19 low-carb lunches that still feel like lunch

I put together this collection of low-carb lunches that still feel like lunch because I know how frustrating it is to end up with a midday meal that feels more like a snack. These are the kinds of meals I rely on when I want steady energy, solid protein, and enough substance to carry me through a busy afternoon without the crash. If you're looking for practical, filling options that fit into real life and don't leave you hunting for something else an hour later, you're in the right place.

A white bowl filled with a mixed salad containing lettuce, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries, with a fork in the bowl.

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Fish Stew with Chorizo

A bowl of soup with sausage and fish. — Fish Stew with Chorizo. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This hearty bowl comes together in about 40 minutes, making it a practical choice for a busy midday meal. The combination of flaky fish and smoky chorizo creates a filling dish that eats like a proper lunch instead of a light snack. It's a one-pot option that keeps cleanup simple and works well for meal prep. Warm, rich, and packed with protein, it keeps you going through the afternoon without feeling weighed down.
Get the Recipe: Fish Stew with Chorizo

Salmon Salad

A grilled salmon fillet served on a bed of fresh salad with lettuce, tomatoes, and olives on a white plate. — Salmon Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Ready in around 20 minutes, this salmon salad is quick enough for work-from-home days or packed lunches. The mix of flaky salmon and crisp vegetables gives it enough substance to feel like a real midday meal. It's easy to assemble ahead of time and holds up well in the fridge. With plenty of protein and texture, it keeps you steady without turning to heavier sides.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Salad

Ground Pork Burgers

Close-up of grilled pork burger patties stacked on a white plate. — Ground Pork Burgers. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These ground pork burgers cook in about 15 minutes, making them great for a fast lunch break. Served bun-free or alongside fresh toppings, they feel hearty and complete rather than like something missing. The simple ingredient list keeps prep straightforward and cleanup manageable. With solid protein and bold flavor, they carry you through the afternoon like a classic lunch would.
Get the Recipe: Ground Pork Burgers

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Grilled shrimp skewers cook in under 10 minutes, which makes them perfect for a quick midday plate. Paired with a simple salad or grilled vegetables, they feel like a full lunch instead of just a side dish. The prep is minimal, and they're easy to portion for meal prep. Light but protein-packed, they keep energy steady through busy afternoons.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Mixed Berry Caprese Salad

A white bowl filled with leafy salad, cherry tomatoes, berries, avocado, and a metal spoon, with a small dish of dark dressing and a red checkered cloth nearby. — Mixed Berry Caprese Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This mixed berry caprese salad takes about 15 minutes to put together and works well for warm days. The balance of fruit, cheese, and greens gives it enough substance to stand on its own at lunchtime. It's simple to assemble and easy to pack for work or school. The mix of protein and fresh ingredients makes it feel complete rather than like a small side.
Get the Recipe: Mixed Berry Caprese Salad

Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Close-up of a hand holding a seasoned chicken wing garnished with fresh herbs, with more pieces on a plate in the background. — Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These lemon pepper chicken wings bake or air fry in about 30-40 minutes and require very little hands-on time. Served with crisp vegetables or a simple dip, they feel like a full lunch you'd look forward to. They're easy to batch cook and reheat well for later in the week. With plenty of protein and bold seasoning, they keep hunger in check for hours.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Spinach Bacon Salad

A fork holds a bite of spinach salad with chopped eggs, bacon, and cheese over a wooden bowl filled with the same salad. Two blurred bowls are in the background. — Spinach Bacon Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Spinach bacon salad comes together in roughly 20 minutes and works well for a quick sit-down meal. The combination of greens, crispy bacon, and added toppings gives it the structure of a real lunch. It's simple to prep ahead and holds up nicely for packed meals. Balanced and filling, it keeps you comfortable through the afternoon without extra heaviness.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Bacon Salad

Crock Pot Cabbage Soup

A bowl of hearty tomato-based soup with cabbage. — Crock Pot Cabbage Soup. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This crock pot cabbage soup simmers away with minimal effort, making it ideal for busy days. Once ready, it serves as a warm and filling midday option that feels complete on its own. It's easy to portion out for several days of lunches. With plenty of vegetables and protein, it keeps you fueled without relying on bread or pasta.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Cabbage Soup

Chopped Greek Salad

A fresh greek salad with tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumbers, olives, and peppers, served with a fork and a glass of water on the side. — Chopped Greek Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Chopped Greek salad takes about 15 minutes to prepare and is easy to assemble in one large bowl. With crunchy vegetables, olives, cheese, and protein added in, it feels like a proper lunch rather than a side salad. It travels well for work or school meals. The mix of textures and hearty ingredients helps you stay full through the afternoon.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Greek Salad

Asian Ground Turkey Lettuce Wraps

A plate of lettuce wraps filled with seasoned minced meat and garnished with herbs, served with lemon wedges on a wooden tray. — Asian Ground Turkey Lettuce Wraps. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These ground turkey lettuce wraps cook in about 20 minutes, making them a quick lunch solution. The savory filling paired with crisp lettuce creates a handheld meal that feels complete and practical. They're easy to portion and reheat for meal prep. With solid protein and bold flavor, they keep midday hunger under control.
Get the Recipe: Asian Ground Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Tomato Egg Drop Soup

Tomato egg drop soup comes together in about 20 minutes and works well when you want something warm and simple. The eggs add enough protein to make it feel like more than a starter. It's easy to prepare in one pot and portion for later. Light but steadying, it carries you through the afternoon without a heavy feeling.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Egg Drop Soup

Keto Collard Green Salad with Chicken

A bowl of fresh salad with leafy greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, red onion, and chunks of tuna. A lime wedge and cherry tomatoes are in the background. — Keto Collard Green Salad with Chicken. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

This collard green salad with chicken takes about 25 minutes to prepare and holds up well for packed lunches. The hearty greens and seasoned chicken make it feel like a full midday meal instead of just a bowl of greens. It's easy to prep in advance and keeps its texture in the fridge. With a strong protein base and crisp vegetables, it supports steady energy through the day.
Get the Recipe: Keto Collard Green Salad with Chicken

Spinach Strawberry Walnut Salad

A fork holds a fresh salad with mixed greens, cherry tomato, walnuts, and crumbled cheese over a bowl of salad in the background. — Spinach Strawberry Walnut Salad. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

Spinach strawberry walnut salad comes together in roughly 15 minutes and is simple to assemble. The mix of fruit, nuts, cheese, and greens gives it enough substance to stand alone at lunch. It works well for make-ahead meals and stays fresh for hours. Balanced and filling, it helps you get through the afternoon without reaching for extra snacks.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Strawberry Walnut Salad

Keto Air Fryer Mini Pizzas

A small pizza with pepperoni, green peppers, and onion slices on a white plate. — Keto Air Fryer Mini Pizzas. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

These air fryer mini pizzas cook in about 10-12 minutes, making them a quick midday option. Despite their size, they feel like a real lunch thanks to their hearty toppings and protein base. Cleanup is minimal, and they're easy to customize for different preferences. They offer the comfort of pizza in a format that keeps your afternoon on track.
Get the Recipe: Keto Air Fryer Mini Pizzas

Smoked Salmon Frittata

A slice of vegetable and cheese frittata is served on a white plate beside a blue baking dish, with stacked plates, forks, green onions, and a striped towel nearby. — Smoked Salmon Frittata. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

Smoked salmon frittata bakes in about 25 minutes and slices easily for meal prep. Packed with eggs and salmon, it feels substantial enough for a proper lunch. It stores well in the fridge and reheats quickly during busy days. With its protein-rich base, it keeps you steady without relying on heavier sides.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Salmon Frittata

Greek Chicken Gyros

A hand holding a chicken wrap with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and white sauce in a tortilla. — Greek Chicken Gyros. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

Greek chicken gyros come together in about 30 minutes and can be served in a bowl or wrapped in lettuce. The seasoned chicken and fresh toppings make it feel like a full lunch rather than a quick snack. It's easy to prep components ahead for fast assembly. With balanced ingredients and strong flavor, it carries you comfortably through the afternoon.
Get the Recipe: Greek Chicken Gyros

Fried Cauliflower Rice with Shrimp

A skillet brimming with keto fried cauliflower rice, shrimp, peas, carrots, and bell peppers is accompanied by scrambled eggs. A wooden spoon rests on the side, while a striped cloth adds charm next to the skillet. — Fried Cauliflower Rice with Shrimp. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

Fried cauliflower rice with shrimp cooks in around 20 minutes in one pan. The shrimp and vegetables give it enough heft to work as a complete lunch. It reheats well for meal prep and keeps portions simple. With protein and fiber working together, it helps maintain steady energy during busy days.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cauliflower Rice with Shrimp

Kale Potato and Sausage Soup

Soup with minced meat, greens, and diced potatoes in a wooden ladle. — Kale Potato and Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

Kale potato and sausage soup simmers in about 40 minutes and makes a comforting midday bowl. The sausage and vegetables create a filling meal that stands on its own at lunch. It's easy to batch cook and portion for the week. Hearty and practical, it keeps you full without needing extra sides.
Get the Recipe: Kale Potato and Sausage Soup

Keto Crab Melt Wraps

Two halves of a grilled wrap filled with creamy chicken and vegetables are served on a white plate, garnished with chopped parsley. — Keto Crab Melt Wraps. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

Crab melt wraps come together in about 15 minutes and are simple to prepare for a quick lunch. The warm crab filling and melted cheese make them feel like a complete midday meal. They're easy to portion and reheat if needed. With solid protein and rich flavor, they help you power through the rest of the day.
Get the Recipe: Keto Crab Melt Wraps

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