What can you eat for lunch besides sandwiches?
If you are someone who is always in a hurry and chasing schedules or deadlines, then your go-to meal will most probably be a sandwich. But if all you eat are sandwiches every day, then the time will come where you will want anything else other than a sandwich. And you may be reading this post because that time has come.
But lucky for you, there are several cold lunch ideas that are healthy and packed with the nutrients you need. You can always meal prep these cold lunch foods the night or a week before.
First off, you will want to whip up a tasty lunch packed with protein, healthy fats, and more but also, they must be easy to digest. With that said, here are some of the most common and tastiest cold lunch ideas that are very quick to prepare:
Wraps – wraps are somehow similar to sandwiches but these can be made out of any type of wrap you wish which gives it more versatility. Some easy and delicious wraps you can create are:
- Chicken caesar wrap
- Chicken buffalo wrap
- Banana wrap
- Veggie wrap
Salads – salad will only get tiring only if you use the same ingredients every single time. You can always create your salad with new ingredients, seasonings, and sauce as you like. You can also meal prep your own salad lunch bowls the night before!
Pasta or spaghetti salad – it is good to note that pasta or spaghetti salad does not need to be hot to taste delicious. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Its coldness is what makes it tasty and perfect as a lunch meal.
Chickpeas and avocados – when it comes to ingredients that taste better cold than hot, then chickpeas and avocados are your best bet. What’s more is that you can basically incorporate these ingredients into almost any type of dish! Be it a veggie wrap, a salad lunch bowl, and more!
What can I have for lunch without a microwave?
Not all of us have the luxury to own a microwave. And that is perfectly okay. You do not need to have a microwave to eat delicious meals. In fact, some foods actually taste better cool than warm. One of the most common lunch food you can prepare and eat without a microwave is a sandwich. Just fill it up with some peanut butter and you will already be full. Another example is grain bowls. Aside from being filling to the tummy, they are also known for tasting good even without re-heating! The same goes for salads, nits, oatmeals, dried fruits, nuts, apples, pears, avocados, chickpeas, and more!
Cold lunch ideas
Having no access to a microwave or refrigerator should not stop you from preparing and eating some healthy and delicious meals. And if you should know, there are actually a variety of dishes and appetizers that tastes better cold (or room temperature) than warm! With that said, here are some tasty cold lunch ideas that are quick and easy to make.
15. Dill Pickle Chicken Salad (Whole30, Low Carb)
Dill Pickle Chicken Salad, made with oven baked, slow cooker, or Instant Pot chicken, crunchy pickles, red onion, fresh dill, mayo and garlic.
Check it here.
14. Easy Ranch Pasta Salad – Go To Recipe
Easy Ranch Pasta Salad is my go to summer pasta salad recipe – perfect for serving at BBQ’s or summery family dinners and it’s super easy to make too!
Check it here.
13.
Delicious, refreshing, and easy, these Chickpea Salad Cucumber Boats are the perfect meal for a hot summer day! They’re gluten free and vegetarian, and can easily be made vegan.
Check it here.
12.
A refreshing marinated green bean salad with red onions, chickpeas, and homemade Italian dressing! This cold vegan side dish is loaded with nutrition and great for summer potlucks and cookouts.
Check it here.
11. Healthy Israeli Breakfast Bento Box – 7 Ingredients
Healthy Israeli Breakfast Bento Box is a nutritious and filling meal, made with just 7 ingredients!
Check it here.
10. Vegan Italian Pasta Salad
So this vegan “cheesy” Italian Pasta Salad recipe is ridiculously good. I mean pasta salad in general is good for a number of reasons.
Check it here.
9. Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Mediterranean quinoa salad is a wonderfully healthy side dish or meatless main meal. Tender quinoa is tossed with fresh basil pesto, artichokes, Kalamata olives, and cherry tomatoes.
Check it here.
8. Apricot Almond Chicken Salad
Apricot almond chicken salad an all white meat chicken salad with sweet apricots, crunchy almonds, and tangy fresh tarragon.
Check it here.
7. Mediterranean Orzo Salad | Orzo Salad Recipe
This mediterranean orzo salad is a delicious side dish or a lunch recipe bursting with mediterranean flavors. Chick peas, olives, artichoke hearts ,feta cheese, orzo pasta and many more colorful ingredients are tossed with a home made lemony jalapeno dressing.
Check it here.
6. Peanut Crunch Salad in a Jar
A healthy, protein packed, super tasty lunch doesn’t get any easier than this Peanut Crunch Salad in a Jar. Make up a bunch of them while meal prepping on Sunday and you will have grab-and-go lunches all ready in the fridge for your week ahead!
Check it here.
5.
Leftover Spaghetti Frittata is one of the best things in life! You can start with cold, cooked pasta out of your fridge or boil some just to make this authentic Italian dish! It’s great for picnics, lunches and brunches.
Check it here.
4. Quinoa Cranberry Salad
This Quinoa Cranberry Salad is full of fresh, feel good flavours that everyone will love! With nutrient rich spinach, sweet dried cranberries and a zippy lemon dressing, it is able to stand alone as a protein packed, healthy meal, or can be served as a side.
Check it here.
3.
Homemade Turkey Lunch Meat is so easy! In just over 30 minutes, you’ll have delicious, juicy sandwich meat that’s healthier than what you can buy at the deli!
Check it here.
2.
This Cucumber and Tomato Salad is a summertime favorite. It’s loaded with refreshing veggies, protein-rich chickpeas, and tossed with a light, lemony dressing.
Check it here.
1.
Mujadara – This Instant Pot mujadara recipe is a delicious combination of lentils, rice and caramelized onions. This fragrant vegetarian recipe comes together quickly in your pressure cooker, making it perfect for any night of the week.
Check it here.
Cold Lunch Ideas - 15 Family Friendly Options You Will Love!
If you are someone who is always in a hurry and chasing schedules or deadlines, then your go-to meal will most probably be a sandwich. But if all you eat are sandwiches every day, then the time will come where you will want anything else other than a sandwich. And you may be reading this post because that time has come.
Ingredients
- Easy Ranch Pasta Salad – Go To Recipe
- Chickpea Salad Cucumber Boats
- Chickpea Salad Cucumber Boats
- Healthy Israeli Breakfast Bento Box
- Vegan Italian Pasta Salad
Instructions
- Choose any Cold Lunch Ideas from the post that you like
- Click on the link below the photo to get the full recipes and instructions.
- Try the best Cold Lunch Ideas and share your photo under my pin on Pinterest!
I share healthy recipes, clean eating ideas, and meal plans for weight loss, as well as give you the best tips on wellness, pregnancy, and parenting advice.