Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means that Buzzy Kitchen earns commission from purchases made – at absolutely no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting Buzzy Kitchen!
The internet is a really great thing, but when you’re looking for a UK-specific recipe for new lunch without bread ideas (for example), life gets tricky, doesn’t it? All of the results are American, or from somewhere else entirely. Well, if you’re in the market for UK-based recipes for lunch, I’ve gone hunting for 80 of the best. And I think you might just like them.
80 Lunch without Bread Ideas UK
If you’re currently going through a bread-free phase in your life, you might find it quite difficult to find interesting meal ideas that don’t contain it. Sandwiches, wraps, baguettes, ciabattas – even pasta comes with a side order of garlic bread. I’ve gone on the hunt for lunch without bread ideas, though. I think you’re going to be pleasantly surprised by all the interesting recipes and ideas I’ve managed to find.
Let’s dive right in, shall we?
20-Minute Lunch without Bread Ideas
If you don’t think you have time to whip up lunch for work, think again. All of these recipes can be fixed up in ten, fifteen, and twenty minutes. Throw it together, let it cool (if cooked), then place in an airtight container to take to work.
If you have a microwave at work, you could always heat up these tasty lunch ideas without bread, too. Most of them can be eaten hot or cold, and you have so many more options than you’d think.
- Sunshine Egg Salad by Jamie Oliver
- Spanish Baked Egg by Egg Info
- Air Fryer Coconut Panko Pawns and Peanut Sauce by Nathan Anthony at The Happy Foodie
- Salad with Warm Goat’s Cheese by Food Network
- Canned Tuna Pasta by Super Golden Bakes
- Angry Bean Salad by Jamie Oliver
- Forget the Pastry Quiche by Egg Info
- 15-Minute Crab Linguine by Super Golden Bakes
- Garlic and Chipotle Prawn and Corn Pasta by Waitrose
- Malaysian Vegetable Laksa by Sainsbury’s
Chicken Lunch Ideas without Bread
If chicken is your protein of choice, I’ve got a few lunch ideas without bread you definitely need to take a peek at. Spicy, hot, cold, quick, easy, and even a bit fancy… I’ve gone looking for some of the best recipes, so you don’t have to.
If you find yourself with leftover chicken from dinner, these lunch ideas give you a few ways to use them up. Eating your leftovers rather than throwing them away could save you time, money, energy, and effort.
- Piri Piri Chicken with Slaw by Co-op
- Chicken Satay-Style Noodle Salad by Jamie Oliver
- Dairy-Free Five-Spice Chicken Schnitzel with Citrussy Greens by Delicious Magazine
- Air Fryer Salted Chili Chicken by Nathan Anthony at The Happy Foodie
- Chicken and Sweetcorn Pho by Co-op
- Chicken Fricassee by Recipes from a Pantry
- Sesame Butterflied Chicken by Jamie Oliver
- Kung Po Chicken by Sainsbury’s
- Warm Paprika Chicken Salad by Co-op
- No Mayo Avocado Chicken Salad by Give Recipe
Pork Lunch without Bread Ideas
You shouldn’t be afraid to experiment with lunch ideas without bread… or even with it. There are no hard and fast rules about what you should and shouldn’t have for the midday meal, so go outside the box and create something that you enjoy eating. You’re the one that will be eating it, after all.
Here’s an interesting lunch idea to consider… Why not get a few of your work colleagues involved in a lunchbox swap-style situation? You could all take it in turns to bring something new and tasty to the table for lunchtime. Who knows what new foods you may discover.
- Sausage Frittata with Mustard by Sainsbury’s Magazine
- Smoky Air Fryer Ribs by Recipes from a Pantry
- Bacon and Leek Frittata by Sainsbury’s
- Peach and Pancetta Pasta Salad by Co-op
- Spinach Gnocchi with Pancetta and Sage by Asda
- Pork and Ginger Noodles with Broccoli by Sainsbury’s
- Gammon with Nectarines by Asda
- Mini Meatball and Pasta Soup by Co-op
- Pancetta Mushrooms with Mozzarella by Flawless Food
- Bacon and Strawberry Gluten-Free Salad by Co-op
Beef Lunch without Bread Recipes
If you like beef for lunch, you’re joining the likes of people in Argentina, where the lunchtime meal is the most important one of the days. As well as chicken and beef, some traditional Argentinians have a little wine with their meal.
Make sure that whatever you’re cooking is stored in a suitable container, and an airtight one. This means that it’ll last until lunch without spoiling and you’ll get to properly appreciate it.
- Stuffed Marrow with Beef Mince by Love Food Hate Waste
- Mauritian Roti Beef with Star Anise by Sainsbury’s Magazine
- Beer Marinated T-Bone Steak, Sauteed Onions and Mushrooms, with a Fried Egg by Food Network
- Carrot Houmous with Moroccan-Style Beef by Co-op
- American-Style Goulash by The Cookie Rookie
- Taiwanese-Style Beef Stir Fry by Olive Magazine
- Chinese Beef Noodles by Sainsbury’s
- Leftover Sunday Roast Pasties by Love Food Hate Waste
- Stroganoff Steak and Sweet Potato Wedges by Olive Magazine
- Carne Asada Fries by The Cookie Rookie
Fish and Seafood Lunch Ideas without Bread
If you don’t have enough fish in your diet, getting all the good omega-3s you need, why not start incorporating it into your lunchtime meals instead? As these recipes show, there are plenty of ways to add fish and seafood into a lunchbox appropriate dish.
Whether it’s salmon, tuna, baby squid, shrimp, or anything else, there’s a lunch recipe for it. What are your views on fish and seafood for lunch? Yay or nay?
- Salmon Salad with Sesame Dressing by BBC Good Food
- Sorta Salmon Niçoise by Jamie Oliver
- Tuna and Anchovy Pasta by Delicious Magazine
- Dr Rupy’s Crispy Seabass with Mashed Peas on The Happy Foodie
- 15-Minute Salmon Salad by Food Network
- Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Linguine by Super Golden Bakes
- Rustic Fish Pie by Food Network
- Steamed Fish Rolls in Light Soy Sauce by Sainsbury’s
- Creamy Salmon Pasta by Flawless Food
- Saffron Risotto with Baby Squid and Fennel by Food Network
Soup Lunch without Bread Ideas
Chunky soups, with substance and lumps (the good kind), eliminate the need for bread, which is what makes them great if you’re on the hunt for lunch without bread ideas. Soup is one of those dishes that’s super easy to make, especially in bulk, and easy to freeze/defrost/transport/etc.
A thermal flask is definitely your friend when it comes to warm soups staying warm, eliminating the need for a microwave or similar to warm it up at lunchtime. It’ll be one of the best lunch investments you’ll ever make because you can also use it for tea, coffee, and other hot drinks and foods too.
- Smoky Tomato, Chipotle and Charred Corn Soup by BBC Good Food
- Super Leek and Potato Soup by Jamie Oliver
- Vegan Beetroot Soup by Vegan Society
- Pea and Mint Chilled Soup by Asda
- Slow Cooker Pea and Ham Soup by Super Golden Bakes
- Carrot and Parsley Soup by Fab Food 4 All
- Spiced Parsnip Soup by Jamie Oliver
- Hot and Sour Prawn Soup by Waitrose
- Broccoli and Stilton soup by Sainsbury’s
- Sweet Potato and Coconut Soup by Asda
Vegetarian Lunch Ideas without Bread
Are you a vegetarian, or just have meat-free days? I couldn’t leave you out now, could I? I’ve gone on the hunt for ten of the best and most delicious vegetarian lunch ideas without bread, and I think you’re going to enjoy a few of these.
Each meal is slightly different, relatively easy, and quick to whip up, and perfect for lunch. Even if you are a meat-eater, you might find these tasty enough to pop in your lunchbox.
- Wholewheat Tagliatelle Bake with Smoked Vegan Cheese by Vegetarian Society
- Lemon and Spinach Rice with Feta by BBC Good Food
- Broccoli and Cheese Pierogi by Jamie Oliver
- Stuffed Mushrooms with Tomato and Red Onion Salad by Asda
- Egg and Veg Pasta Bake by Egg Info
- Quick Smashed Greek Potatoes with Feta and Rosemary by Super Golden Bakes
- Baked Beetroot with Quorn and Lemon Tagine by Vegetarian Society
- Broccoli Cranberry Salad by Recipes from a Pantry
- Mattar Paneer Curry with Peas and Cheese by Asda
- Spicy Mixed Bean Sweet Potatoes by Co-op
Vegan Lunch without Bread Ideas
Whether you’re making vegan, vegetarian, or meat dishes for lunch, always take a look and see if the recipe could be made in bulk. You can then do just that: make it in bulk, freeze the extras, and remove it from the freezer as and when you intend to eat it.
By making dishes in advance, in bulk, you’ll save yourself a bunch of extra work, further down the line. You could make three, four, five or more meals’ worth, eliminating the need to sort out lunch for those three, four, five days in the week. It’s just smart!
- Vegan Chickpea Curry Jacket Potatoes by BBC Good Food
- Spicy Orangeade Tofu Stir Fry by Co-op
- Spicy Vegan Omelette by Delicious Magazine
- Baked Stuffed Cabbage Parcels with Tomato and Chilli by Vegan Society
- Grilled Avocado with Veggie Quinoa by Recipes from a Pantry
- Lentil Dhal with Cucumber Salad by Asda
- Caponata with Couscous by Delicious Magazine
- Caribbean Bean and Rice Soup by Vegan Society
- Courgette and Lemon Risotto by Co-op
- Loaded Vegan Sweet Potato Fries by Flawless Food
You have reached the end of my list of lunch without bread ideas, and I really hope you’ve found something to tickle your taste buds. If you’re still on the lookout for something delicious and easy for lunch, or any other meal of the day, you might find these useful, too: