The Mediterranean diet is a flexible eating pattern that focuses on healthy additions, rather than just unhealthy restrictions, which makes it flexible and perfect for those wanting to combat symptoms of inflammation. When experiencing digestive issues, joint pain and mental fog, it can be a good idea to eat delicious lunches like these that prioritize anti-inflammatory ingredients like salmon, kale and quinoa. Not only are they rich in antioxidants, but they also align with the Mediterranean diet, one of the healthiest eating patterns around. Try seasonal recipes like our Stuffed Sweet Potato with Hummus Dressing and Grain Bowl with Chickpeas & Cauliflower for a lunch that’s nutritious, flavorful and satisfying.
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Lemon-Turmeric Cabbage & White Bean Soup
Photographer: Ali Redmond.
This cozy soup combines tender cabbage and creamy cannellini beans with aromatic spices. A splash of lemon juice brightens every spoonful. It’s light yet satisfying and easy enough for a weeknight.
Chopped Salad with Italian Vinaigrette
This chopped salad is a crisp, colorful mix of veggies. It’s tossed with a zesty homemade vinaigrette while chickpeas bring on the plant-based protein and fiber. Everything is chopped small for the perfect forkful every time.
20-Minute Chickpea Soup
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Craig Huff, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong.
This creamy chickpea soup comes together in just 20 minutes. Cream cheese adds a velvety texture that feels cozy and comforting. Garnished with cilantro and crunchy tortilla strips, it’s a one-pot meal that’s weeknight-friendly and crowd-pleasing.
Baked Feta, Tomato & White Bean Skillet
Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This skillet dish is perfect for scooping up with your favorite toasted whole-grain bread. Juicy cherry tomatoes burst as they roast, mingling with creamy white beans to create a flavorful base. Chunky pieces of feta cheese are nestled into the skillet and baked until warm and soft.
Lemony Orzo & Tuna Salad with Broccoli
Leigh Beisch
This pasta-salad and tuna-salad mashup gets a boost of color and texture from broccoli. Plenty of Kalamata olives add a briny bite, which pairs perfectly with the lemony dressing.
High-Protein White Bean Salad with Feta & Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
White beans provide plant-based protein while also adding fiber to help keep you full. Creamy feta cheese provides a tangy, salty contrast to the bright vinaigrette. Tossed with fresh herbs and toasted walnuts, this salad is perfect for a light lunch.
20-Minute Black Bean Soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.
This effortless soup takes only 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Canned black beans help speed things up, and taco seasoning and fire-roasted tomatoes help build rich, savory flavor, while cream cheese adds a silky texture.
Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus Bowl
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
This hummus bowl offers the perfect balance of earthy, nutty and vibrant flavors. You’ll fill up with a healthy dose of legumes, dark leafy greens and roasted vegetables. Use classic hummus or experiment with different flavored varieties as the base for this delicious dish.
Get Your Greens Quiche
photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle
This crustless quiche is packed with nutrient-rich collard greens and broccoli, making it a delicious way to enjoy more veggies. Paired with nutty Gruyère cheese, the result is a quiche that comes together effortlessly and is a great make-ahead option.
Beet & White Bean Sandwiches
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
These sandwiches have a vibrant, creamy filling—all thanks to the antioxidant-rich beets and protein-packed white beans. Layer it all up with crisp alfalfa sprouts, sharp red onion and your favorite whole-wheat bread.
Salmon Salad with Crispy White Beans
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
This hearty main-dish salad is a delicious meal that delivers big on flavor. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, while the beans provide a nice texture and are a great source of fiber. A quick soy-sesame-ginger dressing completes this salad, perfect for lunch or dinner.
High-Protein Lemon & Turmeric Chicken Soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
Turmeric, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, gives the soup its vibrant yellow hue. It’s the perfect meal for when you’re sick or simply warming up on a chilly day. We love tender-crisp baby kale, but chopped kale or baby spinach can be used in its place.
Anti-Inflammatory Farro & White Bean Salad
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
This Mason jar grain salad is the perfect grab-and-go lunch. This colorful salad layers together farro, bell pepper, beets and arugula, all of which offer fiber and antioxidants that can help lower inflammation in your body. White beans add some plant-based protein to help you stay satisfied throughout the afternoon.
Chickpea & Sweet Potato Grain Bowls
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
This nutrient-dense bowl is rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants. Sorghum is a gluten-free ancient grain that pairs well with the deliciously tangy yogurt-based drizzle.
High-Protein Tuna & Chickpea Salad Sandwich
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This zesty tuna sandwich gets an extra boost of protein from chickpeas. Smashing some of the chickpeas into the tuna enhances the texture and helps hold the filling together. The combo of garlic and Sriracha adds a delightful kick, but feel free to opt for an alternative hot sauce of your preference or skip it altogether for a milder flavor.
Chicken & Cabbage Soup with Pesto
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
This one-pot chicken soup is topped with flavorful store-bought pesto. Big, fiber-rich butter beans add a creamy bite, but you can easily swap them out for cannellini beans or navy beans if you prefer.
