You don’t have to rely on running through the drive-through for lunch anymore! In 2024, TABLE Magazine elevated the midday meal with these top 10 best lunch recipes. We have versatile options for quick and simple ideas, as well as more complex recipes that treat you to a gourmet experience. Whether you’re whipping up a special meal for yourself, packing a nutritious lunch for your kids, or bringing a little something for the entire office, these recipes will have you excited to make lunchtime an experience rather than a chore.
TABLE Magazine’s Best Lunch Recipes of 2024
Quick Cured Egg Yolks
These Quick Cured Egg Yolks are ready to upgrade your lunch. By curing the egg yolks in a salt solution, they develop a rich, umami flavor and a firm texture. Perfect for spreading on toast, these savory treats can be enjoyed on their own or with a variety of toppings. Talk about the best avocado toast ever!
Dill Pickle and Crispy Smashed Potato Salad
This Dill Pickle Potato Salad is a refreshing twist on your favorite picnic food. Crispy roasted potatoes are tossed with a tangy dill dressing and sliced dill pickles for the ultimate pickle-lovers lunch. Serve it warm or chilled alongside your sandwich of choice for a fulfilling meal.
Winter Power Bowl
Feeling sluggish on a cold winter day? This Winter Power Bowl is the perfect pick-me-up. Packed with nutrient-rich ingredients like roasted butternut squash, protein-packed sausage, and crunchy walnuts, this hearty and satisfying meal will fuel your body and mind. Whether you’re heading to work or staying in, this power bowl is a nutritious lunch option.
Beet Carpaccio with Citrus Vinaigrette
This Beet Carpaccio is a stunning and equally delicious dish that’s perfect for a light lunch when you just need a small snack. The thinly sliced beets are dressed in a tangy citrus vinaigrette and topped with crunchy seed crackers and microgreens. It’s a beautiful and flavorful way to enjoy the earthy sweetness of beets.
Roasted Beet Salad with French Vinaigrette
Our Roasted Beet Salad is the perfect way to indulge in beets when they’re at their peak in the cooler seasons. After roasting to perfection, we toss the beets with a tangy French vinaigrette before topping with oranges, arugula, pea shoots, walnuts, and whipped ricotta cheese. It’s a way to treat yourself to an elegant lunch full of fresh ingredients.
The Best Wendy’s Copycat Chili Recipe
Recreate the iconic Wendy’s chili experience at home with this copycat recipe. This hearty and flavorful chili is packed with tender chunks of beef and beans, savory spices, and a rich, homemade tomato base. It’s the perfect comfort food for a chilly day or whenever you need something cozy for lunch.
Blistered Shishito and Corn Salad
The sweet, juicy corn and slightly spicy shishito peppers find their haven in a lime and Tajin vinaigrette. The addition of Cojita cheese and avocado makes a veggie salad that shows how delicious simple vegetables and spices can be. It’s also easy to double this recipe to share with whoever you choose to bring to lunch…and lean into frozen corn in the seasons when farm fresh ears are not available.
Vermouth-Braised Radicchio & Fennel
This Vermouth-Braised Radicchio and Fennel is a sophisticated and flavorful dish that showcases the transformative power of braising. The rich, complex flavors of vermouth infuse the vegetables in this process. The sweetness of the caramelization balances the usual bitterness of the radicchio and fennel, creating a dish that is both comforting and elegant.
Grilled Sunflowers Recipe with Bacon Vinaigrette
Who knew sunflower heads actually make for a delectable and healthy lunch? The sunflower heads are grilled to perfection, bringing out their nutty flavor. Then, the homemade bacon vinaigrette adds a smoky, savory element that complements them perfectly. No need to worry about an overabundance of sunflowers ever again. This one is for summer months only, because it’s nigh impossible to get unripe sunflowers at any other time.
Roasted Carrot and Chickpea Sandwich
This hearty Roasted Carrot and Chickpea Sandwich needs no accompaniment. The sweet and savory blend of roasted carrots in a zesty marinade and creamy chickpea spread is simply unforgettable. Alongside cucumbers, pea shoots, and bakery-fresh bread, this recipe is about to become a staple in your weekly routine.
Story by Kylie Thomas
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