Lunch box ideas for adults that are both delicious and practical! These lunch options are perfect for busy workdays, travel, or any time you need a satisfying meal on the go.
Eating a healthy and enjoyable lunch is crucial, especially during busy workdays. But coming up with ideas that are both nutritious and easy to pack can be challenging.
To help you out, I’ve put together a list of lunch box ideas that are suitable for adults. These ideas are designed to be easy to prepare, transport, and eat, even during the busiest of days!
- Mason jar salads with layers of veggies, grains, and protein
- Wraps and sandwiches with whole grain bread, lean meats, and fresh veggies
- Bento boxes with a variety of small, portion-controlled bites
- Quinoa or rice bowls with a mix of vegetables and protein
- Pasta salads loaded with fresh vegetables and a light dressing
- Homemade sushi rolls or sushi bowls
- Soups or stews in a thermos for a warm meal
- Mini frittatas or quiches for a protein-packed option
- Hummus with cut vegetables and pita bread for dipping
- Healthy burrito bowls with beans, rice, and vegetables
- Cold noodle salads with peanut sauce or vinaigrette
- Grilled chicken or tofu with a side of mixed vegetables
- Energy bowls with a base of greens, topped with various toppings and a dressing
- Whole grain crackers with cheese, nuts, and fruit
- DIY snack boxes with a mix of healthy snacks
These lunch box ideas are not only nutritious but also varied enough to keep you from getting bored. They can easily be adjusted to suit your dietary preferences and needs.
25 Easy Lunch Box Ideas for Adults to Enjoy at Work or On-the-Go
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Turkey-Apple-Brie Sandwiches
Hollowed-out baguettes hold a satisfying combo of tart apples, creamy Brie and protein-rich, shredded turkey.
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Easy No-Bake Granola Bars
This granola bar recipe is so easy and delicious! These wholesome granola bars are naturally sweetened, gluten free, and the perfect healthy snack.
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Tortellini Salad with Chicken – The Seasoned Mom
Fresh, easy, and flavorful, this Mediterranean-inspired cold tortellini salad with chicken, veggies, and cheese is a perfect summer meal!
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Bacon Grilled Cheese
This bacon grilled cheese sandwich takes it to the next level. Combining two types of cheese and everyone’s favorite, bacon, to create this tasty treat!
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Easy Pasta Salad – Love and Lemons
Make this fresh, cold pasta salad recipe in under 30 minutes! Packed with flavor & a zesty Italian style dressing, this pasta salad is perfect for picnics.
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Protein-Packed Bean & Quinoa Salad
A highly untraditional spin on three bean salad, this protein-packed black and kidney bean quinoa salad is nutritious and easy to prepare.
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Thai Red Curry Noodles
Ready in just 15 minutes, these Thai Red Curry Noodles are a simple dinner recipe. They’re vegan, gluten free and perfect with veggies.
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Hard Boiled Egg and Avocado Bowl
This hard boiled egg and avocado bowl combines hard boiled eggs with creamy avocado and fresh veggies for a super healthy and quick low-carb meal that’s loaded with protein, healthy fat and fiber.
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The Hummus Lunch Box – No-Cook Lunch Ideas – Budget Bytes
This Hummus Lunch Box is a cold lunch classic. With almost zero prep work, this is the fastest, easiest no-cook lunch around.
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Sandwich on a Stick
A fun way to eat sandwiches and perfect for school lunches! Kids and adults will love these creative sandwiches!
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Roasted Veggie Grain Bowl – Love and Lemons
This healthy grain bowl recipe is loaded with roasted veggies, quinoa, chickpeas, and a vibrant kale sauce. It’s a perfect easy dinner or meal prep lunch!
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Simple Green Salad – Love and Lemons
This simple green salad recipe is healthy, refreshing, delicious, and easy to make. A perfect side dish, it pairs well with almost anything!
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Chicken Caesar Wraps Are Viral On TikTok For A Reason
World’s best salad in a tortilla blanket? Sign us up!
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Chicken Burrito Protein Bowl
Chipotle-inspired, this Chicken Burrito Protein Bowl is bursting with color, flavor, and nutrients. It’s a chicken bowl recipe that is easily customizable!
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4 Ingredient Sweet and Tangy Chicken
4 Ingredient Sweet and Tangy Chicken is a go-to chicken recipe using common ingredients and is one of the most popular recipes on Syrup and Biscuits.
Check out this recipe
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Meal-Prep Vegetarian Beans and Grains
Keep this whole grain base recipe on hand for easy meals on busy days. Use our suggested recipes for a grain bowl or veggie burgers. You can also toss it in a salad or wrap for an even quicker meal option.
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Homemade Cup Noodles
Skip the packet, and make your own homemade cup of noodles! There’s something so satisfying about having a soup like this assembled and ready in the fridge. Just add water!
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BBQ Chicken Bowls
These BBQ chicken bowls are perfect for weeknight dinners. They come together in just 15 minutes and are chock-full of the classic barbecue flavors you love, including saucy beans, coleslaw and potatoes.
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Cucumber and Cream Cheese Pinwheel Sandwiches (with Lavash Bread)
Everyone loves these cucumber and cream cheese pinwheel sandwiches and they’re so easy to make!
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Italian Pinwheels (Finger Sandwiches) | I Heart Recipes
Need delicious finger food for your party? Italian Pinwheels are easy & quick finger sandwiches to whip up. Packed with savory flavor, they will be a hit!
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The Ultimate Avocado Sandwich – An Unbeatable Lunch | Hurry The Food Up
A healthy and nutritious avocado sandwich that takes a classic and modernises it for exquisitely juicy and unbeatable taste!
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Classic Chicken Salad
My classic chicken salad recipe made lighter to make the perfect homemade chicken salad sandwich. A great cold lunch option for meal prep!
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Easy Ham Salad Recipe
Pile plates up high with loads of salad, strips of ham and shredded cheese for a super easy, healthy weeknight dinner. Or pack into lunchboxes and take to work – healthy, quick and delicious!
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Classic Egg Salad
This classic egg salad recipe is the perfect make-ahead dish for breakfast on toast, for lunch in a wrap, lettuce wrap, over salad or in a sandwich. Sometimes I just eat it with a spoon right out of the container!
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Jenny has always been passionate about cooking, and she uses her platform to share her joy of food with others. Her recipes are easy to follow, and she loves giving tips and tricks to help others create their own unique culinary creations.