3 No-Cook Lunches You Can Prep for Under $5 a Serving
Save time, money, and energy with these healthy, flavor-packed lunches from viral meal-prep creator Jenn Lueke.
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Photo by Ty Mecham
Here are three easy ways to meal-prep for under $5 per serving. Jenn Lueke—known for her viral, budget-friendly meal prep videos on Instagram and TikTok—shares her go-to no-cook recipes that check every box: doable, approachable, healthy, and seriously flavorful. I tried all three in the office, packed them up, and ate them throughout the week. As someone who usually makes the same type of bean salad on repeat, I can confirm these were a welcome change of pace.
She broke down each recipe and cost per ingredient (using prices from Trader Joe's). Scroll for the meal plan, grocery lists, and full recipe links.
You can check out more of Jenn's healthy and affordable recipes on her blog, Jenn Eats Good.
Recipes
1. Summer White Bean Salad with Basil Vinaigrette ($4.10/serving)
Ingredients:
For the Basil Vinagrette:
- 1 packed cup basil leaves – $2.99
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar – $0.37
- Juice of half a lemon (1 ½ tablespoons) – $0.25
- 1 garlic clove or 1 teaspoon garlic powder – $0.05
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt – $0.10
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper – $0.05
- ¼ cup olive oil – $.68
For the Salad:
- 3 cups (9 ounces) shredded or thinly sliced cabbage – $2.50
- 15 ounces cannellini beans, drained and rinsed – $1
- 15 ounces (1½ cups) corn (drained if canned, thawed if frozen) – $1
- 1 pint (10-12 ounces) cherry tomatoes, halved – $4
- 1 medium zucchini, small dice – $0.89
¾ cup (3 ounces) crumbled feta cheese – $1.50
Click here for full recipe.
2. Ranch-y Chickpea Lettuce Cups ($2.60/serving)
- 5.3 ounces plain low-fat Greek yogurt – $1
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill – $1
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley – $1.99
- Juice of half a lemon (1½ tablespoons) – $.25
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder – $0.08
- 1 teaspoon onion powder – $0.08
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika – $.11
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt – $.10
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper – $0.05
- Two 15-ounce cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed – $2
- 3 celery stalks, small dice – $0.40
- 2 large carrots, small dice – $0.33
- 1 Butter lettuce head, separated into leaves – $3
- Buffalo hot sauce, optional for serving – $0.33
Click here for full recipe.
3. Crunchy Edamame Salad With Peanut Sauce ($4.25/serving)
For the Peanut Sauce
- 1/3 cup creamy natural peanut butter – $0.50
- 3 tablespoons coconut aminos (or reduced-sodium tamari or reduced-sodium soy sauce) – $0.50
- Juice of 1 lime – $.50
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil – $0.35
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (optional) – $.10
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger – $0.08
For the Bowls
- 9 ounces shelled edamame, thawed if frozen – $4.00
- 2 cups (6 ounces) shredded or thinly sliced cabbage – $1.75
- 1½ cups (5 ounces) shredded carrots – $2
- 1 English cucumber, sliced into thin 2-3 inch matchsticks – $2.49
- 6 green onions, thinly sliced – $1
- ½ cup cilantro, finely chopped – $2/bunch
- ¼ cup chopped peanuts, optional for topping – $0.19
Click here for full recipe.