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15 Cheap Lunch Ideas From Walmart That Go Beyond a Boring Sandwich

Upgrade your lunch prep with easy-prep items like flatbread pizza, sliders, chicken tikka masala, and more.

A Walmart store front
Updated Dec. 17, 2024
Fact checked

Lunchtime can get monotonous, especially if you’re trying to stick to a budget and use what you have from the grocery store. Luckily, you can save money on Walmart essentials that can help you add some variety to your mid-day meals.

Here, we’ve got 15 lunch options from Walmart that aren’t just your typical sandwich.

Editor’s note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.

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El Monterey Beef & Bean Burritos

Courtesy of Walmart El Monterey Beef & Bean Burritos

Price: $5.26

For just 66 cents each, you can grab a pretty sizable eight-pack of beef and bean burritos at Walmart.

El Monterey’s fresh baked tortillas are a show-stopper in these meals, and boast nine grams of protein and zero grams of trans fat per serving.

Marketside Loaded Mashed Potatoes

Courtesy of Walmart Marketside Loaded Mashed Potatoes

Price: $5.54

Grab a ready-to-bake 16-ounce pan of mashed potatoes at Walmart for the reasonable price of 34.6 cents per pound.

This tray is loaded with cheddar cheese, scallions, garlic herb butter, and bacon, and is ready in just 25 minutes in the oven. It makes for a great warm and comforting lunch for a small group.

Healthy Choice Café Steamers Beef Teriyaki

Courtesy of Walmart Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Beef Teriyaki

Price: $2.96

If you want a no-preservative microwave meal that is loaded with 15 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber, then Healthy Choice just may have a frozen option for you.

Customers are big fans of their Beef Teriyaki Cafe Steamers, which are ready in less than five minutes and include rice, carrots, broccoli, and water chestnuts.

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Chicken Tikka Masala with Basmati Rice

Courtesy of Walmart Chicken Tikka Masala with Basmati Rice

Price: $3.96

A moist, flavorful, authentic Indian chicken Tikka Masala in five minutes or less? This meal is an absolute game-changer.

The family-owned and operated brand makes the marinated chicken breast and basmati rice meal from scratch in Canada, with no preservatives or artificial flavors.

Marketside Mediterranean Chicken with Brown Rice and Feta

Courtesy of Walmart Marketside Mediterranean Chicken with Brown Rice Feta

Price: $4.92

Another delicious ready-to-eat Marketside option at Walmart is their Mediterranean Chicken with Brown Rice and Feta.

The bowl is made with white meat chicken, Greek dressing, feta, and nutrient-dense ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, chickpeas, barley, brown rice, kale, and wheat berries for a full-bodied taste.

John Soules Foods Fresh Southern Style Chicken Breast Sandwich

Courtesy of Walmart John Soules Southern Style Chicken Breast Sandwich

Price: $4.97

When it comes to lunch, handheld menu items are often king. If you want a great option for a fried chicken sandwich at home, then you can grab this two-pack for just $2.48 per sandwich.

Use a conventional oven or air fryer for the best texture on the tender meat and brioche bread.

Lily's Toaster Grills - Grilled Cheeseburger Sandwich

Courtesy of Walmart Lilys Toaster Grills Grilled Cheeseburger Sandwich

Price: $3.78

If you’re looking for a truly toasty meal ready in under five minutes, these grilled cheeseburgers are a must.

After microwaving for 30 seconds, pop them in your toaster or toaster oven for one cycle to get the perfect crisp. Each sandwich costs $1.89 and has 15 grams of protein.

Marketside Italian Hero Sub Sandwich

Courtesy of Walmart Marketside Italian Hero Sub Sandwich

Price: $6.67

We had to have one good stacked sandwich option on the list. You’ll never go to another deli again after having a 14-ounce Marketside Italian Hero from Walmart for a fraction of the price.

This sandwich is on four-cheese bread and full of salami, pepperoni, ham, hot ham capicola, and provolone cheese.

Laughing Tiger Thai Style Drunken Noodles

Courtesy of Walmart Laughing Tiger Thai Style Drunken Noodles

Price: $8.34

Noodles are a great option for lunch, and this dish is dressed with a flavorful Thai-inspired sauce and comes with rice noodles, tender vegetables, and white meat chicken.

This dish does take a little bit of time, but can be ready in 10 minutes or less and costs about $2.78 per serving.

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Yellowstone Jimmy's Cowboy Dinner Beef Chili with Beans

Courtesy of Walmart Yellowstone Jimmys Cowboy Beef Chili with Beans

Price: $5.94

If you want a hearty, cold-weather option, this chili that’s ready in just six minutes may fit the bill.

Filled with kidney and pinto beans, slow-cooked beef, cheese, and chili spices, this meal will fill you up at lunchtime.

Marketside Artichoke Spinach Tomato Flatbread Pizza

Courtesy of Walmart Marketside Artichoke Spinach Tomato Flatbread Pizza

Price: $4.97

Another super surprising delight of a meal at Walmart is Marketside’s Artichoke Spinach Tomato Flatbread.

Covered in a creamy white garlic sauce, it bakes in 10 to 12 minutes depending on your crust preference.

Great Value Stacked Beef Burrito

Courtesy of Walmart Great Value Stacked Beef Burrito

Price: $2.97

Beans, rice, salsa, and beef are layered between corn tortillas in more of a pie form in this stacked burrito. With cheese sprinkled on top, this is an easy lunch to prep and only requires a fork.

Taylor Farms Turkey & Cheddar Sandwich Sliders

Courtesy of Walmart Taylor Farms Turkey Cheddar Sandwich Sliders

Price: $5.37

If you want a no-prep option, head to the deli at Walmart. You can snag a three-pack of fresh flat turkey and sliced cheddar sliders on soft, delicious King’s Hawaiian rolls for just $1.79 each.

The pack of three contains 22 grams of protein.

Marketside Kale Pecan Cranberry Chopped Salad Kit

Courtesy of Walmart Marketside Kale Pecan Cranberry Chopped Salad Kit

Price: $3.48 (on sale from $3.98)

Chopped salad kits are an easy go-to lunch for many, and luckily, it’s affordable at Walmart. For just $1.39 per serving, you can grab a bag of healthy produce that has everything you need for a tasty side salad or full meal.

This particular kit includes kale, pecans, cranberries, and a dijon dressing.

Marketside Grilled Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

Courtesy of Walmart Marketside Grilled Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

Price: $4.92

Marketside’s Grilled Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo dish is savory and so delicious. Made with creamy alfredo, shaved parmesan, broccoli, alfredo, and tender white meat chicken, it’s budget-friendly at just 40 cents per ounce and ready in under three minutes.

Bottom line

A_B_C/Adobe woman reading grocery list on smartphone

If you want to change things up from your usual boring lunch sandwich, check the aisles at Walmart. Save money on groceries on your weekly shopping trip while expanding your lunchtime menu — both your wallet and tastebuds will thank you.

Be sure to also check your local store’s weekly ads to see if there are any extra discounts on items you may have already been thinking of.

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Author Details

Meredith Schneider

Meredith Schneider is a writer, editor, and marketing professional with over a decade of experience across multiple industries. As a creative entrepreneur, she is always on the lookout for money-saving hacks to support her single-income household. Meredith is dedicated to finding high-quality products at affordable prices to elevate her life and those around her.