4 creative (and nutritious) recipes for easy weekday lunches

You know you should meal prep (packing lunch is such a money saver, not to mention way healthier than most grab-and-go options). But somehow you always get lost between the wilted salad and the classic throw-everything-in-tupperware creation you make every. single. week.

Turns out, the solution to your desk-lunch problems has been hiding in plain sight this entire time: In the deli aisle. (Yep, a lot has changed since your mom last packed your lunch.) 

Case in point, Applegate’s all-natural deli chicken, turkey, ham, and beef, which leave out artificial ingredients, preservatives, and weird fillers. Not only does it check off all your usual healthy must-haves, but also your conscience-related ones: all the meat comes from animals that are Applegate humanely raised (AKA they’re given space to live as they naturally would) and given no antibiotics, ever.

The best part is, there’s no cooking necessary—which means less time meal prepping (and more time, like, living), but doesn’t mean you’re skimping on nutrition. Each serving packs between 10 and 12 grams of protein and doesn’t include any GMO ingredients.

To help pull you out of your lunch boredom, we found four creative ideas that put a fresh spin on the classic lunch protein—so you never have to have that sad salad again.

Scroll down for four recipes that will shake up your lunch routine—without a ton of extra time spent in the kitchen.

Bonus: You don’t even have to take a a sushi-making class to pull this off. Feel free to get creative with your add-ins here, too—add mango and strawberry for a tropical twist, or sweet potato and peanuts for a more savory option.

Turkey “Sushi” with Lemon Miso Dressing

Yields 4 servings

IngredientsFilling8 slices Applegate Natural Roasted Turkey Breast
1 small cucumber, shredded1 carrot, shredded1 avocado, pitted, peeled and sliced into 16 pieces

Dressing2 Tbsp white miso2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice2 Tbsp water1 Tbsp maple syrup1 Tbsp soy sauce

1. Lay a piece of turkey on a work surface, and arrange a small handful of the cucumber and carrot along the bottom third of the turkey.

2. Layer two slices of avocado on top of the veggies. Starting from the bottom, roll up tightly to enclose.

3.  Place the roll seam-side down to cut into six pieces, and repeat with the remaining turkey and veggies.

4. For the dressing, whisk all the ingredients together until smooth and set aside for dipping.

These easy-to-make kebabs require zero cooking and come together in minutes—perfect when your Sunday Funday plans stretch into the evening, but you still want to start your week off with a healthy, homemade lunch. Basically, it’s salad on a stick, but way better.

Easy-Peasy Lunch Kebabs

IngredientsApplegate Natural Black Forest Ham, rolled up and slicedApplegate Natural Roasted Turkey Breast or Natural Smoked Turkey Breast, rolled up and slicedChunks of cheddar or Monterey Jack cheeseGrapesCucumbers, cut into coinsCherry tomatoesBell peppers, cut into bite-sized piecesMango or pineapple, cut-into bite-sized piecesAny of your favorite fruits and veggies!

1. Thread the pieces of meat, cheese, fruit, and veggies alternately on 4-inch bamboo skewers to make a colorful mix, and dig in.

This salad is perfect for meal prep because the colorful ingredients are basically begging to be layered in that cute mason jar set you just ordered. Stack the juicy tomatoes, bright corn and onions, and ham, and you’re basically required to Instagram it.

Tex-Mex Chopped Salad

Yields 4 servings

IngredientsSalad1 (8 oz.) package Applegate Natural Fajita Style Chicken Breast Strips, diced1 (7 oz.) package Applegate Natural Slow Cooked Ham, diced1 (8 oz.) package Applegate Natural Cheddar Cheese, diced6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped2 cups roasted corn or canned corn, drained1 (15 oz.) can black beans, rinsed2 medium tomatoes, diced1 small red onion, sliced thin

Chipotle dressing1 chipotle pepper from 1 can of chipotles in adobo sauce, diced1 tsp adobo sauce½ cup plain yogurtJuice from 1 limeLime wedgesSalt + pepper

1. Evenly divide lettuce between four bowls. Top lettuce with corn, black beans, tomatoes, diced fajitas, diced ham, diced cheese, and red onions.

2. To make the dressing, place yogurt, lime juice, chipotle pepper, and adobo sauce in a blender. Blend until smooth, and season with salt and pepper.

3. Top salad with dressing and serve with lime wedges.

Just because it’s reliable doesn’t mean a wrap has to be boring. Spice things up with pepper jack cheese and chipotle hot sauce, and your lunch break will be next-level.

Southwestern Chicken Wrap

Yields 1 wrap

Ingredients1 (10-inch) tortilla or wrap3 slices Applegate Organic Roasted Chicken Breast2 slices Applegate Natural Monterey Jack Cheese with Jalapeño Peppers
2 leaves romaine lettuce, chopped½ small ripe tomato, chopped½ small ripe avocado, chopped1 Tbsp ranch dressingChipotle hot sauce, optional

1. Lay the tortilla on a work surface. Arrange the chicken slices over the tortilla, then top with cheese.

2. Scatter the lettuce, tomato, and avocado over the cheese.

3. Drizzle with dressing, and sprinkle hot sauce over everything, if you like.

4. Roll up like a burrito and serve.

In partnership with Applegate

Top photo: Stocksy/Studio Firma