31 Easy Cold Lunch Ideas To Pack For Work

Transport yourself right to the shores of Capri with peppery arugula, vine-ripened tomatoes, and slices of uber-creamy mozzarella.

You get a delicious herby flavor from the fresh basil, but it’s worth dialing things up with a base of tasty pesto!

Throw in the crackly focaccia and you’ll have a cold lunch that’ll draw looks of envy from across the office.

If you’re on the hunt for protein-rich recipes that can be easily meal-prepped, you can’t beat this bumper salad.

It gets the majority of its protein from fresh boiled eggs, chickpeas, quinoa, and black beans.

But you can’t beat the crunchy veggies and burst of freshness you get from the juicy tomatoes!

Are you looking for cold lunch recipes that are bright, tangy, and ready in minutes?

Well, you’ll just adore this tasty egg salad flavored with lemon, mustard, and herbs!

Not only is it glorious stuffed inside bread for a hearty sandwich, but it’s the perfect salad topping too.

This delicious rice salad is loaded with wholesome veggies and classic Italian flavors that store so well in the fridge.

The tuna gives this dish tons of protein. But you can easily switch it out with grilled chicken breast if you’re not a fish fan!

Plus, the sprinkle of fresh herbs lends this one-bowl-wonder an incredible summery flavor.

If you’re tired of hot lunches, this rich and creamy hummus bowl is the perfect solution.

It takes just minutes to throw together, and it gets protein and tang from the nutritious roasted chickpeas and feta cheese.

Oh, and don’t even get me started on the lemony dressing that pulls those strong flavors together!

Watch out tasty lunch lovers – this zesty Italian wrap is about to change the game for good!

It’s stuffed with ridiculously wholesome ingredients like arugula, kalamata olives, and tomatoes.

But I’d argue that it’s the creamy provolone cheese and red pepper bruschetta spread that’ll tickle your tastebuds.

I can’t get enough of Mediterranean ingredients and this make-ahead cold lunch is ready in 20 minutes flat!

The fresh herbs, crunchy onions, crispy cucumbers, and fresh tomatoes will help you hit your 5-a-day.

And hey, you can’t beat a generous scoop of hummus and fluffy quinoa to balance the protein, fat, and carb levels!

Plus, you can’t beat the tang of fresh kalamata olives and an old-school lemon dressing, right?

Can’t make it to Spain this year? Well, why not whip up a bowl of gazpacho to transport your taste buds?

The summer veggies, tangy vinegar, smooth olive oil, and fresh tomatoes are bound to convert you!

Mop everything up with a hunk of fresh bread and you’ll have the perfect cold lunch on your hands.

Oh man, this Greek chickpea salad is one of my all-time favorite easy lunches.

It’s packed with crunchy red onions, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, ripe kalamata olives, and feta cheese.

And the fresh lemon and olive oil vinaigrette is the true cherry on top!

The vibrant pasta salad is the perfect thing for potlucks, dinner parties, and mid-week work lunches.

I adore the freshness you get from the juicy tomatoes, red onion, and herbs.

But the creamy mozzarella, spicy salami, and salty pepperoncini add a decadent flavor that’ll have you eating multiple bowls!

Tender morsels of chicken meet crunchy vegetables and a sticky sesame dressing in this delightful salad.

I can’t get over how easy it is to customize (just throw in your favorite veggies or protein!).

Plus, it gets plenty of heat from the jalapeno slices and texture from the amazing toasted almonds and cashews.

Sign me up for several plates!

This incredible recipe combines flavorful spicy tuna with creamy avocado for a light and fresh wrap that’s ready in 5 minutes!

The Sriracha and mustard-coated tuna is undeniably the star of the show here.

But you don’t want to sleep on the leafy greens, crunchy matchstick carrots, or sweet red onions either!

Forget ordering Chipotle to satisfy your Mexican food cravings mid-week. 

This vegan burrito bowl beats the real deal!

It’s loaded with nutritious ingredients like vegan proteins, tomato salsa, and crispy veggies to keep you fueled.

And that cilantro-lime rice? It’s perfectly spiced and adds tons of chewy texture!

I’m a huge fan of egg muffins, but these cheesy zucchini muffins are stealing my heart!

They’re loaded with moist grated zucchini, cheese, and onions for a savory kick that makes a change from typical spiralized veggies.

Use up that leftover rotisserie chicken you have lying around to create a creamy and satisfying cold lunch!

The Romaine lettuce, croutons, and parmesan cheese give this recipe its signature crunch and richness.

But it’s the tender chicken and perfectly poached eggs that make this a protein-rich delight that you’ll be itching to unbox.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a quick and hot stir fry packed with veggies and protein.

But this 100% cold variation is perfect when you can’t get to a microwave (or a stovetop!).

You can customize the veggies as they’ll all work amazingly with the soy, garlic, ginger, and peanut butter sauce!

When you want to escape the balmy summer heat (and A/C isn’t cutting it!), this cold cucumber soup is the bomb.

It gets a gorgeous creaminess from the Greek yogurt and skinned cucumbers.

And if that wasn’t enough, the extra-virgin olive oil and honey make things incredibly smooth and balanced.

I love breaking up my work day with these super-portable (and fresh!) summer rolls.

The juicy mango and smooth avocado pair beautifully with the crunchy veggies and fresh herbs.

And the coconut peanut dipping sauce? It dials the decadence factor up to 11!

Skip the butter or mayo on your sandwich and replace them with creamy lemony hummus and buttery avocado!

This sandwich is stuffed to the gills with greens, sun-dried tomatoes, and crispy onions for a super satisfying lunch.

Pair it with some nori chips or roasted edamame for the ultimate savory sensation!

If you want to switch up your lunch routine with meal prep bowls, this salmon-based gem has got you covered.

It combines sticky rice and sushi-grade fish with protein-rich edamame, sweet mango, and crunchy veggies for a well-balanced bite.

Trust me. It’s one of the healthy lunches that’ll wipe out any sushi cravings.

Also check: Tuna Poke Bowl and Vegan Poke Bowl

A perfectly nutty and rich couscous and feta salad that’s ready in 12 minutes? Um, yes PLEASE.

This is a great addition to any mid-week lunch menu and is bulked out with sundried tomatoes, onions, and arugula.

Throw in the tang from the lemon juice and you’ll have a seriously substantial cold lunch on your hands!

Good news, folks!

This halloumi sandwich with roasted vegetables is the ultimate summer treat for your lunchbox.

The slightly salty (and creamy!) halloumi acts as a glorious base.

But the creamy hummus, avocado, tangy pickled onions, and soft roasted vegetables bring extra texture and flavor!

If you’re on the hunt for the best cold lunch ideas around, you don’t want to miss these rainbow collard wraps.

They’re 100% grain-free and naturally vegan, but are also a fibrous way to hit your 5-a-day!

Simply throw peppers, carrots, cucumber, avocado, and sprouts into a collard leaf and you’ll be good to go.

This light and bright salad puts orzo center stage.

It contains chickpeas and feta for protein, several crunchy veggies, and peppery arugula for depth of flavor.

In short, it’s completely delicious.

This Mediterranean quinoa salad is a great cold lunch idea if you’re looking to meal prep for the week.

The fresh flavors in this recipe are perfect for the summer (hello mango and tomato!).

Oh, and did I mention that it stores for a few days in the fridge and is packed with plant protein?

Who doesn’t love the herby and nutty tang of homemade pesto?

This vibrant pesto pasta is the ultimate side dish, but this recipe includes zucchini and summer squash for more volume.

The result? A bright and zesty main that’ll quickly become one of your go-to packable lunches!

Healthy sandwiches are always a good idea in my book.

Just whip up your grilled chicken, toss it in the lemon thyme honey mustard dressing, and throw on your toppings.

Believe me when I say that each bite just oozes spring and summer flavors.

If you’re looking to spice up your rotation of spiralizer recipes, this crunchy raw salad is a no-brainer.

The crunchy peanut dressing brings Thai-inspired flavors to the table, while the crispy veggies and mango are key for texture.

And those small beads of quinoa? Hello, protein!

This incredibly green broccoli salad might just be one of my all-time favorite cold lunches.

It gets next-level texture and sweetness from the smoky tamari almonds and juicy dried cranberries.

To make it even more appealing, the mustard and maple dressing couldn’t be easier to whip up!

I’m a huge fan of embracing my inner child, and this is one of the healthy lunch ideas that lets you go all out.

It’s a no-cook take on a classic taco salad which is ideal if you’re looking to make this ahead.

It combines fiery guacamole with crunchy tortilla chips, fresh corn, and greens for a complete fiesta on the tongue.

If you’re not feeling a traditional bread-based BLT, this slightly spicy pasta is dreamy.

It contains way more bacon than your average sandwich, and the creamy ranch dressing gives it a serious kick.

The perfect way to spice up bento boxes without any hard work!