20 Side Dishes You’ll Look Forward to at Lunch
Updated: Apr. 07, 2024
Make your meal a little more exciting with these lunch sides that really hit the spot.
Flavorful Slaw
Up your slaw game by adding a tart vinaigrette and big bites of fresh raspberries. The best part is you can also use bagged coleslaw mix so it comes together in a snap. That’s not all. Here are 40+ other ways you can put a bag of slaw mix to work.
Spicy Pickles
Crunchy, sour and with a kick of jalapeno peppers, pickles are the perfect side option for a hearty sandwich. By going the homemade route, you can customize the heat to exactly your taste. If you’re new to homemade pickles, check out our canning how-to.
Pasta Salad
Pasta salads aren’t just a cookout side dish, they belong in your lunch bag, too! Loaded with crisp veggies, tender pasta and flavorful dressing, it can be turned into your main with the addition of shredded chicken, cubed ham or deli meat. Take a look at our top 10 pasta salad recipes for more inspo.
Snack Mix
If you love munching, then a snack mix is for you. With corn chips, Chex, nuts and oats, it packs a texture—and flavor—punch.
Goat Cheese and Apples
A little sweet and a little savory. Use slices of a medium-sized apple to scoop 2-3 tablespoons of plain or flavored goat cheese. You can take it to the next level by whipping the goat cheese before you leave home. Goat cheese makes a great panini, too!
Veggies and Dip
Kick that tub of plain hummus to the side and whip up this easy-peasy dip for fresh vegetables. If the fresh garlic is a bit too harsh for your tastebuds, roast it in the oven for a few minutes to soften the flavor.
Roasted Nuts
With a sweet cinnamon flavor and a hint of vanilla, these almonds pair well with a fall-inspired salad or wrap. Plus, this recipe’s sodium level is lower than most roasted and salted nut mixes that are sold in stores.
Celery and Peanut Butter
Hello, classic combo! Pair two stalks-worth of celery with about 2 tablespoons of creamy or crunchy peanut butter for a sweet side. By the way, here’s the best peanut butter brand, according to our editors’ taste test.
Kale Chips
Get your chip fix (and use up extra kale) with this East Coast-inspired recipe. Here are more ways to cook kale.
Marinated Veggies
Plain, raw vegetables aren’t for everyone. Turn up the flavor a few notches with a decadent red wine vinaigrette, chopped onion and fresh herbs.
Pinwheels
If your lunch is on the lighter side, pack these pinwheels as a side. With two kinds of cheese, ham and a tortilla, it’ll round out your meal and keep you from hitting up the vending machine in an hour. These pinwheel recipes are also a great party appetizer.
Broccoli Salad
Sweet, smokey and crazy-crunchy broccoli salad is a lunch must. If Miracle Whip isn’t your favorite, feel free to swap in mayo or unflavored Greek yogurt.
Cheese and Crackers
Whether it’s cubes of cheddar, a hunk of parm or a spreadable wedge, grab a handful of pita crackers and stack away. If you’re feeling adventurous, try something new and pick up one of these little-known cheese varieties.
Guacamole
Perfect alongside a taco salad or tortilla soup, guacamole can be served with chips, fresh veggies or pineapple slices. Here’s the secret trick to keeping your guac from turning brown.
Turkey Rolls
Spread a bit of cream cheese on a slice of deli turkey (or ham or roast beef), sprinkle on some everything bagel seasoning and roll the meat loosely. You’ll add a ton of protein to your lunch and some added flavor from the seasoning.
Trail Mix
Who says chocolate can’t be a side dish? Create your own trail mix by mixing and matching various bags of nuts, dried fruit, granola and chocolate pieces.
Quinoa Salad
If you’ve haven’t jumped on the quinoa train yet, it’s time to clime aboard. Toss it with your favorite chopped veggies, fresh herbs and citrus juice for a refreshing grain salad.
Deviled Eggs
Add some oompf to that hard-boiled egg by turning it into a deviled egg. To bring to work for lunch, consider sandwiching two egg halves together to prevent the yolk mixture from smearing. Here are more ways to dress up deviled eggs.
Mom’s Pickled Carrots
If you’re looking for something a little different, these pickled carrots are just the ticket. They’re made with a bit of cinnamon and clove for a unique taste.
Antipasto Mix
Toss some green and black olives, artichoke hearts, mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes and salami with a bit of Italian salad dressing for a hearty and salty side. Check out these other salad recipes that go with almost anything.
Originally Published: December 10, 2019
