Ever felt like a nap right after lunch? Skip the slump with Power Hour—15 energizing lunch recipes that are more reviving than a double espresso! These aren’t your usual snooze-inducing lunches; they’re your secret weapon for a turbocharged afternoon. So, whether you’re powering through spreadsheets or chasing down the kids, these lunches ensure you’re not just awake but absolutely buzzing! Grab your fork, and let’s turn that midday meal into a power play.
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Ready for a little fiesta in a bowl? Check out the Mexican Street Corn Salad, bursting with the colors and flavors of a street fair. Every spoonful comes with a blast of sweet corn, a sprinkle of zesty spices, and just the right hit of lime. Your fork is your ticket to a culinary carnival, no street-side hustle required!
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Salad
Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts
Sweet, nutty, and undeniably satisfying, say hello to your new favorite combo, the Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts. With a crunch of walnut, a burst of tart cranberry, and succulent chicken, your midday meal is looking up. Turn bland into grand with this salad that’s all about the mix — because life’s too short for boring lunches! It’s a flavor party, and your palate’s invited.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts
Shirazi Salad
Imagine sitting by the Mediterranean, the sun warming your face, and then add a touch of that sunshine to your plate with Shirazi Salad. This Persian delight tosses together cucumbers, tomatoes, and a zing of citrus that’ll transport your senses. It’s a simple side dish that speaks volumes, offering a fresh whisper of the Middle East because who doesn’t love a good garden party on their plate?
Get the Recipe: Shirazi Salad
Old Fashioned Ham Salad
Step back in time with a classic that never gets old, the Old Fashioned Ham Salad, blending the smoky notes of ham with the tang of fresh dressing. Spread it on crackers, scoop it onto a bed of greens, or sandwich it between slices of bread for a nostalgic nibble. It’s a retro revival in a bowl, proving some things really do get better with age. Trust us, your kitchen is the new time machine!
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Ham Salad
Salmon Pasta Salad
Now swims the Salmon Pasta Salad into your eating routine, bringing the best of the sea and the garden to your plate. Imagine tender flakes of salmon mingling with pasta, all dressed up with the freshest of dressings. It’s a dish that’s both hearty and light, making it a stellar ally for your appetite at any meal. Don’t let this one swim away — it’s a catch worthy of your fork!
Get the Recipe: Salmon Pasta Salad
Pesto Orzo Salad
Behold, a green gem in the world of salads — Pesto Orzo Salad. This little number is a grand mix of orzo pasta, coated in fragrant pesto sauce, and garnished with whatever fresh veggies you fancy. Be ready for a bite that’s as enchanting as a stroll through an Italian garden. Trust us, this is how you bring the ‘bella’ to ‘la vita bella’ (‘the beautiful life’)!
Get the Recipe: Pesto Orzo Salad
Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes
It’s time to bring some hearty wholesomeness to the table with Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes. This robust dish pairs chewy wheat berries with flaky tuna and ripe tomatoes for a trio that’s high on nutrition and taste. Lunch just got its mojo back with this powerhouse bowl. So go ahead, take a bite and flex those flavor muscles!
Get the Recipe: Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes
Leftover Steak Quesadilla
Ever looked in your fridge and spotted some leftover steak? It’s like finding treasure, and what better way to use that bounty than in a crispy, cheesy quesadilla. The beauty is in the sizzle as cheese embraces steak in a warm tortilla — a fiesta in the making. Just when you thought steak night couldn’t get any better, it just did with this zesty encore.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Steak Quesadilla
Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad
Here’s to giving leftovers a glamorous spin with the Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad. Take that juicy chicken taking up space in your fridge and give it a twirl with some pasta for a quick transformation. Creamy, filling, and chock-full of flavors, it’s the stuff of lunch legends. So, go ahead, strut this dish out on the lunch runway; it’s ready to be the next top model of your meal plan.
Get the Recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad
Tex-Mex Caesar Salad
Yeehaw, Tex-Mex Caesar Salad is here to lasso your hunger with a Southwest twist on a classic. Get ready for a salad showdown where crunchy romaine meets bold, Tex-Mex flavors, topped with a sprinkle of zesty cheese. This ain’t your average Caesar; it’s the Wild West on a plate. Salad boredom, consider yourself conquered!
Get the Recipe: Tex-Mex Caesar Salad
Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich
Level up your sandwich game with a nod to the famous Cole’s French Dip. Sink your teeth into succulent beef tucked between slices of soft bread, just waiting for that dip into rich, savory au jus. It’s not just a sandwich, it’s a full-on flavor expedition — with a return ticket! So, when the craving hits, whip up this copycat classic and save the trip to the restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich
Curried Chicken Salad with Raisins
Add a sprinkle of spice to your lunch with this Curried Chicken Salad with Raisins. It’s where the East meets West in a concoction that’s sure to wake up your weekday menu. Each bite is a symphony of textures, from the creaminess of the curry dressing to the pop of sweet raisins. Adventure awaits in every forkful — so who needs a passport when you’ve got a salad like this?
Get the Recipe: Curried Chicken Salad with Raisins
Potato Salad with Herbs & Green Garlic
Let the humble potato be the life of the party with this fresh and herby Potato Salad with Herbs & Green Garlic. It’s a side dish that’s spruced up and ready to mingle, dressing up those spuds in a zingy, aromatic coat. Potluck tables and picnic blankets, watch out — this green machine is about to steal the show. And there’s no going back to plain old potato salad after this.
Get the Recipe: Potato Salad with Herbs & Green Garlic
Steak & Pasta Salad
When steak night and pasta night decide to join forces, you get the ultimate partnership: Steak & Pasta Salad. It’s a power couple that brings together tender meat and perfect pasta in a dish that’s sure to please. This salad is a no-brainer for meat lovers looking for something a little lighter but still packed with big flavors. Best part? It’s a meal that will have you looking forward to leftovers — really!
Get the Recipe: Steak & Pasta Salad
Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese
Who says you can’t teach an old sandwich new tricks? Give your classic grilled cheese a mouth-watering makeover with a heap of juicy pulled pork. In the midst of melty cheese and toasty bread, this combination is like a cozy hug for your hunger. And let’s be honest, it’s the kind of hug we could all use more of — especially on our plates!
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese