nuts, fennel and quinoa add more layers of texture, while blue cheese lends a savory note.

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The Best Tuna Salad Recipe for Sandwiches

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (10)

The tuna salad in this easy recipe has crunch from the celery and apple, which also delivers a hint of sweetness. We use Greek-style yogurt in place of mayonnaise to bind everything together and to add a tangy, creamy finish. You could take this up a notch and make it a "Waldorf tuna salad" by adding 2 tablespoons toasted chopped walnuts, 3 tablespoons quartered small grapes and 1 tablespoon additional Greek yogurt. Serve over a bed of greens or between two slices of whole-grain bread.

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Avocado Tuna Spinach Salad

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (11)

Avocado adds creaminess while sunflower seeds provide texture and crunch in this easy tuna-spinach salad.

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Veggie & Hummus Sandwich

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (12)

This mile-high vegetable and hummus sandwich makes the perfect heart-healthy vegetarian lunch to go. Mix it up with different flavors of hummus and different types of vegetables, depending on your mood.

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Lentil Salad with Feta, Tomatoes, Cucumbers & Olives

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (13)

This Mediterranean lentil salad, with chopped veggies, feta cheese and a light dressing, is perfect to have on hand for a quick lunch.

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Vegan Superfood Grain Bowls

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This nutrient-packed grain bowl recipe comes together in 15 minutes with the help of a few convenience-food shortcuts like prewashed baby kale, microwavable quinoa and precooked beets. Pack these ahead to keep on hand for easy meal-prep lunches or dinners on busy nights.

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Stuffed Sweet Potato with Hummus Dressing

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (15)

Hearty yet simple to prepare, this stuffed sweet potato with black beans, kale and hummus dressing is a fantastic 5-ingredient lunch for one!

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Salmon-Stuffed Avocados

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (16)

Canned salmon is a valuable pantry staple and a practical way to include heart-healthy, omega-3-rich fish in your diet. Here, we combine it with avocados in an easy no-cook meal.

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Mason Jar Power Salad with Chickpeas & Tuna

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (17)

This power salad will keep you fueled for hours, thanks to 26 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber. Tossing the dressing and kale, and then letting it stand in the jar, softens it enough so you don't need to massage or cook it to make it tender.

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Chopped Salad with Sriracha Tofu & Peanut Dressing

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (18)

Prep four days' worth of high-protein vegan lunches using just four easy ingredients from your local specialty grocery store, including a veggie-heavy salad mix as a base. Because this salad mix is hearty, you can dress these bowls up to 24 hours before serving to allow the flavors in this healthy chopped salad to marry. If you can't find a hearty mix, go with broccoli slaw or shredded Brussels sprouts.

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Kale & Avocado Salad with Blueberries & Edamame

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (19)

Bursting with nutrient-rich produce, this California-inspired salad is a delicious and satisfying way to get your vitamins. We love the unique combination of blueberries, edamame, and goat cheese.

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Spicy Slaw Bowls with Shrimp & Edamame

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (20)

The quick 10-minute Spicy Cabbage Slaw serves as the low-carb base in this veggie-packed lunch recipe. Topped with high-protein edamame and shrimp, this satisfying lunch will help you power through the afternoon.

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Chickpea Salad Sandwich

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (21)

This vegan chickpea salad sandwich is lemony, bright and surprisingly delicious. It's got all the flavors of a classic tuna salad sandwich—dill, lemon and a bit of garlic—but with chickpeas instead to add a vegan source of protein and a healthy boost of fiber. Celery brings a nice crunch.

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Meal-Prep Curried Chicken Bowls

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (22)

Curry doesn't have to take hours to prepare. With the help of our sheet-pan meal-prep chicken (see associated recipe) and some cooked whole grains, you can make these meal-prep bowls in just a few minutes! Keep them in the fridge for an easy dinner on a busy weeknight or for healthy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.

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Green Goddess Sandwich

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (23)

This green goddess sandwich is a fresh and satisfying sandwich. The dressing packs a flavorful punch with capers and lemon juice. The cucumber and sprouts add nice crunch, and the seasoned avocado brings in the creaminess.

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Tomato-&-Avocado Cheese Sandwich

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (24)

Parmesan cheese is such a bold flavor, you only need 1/4 cup to add a big punch to this vegetarian toaster-oven sandwich. Get a serving of fruit too, when you enjoy the sandwich with a fresh pear.

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Shrimp Salad with Peanut Dressing

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (25)

Using applesauce in the peanut dressing lends a sweet, tart flavor that pairs wonderfully with shrimp.

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Catchall Lunch Salad

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (26)

This easy salad is great for using up any small amounts of leftover canned foods and produce you have on hand.

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Green Goddess Salad with Chickpeas

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (27)

In this cucumber, tomato, Swiss cheese and chickpea salad recipe, a healthy green goddess dressing is made from avocado, buttermilk and herbs. The extra dressing is delicious served with grilled vegetables.

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Chicken & Veggie Quesadilla

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28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (28)

This easy quesadilla recipe uses canned cooked chicken to save time. You can also use leftover cooked chicken or turkey if you have it. Dice the vegetables up to 1 day ahead for even speedier prep.

28 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 20 Minutes (2024)

FAQs

What is an example of a Mediterranean diet lunch? ›

Registered dietitian and nutritionist Jill Weisenberger told Insider that one of her favorite Mediterranean-diet lunches is a simple chicken wrap. "Mix diced chicken with chopped walnuts, apples, and celery," said Weisenberger. "Hold everything together with Greek yogurt and add some greens before wrapping it up."

What is a typical Mediterranean meal? ›

It includes plenty of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans and lentils as well as seafood and healthy fats like olive oil and nuts. It also includes a moderate amount of chicken, turkey, eggs and fermented dairy, like yogurt or kefir, while limiting red meat, sweets and processed foods.

Is Mayo OK on Mediterranean diet? ›

A: Mayonnaise is processed food that contains inflammatory vegetable fats. So, mayo is not allowed on the Mediterranean diet. You can substitute Mayo with Greek yogurt or avocados to make your sandwich, which will be still tasty, but far healthier.

What is the best bread to eat on the Mediterranean diet? ›

Is sourdough bread allowed on the Mediterranean diet? Any bread that is made from whole wheat, whole grains, sprouts, and sourdough is recommended while on a Mediterranean diet. You will want to avoid bread made from refined grains, such as white bread if you are following this diet.

Is peanut butter OK on Mediterranean diet? ›

And as plant-based protein sources that are high in good and unsaturated fats, peanuts and peanut butter are a natural fit within Mediterranean and Flexitarian ways of eating. Unfamiliar with the Mediterranean and Flexitarian diets?

Is toast OK on Mediterranean diet? ›

Consider combining whole grains, fruit, yogurt and vegetables. For example, you can have whole grain toast with tomato slices, apple slices dipped in peanut butter and yogurt. Although the Mediterranean diet focuses on reducing dairy, it is allowed on a limited basis.

What is not allowed on a Mediterranean diet? ›

The Mediterranean diet is high in plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and olive oil. Foods not allowed include processed red meats, heavily processed foods, refined grains, alcohol, butter, and refined/processed/hydrogenated oils.

What are the 2 most recognized ingredients in Mediterranean diet? ›

Key ingredients of Mediterranean cuisine include olive oil, fresh fruits and vegetables, protein-rich legumes, fish and whole grains with moderate amounts of wine and red meat.

How many eggs per week on a Mediterranean diet? ›

Egg yolks. Egg yolks have saturated fats that can raise your cholesterol. Most healthy people can eat up to four to six egg yolks per week while following a Mediterranean diet, but to get some of the benefits of eggs without the negatives, stick to egg whites whenever you can.

What is the most common Mediterranean dish? ›

There are always Mediterranean food classics like shawarma, falafel, tomato cucumber salad that goes with everything, and the simple but delicious Greek salad, but there are also many brand-new recipes with exciting modern twists that have quickly become some of the most loved recipes on the site.

What is a typical Mediterranean lunch for weight loss? ›

Cucumber, Tomato & Arugula Salad with Hummus

Tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and feta top arugula in this quick Greek-inspired salad. Served with whole-wheat pita and prepared hummus, it makes a filling, yet healthy lunch.

Is peanut butter sandwich part of Mediterranean diet? ›

And as plant-based protein sources that are high in good and unsaturated fats, peanuts and peanut butter are a natural fit within Mediterranean and Flexitarian ways of eating.

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