35 Low-Carb Lunches To Make Ahead (Perfect for Weight Loss)!
If you are on a low-carb diet or have been thinking about switching to a low-carb lifestyle, you are in luck! Today, I am sharing all my nutritious low-carb lunches’ secrets. I am seriously letting the cat out of the bag and showing you how I always have my low-carb lunches ready to go. I am a magician and can almost pull them out of my hat! Amazingly, these low-carbohydrate recipes can help you lose weight!
Can You Meal-Prep Your Low-Carb Lunches?
Absolutely, YES! You can meal prep/make-ahead your low-carb lunches! If you are on a low-carb diet or have been thinking about switching to a low-carb lifestyle, you are in luck! Today, I am sharing all my nutritious low-carb lunches’ secrets. I am seriously letting the cat out of the bag and showing you how I always have my low-carb lunches ready to go. Keep reading to see the low-carb recipes that I like to meal prep weekly. Move over breakfasts, lunches are the most important meal of the day!
These nutritious low-carb recipes are versatile. They make great lunches, and equally excellent dinners! And the most fantastic thing is that you can make them ahead/meal prep! Am all for meal prepping and meal planning because it makes life easy!
Let’s talk the elephant in the room… salads. There will be salads in these categories! Do you know that you meal prep salads? Yes, you can! All you need to do is prep the ingredients separately and assemble them quickly when you are ready to eat. Amazingly, these low-carbohydrate recipes can help you lose or maintain a healthy weight!
Meanwhile, ensure you have your lunch containers ready to pack away these lunches after cooking them! And some of the recipes will require an air fryer. This is my air fryer (not a paid promotion)!ย
Benefits of Make-Ahead Low-carb Meals:
Meal-prepping lunches have many benefits for your health, budget, and time management (unless you enjoy cooking daily). Here are some reasons why you should consider meal-prepping your meals, especially your lunches:
- Save money: By meal-prepping, you can buy ingredients in bulk and save money on groceries. You’ll also be less likely to eat out or order takeout, which can be expensive.
- Save time: You’ll save time during the week by preparing meals in advance. You won’t have to spend time cooking and cleaning up every day, which can be a real time-saver.
- Stay on track with your health goals: When you meal prep, you have more control over what you’re eating. You can choose healthy ingredients and portion sizes that align with your health goals. Additionally, you can choose to meal prep low-carb breakfasts, lunches, or dinners. Today, I will show you those easy + nutritious lunches to make -ahead. Also, these recipes can help you continue to achieve your weight loss goal. Are you excited about this? Let’s do it!
35 Low-Carb Lunches To Make-ahead!
Zucchini Chicken Stir Fry in the Air Fryer
Healthy and easy zucchini chicken stir fry made in the air fryer is easy to make, flavorful, colorful, delicious, and satisfying! This unique stir fry with chicken and zucchini chicken makes a quick weekday lunch or dinner!ย
Diet: Gluten-free | Low-Carb | Dairy-free
Cajun Salmon with Avocado and Cucumber
Cajun Air Fryer Salmon with Avocado and cumber takes less than 20 minutes to make! This healthy low-carb + super-delicious meal makes for a quick lunch or dinner for one!! You can meal prep this dish and easily assemble whenever you wish to eat!
Diet: Keto | Pescatarian | GF | DF | Low-carb
Air Fryer Chicken Breast Fajitas!
Chicken fajitas in an air fryer may be the best possible way to cook this tex-mex meat and vegetable dish. It is juicy, tender, tasty, and cooks in no time. The part is that clean-up is easy peasy! This fun, flavorful and colorful healthy air fryer chicken breast fajitas make a perfect lunch or dinner any time! Serve these on tortillas, rice bowls, or just eat as is!
Diet: Low-carb | Gluten-free | Dairy-free
Cauliflower Cilantro Lime Rice
Ready for a refreshing, flavorful, low-carb side dish? For a healthy side dish with loads of flavor, turn to cauliflower rice. Seasoned with cilantro and lime, it’s refreshing, filling, and utterly delicious. Cilantro lime cauliflower rice is perfect if you are currently on a low-carb diet or simply trying to work more veggies into your meals!
Diet: Grain-free | DF | Vegan | Low-carb | KF
Air Fryer Pepper Steak!
A simple recipe of steak bites in an air fryer with bell peppers, onions, herbs, spices, and cooks in less than 15 minutes is the satisfying pick-me-up dish you want on your table today! Air-fried steak bites and peppers are tasty, flavorful, colorful, scrumptious, crispy, shiny, juicy, and just finger-licking good!
Diet: Keto | Gluten-free | Whole30
Chicken and Carrot Stir Fry Recipe
Delicious and nutritious chicken and carrot stir fry made with chicken breast, carrots, onions, fragrant herbs, and sautรฉed in olive oil is the easy and healthy chickenย dinner idea you need today and forever!ย Serve this stir fry overย white riceย or anything you wish. This quick chicken stir fry recipe is always a perfect weekday lunch or dinner idea that is a lifesaver!
Diet: Low-carb | Gluten-free | Dairy-free
Easy Spring Mix Salad & Chicken
This 4-ingredient spring mix salad with air fryer chicken breast and apple cider vinaigrette is fresh, flavorful, and easy to make. It is perfect for meal prep. You can prep all the ingredients individually at the start of the week and then assemble them for an easy weekday lunch or dinner.ย
Diet: Keto | Low-carb | Dairy-free | GF
Chicken Coconut Soup (BEST EVER)!
Easy and nutritious chicken coconut milk soup is packed with tasty boneless chicken thighs, coconut milk, warm spices, and vegetables! This soup is savory, sweet, flavorful, and insanely satisfying. Serve this coconut soup with rice, boiled potatoes, or plantains. Equally, it is gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo-friendly, and irresistibly finger-licking good!
Diet: Gluten-free | DF | Keto-friendly
Low-carb Red Cabbage Tacos
Super easy, nutritious, and satisfying red cabbage taco, aka taco wrap, is one low-carb lunch you need in your arsenal! This fresh cabbage leaves taco requires only a few ingredients. This isn’t your regular tacos; the vibrant and firm red cabbage substitutes your taco shell, making an unforgettable lunch or dinner experience!
Diet: Low-carb | Gluten-free | Grain-free
Berry Spinach Salad
Super healthy and easy-to-make strawberry blueberry spinach salad is loaded with nutritious antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Amazingly this spinach and berry salad calls for only a few ingredients – spinach, strawberries, blueberries, walnuts, and a simple lime olive oil vinaigrette! ย
Diet: Vegan | Gluten-free | Low-carb
Salmon with Lime Sauce!
Salmon is unarguably one of the best healthy fish to eat; it is tasty, easy to cook, and protein parkedโhealthy salmon green sauce recipe cooked in the air fryer or on the stovetop will be ready in under 20 minutes. It requires only a few ingredients, and you can make it on the stovetop or in an air fryer.
Diet: Pescatarian | Gluten-free | Dairy-free
Braised Red Cabbage
Super easy healthy braised red cabbage with apples and red onions is literally the best side dish ever!!! It’s savory, sweet, a little sour, tangy, and wonderfully complements every main dish. And the best part is that it comes together so quickly!
Diet: Vegan | Gluten-free | Low-carb
Egg Roll in A Bowl
This Egg Roll in a Bowl is a one pan meal thatโs super healthy, loaded with veggies, flavorful, and ready in less than 30 minutes!
Whether you serve it on top of rice, cauliflower rice, or eat it on its own, itโs gluten-free and easily adaptable for any special diet. Get this recipe from Adrienne!
Diet: Keto | Paleo | AIP | Whole30
Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli
This easy air fryer roasted broccoli with balsamic vinegar is crunchy, tender, tasty, tangy, and sweet. And will make a great side dish to any main dish. This air fryer broccoli is packed with flavors, and you will honestly never cook broccoli another way! This easy broccoli recipe takes only 8 minutes to cook.
Diet: Low-carb | Gluten-free | Dairy-free
Red Beet Puree
Silky vegan red beet puree, aka beetroot puree, is simply a recipe of pureed cooked beets, coconut milk, fresh garlic, salt, and pepper. Red beet puree is sweet, savory, flavorful, colorful, and comes with a perfect kick of freshness from the fresh raw garlic. Serve pureed beets with salmon, meat, or any choice of main.
Diet: Gluten-free | Low-carb | Vegan
Air Fryer Ribeye Steak and Zucchini
An easy air fryer ribeye steak and zucchini (stir-fry) is a healthy low-carb meal you can easily make in the air fryer. Steak and zucchini stir-fry in the air fryer guarantees you a healthy quick, and easy lunch or dinner. Air-fried ribeye steak and zucchini meal is super easy to make!
Diet: Keto-friendly | Gluten-free | Whole30
Canned Salmon Salad No Mayo
This low-calorie and low-carb keto salmon saladย fits the bill! Try this canned salmon salad (no mayo) for a healthy main dish that is under 400 calories. Packed with โreal foodโ ingredients, itโs Paleo, Whole30, gluten-free, dairy-free, LCHF, and pescatarian-friendly. This nutritious and vibrant salad is from Summer!
Diet: Pescatarian | Whole30 | DF | GF
INSTANT POT BUTTER CHICKEN
Make the best instant pot butter chicken recipe (Murgh Makhani) thatโs keto and low carb. An Indian restaurant favorite that can be made into one of the best keto dinner recipes served with cauliflower rice. This tasty butter chicken recipe is from Chichi.
Diet: Keto | Gluten-Free | Low-Calorie
Warm Goat Cheese Salad
This Warm Goat Cheese Salad is refreshing and light. Perfect for a main course on its own, or as an appetizer salad! This French-inspired Fried Goat Cheese Salad is packed with textures and flavors, and, of course, the herby fried cheese is from Allie!
Diet: Low-Carb | Vegetarian | Gluten-free
Seafood Salad
This seafood salad is a blend of imitation crab and shrimp in a creamy dill dressing with fresh vegetables. An easy high-protein lunch option that takes just minutes to make! This irresistible seafood salad is from Sara!
Diet: Pescatarian | Low-carb | Gluten-free
Cauliflower Fried Rice (Egg/Soy-free)
Healthy and delicious Cauliflower fried rice is an easy, low-carb, and keto-friendly version of the famous fried rice recipe! This dish comes together in less than 20 minutes! And you can serve it with any main dish of your choice! Hope you give it a try!
Diet: Gluten-free | Dairy-free | Vegan
Rotisserie Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Theseย rotisserie chicken lettuce wraps with peanut sauce are an easy and versatile meal packed with flavor. The best part is thatย they come together in less than 30 minutes and require little cook time, thanks to the convenience of rotisserie chicken. This recipe is from Begin with Balance.ย
Diet: Gluten-free | Dairy-free
Keto Chicken Vegetable Soup
Thisย Keto Chicken Vegetable Soupย will be a hit at your home, whether youโre focused on meal prep or just want a big steaming bowl of soup to warm you up! Perfect for those looking for a low-carb chicken noodle soup option. Each bowl is about 3g net carbs. This recipe is from Dr. Davinah.
Diet: Keto-friendly | Gluten-free | Grain-free
slow cooker salsa chicken
Simplify your lunch and dinner routines with this unbelievably easy and delicious Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken recipe. With just two simple ingredients, youโll have a mouthwatering meal bursting with flavor, perfect for those busy weeknights when you need a quick and satisfying dinner solution. Recipe by Semi Homemade Kitchen!
Diet: Low-carb | Gluten-free
Easy Keto Cobb Salad
Healthy and delicious keto Cobb salad is is to make, can be meal prepped ahead, which means it comes together quickly whenever you want to eat it!ย This is also full of flavors. Cobb salad, like most salads, is versatile; when it comes to the ingredients, they can be as plentiful or as little as you want them to be!
Diet: Keto | Gluten-free | Grain-free
Spaghetti Squash Salad
This Spaghetti Squash Salad is tossed in a zesty dressing for an easy healthy side dish thatโs a cinch to make and guaranteed to please. It tastes great warm or coldโperfect for a dinner side, or to take along to a picnic or potluck. Really anything goes! This fantastic recipe is by Adrienne!
Diet: Keto | Gluten-free | Vegan
Turkey Zucchini Lasagna
If youโre craving homemade lasagna but are looking for a lower carb option, youโll absolutely love this groundย turkey zucchini lasagna recipe!ย It uses real zucchini instead of lasagna noodles yet has all the same meaty, cheesy filling you know and love. This recipe is by Elysia!
Diet: Low-carb | Low-calorie | Vegetarian
Silky Vegan Cauliflower Soup
If there is anything creamy, rich, delicious, comforting, satisfying, healthy and super easy to make at the same time, one of the first dishes that come to my mind is this silky vegan cauliflower soup! This delicious + comforting cauliflower soup is from Elena!
Diet: Vegan | Low-carb | DF | GF
Beet Butternut Squash Quinoa Bowl
A simple quinoa bowl with air fryer roasted beet (beetroot), roasted air-fried butternut squash, and baked quinoa is filling, satisfying, healthy! This roasted beet butternut squash bowl with quinoa is colorful, making it a perfect side dish for every main dish and every occasion!
Diet: Gluten-free | Dairy-free | Low-carb
Mason Jar Keto Greek Salad
This simple and delicious Mason Jarย Keto Greek Saladย is a perfect grab and go meal to stay on track, even on busy days! This easy make-ahead lunch recipe will make sure that youโre getting lots of delicious and healthy vegetables in your diet too!ย Get this recipe from Stacey and Matt!
Diet: Keto | Gluten-free | Vegetarian
Shredded Beet Salad
Healthy shredded beet salad is low-carb, vegan, gluten-free, paleo-friendly, easy to make, and nutritious! (And in my opinion), this is the best way to enjoy fresh, raw beetroot! This very nutritious and exceptionally delicious beet salad is perfect for lunch, dinner, or as a healthy vegetable side dish.
Diet: Low-carb | Gluten-free | Dairy-free
chicken salad without mayo
Enjoy thisย chicken salad without mayoย as a tasty summer lunch, BBQ side dish or to take to a potluck! Quick and easy to make in less than 30 minutes, thisย dairy free chicken saladย is packed with healthy vegetables, herbs and has a lightly spiced olive oil based dressing that’s so delicious! Get this recipe from Claire
Diet: Low-carb | Gluten-free | Dairy-free
Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes
A simple vegan mashed sweet potatoes recipe with rosemary, coconut milk, and coconut cream is tasty, creamy, fragrant, and sweet. Making a perfect side dish for any main. Made without any dairy, they still come out dreamy, creamy, and full of that sweet and savory flavor that will make you overindulge!
Diet: Vegan | Low-carb | Paleo-friendly
Air Fryer Swai Fish Asparagus Packet
Easy recipe forย air fryer swai fish with asparagus combines white-fleshed swai fish, asparagus, and honey mustard marinade.ย The result is a mouth-watering, flavorful, moist, tasty, juicy, tender fish and vegetable combo that cooks in 15 minutes. Air-fried swai fish and asparagus is perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner!
Diet: Low-carb | Gluten-free | Pescatarian
Appetizers That Go with Low-carb Lunches:
Looking for easy appetizers to pair these make-ahead low-carb lunches? Here you go:
- Meatless Charcuterie Board
- Bacon Wrapped Small Potatoes
- Air Fryer Meatballs
- Watermelon Feta Bites
- Baked Sweet Potato Avocado Bites
- Turkey Keto Bread Bites
- Peppered Beef Tongue Bites
Are you ready for dinners that you and your family will enjoy? Check out my 7-day dinner plan. It’sย FREEย and sure to give you exciting ideas! Get it below!!
7-Day Dinner Plan
7-Day Dinner Plan
Ready for dinner meals your entire family will enjoy? Iโve got you covered! Sign up to get 7 easy, dinner recipes to make this week! Download and plan your next dinner right now!
Finally, let’s connect on social media, am onย Pinterest,ย Facebook,ย Instagram,ย Twitter, andย YouTube. If you like video recipes, then be sure to head over to myย YouTube Channel. Share this post, andย SAVE/PIN THIS IMAGE ON PINTEREST!ย โคต๏ธ
THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!ย Stay well, safe and keep living your life to the fullest!
Ah! I needed a post like this! I sometimes get stuck with the same-old, same-old, so this is a great resource!
Glad this is helpful, Patricia! Thanks for reading!
This is perfect timing! I’ve been trying to find more healthy recipes and these are perfect! Thank you so much!
You are welcome, Ned!
Thanks for sharing all of these recipes! This is exactly what I’ve been looking for!
You are welcome, Holley!!
All of these recipes look and sound incredible. I am bookmarking this page for future use.
That’s wonderful, Andrea!
What a great compilation!! Not sure which recipe to start with first!!
Thank you, Kelley!
Thanks so much for curating this list and including one of my dishes! I can’t wait to try some of these options. That Chicken Coconut Soup and Seafood Salad looks AMAZING!
You are welcome and thanks so much for stopping by, Dr. Davinah!