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These cooler lunch ideas not only travel well but taste even better cold. Store them away in the cooler as you travel so that you have a delicious meal to enjoy during the day.
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From salads to sandwiches and everything in between, these cooler lunch ideas pack and travel well. If you’re on the go, these are some satisfying lunch ideas to enjoy.
Shrimp Sushi Bowl
Crunchy shrimp and fresh cut vegetables with rice is a healthy and filling meal that you can pack away in the cooler until you’re ready to eat.
Get The Recipe: Shrimp Sushi Bowl
Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders
Sliders are perfect for storing away in your cooler. While many are served warm, these turkey bacon and ranch sliders can be enjoyed cold right after the cooler.
Get The Recipe: Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders
Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies
Enjoy a sweet treat with lunch. These peanut butter balls with rice krispies are a flavorful no bake treat that’s best served cold.
Get The Recipe: Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies
Sushi Wraps
Inside nori sheets you’ll find a combination of fresh salmon, cooked rice, cream cheese, and creamy avocado slices. It’s a cold cooler lunch idea that’s light and flavorful.
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Nigerian Salad
Make this Nigeran salad ahead of time and store some in an airtight container in the cooler. It’s the perfect dish that’s packed with flavor.
Get The Recipe: Nigerian Salad
Peruvian Shrimp Ceviche
A cold Peruvian shrimp ceviche is easy to make. It comes together in minutes and you can pack it away in the cooler to enjoy for lunch.
Get The Recipe: Peruvian Shrimp Ceviche
Instant Pot Pancake Bites
Here’s a great cooler lunch idea for the kids. These little pancake bites are delicious when served cold and they’re easy to make before you head out.
Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Pancake Bites
Hot Girl Summer Salad
A veggie loaded dish that you can enjoy for lunch. This hot girl summer salad was an instant hit on TikTok and is easy to make.
Get The Recipe: Hot Girl Summer Salad
Asian Cucumber Salad
With a sesame soy dressing, this Asian cucumber salad packs a punch with every bite. Enjoy it throughout the week when you need an on the go lunch from the cooler.
Get The Recipe: Asian Cucumber Salad
Vegan Cobb Salad with Ranch Dressing
A healthy cobb salad that skips the chicken, this is a hearty and delicious lunch idea that you can store in the cooler until you’re ready to chow down.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Cobb Salad with Ranch Dressing
Tempeh Chicken Salad Sandwich
Tempeh replaces the chicken to make these sandwiches. The creamy sauce paired with the chunks of tempeh turns into a delicious cooler lunch idea for any day of the week.
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Spring Roll Sushi
Make these spring sushi rolls with quinoa and veggies so that you have a tasty lunch idea you can enjoy on the go.
Get The Recipe: Spring Roll Sushi
Best Vegan Egg Salad Sandwich
Not a fan of dairy but still want to enjoy a healthy egg salad sandwich? This vegan sandwich is perfect for storing in the cooler.
Get The Recipe: Best Vegan Egg Salad Sandwich
Cafe Rio Salad
Tossed with a creamy cilantro dressing, this is a copycat salad recipe that’s flavorful and easy to make. Just keep it in an airtight container in the cooler.
Get The Recipe: Cafe Rio Salad
Ultimate Vegan BLT Sandwich
Enjoy your favorite BLT flavors without the meat and make this ultimate vegan BLT sandwich. It’s great for storing away in the cooler for lunch.
Get The Recipe: Ultimate Vegan BLT Sandwich
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
A creamy buffalo chicken pasta salad that’s perfect for when you want a flavorful lunch to enjoy on the co. Store this pasta dish in an airtight container and enjoy anywhere.
Get The Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Smoked Salmon Pinwheels
Healthy and easy to make, these smoked salmon pinwheels are a light flavorful cooler lunch idea that’s perfect for gatherings, picnics, work days, traveling, and so much more.
Get The Recipe: Smoked Salmon Pinwheels
Triple Meat Sub Sandwich
Sandwiches are great for traveling and they keep well in the cooler. You can put the sandwiches together beforehand or store everything separately and put the sandwich together when you’re ready to eat.
Get The Recipe: Triple Meat Sub Sandwich
Apple Walnut Chicken Salad
Chicken salad with the sweetness of apples and the crunchiness of walnuts turns into a delicious choice for your cooler lunch ideas.
Get The Recipe: Apple Walnut Chicken Salad
Meatball Stuffed Pita Sandwiches
Pitas get stuffed with a flavorful smashed meatballs, slice of tomato, and veggies to make a mini sandwich to enjoy for lunch.
Get The Recipe: Meatball Stuffed Pita Sandwiches
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
The flavors of a chicken Caesar salad with pasta can be enjoyed if you’re looking for a flavorful lunch on the go. Just pack it away in the cooler until you’re hungry.
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Cuban Sandwich Pasta Salad
The flavors of a Cuban salad sandwich gets paired with cooked pasta to make a cooler lunch idea that’s perfect for taking with you anywhere.
Get The Recipe: Cuban Sandwich Pasta Salad
Tuna Salad
Tuna salad is perfect for making ahead and traveling. It’s easily stored in the cooler, along with your favorite veggies, so that you can make a sandwich out of it when you’re ready.
Get The Recipe: Tuna Salad
Cream Cheese Ham And Cheese Pinwheels
Easy to make, these ham and cheese pinwheels will be a hit when it comes to your cooler lunch ideas. Even the kids will want to get in on these tasty bites.
Get The Recipe: Cream Cheese Ham And Cheese Pinwheels
Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad
Enjoy this Mexican street corn chicken salad with some homemade air fryer Tajin chips or your favorite crackers for a light snacky type of lunch.
Get The Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad
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Make these cooler lunch ideas beforehand so that you have a quick and easy lunch that you can enjoy anywhere. They keep well in a cooler and will help you get a filling lunch in when you need it.
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