Don’t get discouraged if you are bored of the usual lunch go-to’s, there is so much more to weekday lunches than salads and soggy bread! These top recipes for sandwich lunches will satisfy the entire family.
But, you know, it’s still a drag to get your picture taken when you’re eating a sandwich. It’s a downer.
Keanu Reeves
Best Sandwich Lunches
Green Goddess Sandwich
Refreshing cucumber, salad cress, creamy avocado, peppery rocket, and fragrant basil are layered up between slices of malted grain bread in this healthy sandwich. You can also spread the slices of bread with some cream cheese ahead of assembling.
Ingredients
8 thick slices malted grain loaf
1 cucumber
2 salad cress punnets, snipped
2 avocados, sliced
1 lemon, juiced
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
40g rocket leaves
Handful basil leaves, torn
100g (3 1/2oz) soft cream cheese (optional)
Method
Arrange 4 of the slices of bread on a chopping board. Trim the ends of the cucumber, cut in half then slice each half lengthways into 4 thick slices. Place 2 slices of cucumber on 4 of the pieces of bread and season with a little pepper. Divide the snipped cress between the slices of bread, arranging on top of the cucumber. Top with the slices of avocado and squeeze over a little lemon juice.
Mix the remaining lemon juice with the olive oil and a little seasoning. Mix the rocket and basil leaves in a bowl and dress with the lemon and oil mixture. Divide this between the sandwiches on top of the avocado.
Spread the remaining 4 slices of bread with the cream cheese, if using, then sandwich together before tucking in.
Egg Mayo, Ham and Watercress Sandwich
This sandwich is tasty, simple and a real classic.
Serves 1
10 mins to prepare and 10 mins to cook
296 calories/serving
Ingredients
1 egg
15g light mayonnaise
1 x oat-topped wholemeal deli roll or pitta bread
1 x slice of ham
10g watercress
Method
Boil the egg for 9 mins, then drain and let cool under running water. Shell and coarsely grate into a bowl.
Add the mayonnaise and mix well with a fork. Spoon the egg mayonnaise onto the bottom half of the bread roll.
Top with the ham and watercress. Sandwich with the top half. Wrap in cling film, if you like.
You could pack cubed cantaloupe melon mixed with some peeled, seeded, and chopped cucumber and a little shredded basil for an extra snack.
Tuna Mayo Pitta
Ready in minutes and is a quick and easy packed lunch for kids. This simple recipe has a classic tuna and sweetcorn mayo filling with crunchy lettuce and can be prepped and packed up the night before. What’s more, it’s a healthy lunch for the kids
- Serves 1
- 15 mins to prepare
- 279 calories/serving
Ingredients
- 1/3 x 160g tin tuna chunks in spring water, drained
- 2 tbsp tinned sweetcorn, drained
- 20g light mayonnaise
- 1 wholemeal pitta
- 20g lettuce, shredded
Method.
Mix the drained tuna chunks with the sweetcorn and light mayonnaise. Halve a wholemeal pitta and divide the tuna mayonnaise between each half. Add the shredded lettuce.
Place blackberries and melon in one of the compartments as an added snack.
Carrot, Raisin and Cream Cheese Sandwich
Kids will love this easy healthy sandwich that’s packed with layers of fruit and veg.
- Serves 1
- 10 mins to prepare
- 241 calories/serving
- Healthy
Ingredients
- 1½ tbsp 50% less fat soft cheese
- ½ orange, finely zested
- 2 slices wholemeal bread
- 1 tsp raisins
- Small handful baby leaf spinach (about 25g)
- 1 small carrot, peeled and grated
Method
Mix the soft cheese with the orange zest then spread over both slices of bread.
Scatter the raisins over one slice, then top with a layer of spinach leaves, discarding any tough stalks, followed by a layer of grated carrot.
Finish with the other slice of bread and cut into triangles or squares to serve. If you want to make ahead, wrap tightly in clingfilm or nonstick paper and store in the fridge.
Turkey Sandwich Stars
Lunchtime can be exciting with these fun turkey sandwich stars, a simple idea for a healthy lunchbox. Use a cookie cutter to stamp out shapes and pack with some crunchy veg for a tasty packed lunch.
Serves 1
15 mins to prepare
195 calories/serving
Healthy
Ingredients
20g cheese spread
2 slices wholemeal bread (from an 800g loaf)
2 slices of wafer-thin roast turkey
10cm piece cucumber
1/2 carrot
Method
Spread the cheese spread over the bread slices. Top one with the wafer-thin roast turkey, and assemble into a sandwich.
Cut into stars using different sized star cutters (you can make 3-4 stars with little waste, except the crusts – make these into breadcrumbs or use in another recipe).
Use a vegetable peeler to peel the cucumber and carrot into ribbons. Pack up the Bento box, using the compartments for the sandwiches and vegetables.
Tip: A small banana and some raisins make a good optional snack
More Resources:
I designed a Bento Lunch Box to help and the feedback has been amazing, I’m completely overwhelmed at how many families it’s helped. They keep food fresher for longer!
The My Plate icon is divided into five food group categories, emphasizing the nutritional intake of the following:
Grains, Vegetables, Fruits, Dairy & Protein. The USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services developed it to guide us in selecting foods for children age 2 and older to eat a healthy diet, a variety of foods and encourage the right amount of fat calorie intake.
