About 40% of Americans don’t have enough money on hand to cover a $400 emergency. Meanwhile, only 22% have between $1,000 and $5,000 in savings.
Do you want to save money this year? Consider how much you’re spending by buying lunch from work each day. Instead of spending that money, put it in the bank!
Here are a few cheap lunch ideas for work you can use in the meantime.
With these recipes, you can save money and still enjoy a delicious lunch. Cook up your savings with these easy lunch ideas today.
- Curry Chicken Bowls
The best way to save money and enjoy cheap lunch ideas for work is to look for recipes that utilize the same ingredients. Plan for two different proteins each week. Your proteins can include chicken, salmon, shrimp, or lunch meat.
Using chicken in the majority of these easy lunch ideas can really help you save. In fact, Americans eat about 93 pounds of chicken per person each year.
Otherwise, try adding a vegetarian dish into the mix each week.
These cheap lunch ideas for work on a budget don’t have to feel boring, either! Instead, try adding different ethnic foods into your diet.
For example, a curry chicken bowl is easy to make and full of delicious spices.
This recipe includes:
- Brown rice
- Quinoa
- Curried chicken
- Fresh cilantro
- Sliced scallions
That’s it! You can even replace the brown rice with quinoa (or vice versa) and cut out the cilantro and scallions to save money.
- Mediterranean Wraps
Want to wrap up that extra chicken? Consider creating a Meditteranean wrap. You’ll need:
- Couscous
- Parsley
- Mint
- Lemon juice
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Salt
- Ground pepper
- Chicken
- Tomato
- Cucumber
- Tortillas
Chances are you have most of these ingredients at home already.
Use a tortilla to wrap your ingredients in an easy, delicious lunch.
- Ramen Cups
Want to warm up these quick lunch ideas for work? Try a ramen cup!
You’ll need:
- Broth or miso
- Ginger
- Carrot
- Mushroom
- Baby spinach
- Ramen noodles
- Scallions
You don’t have to use every ingredient, either. Make it your own!
Pack your ingredients in a mason jar (wet ingredients first) then add hot water at work for a delicious cup of soup.
- Chipotle Chicken Quinoa Burrito Bowls
Want to go south of the border? Grab:
- Olive oil
- Cumin
- Chipotle peppers
- Garlic powder
- Chicken
- Salt
- Quinoa
- Lettuce
- Pinto beans
- Avocado
- Cheese
- Salsa
Arrange your ingredients in a bowl for a delicious, quick lunch.
Want carne picada instead? Check out recipeworkbook.com for other great recipes.
- Salmon Pita Sandwich
Want fish over chicken? You can buy canned salmon to make a delicious pita sandwich!
You’ll need:
- Pita bread
- Nonfat yogurt
- Fresh dill
- Lemon juice
- Horseradish
- Watercress
Combine your ingredients into a bowl, mix, and then stuff the pita for a yummy but cheap meal!
Eat Up: 5 Delicious Yet Cheap Lunch Ideas for Work
Making lunch doesn’t have to break the bank. Instead, give these five deliciously cheat lunch ideas for work a try! With these recipes, you can enjoy your lunch and put money into your savings account.
Looking for more tips in the kitchen? We can help.
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