Vegan Bento Box
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Upgrade school and work lunches with this simple and satisfying vegan bento box. This combination of satiating plant-based foods is quick, easy, and delicious. Pack an avocado sandwich, berries, and popcorn, or customize your plant-based meal with your favorites. Raw and gluten-free vegan bento box variations included.
Table of contents
Whether you’re vegan or trying to incorporate more plant-based meals into your diet, this vegan bento box is the perfect spread of food to meal prep and enjoy for lunch or any meal of the day.
Enjoy a nourishing assortment of fruit and veggie-heavy foods to power you throughout the rest of the day.
And if you’re new to the bento box concept, read on for bento box 101.
What is a Bento Box?
I like to think of a bento box as an upgraded lunchbox. A staple in Japanese kitchens, the purpose of a bento box is to keep foods divided into separate compartments while being enjoyed at room temperature.
A few bento box benefits:
- Portion control: Each compartment leaves just enough room for a single-serving.
- Focus on food groups: Fill each compartment with a food group (protein, grains, fruits and veggies).
- Adorable aesthetic: Maybe it’s just me, but assembling a bento box is an art, and pretty food is more appetizing. This vegan bento box is an excellent example of a beautiful bento box!
You can also try a vegetarian bento box or change up the flavor and ingredients with a curry bento box, Mexican bento box, chicken teriyaki, and a Japanese-inspired bento box.
Ingredients You’ll Need
A veggie-packed sandwich + mixed berries + popcorn is my favorite combination of fillings, but there is plenty of room for customizations:
- Vegan sandwich: I’m a massive fan of this avocado sandwich, but the options are endless. Feel free to swap in any one of these healthy vegan sandwiches.
- Mixed berries: Blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries are great options, but you can pack any whole fruit that won’t brown during storage (peach, plum, tangerine, apricot, nectarine, etc.).
- Popcorn: Popcorn is an excellent addition to any vegan lunch box. It is a great whole-grain and fiber-rich food that won’t leave you feeling sluggish after lunchtime.
How To Make
Build your bento box with a plant-based sandwich, fiber-rich popcorn, and rejuvenating fresh berries.
Follow these steps to prepare each item:
- Prepare the avocado sandwich: Layer hummus, sliced avocado (sprinkled with salt and pepper), sliced tomatoes, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, sliced red onion, and greens between two slices of whole-grain bread.
- Prepare the popcorn: Pop a cup of popcorn on the stovetop. Head over to my popcorn guide for more information on the best air-popped popcorn.
- Assemble the bento box: Using the compartments to keep each item separate, pack your bento box with the sandwich, popcorn, and mixed berries.
How to Store
Fridge: Assemble your box the night before and store it in the refrigerator, or if you’re an early bird, you can throw it together in the morning. If it will be a few hours till lunchtime, you can tuck an icepack into the box.
Any avocado, however, should be sliced in the morning. Otherwise, it will turn brown and unpleasant overnight). You can squeeze lemon juice or lime juice over the avocado to keep it from browning as quickly.
Tips and Substitutions
Raw Vegan Bento Box: Hold the bread and build your sandwich in a bowl with only raw ingredients. Load up on the fruits and veggies, and swap the popcorn for dried fruit and nuts.
Gluten-free Vegan Bento Box: Build your sandwich between two slices of your favorite gluten-free bread, and you’re good to go!
More Vegan Bento Box Sandwich: I’ve accumulated many delicious plant-based sandwiches to choose from. This chickpea salad sandwich and this smoked tofu ciabatta sandwich are some of my favorites. Check out these 25 vegan sandwiches for more inspiration.
My Favorite Bento Box Containers
- Stainless Steel Bento Box: These are large enough to hold a good size meal. They are sturdy yet lightweight. Of course, you cannot put them in the microwave, but you are also not ingesting plastic either!
- Leak-proof Bento Box: If you prefer something lighter and less industrial and still non-toxic, check out these cute food-grade lunch boxes or this BPA-free plastic option with a bamboo lid.
- Classic Glass Containers: These glass containers are of amazing quality and are very solid! I even dropped one, and it’s still in one piece. I totally recommend it to anyone looking for top-notch quality lunch box containers!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: no cooking necessary!
- Plant-based.
- Highly satiating
- Raw vegan and gluten-free adaptable.
- Fresh and delicious.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Vegetarian Bento Box
- Chickpea Buddha Bowl
- Curry Bento Box
- Japanese-Inspired Bento Box
- Chicken Teriyaki Bento Box
- Mexican Bento Box
- Easy Hummus Bowl
- Tofu Poke Bowl
- Vegan Meal Prep Bowls
If you try this vegan bento box recipe, please leave a comment and a rating and let me know how much you liked it!
Vegan Bento Box
Ingredients
- 1 avocado sandwich - or any of these sandwiches
- ½ cup mixed berries
- 1 cup air popped popcorn
Instructions
- Prepare the avocado sandwich following these instructions.
- Prepare the popcorn following these instructions.
- Assemble the bento box.
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe? Tag @gatheringdreams on Instagram. I want to see it!
