Thanksgiving is almost here and these light lunches are a great way to keep things easy while you tackle all the prep and chaos of the week. They’re quick, simple, and won’t leave you feeling like you’re already full before the turkey even hits the table. Save your energy (and your appetite) for the main event, and enjoy a little balance before the feast.

A bowl of tuna salad with grapes and bread.
Waldorf Tuna Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.
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Baby Kale Salad

Kale salad with chickpeas and apples.
Baby Kale Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

For a quick and easy lunch, try this baby kale salad. It comes together with a simple tahini dressing, enhanced by roasted BBQ chickpeas and apple slices. This salad is a light yet fulfilling choice, perfect for a refreshing break from heavy holiday foods.
Get the Recipe: Baby Kale Salad

Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad

Tofu pasta salad in a glass bowl with a spoon.
Tofu Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This tofu pasta salad offers a light and satisfying meal. It’s mixed with fresh vegetables and a simple balsamic dressing, making it a refreshing choice. The addition of tofu adds a nice texture and makes it a fulfilling lunch option.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad

Blueberry White Bean Salad

A bowl of blueberry and bean salad on a wooden table.
Blueberry White Bean Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This white bean salad is a fresh and light lunch option. It’s dressed in a creamy tahini turmeric dressing and includes blueberries, herbs, and pickled red onions. The addition of seeds and sprouts brings both nutrition and a crunchy texture, making it a satisfying midday meal.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry White Bean Salad

Creamy Dijon Egg Salad

Egg salad on toasted bread with a fork.
Creamy Dijon Egg Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

For a lighter take on egg salad, this version uses Greek yogurt with a touch of Dijon. It’s mixed with green olives, red cabbage, parsley, and pepitas, offering a flavorful and crunchy experience. This salad is an excellent choice for a quick, refreshing lunch.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Egg Salad

Creamy Mediterranean Carrot Salad

A bowl of carrot salad with chickpeas.
Mediterranean Carrot Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This carrot salad is a vibrant and tasty option, filled with chickpeas, raisins, feta, and parsley, all tossed in a creamy yogurt tahini dressing. It’s a delightful dish that serves well as a light lunch or a side, offering a mix of flavors and textures.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mediterranean Carrot Salad

Dijon Dill Salmon Salad

Two plates of salmon salad lettuce wraps with dressing on them.
Dijon Dill Salmon Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This salmon salad is a light and protein-packed lunch choice. Made with fresh dill, lemon, dijon mustard, capers, and roasted chickpeas, it offers a mix of savory and smoky flavors. Enjoy it on toasted bread or in lettuce wraps for a refreshing meal.
Get the Recipe: Dijon Dill Salmon Salad

Healthier Tuna Waldorf Salad

A bowl of tuna salad with grapes and bread.
Waldorf Tuna Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This tuna Waldorf salad is a healthier and easy-to-make lunch option. It doesn’t compromise on flavor or texture, making it an ideal choice for a light yet satisfying meal. It’s perfect for those looking for a quick lunch fix.
Get the Recipe: Healthier Tuna Waldorf Salad

Turmeric Chicken Salad

Turmeric chicken salad on a piece of lettuce.
Turmeric Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This chicken salad incorporates fresh turmeric root, adding an antioxidant boost to a creamy, crunchy lunch option. Serve it with toasted bread or in lettuce wraps for a light, nutritious meal that’s both flavorful and easy to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Turmeric Chicken Salad

Sardine Salad

A sandwich with sardine salad on a cutting board.
Sardine Salad Sandwich. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Savor the benefits of nutritious sardines with this simple salad. It’s mixed with mustard, capers, lemon, and fresh vegetables, offering a flavorful and crunchy experience. This sardine salad is a great light lunch option, full of flavor and texture.
Get the Recipe: Sardine Salad

Honey Chicken Apple Salad

A bowl of chicken salad with apples and sprigs of sage.
Honey Apple Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This honey chicken salad is a fresh spin on lunch, combining chicken with apples and sage. It’s a light and flavorful option, perfect for a midday meal that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Honey Chicken Apple Salad

Honey Mustard Chicken and Brussels Sprouts Salad

Brussels sprouts and pomegranate salad with honey mustard chicken on white plates.
Honey Mustard Chicken and Brussels Sprouts Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This salad brings together chicken and Brussels sprouts, complemented by apples and pomegranates. Tied together with a honey mustard dressing, it’s a delicious and easy option for a light lunch, especially if you’re looking for something different and refreshing.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Chicken and Brussels Sprouts Salad

Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.

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