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!
No Microwave? No Problem!
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.
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 Healthy & Easy Bento Box Lunch Ideas
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!
Chicken Ranch Kale & Quinoa Bowls {Gluten-Free}
These Chicken Ranch Kale & Quinoa Bowls are super delicious and gluten-free with an easy-peasy and low-calorie homemade ranch dressing.
Taco Bell Power Bowl {Copycat Recipe}
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!
Summer Buddha Bowls with Turmeric Chickpeas
These vegan Summer Buddha Bowls with Turmeric Chickpeas, marinated tofu and quinoa are just as delicious as they are nutritious!
Chipotle Chicken, Sweet Potato & Quinoa Bowls
These Chipotle Chicken, Sweet Potato & Quinoa Bowls are the perfect lunch recipe packed with healthy veggies and drizzled in chipotle sauce.
Creamy Sriracha Shrimp Poke Bowls
These Creamy Sriracha Shrimp Poke Bowls are a delicious twist on tuna poke with seaweed salad, sriracha, lemongrass corn and plump shrimp.
Wraps & Sandwiches
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!
Chickpea “Tuna” Salad Sandwich {Vegetarian}
This Chickpea Tuna Salad Sandwich is a delicious vegetarian lunch idea. It's so simple to make, too! Meal prep the filling for quick lunches.
Meal Prep Buffalo Chicken Wraps
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!
Garlic Chicken Collard Wraps {Low-Carb}
These Garlic Chicken Collard Wraps are a healthy and low-carb meal prep idea with fresh veggies and a creamy vegan garlic sauce!
Kale Chicken Caesar Wraps
These veggie-filled Kale Chicken Caesar Wraps are the perfect on-the-go lunch, with an avocado Caesar dressing that's lighter on calories.
Chickpea Salad Wrap {With Sweet Potato and Avocado}
These curried Chickpea Salad Wraps with sweet potato and avocado are the perfect grab and go lunch, and easily made vegetarian!
Vegan Summer Rolls + Sweet Chili Sauce
These Vegan Summer Rolls are a light and fresh no-cook lunch idea—they're filled with lots of flavourful herbs and veggies!
PF Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps {Copycat Recipe}
These copycat PF Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps are made with ground chicken, mushrooms and water chestnuts – they're healthy and low carb!
Shrimp Salad {No Cook Dinner Idea}
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.
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 Mason Jar Salad Recipes
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!
Best Ever Lentil Salad Recipe
This is the ultimate lentil salad recipe! It's a plant-based lunch that's super satisfying thanks to the crunchy veggies and lemon dressing.
Broccoli Salad {High Protein + Meal Prep}
This High Protein Broccoli Salad is perfect for meal prep – it’s so filling with lentils, bacon and quinoa in a creamy dressing!
The Best Mediterranean Couscous Salad {Meal Prep}
This Mediterranean Couscous Salad is perfect for meal prep with fresh veggies and herbs. You'll love the easy homemade lemon dressing!
5 Quick & Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes
These 5 Quick & Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes are perfect for meal prep! They're a great make-ahead vegetarian lunch option.
The Best Veggie Mason Jar Salad {Two Ways!}
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!
The BEST Arugula Salad
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!
Healthy Sweet Potato Salad
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!
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad {Meal Prep}
This Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes is perfect for meal prep! Pack it in mason jars for a healthy lunch.
McDonald's Southwest Salad {Copycat Recipe}
This McDonald's Southwest Salad is a delicious copycat, right down to the homemade southwest salad dressing and healthier crispy chicken!
The Ultimate Cowboy Caviar Recipe {Best Dressing!}
This Cowboy Caviar is a great vegetarian lunch that packs a big protein punch. It's got veggies, beans, and the best tangy dressing!
Best Ever Italian Pasta Salad
This Italian Pasta Salad will be a hit this summer with fresh veggies, salami and a zesty vinaigrette dressing – everyone will love it!
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