I think it’s important to have as much summer fun as possible which is why having a good lunch is so important. It keeps your body fueled for all the fun activities so you can keep playing in the sun as long as possible. I’ve rounded up a few of my all-time favorite summer lunch ideas (in case you need a few). It’s what my family and I are eating on repeat as we soak up every minute of the summer together.
Watermelon Salad with Feta and Fresh Basil
This watermelon salad with feta and fresh basil is such a fresh, DELICIOUS, and beautiful salad. It’s got the flavors of summer and everything else you need. I love to have this for lunch and serving it up for guests too! You can’t go wrong here. It’s the perfect summer lunch!
Lightened-up BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich with Cilantro Lime Slaw
This lightened-up BBQ pulled-pork sandwich with cilantro lime slaw (added apples this time!) is for sure one of my family’s all time favorite summer meals. We eat if for lunch… dinner… whenever we feel like it. And it’s so light! I’m always floored how a BBQ pulled pork sandwich can turn out to be one of our lowest fat meals. Sometimes I skip a side salad and just have two. Ok all the times.
Crunch Wraps
Not sure where to start with crunch wraps because there are so many yummy combinations. So just trust me, they are the perfect summer (or anytime) lunch. If you search crunch wraps here on the blog you’ll find some of my favorites like spicy turkey and arugula crunch wrap with honey mustard, low carb high protein chicken pepper jack crunch wrap, and low carb Greek crunch wrap. I also have a whole cookbook dedicated to crunch wraps because I really do love them that much, especially in the summer for lunch!
Smokey Chipotle Turkey Sub
I debated whether this (my favorite) smokey chipotle turkey sub, a seemingly basic lunch-time sandwich—- deserves to be on a food blog. Probably not… but there’s something about the simplicity of a basic lunch idea so it leaves here on the blog. I posted a video of making it on my Instagram… which was just kind of a tease since it’s too fast to really follow… so check out the recipe here. It’s the thing I look forward to all morning, the reason I stop at the store almost every other day (hooked on fresh deli-meat)…. my every-day smokey chipotle turkey sub.
Summer Chopped Salad with Light Champagne Basil Vinaigrette
A summer chopped salad. It’s all I want for lunch right now! The light, JUST barely creamy, champagne basil vinaigrette tossed into all of these little bits of crunchy veggies, sweet corn, fresh herbs, and chewy little pieces of brown rice or farro… it’s everything I want in a bowl right now.
Quick and Easy Summer Grill Bowls
We LOVE to grill. Being in southern California, it’s a year-round thing for us, but grab an indoor grill pan if that’s not your world, and you can still enjoy these quick and easy summer grill bowls all year! They’re the perfect way to use all the leftover grilled goodies during lunch time– or the reason you’ll fire up the BBQ and INTENTIONALLY grill extras of EVERYTHING.
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Light Mexican Caesar Salad
This light Mexican Caesar salad is a weekly favorite in my home. So easy and SO GOOD! Everyone loves it. And, it’s a perfect lunch on a hot summer day. I can’t get enough of the creamy Jalapeño Avocado dressing and manage to put it on everything and anything. Not just this light Mexican Caesar salad. Even if it sounds like the wrong flavor profile. It’s not. It’s always right. Trust me.
Easy Fried Egg BLT
I LOVE a good sandwich for lunch. This quick and easy fried egg BLT is one of those sandwiches I enjoy on repeat. It’s really that good! Toasty, runny, sweet, and salty. It fits in at breakfast while also fitting in at lunch. Trust me, you just need to try it!
Quick and Easy Pickle Chicken Salad
This quick and easy pickle chicken salad is the easiest and most delicious chicken salad you’ll ever eat! Fine. If you love pickles and mustard. But if you’re reading this, maybe you’re curious even if you thought you didn’t… so I’m thinking…. it’s time to try this summer lunch idea! It’s NUMBER ONE in my house. I’ve been asked politely never to let it run out! Ha.
Summer Lunch Ideas
If you liked these summer lunch ideas, you should check out my macro-friendly cookbooks. They are full of easy and delicious recipes that my family loves. I also share a ton of recipe ideas on Instagram and TikTok, Make sure you are hanging out with me over there so you don’t miss anything.
Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read the full privacy policy here.
