Whether you are packing a lunch for work or packing a lunch for school, coming up with healthy cold lunch ideas ready in 5 minutes can be challenging.
The best lunches are leftovers, of course. But, what happens when you don't have leftovers to take to work?
I've put together the latest collection from salads to sandwiches to wraps to take for lunch or school. Easy to prep lunch ideas that will be ready in less than 10 minutes. Take these lunch ideas to work or take these packable lunches to school.
In fact, the lunchables make the perfect backpacking lunches too!
Jump to:
- What Makes a Lunchable Worthy to Take to Work?
- How to Pack Your Lunches to Keep them Fresh
- Containers to Help you Stay Hydrated During the Day
- 1. Easy Chickpea Salad
- 2. Dill Tuna Salad Cucumber Boats
- 3. Kimchi Salad
- 4. Turkey Bacon Ranch Wrap
- 5. Simple Caprese Salad
- 6. Avocado Toast with Tomato
- 7. Creamy Mediterranean Chicken Wrap
- 8. Pulled Pork Make-ahead Lunchable
- 9. The Original Po Boy Sandwich
- 10. Egg Muffin Cups
- 11. White Bean Caprese Salad
- 12. Prosciutto, Pear and Arugula Salad
- 13. Ham and Cheese Roll Ups
- 14. Tuna Pinwheels
- 15. Rainbow Hummus Veggie Wrap
- 16. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad
- 17. Chicken Tai Salad
- 18. Black Bean Quesadillas
- 19. Chicken Avocado Focaccia Sandwich
- 20. Egg Frittata
- PIN for later here
- Comments
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What Makes a Lunchable Worthy to Take to Work?
What makes a recipe a good option for a take to work lunch or a take to school lunch, well, consider the following:
- Tasty Lunches - A take to work lunch that tastes good is always a first priority.
- Easy to Make - A packable lunch also needs to be easy to make for work or it needs to be an easy lunch to make for school.
- Choose Healthy Lunches - It's always good to choose healthy lunches for work too! Making healthy lunch choices helps to keep your weight health in-check.
- Quick Lunches - A packable lunch that can be made in 5 to 10 minutes always becomes your go to lunch. That's why it's always good to meal-plan or make extra food at dinner.
- Make extra for Leftover Lunches - Leftover's make a great packable lunch and take zero effort and time to put together. All you need is a good air-tight container.
How to Pack Your Lunches to Keep them Fresh
It's always a good idea to pack your lunches in containers that are leakproof and cool.
The best containers have a lot of space and compartments to separate your food. Keeping food separate means that your dry ingredients don't get wet and soggy.
I love these Bento boxes too because you can stack them up and keep your lunch and snacks separate.
Blue and Yellow Bento Box with Bag
Grey Stackable Lunch Box
Bento Box with Compartments
Plastic Storage Containers
Glass Prep Meal Containers
Stainless Steel Bento Box
Salads are great take to work lunch ideas. For more salad ideas, see this collection of salad recipes where you'll find your next favorite salad.
Containers to Help you Stay Hydrated During the Day
Water Bottle with Fruit Infuser, Multi Color Options
His and Hers, Fruit Infuser Insulated Sleeve
Hydro Flask Mouth Bottle, Comes in 16 colors
Motivational Water Bottle w/Time Marker
Large Water Bottles that hold 1 Gallon for Super Hydrating
Vacuum, Insulated and Leak Proof Bottle
1. Easy Chickpea Salad
From: Food Wine & Love
This Easy Chickpea Salad Sandwich is a delicious lunch recipe made with avocado and Greek yogurt and without mayonnaise. With all the ingredients prepped and ready to go, this chickpea salad on toast bread, wrap or salad topper will be ready in 5 minutes for a great take to work lunch.
2. Dill Tuna Salad Cucumber Boats
From: Served by Scratch
These Dill Tuna Salad Cucumber Boats are perfect for a packable lunch and add a little fun to your lunch. The added dill pickle flavor to your tuna salad turns up the flavor intensity with these Dill Tuna Salad Cucumber Boats! This healthy gluten-free recipe is one that's ready in just minutes and will be a new fast and easy lunch!
3. Kimchi Salad
From: In the Kitch
This Kimchi Salad with Tuna and Asian dressing is an easy, healthy and unique recipe. It's ready in only 10 minutes and is easy to pack up with the dressing on the side. A great option for a take to work lunch that is out of the ordinary.
4. Turkey Bacon Ranch Wrap
From: Food Meanderings
This Turkey Bacon Ranch Wrap will take you 5 minutes to throw together. Make it with leftover turkey or turkey deli meat. Either way, this tortilla wrap recipe makes a great lunch box meal for kids and adults alike!
5. Simple Caprese Salad
From: Christina's Cucina
Who doesn’t love a Caprese salad? This sandwich is a twist on the original and is perfect for packed lunches! A great take to work lunch if you like sweet tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella or bocconcini.
This page contains affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through links I provide (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting the work I put into this site! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
6. Avocado Toast with Tomato
From: Easy Homemade Recipes
Your favorite toast with vine ripe Tomato. Ripe avocado, ripe sweet tomatoes and tuna with a drizzle of olive oil, vinegar and Italian herbs make this a favorite take to work lunch idea.
7. Creamy Mediterranean Chicken Wrap
From: A Page of Positivity
This Creamy Mediterranean Chicken Wrap is filled with creamy tzatziki sauce, deliciously seasoned chicken, tasty veggies, and more. Greek salad flavors but perfect to enjoy on the go!Â
8. Pulled Pork Make-ahead Lunchable
From: Easy Homemade Recipes
This easy pulled pork is a great recipe to make ahead of time and take for week day lunches. Put the pulled pork in a bun or put it over a salad for a gluten free lunchable idea. Packed with protein, your tummy will love you and this will be your next lunch on repeat.
9. The Original Po Boy Sandwich
From: Small Town Woman
This delectable easy Po Boy Sandwich also know as a Poor Boy sandwich combines ham, Swiss, shredded lettuce, tomatoes and pickles all on soft french bread spread with an easy three ingredient mayo.
10. Egg Muffin Cups
From: Easy Homemade Recipes
These egg muffin cups are perfect for a late take to work breakfast or for a take to work lunch. Filled with protein and sweet cherry tomatoes, these little egg muffins and a great grab and go lunch idea for children and adults.
11. White Bean Caprese Salad
From: Mrs Jones Kitchen
This white bean caprese salad is a delicious take on the traditional Italian caprese salad with packed with plant based protein. With fragrant basil, creamy mozzarella and juicy tomatoes, it can be whipped up in minutes and makes the perfect take to work lunch that's ready in 5 minutes.
Salads with tomato and cucumber are also a great lunch option for work or school. Another great gluten free option is this make ahead egg salad sweet potato boats.
12. Prosciutto, Pear and Arugula Salad
From: Easy Homemade Recipes
Light and refreshing, this pear, arugula, prosciutto and goat cheese salad is the perfect take to work salad. Just store the dressing separate and mix it all together just before eating.
13. Ham and Cheese Roll Ups
From: Little Sunny Kitchen
Need a quick and easy lunch or snack? Make easy Ham and Cheese Roll Ups! Sometimes called ham and cheese pinwheels, these cold appetizers are made with 5 simple ingredients and are packed with flavor thanks to cream cheese spiked with ranch seasoning.
This page contains affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through links I provide (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting the work I put into this site! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
14. Tuna Pinwheels
From: A Mummy Too
These veg-packed tuna pinwheels are perfect for school lunchboxes! They're made with canned tuna, canned chickpeas, cucumber, peppers, tomatoes and cream cheese, all rolled up in a tasty tortilla wrap and cut into bite size slices.
15. Rainbow Hummus Veggie Wrap
From Recipes from a Pantry
A quick easy crunchy rainbow vegetable tortilla wrap that can be made with your kids. Boosted with vegetables for a plant based option making it a great light take to work lunch.
16. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad
From: The Clean Eating Couple
Chicken Salad is the perfect healthy meal. Made with no mayo, high in protein, low fat and low carb. Great for weight loss, easy & yummy! Keep it keto with no fruit, or make it with apples! You can serve it on a sandwich or a salad. A perfect take to work lunch idea.
17. Chicken Tai Salad
From: Cinnamon and Sage Co.
Perfect for a healthy lunch to take to work or a light summer dinner, Chicken Thai Salad is easy to make while still tasting delicious. Plus you can easily customize it to your favorite flavors by adding more of your favorite salad toppings.
18. Black Bean Quesadillas
From: Hungry Hobby
These cheesy delicious black bean quesadillas are made with a secret flavor weapon that also cuts down on prep work! Ready in 10 minutes! A great option for a quick take to work lunch or school.
19. Chicken Avocado Focaccia Sandwich
From: Gastronotherapy
Make your chicken sandwich more exciting by using focaccia bread! Featuring creamy avocado, roasted red peppers, and fresh spinach, this sandwich is perfect for a quick and healthy no mess lunch for work.
20. Egg Frittata
From: Easy Homemade Recipes
This egg frittata casserole is perfect for a take to work lunch on it's own. You can also put it in a sandwich or a bun and make it a frittata sandwich. The perfect make ahead take to work lunch.
This page contains affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through links I provide (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting the work I put into this site! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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