Cold Lunch Ideas for Work

Cold Lunch Ideas are great whether you are packing a lunch for work or packing a lunch for school because coming up with healthy cold lunch can be challenging.

The best lunches are leftovers, of course. But, what happens when you don't have leftovers to take to work?

Like Salads? Check out our 12 Healthy Salad Bowl Ideas for your next lunch.

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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! Check out 5 Fool Proof Grain Bowl Combinations to Keep on Rotation for a healthy lunch idea too!

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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 Bento boxes too because you can stack them up and keep your lunch and snacks separate. And lets not forget the perfect lunch bag.

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

A day at work can be a long day. Staying hydrated is important. That's why water bottles with fruit infusers are perfect for making sure you're drinking on the regular.

If fruit isn't your thing there's always regular water flasks and more popular 40 oz Stanley tumblers.

Easy Chickpea Salad

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.

Dill Tuna Salad Cucumber Boats

Tuna Salad on Dill Pickles on a white plate

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!

Kimchi Salad

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.

Turkey Bacon Ranch Wrap

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!

Simple Caprese Salad

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.

Creamy Mediterranean Chicken Wrap

Mediterranean Chicken Salad Wrap cut into 2

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!

Pulled Pork Make-ahead Lunchable

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.

The Original Po Boy Sandwich

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.

Egg Muffin Cups

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.

White Bean Caprese Salad

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.

Prosciutto, Pear and Arugula Salad

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.

Ham and Cheese Roll Ups

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.

Tuna Pinwheels

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.

Rainbow Hummus Veggie Wrap

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.

Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad

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.