73 Cold Lunch Ideas That Go Beyond PB&J
Packing lunch has its perks: It’s cheap, nutritious and rewarding to eat something homemade. But what do you do when there’s no microwave to reheat your hard work? Brown-bag one of these cold lunch ideas instead, of course. Here are 73 meals we love, from avocado chicken salad to Mediterranean couscous.
1. Smashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, make-ahead, ready in <30 minutes, no cook
2. Make-Ahead Spicy Chicken and Rice Salad
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: make ahead, gluten free, less than 500 calories, dairy free
3. Caesar Pasta Salad
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, kid-friendly, make ahead
4. Aran Goyoaga’s Niçoise Salad
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, make ahead, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
5. Salmon Noodle Bowls with Chili-Yuzu Relish and Pickled Radishes
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, high protein, dairy free
6. Lemon-Roasted Potatoes, Chicken and Spinach with Tzatziki
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly, high protein
7. Pearl Couscous with Chickpeas, Eggplant and Peaches
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, make ahead, dairy free
8. Citrus, Shrimp and Quinoa Salad with Feta
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, make ahead, <10 ingredients
9. Colorful Peanut Noodle Jar
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, gluten free, vegan, make ahead
10. Avocado Chicken Salad
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, make ahead, kid-friendly
11. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Stuffed Peppers
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, make ahead, no cook
12. Yellow Tomato Gazpacho
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, make ahead, less than 500 calories
13. Kamut and Sour Cherry Meze
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, low sugar, less than 500 calories
14. Zoodles with Avocado and Mango Sauce
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, ready in <30 minutes, vegan
15. Avocado, Radish and Walnuts with Carrot-Miso Dressing
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, ready in <30 minutes, less than 500 calories
16. Sumac and Fennel Fattoush
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, less than 500 calories, vegetarian
17. 15-Minute Gazpacho with Cucumber, Red Pepper and Basil
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, ready in <30 minutes, dairy free, gluten free, <10 ingredients
18. Meal-Prep Creamy Pasta Salad with Broccoli and Raisins
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, kid-friendly, ready in <30 minutes
19. The Ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, special occasion–worthy
20. Salami, Artichoke and Ricotta Pasta Salad
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, make ahead
RELATED: 21 Picnic-Perfect Pasta Salad Recipes to Enjoy All Summer Long
21. Green Bowl with Chicken, Citrus and Herbs
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, high protein, less than 500 calories
22. Indian Salad Bowl with Crunchy Chickpeas
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, vegetarian
23. BLT Pasta Salad
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly
24. Avocado and Black Bean Pasta Salad
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly, low sugar, ready in <30 minutes
25. Shrimp Fajita Salad with Avocado Cilantro Dressing
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, high protein
26. Roasted Broccoli and Bacon Pasta Salad
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
27. Roasted Squash Salad with White Beans, Bread Crumbs and Preserved Lemon
- Time Commitment: 1 hour (+ soaking time)
- Why We Love It: vegan, gluten free, make ahead
28. Meal-Prep Creamy Kale Caesar Salad
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, ready in <30 minutes
RELATED: I’m Totally Disorganized, but Here’s How I Meal Prep and Bring My Lunch Every Day
29. Roasted Delicata Squash Salad
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
30. Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese Pasta Salad
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, make ahead
31. 15-Minute Mediterranean Couscous with Tuna and Pepperoncini
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, high protein, <10 ingredients, dairy free
32. Buffalo Chicken Wraps with Blue Cheese and Celery
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, <10 minutes, ready in <30 minutes
33. Italian Deli Pinwheel Sandwiches
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in<30 minutes, no cook, kid-friendly
34. Avocado Egg Salad Sandwich
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: low sugar, high protein, beginner-friendly
35. Grilled Lemon-Herb Chicken and Avocado Salad
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: low sugar, high protein
36. Salmon and Smashed Cucumber Grain Bowls
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: dairy free, high protein, low sugar
37. Slow Cooker Meal-Prep Burrito Bowls
- Time Commitment: 7 hours, 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: slow cooker meal, make ahead, low carb
38. Salmon Bowl with Farro, Black Beans and Tahini Dressing
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, high protein, low sugar
39. Vegan Fiesta Taco Bowl
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, high protein
RELATED: 25 Clean-Eating Bowls to Make for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
40. Lemon-Tahini Salad with Lentils, Beets and Carrots
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, make ahead, high protein
41. Make-Ahead Farro and Brussels Sprout Salad
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, vegetarian, dairy free
42. Chicken Pesto Focaccia Sandwiches
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, less than 500 calories, low sugar
43. Lunch Kebabs with Mortadella, Artichoke and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, no cook, kid-friendly
44. Quick Guacamole Quinoa Salad
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, gluten free, low sugar, less than 500 calories
45. Rainbow Collard Wraps with Peanut Butter Dipping Sauce
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, make ahead, vegetarian
46. Veggie Niçoise Salad with Red Curry Green Beans
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: low sugar, gluten free, dairy free
47. Cold Sesame Cucumber Noodles
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, ready in <15 minutes, vegan
48. Soba Noodles with Peanut Sauce
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, gluten free, vegetarian
49. The Ultimate Quinoa-Avocado Bowl
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: dairy free, gluten free, high protein
50. Grilled Peach, Prosciutto and Mozzarella Sandwich
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
51. Shredded Thai Salad with Avocado
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, vegetarian, dairy free
52. Kelp and Zucchini Noodle Pad Thai
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: gluten free, no cook, make ahead
53. Meal-Prep Mayo-Less Potato Salad
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, less than 500 calories
54. Radicchio, Lentil and Apple Salad with Vegan Cashew Dressing
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes (+ soaking time)
- Why We Love It: make ahead, dairy free, gluten free, vegan
55. Delicata Buckwheat Bowls
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, vegan, dairy free
56. Roasted Beet and Citrus Salad
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, gluten free, <10 ingredients, make ahead
57. Keto Instant Pot Greek Cauliflower Rice
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, Instant Pot recipe, ready in <15 minutes, keto
58. 20-Minute Shrimp Scampi Zoodles
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: gluten free, ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
59. Apple, Grape and Pecan Pasta Salad
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, ready in <30 minutes
60. Keto Steak and Blue Cheese Salad for One
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: keto, ready in <15 minutes, no cook
61. Cauliflower, Pomegranate and Apple Salad
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free
62. Vegan Avocado Caesar Salad
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, low sugar, less than 500 calories
63. Vegetarian Sushi Cups
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, kid-friendly, gluten free, dairy free
RELATED: Sushi for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know Before Ordering
64. Summer Rolls
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, gluten free, dairy free
65. Ritz Crackers with Whipped Honey Ricotta and Bacon
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, less than 500 calories
66. Mini Chicken Shawarma
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, make ahead, low sugar
67. Orecchiette with Spring Greens
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, vegetarian
68. 15-Minute Mezze Plate with Toasted Za’atar Pita Bread
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, vegetarian, <10 ingredients
69. Crispy Quinoa Cashew Granola
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, make ahead, less than 500 calories
70. Heirloom Pan con Tomate
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes (+ chilling time)
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, dairy free
71. Tarragon Chicken Salad Sandwiches
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, high protein, low sugar
72. Cold Lemon Zoodles
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, no cook, gluten free, vegan
73. Fruicuterie Board
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, ready in <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser
RELATED: 34 High-Protein Lunches That Are Simple, Satisfying and Scrumptious