Make packed lunches easy with these Healthy Cold Lunch Ideas for work and school. All of these cold lunch recipes are easy, quick, and great for both hungry adults and teens. I've rounded up over 25 of the best healthy cold lunch ideas to help make your life easy!
What Food Can I Eat Cold for Lunch?
Whether it's pasta, vegetarian lunches, wraps, sandwiches, or salads you are looking for, these cold lunch ideas will help you to keep things interesting!
Are there times when you are making lunch and just need cold lunch ideas that aren't sandwiches or that aren't salad? Are you looking for unique lunches you can meal prep?
Or, maybe you need ideas for making lunch on a budget. Sometimes the need is you need something quick to eat on the go. For any of these needs, this list will get you there.
So many situations require cold lunches. Whether you are a teacher with little time, camping with your family without a microwave, or even a busy construction worker with no access to heat, these cold lunch ideas will work for you.
Need ideas for middle schoolers, picky eaters, or elementary students? Pack up the lunchbox or bento using these Bentgo Lunch Recipe Ideas!
Looking for even more healthy lunch recipes? These Healthy Lunch Ideas for Teens and Adults will help!
Snack ideas? Try these healthy snack ideas for kids and teens!
Cold Lunch Ideas
Greek Chicken Pasta Salad is a flavorful cold lunch you can take to work!
This Mediterranean pasta salad with chicken is delightful and easy to make.
Spinach quinoa salad is one of my favorite cold lunch ideas without bread.
It's super filling while also being light and healthy!
Cold wraps are a simple no-reheat meal prep idea for your work lunch!
Avoid a mess with this convenient cold wrap that is bursting with flavor and tastes great served cold.
This spinach salad with orzo is a quick cold pasta lunch idea you can throw together in minutes!
Get a boost of veggies and stay full all day.
Panera Thai Chicken Salad is a copycat restaurant recipe that will save you from ordering lunch out!
Full of flavor and zest, you'll love this easy-to-make salad.
Another delicious copycat recipe that will definitely help to save money on food!
This Panera Mediterranean bowl tastes just like takeout.
Elevate your cold work lunch game with this fun twist on a classic favorite: Deviled Egg Salad!
This recipe is one of the most unique packed lunch egg ideas that is great for meal prep. Make an entire week of lunches.
Pasta salad is a great cold option for work lunches if you want a filling and tasty meal.
Add in some cooked protein like zesty shrimp or herb chicken for an added protein boost.
A delicious no-sandwich option for cold lunch!
These protein snack packs take ingredients like eggs, almonds, hummus, meat, cheese, and veggies to create an easy and delicious meal prep full of protein.
Not your usual chicken salad thanks to delicious pesto!
Try this easy chicken salad with pesto and use rotisserie chicken for convenience!
This vegetarian cold lunch idea is a veggie-filled sandwich that is filling and delicious!
It is super quick to make in just minutes. Skip the cheese to make a vegan option.
Forget the mayo for this healthy and easy-to-make tuna salad.
High-protein Greek yogurt and tuna make this easy lunch a no-brainer when you don't have a microwave to heat up lunch.
This delicious salad is full of colors and flavors!
Here is a quick and delightful cold lunch option for adults when you don't like sandwiches and need a vegetarian option, orzo white bean salad!
Sushi for lunch is easy with this simple recipe that is one of my favorite recipes to use up leftovers.
If you're craving sushi for lunch, try this rice bowl that is so easy to throw together using cold salmon bites or cooked shrimp.
Chickpea pasta is a great gluten-free alternative pasta for this recipe.
No microwave to heat up lunch? No problem with this super flavorful Mediterranean chickpea pasta salad.
Use leftover cooked chicken, canned chicken, or rotisserie chicken in this easy and healthy lunch!
Take the no-cook easy route with rotisserie chicken and make this delicious chicken salad recipe you can serve on a salad, in a wrap, or on a sandwich.
This is not your average sandwich!
This is no boring sandwich for lunch! A variety of textures provides a great crunch and flavor for one of the best filling and delicious cold lunch ideas out there!
Choose any fruit or berry you like in this light and refreshing salad.
A filling and delicious lunch salad with textures and flavors that are sure to please any hungry adult or teen.
MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN PESTO WRAP
Use a lettuce wrap for a low-carb option for this delicious wrap!
Wraps are a great cold lunch for work when you want a filling and healthy lunch that isn't a salad.
Use leftover cooked shrimp in this light and refreshing meal!
Shrimp salad is one of the best foods to serve cold for a quick meal that is different and oh-so tasty!
Even high schoolers, middle schoolers, and kids will love these pinwheel sandwiches!
They are great to pack for lunch or have as an after school snack before busy weeknights filled with practices, rehearsals, and homework!
You don't need a microwave for this chicken with rice salad with basil and lemon.
It is delicious to eat when served cold.
Easy meal prep for the win!
This Asian noodle salad is a great option for a healthy lunch that isn't sandwiches or traditional salad.
Need filling vegetarian cold lunch ideas?
This avocado chickpea salad with feta is a great option to eat cold and stay full all day long.
Need a keto or low-carb lunch without bread?
If you're looking for cold lunch ideas without bread, this keto broccoli and tuna salad is protein backed without the added carbs.
A healthy and well-balanced meal you will love to eat!
Cobb salad with buffalo sauce twist is a great way to make a lunch salad less boring!
Thanks to the lentils, this gluten-free and vegetarian cold lunch salad is a high-protein option!
Save some time and buy pre-cooked lentils for a no-cook lunch.
These yummy flavors are sure to please even picky eaters!
If you're looking for cold lunch ideas that work for adults and kids that is not sandwiches, try this chicken bacon ranch wrap that is sure to please!
FAQs
Cold lunches like salads, bowls, and sandwiches are three ideas for lunches to bring to work without a microwave. Each of the ideas in the list above requires no heating up, making it perfect to pack for work or school.
Salads and bowls are two easy options if you do not like sandwiches. You could also try a protein box or a wrap if you like sandwich ingredients, but without bread.
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Pesto Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken
- ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 6 oz pesto
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix together and serve in a wrap, on toast or a croissant or on top of lettuce like arugula, kale or romaine.
Notes
- Make ahead: Meal prep this recipe and make ahead for a week's full of lunches.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Julia
delicious roundup! I already have a few favorites we will be making again and again!
Lyndsey Piccolino
Awesome!!! Thanks for contributing 🙂