These easy cold lunch Ideas are perfect for meal prepping to bring to work—they're make ahead options that don't need to be reheated!
Cold Lunches
When it comes to lunchtime, meal prep can be a life saver – you don’t want to be worried about cooking something in the middle of the workday. If you don’t have access to a microwave or you’re eating on the go, there are still plenty of lunches you can meal prep that don’t require any reheating.
I rounded up some of my favourite cold lunch ideas that are super easy and so delicious! Just pull them out of the fridge and dig in.
Tips for Packing a Cold Lunch
Whether you're packing lunch for yourself or your child, these tips will help keep your lunch cold:
- Prepare food ahead of time so it has time to chill before being packed for lunch.
- Use an insulated lunch bag.
- Pack a frozen ice pack with your lunch.
- Freeze a water bottle or juice box to act as a make-shift ice pack if you don't have one on hand.
- Keep your lunch in the fridge for as long as possible (i.e. wait to take it out until it's time to leave home).
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I have for lunch without a microwave?
No microwave? No problem! Opt to make lunch recipes that are best enjoyed cold like salads, wraps and bento boxes.
What can I pack for lunch if I don't have a refrigerator?
If you don't have access to a refrigerator at work, you may have to rethink what you bring for lunch. Make sure to avoid ingredients that spoil quickly like meat (including chicken) or dairy. Instead, ingredients that can be stored at room temperature for longer like pasta, vegetables and beans.
What leftovers can you eat cold?
You can eat practically any leftovers cold provided you stored them properly (i.e. refrigerating them within 2 hours after cooking). It really does come down to preference though. Some people enjoy eating entire leftover meals straight from the fridge whereas others prefer using up components like chicken in cold meals like salads or sandwiches.
Boxes and Bowls
These bento boxes and meal prep bowls make excellent lunches! There are even some simple no-cook options like the Healthy Bento Boxes that come together in just mere minutes.
5 Easy & Healthy Bento Box Lunch Ideas
20 minutes
These Healthy Bento Box Lunch Recipes are the perfect lunch for work or school – make them ahead and store in the fridge for up to 5 days!
Make this recipe
Calories: 194kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 805mg | Potassium: 353mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 61IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1mg
Chicken Ranch Kale & Quinoa Bowls {Gluten-Free}
40 minutes
These Chicken Ranch Kale & Quinoa Bowls are super delicious and gluten-free with an easy-peasy and low-calorie homemade ranch dressing.
Make this recipe
Calories: 416kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 349mg | Potassium: 1187mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 19450IU | Vitamin C: 229.4mg | Calcium: 300mg | Iron: 8.6mg
Taco Bell Power Bowl {Copycat Recipe}
40 minutes
This Taco Bell Power Bowl is the perfect meal prep idea and is a healthier copycat recipe you can easily make at home in just 30 minutes!
Make this recipe
Calories: 451kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 852mg | Potassium: 736mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2070IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 3mg
Summer Buddha Bowls with Turmeric Chickpeas
50 minutes
These vegan Summer Buddha Bowls with Turmeric Chickpeas, marinated tofu and quinoa are just as delicious as they are nutritious!
Make this recipe
Calories: 533kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 796mg | Potassium: 1051mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 509IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 9mg
Chipotle Chicken, Sweet Potato & Quinoa Bowls
40 minutes
These Chipotle Chicken, Sweet Potato & Quinoa Bowls are the perfect lunch recipe packed with healthy veggies and drizzled in chipotle sauce.
Make this recipe
Calories: 517kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 775mg | Potassium: 1295mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 12787IU | Vitamin C: 64mg | Calcium: 161mg | Iron: 4mg
Creamy Sriracha Shrimp Poke Bowls
30 minutes
These Creamy Sriracha Shrimp Poke Bowls are a delicious twist on tuna poke with seaweed salad, sriracha, lemongrass corn and plump shrimp.
Make this recipe
Calories: 521kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 301mg | Sodium: 1297mg | Potassium: 563mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1023IU | Vitamin C: 40mg | Calcium: 262mg | Iron: 5mg
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Wraps
Wraps don't need to be boring! Try making these wraps in tortillas, on lettuce, or even rolled up in collard greens. The shrimp salad is also super delicious on a brioche roll!
Meal Prep Buffalo Chicken Wraps
35 minutes
These Meal Prep Buffalo Chicken Wraps are a delicious and easy lunch idea – pack them bento box style for your work week or school lunches!
Make this recipe
Calories: 437kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 2185mg | Potassium: 452mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 10200IU | Vitamin C: 8.3mg | Calcium: 210mg | Iron: 3.6mg
Garlic Chicken Collard Wraps {Low-Carb}
30 minutes
These Garlic Chicken Collard Wraps are a healthy and low-carb meal prep idea with fresh veggies and a creamy vegan garlic sauce!
Make this recipe
Calories: 449kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 34g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 75mg | Potassium: 466mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 3680IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 115mg | Iron: 1mg
Kale Chicken Caesar Wraps
35 minutes
These veggie-filled Kale Chicken Caesar Wraps are the perfect on-the-go lunch, with an avocado Caesar dressing that's lighter on calories.
Make this recipe
Calories: 400kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 1461mg | Potassium: 741mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 3517IU | Vitamin C: 47mg | Calcium: 218mg | Iron: 2mg
Chickpea Salad Wrap {With Sweet Potato and Avocado}
35 minutes
These curried Chickpea Salad Wraps with sweet potato and avocado are the perfect grab and go lunch, and easily made vegetarian!
Make this recipe
Calories: 383kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 997mg | Potassium: 500mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 5597IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 138mg | Iron: 3mg
PF Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps {Perfect Copycat}
30 minutes
These copycat PF Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps are made with ground chicken, mushrooms and water chestnuts – they're healthy and low carb!
Make this recipe
Calories: 366kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 704mg | Potassium: 674mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2500IU | Vitamin C: 14.9mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 2.3mg
Shrimp Salad {No Cook Dinner Idea}
30 minutes
This Shrimp Salad is the BEST no cook dinner idea for summer – turn it into a pasta salad or serve in brioche rolls for a filling meal.
Make this recipe
Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 296mg | Sodium: 1470mg | Potassium: 156mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 223IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 191mg | Iron: 3mg
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Salads
It wouldn't be a true cold lunch post if we didn't mention salads. You can meal prep them in mason jars, use grains like quinoa to bulk them up, and play around with different dressings to make something delicious!
5 Mix & Match Mason Jar Salad Recipes {Healthy Lunches}
40 minutes
These Mix and Match Mason Jar Salad Recipes make healthy lunches easy – they're great for meal prep and will keep your salad fresh for days!
Make this recipe
Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 77mg | Potassium: 369mg | Fiber: 2g | Vitamin A: 190IU | Vitamin C: 3.5mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 2mg
Broccoli Salad {High Protein + Meal Prep}
50 minutes
This High Protein Broccoli Salad is perfect for meal prep – it’s so filling with lentils, bacon and quinoa in a creamy dressing!
Make this recipe
Calories: 443kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 665mg | Potassium: 647mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 3210IU | Vitamin C: 63mg | Calcium: 149mg | Iron: 3mg
5 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes {Meal Prep}
1 hour
These 5 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes are full of protein! Choose from five flavours: southwest, curried, Mediterranean, caprese or green goddess.
Make this recipe
Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 301mg | Potassium: 539mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1033IU | Vitamin C: 40mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 3mg
The Best Veggie Mason Jar Salad {Two Ways!}
30 minutes
This Veggie Mason Jar Salad is packed with protein, with a yummy hummus base for an extra layer of flavour – try making it one of two ways!
Make this recipe
Calories: 450kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 888mg | Potassium: 414mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 850IU | Vitamin C: 45.4mg | Calcium: 160mg | Iron: 4.3mg
The BEST Arugula Salad
45 minutes
Inspired by Aroma Espresso Bar, this is the BEST Arugula Salad – it features lentils, sweet potatoes, and lemon-olive oil dressing. You can meal prep it, too!
Make this recipe
Calories: 511kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 181mg | Potassium: 1030mg | Fiber: 19g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 17294IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 169mg | Iron: 6mg
Healthy Sweet Potato Salad
40 minutes
This Healthy Sweet Potato Salad is the perfect summer dish to make ahead and bring to a potluck or picnic – it even has bacon in it!
Make this recipe
Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 290mg | Potassium: 588mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 13390IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 2mg
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Jars {Vegan}
15 minutes
These Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Jars with artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes are the perfect plant-based lunch and are great for meal prep!
Make this recipe
Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 453mg | Potassium: 168mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 200IU | Vitamin C: 9.1mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 5.2mg
McDonald's Southwest Salad {Copycat Recipe}
40 minutes
This McDonald's Southwest Salad is a delicious copycat, right down to the homemade southwest salad dressing and healthier crispy chicken!
Make this recipe
Calories: 431kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 155mg | Sodium: 645mg | Potassium: 989mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 14635IU | Vitamin C: 11.7mg | Calcium: 260mg | Iron: 4.5mg
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