Our Top Ten Clean Lunches
Our Top Ten Clean Lunches
If you’re looking for some fresh ideas, our recipe archives are packed with clean lunches (and breakfasts, and dinners, and snacks)—these are the very best to start with.
If you’re wondering what we mean by “clean”: detox-friendly recipes that are nutritious and satisfying. Every year, we kick off January with a five-day reset using the guidelines from Dr. Alejandro Junger’s Clean program. (You can take a look back at our annual detox adventures here.) The recipes omit the classic ingredients that might sometimes be harder on the system: caffeine, alcohol, dairy, gluten, corn, nightshades, soy, refined sugar, shellfish, white rice, and eggs. But the list of what they do include is longer—we’re talking roasted sweet potatoes with spiced dal, garlicky black beans with guacamole, nori wraps stuffed with grilled chicken and kimchi, green salads studded with quinoa and root veggies, and so on.
We return to many of these clean recipes throughout the year simply because we love to make and eat them.
Farmers’ Market Chopped Salad
All the different colors, flavors, and textures are so satisfying. And the combination of quinoa and chickpeas will keep you going after lunch.
Brown Rice Summer Rolls
Summer rolls are basically handheld salads with a delicious dipping sauce. We’ve swapped traditional vermicelli noodles for zoodles here, which add a little heft and crunchy texture.
Kimchi and Grilled Chicken Nori Wrap
We make this with cooked sushi rice from the grocery store and leftover grilled chicken. It’s super savory, the kimchi gives it a bit of spice, and salty nori wraps it all up.
Miso Kelp Noodle Pot
A splash of tamari and a dollop of miso provide an instant umami-rich soup base. Add whatever combo of raw and cooked veggies you like. Kelp noodles are made from sea vegetables and can be found near the tofu at Whole Foods and most health food stores.
Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi Salad
Our favorite sandwich—the Vietnamese banh mi—in salad form.
Cauliflower Black Bean Bowl with Kale Guacamole
This quick and easy dish is a perfect dinner after a long day. The kale guacamole makes a great snack with raw veggies.
Crunchy Kale Salad with Blood Orange Vinaigrette
The combo of raw kale and crunchy kale chips in this salad is a revelation.
Red Lentil and Caramelized Onion Soup
Earthy lentils with the deep, roast-y, slightly sweet flavor of caramelized onions work beautifully here.