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Explore cold lunch ideas that go way beyond plain sandwiches. This list features tasty wraps, salads, rice bowls, and sandwiches with fun twists.
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Cold lunch ideas are no longer just leftovers or soggy sandwiches!
Just be creative and choose the best recipes for you. These options are colorful, packed with flavor, and surprisingly filling.
Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders
These sliders are loaded with savory flavors and are ridiculously easy to make in batches.
They’re creamy, smoky, and a little tangy thanks to the ranch dressing.
Get The Recipe: Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders
Sushi Wraps
If you love sushi but want something faster and easier to pack, these wraps are the way to go.
They’re filled with classic sushi ingredients like cream cheese, avocado, and salmon.
Get The Recipe: Sushi Wraps
Shrimp Sushi Bowl
This dish is basically deconstructed sushi in a bowl—making it one of the freshest and most customizable cold lunches out there.
Feel free to add your favorite veggies and use a clear bowl to show off all the colorful layers.
Get The Recipe: Shrimp Sushi Bowl
Vegan Cobb Salad with Ranch Dressing
In search of another flavorful way to enjoy veggies?
This recipe combines tofu and chickpeas with tomatoes, corn kernels, lettuce, and avocado.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Cobb Salad with Ranch Dressing
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Spring Roll Sushi
Can’t decide between sushi and fresh spring rolls? This clever combo gives you the best of both worlds.
Its peanut dipping sauce is creamy, savory, and slightly sweet—don’t skip it!
Get The Recipe: Spring Roll Sushi
Tempeh Chicken Salad Sandwich
Prepare this chicken salad and serve it in toasted buns, lettuce cups, or sandwiches.
It comes together in 20 minutes, with tempeh, vegan mayo, Dijon mustard, and green onions.
Get The Recipe: Tempeh Chicken Salad Sandwich
Chickpea Kale Salad
This nutrient-packed salad is as flavorful as it is filling, with baby kale, maple syrup, and chickpeas.
It also has a mouthwatering dressing made with cashew butter, olive oil, and lemon juice.
Get The Recipe: Chickpea Kale Salad
Antipasto Salad with Lupini Beans
Try this recipe for a cold lunch that is bold, briny, and packed with protein. The star ingredient?
Lupini beans! They’re nutty and buttery, and at the same time, a bit salty, perfect for a filling midday meal.
Get The Recipe: Antipasto Salad with Lupini Beans
Triple Meat Sub Sandwich
This sandwich is layered with deli ham, salami, Swiss cheese, tomatoes, and lettuce.
The taste is savory and a bit tangy, with a classic deli-style feel!
Get The Recipe: Triple Meat Sub Sandwich
Mediterranean Arugula Quinoa Salad
If you’re tired of the same old lunch routine, you’ve come to the right place. Check out this Mediterranean-inspired salad.
It’s an amazing summertime meal that you can pair with cucumber slices and hummus.
Get The Recipe: Mediterranean Arugula Quinoa Salad
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Who wouldn’t love the crunchy combo of broccoli and cauliflower? This dish is crunchy, creamy, and full of real-food goodness.
The recipe comes with a dressing made with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and honey.
Get The Recipe: Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
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Orzo Pasta Salad
Craving a pasta salad that doesn’t feel heavy? This orzo version is a brilliant option.
It’s light yet filling, made with tomatoes, peppers, red onions, and capers.
Get The Recipe: Orzo Pasta Salad
Buttermilk Ranch Chicken Wrap
Sometimes all you need is a good wrap—and this one’s got all the flavor packed in.
It includes chicken thighs, arugula leaves, tomatoes, and seasonings. Serve it with grapes and veggie sticks!
Get The Recipe: Buttermilk Ranch Chicken Wrap
Wild Rice Chicken Salad with Grapes and Cashews
Keeps things interesting without adding extra work. Try this chicken salad!
Main ingredients include wild rice, shredded chicken, grapes, and mayo.
Get The Recipe: Wild Rice Chicken Salad with Grapes and Cashews
Japanese Egg Sandwich (Tamago Sando)
Skip the usual egg sandwich and explore this recipe this time.
It’s a lunchtime favorite, featuring Japanese mayo, black pepper, and soft white bread.
Get The Recipe: Japanese Egg Sandwich (Tamago Sando)
Lentil Salad with Feta and Pomegranate
This lentil salad is bright, tangy, and full of crunch—made even better when served inside crisp lettuce leaves.
It’s protein-packed, vegetarian, and perfect for when you want something both refreshing and satisfying.
Get The Recipe: Lentil Salad with Feta and Pomegranate
Beetroot Salad
If you haven’t made your own beetroot salad at home yet, this is your chance to explore it!
This salad is ready in less than an hour. Serve it as a side or make it the main with a few creative pairings.
Get The Recipe: Beetroot Salad
Reuben Wraps
These wraps take everything you love about a Reuben sandwich and roll it into an easy, low-carb lunch.
You can assemble them ahead of time and just store them in the fridge for up to two days.
Get The Recipe: Reuben Wraps
Chicken Tzatziki Salad with Couscous
Cold lunches make life easier without sacrificing flavor. Here’s another satisfying option that you can make even on the most hectic weekdays.
It comes with rotisserie chicken, pearl couscous, and tomatoes.
Get The Recipe: Chicken Tzatziki Salad with Couscous
Cottage Cheese Flatbread
Cottage cheese is high in protein, making it a smart base for salads and wraps.
This recipe combines it with Italian herb seasoning, garlic powder, and sea salt to make a flatbread that you can easily use as a sandwich wrap.
Get The Recipe: Cottage Cheese Flatbread
Cottage Cheese Greek Chicken Bowls
Can’t get enough of cottage cheese? You should try this chicken creation, too!
It’s loaded with hearty ingredients like plain yogurt, cucumbers, red onions, and garlic.
Get The Recipe: Cottage Cheese Greek Chicken Bowls
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Pinwheel Sandwiches
These sandwiches are great for lunchboxes, potlucks, or easy grab-and-go meals.
Pack them in bento-style containers with fresh fruit and crackers. Feel free to include your favorite cheeses.
Get The Recipe: Pinwheel Sandwiches
Maple Glazed Salmon Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and hearty flavors.
The recipe uses farfalle, but you can use any pasta you like—macaroni, fusilli, or even penne.
Get The Recipe: Maple Glazed Salmon Pasta Salad
Caprese BLT Sandwich
This sandwich is what happens when a classic BLT meets the fresh, Italian flavors of a Caprese salad.
It comes together in 15 minutes with bacon, mozzarella, mayo, and your favorite bread.
Get The Recipe: Caprese BLT Sandwich
Caprese Pasta Salad
You’ll love how customizable cold lunches can be. There’s no one way to do it.
This version of a Caprese pasta salad is irresistibly delicious. Pair it with grilled chicken breast, salmon, and marinated olives.
Get The Recipe: Caprese Pasta Salad
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It’s time to revamp your lunch menu!
Experiment with simple cold meals like pasta salads, chicken wraps, quinoa bowls, and veggie-packed sandwiches.
They can bring new energy to your meals without overwhelming your schedule.
25 High Protein Lunch Ideas That’ll Level Up Your Week
Fuel your day with these hearty high-protein lunch ideas. From soups to salads, every dish is beginner-friendly and packed with flavor.
Read it here: 25 High Protein Lunch Ideas That’ll Level Up Your Week
25 Cold Lunch Ideas for Kids That Won’t Come Home Uneaten
Time to say goodbye to boring lunches! This list of cold lunch ideas for kids features everything from pinwheels and pasta salads to wraps and sandwiches.
Read it here: 25 Cold Lunch Ideas for Kids That Won’t Come Home Uneaten
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Read it here: Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!
Looking for more dishes? These options are simple, tasty, and made for your busiest days:
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