While buying lunch out is convenient, packing your lunch has plenty of advantages. You can choose healthy (and delicious!) foods and save money at the same time. But sometimes it can be hard to come up with easy packed lunch ideas for you, the kids and the whole family.
Browse our list of 51 ideas to inspire lunches for weeks to come.
Table of contents
1. Chicken fried rice
Chicken fried rice is flavorful and filling. It even makes a great freezer meal — prep a big batch, freeze individual portions and pop it in the microwave whenever you need a quick and easy lunch.
2. Chicken and rice
Make this easy chicken and rice recipe for dinner, then save the leftovers for lunches throughout the week. It makes a perfect flavorful lunch.
3. Chicken tetrazzini
Sometimes you need comfort food for lunch, and packing leftover microwave-friendly chicken tetrazzini is the perfect solution. Save this recipe for a cold week to bring you some extra warmth.
4. Buffalo chicken wraps
Pre-cooked chicken tenders taste great when wrapped in a tortilla or lettuce leaves with ranch or blue cheese dressing. Add buffalo sauce for something a bit spicier
5. Chicken salad sandwich
Combine juicy chicken with celery, grapes and mayo to make a creamy chicken salad sandwich. Or just make the chicken salad and scoop it with crackers or veggie sticks.
6. Hawaiian pineapple chicken
Say goodbye to boring lunches and hello to this sweet and tangy Hawaiian chicken with pineapple sauce. Transport yourself to a tropical island with this flavorful packed lunch idea.
7. Chicken burritos
Build a chicken burrito for lunch on the go with shredded chicken or ground beef, cheese, black beans and plenty of spices. Cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano and cayenne pepper are the usual picks. Skip the chicken and double the beans or add cooked tofu for a vegetarian version. You can also swap the tortilla for a bed of lettuce if you prefer keto meals.
8. Cobb salad
Sometimes a hearty salad just hits the spot. This Cobb salad recipe is loaded with chicken, tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, avocado and creamy blue cheese.
9. Pesto chicken
You can pair this easy and delicious pesto chicken with pasta or rice, add it to a salad or enjoy it on its own. It’s that good.
10. Beef stir-fry
Whip up a mouthwatering beef stir fry and serve with rice or quinoa for a microwaveable lunch. This dish will keep you full until dinnertime.
11. Slow cooker chili
Make a big batch of chili in your slow cooker for a savory and satisfying meal that will feed you all week long. Top it with shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro or sliced jalapeños.
12. Ham salad
Give this ham salad recipe a try. A few simple ingredients — celery, parsley, red onions, smoked ham — come together in a pinch for a delicious packed lunch.
13. BLT wrap
For a fun twist on the classic sandwich, try a BLT wrap. Combine cooked bacon, lettuce, tomato and a mayo ranch dressing in a large tortilla, then roll it all up.
14. Ham and cheese puff pastry
This flaky, crispy ham and cheese puff pastry is the perfect party appetizer and makes a great lunch on the go. Layer deli ham, Parmesan cheese and creamy spinach artichoke dip onto puff pastry, then bake until golden brown.
15. Turkey pesto pinwheels
When you’re tired of sandwiches, shake things up with fun turkey pesto pinwheels. Get creative and add whatever mix-ins you have on hand — the possibilities are endless. Some ingredients you might want to try include spinach, arugula, artichoke hearts, pine nuts, jalapenos, dijon mustard, pickle juice or apple slices.
16. Tuna salad wrap
Whether you like a traditional tuna salad or something fresh and fun with fruit and nuts, tuna salad makes a nutritious lunch. Eat it with crackers, stuff it in a pita pocket or wrap it in a tortilla.
17. Ginger salmon bowl
This salmon bowl with ginger dressing is refreshing and nutritious. Pile a bed of quinoa or fluffy rice with flaky salmon and colorful veggies, then top with a zesty ginger dressing to tie it all together.
18. Chickpea salad
Try this loaded Mediterranean chickpea salad recipe with cucumber, tomato, red onion, feta cheese and a bright lemon dressing. Make it an extra fun packed lunch idea by combining your ingredients in a mason jar for easy traveling.
19. Instant ramen and miso soup
Fill a jar or other glass container with uncooked ramen noodles, broccoli, carrots, tofu, green onion, chopped ginger and miso paste. Just add boiling water when you’re ready to eat for a hot and savory soup. Or level up your ramen game with this soul-soothing chicken ramen recipe.
20. Bean salad
Make a delicious bean salad with kidney beans, black beans and garbanzo beans, or choose your favorite beans for a healthy meal. Pinto beans or black beans are great when combined with diced bell pepper and onion with a vinaigrette dressing.
21. Egg salad sandwich
Even a simple sandwich can make an enjoyable packed lunch, like this quick egg salad sandwich recipe. Add an apple, chips or veggie sticks to round out your meal, or toss in a cookie or pudding cup for a sweet treat.
22. Macaroni and cheese
Make some comforting baked mac and cheese and enjoy it for lunch all week long. Garnish with fresh herbs, breadcrumbs, chives, parsley or bacon bits for a one-of-a-kind flavor and texture.
23. Spinach and cheese pinwheels
Pinwheels aren’t just for parties. Roll up a blend of cheeses and spinach in puff pastry or a large tortilla, then cut it into slices for a lunch worth celebrating.
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24. Caprese salad
Level up a classic caprese salad by adding cooked farfalle pasta and organizing the ingredients on skewers. Pack a side of balsamic vinegar for dipping.
25. Greek veggie pita pockets
Nothing beats homemade pita bread — except stuffing it with sliced tomatoes, bell peppers, red onion and a thick smear of hummus for a Greek-inspired lunch. You can even buy pita pockets to keep things simple.
26. Mediterranean tabbouleh
For another light and fresh packed lunch idea, try Mediterranean tabbouleh. Toss bulgar wheat, juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers and lots of parsley and mint with a zesty lemon dressing for a unique weekday lunch.
27. Couscous salad
Mediterranean couscous salad is perfect for meal prep. Free of wilting greens, it stays fresh in the fridge all week long. And it actually tastes better over time because the grains and veggies absorb the oils and seasonings day after day.
28. Greek yogurt with granola
For a light and refreshing lunch side, top some Greek yogurt with granola, berries, sliced banana, nuts or even chocolate chips — whatever suits your fancy. Some Greek yogurt with granola, berries, sliced banana, nuts or even chocolate chips — whatever suits your fancy.
29. Broccoli cheddar casserole
Make this cheesy broccoli casserole for dinner, then take the take the leftovers with you for lunch tomorrow. With tender broccoli surrounded by creamy sauce and gooey cheese, you won’t want to put the fork down.
30. Pasta salad
Pasta salad is a great packed lunch idea because it’s easily customizable. Substitute gluten-free pasta noodles and use whatever veggies you have in the fridge.
31. Carrot ginger soup
Pack this smooth and creamy carrot ginger soup for a comforting autumnal lunch. Dunk some warm focaccia or crusty French bread in it for a heartier meal.
32. Cheese and crackers
You can’t go wrong with this classic combo. Pair your favorite crackers with sliced or cubed cheese for a light, tasty sack lunch.
33. Cottage cheese bowl
Looking for unique lunch ideas for work? Try using cottage cheese as a base and add toppings of your choice. Go Greek with olives, cucumbers and tomatoes, or make a cottage cheese burrito bowl with beans, onion, cilantro and taco seasoning.
34. Quinoa parsley salad
The variety of flavors and textures in this quinoa parsley salad will keep you satisfied until dinnertime. It's nutritious and delicious.
35. Palak paneer
Palak paneer is a flavorful Indian dish made with creamy paneer cheese, spinach and lots of spices. Serve with rice or dip with naan.
36. Overnight oats
Overnight oats are one of the most versatile packed lunch ideas. Mix rolled oats, yogurt and your milk of choice in a mason jar, then let it sit in the fridge overnight. Add chia seeds and fresh fruit for extra fiber.
37. Black bean soup
This satisfying black bean soup will keep your taste buds dancing and your stomach full. Customize with toppings of your choice, like avocado chunks, sour cream, shredded cheese, cilantro and even crushed tortilla chips.
37. Compartmentalized meals
Compartmentalized meals and other combination lunch packs are inexpensive cold lunches. Fill your container’s compartments with crackers, meat, cheese, nuts, hard-boiled eggs, dips, cut veggies and fresh or dried fruit.
39. Greek gyro
Tender meat, fresh veggies and tangy tzatziki sauce come together in a pita wrap to make this delicious Greek gyro. Swap the lamb for chicken or skip the meat altogether for a vegetarian option like seitan.
40. Rice balls
Use up leftover rice from an easy weeknight dinner by making rice balls. Add crab, tuna or teriyaki chicken, and complete your lunch with something sweet. Fruits like mangoes, mandarin oranges, strawberries and jackfruit are delicious choices.
41. Caesar salad or wrap
Pile a tortilla with romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, cherry tomatoes and Caesar dressing, then roll it all up for a yummy Caesar salad lunch wrap. Or skip the wrap and enjoy the salad for something a bit lighter. Add grilled chicken for a boost of protein.
42. Un-pizza
Pack crackers or pita triangles, sliced pepperoni, tomatoes, mushrooms, olives and cheese cubes. It's like an elevated pizza, perfect for the workplace!
43. Bagel bites
Add mini bagels and a container of toppings, such as cream cheese, deli meat, cheese, or vegetables, to your lunch box. Assemble your bagel bites when you’re ready to eat to avoid a dreaded soggy bagel.
44. Cold cut sandwich
A cold cut sandwich is a lunchbox staple for good reason. It’s easy to pack and keeps well until lunchtime rolls around. Make the sandwich your own by layering your favorite combination of deli meat, cheese, veggies and dressings.
45. Veggie sub
Load a sub roll with crunchy vegetables, cheese and a spread such as hummus or pesto for a meat-free sandwich with plenty of texture. Bell peppers, lettuce, spinach, onions, pickles, cucumbers, tomatoes and shredded carrots all work well, though you’ll want to pack juicy vegetables separately if the sub will sit for several hours.
46. Mini pancakes
Have breakfast for lunch with some sweet mini pancakes. Bite-sized and easy to pack, they go well with fresh fruit, yogurt or a small container of maple syrup for dipping.
47. Sliders
Sliders are easy to portion and pack, and you can fill the small buns with ham and cheese, chicken, roast beef, a veggie patty or cheeseburger ingredients. They’re also a good way to turn leftover meat into a lunch that feels a little different from the previous night’s dinner.
48. Bang bang chicken wrap
For a wrap with a little heat, combine cooked chicken with creamy bang bang sauce and tuck it into a tortilla with crunchy lettuce or shredded cabbage. Keep it chilled with an ice pack, especially if the sauce contains mayonnaise.
49. Taquitos
Taquitos or flautas are crispy and satisfying, with flavorful fillings such as seasoned chicken, shredded beef or beans and cheese. They’re easy to make in batches, and you can pack salsa, guacamole or sour cream separately for dipping. Eat them at room temperature or reheat them for 30 seconds in a dry paper towel.
50. Charcuterie bento
Build a charcuterie-inspired bento box with small portions of cured meats, cheeses, crackers, pretzels, fruit and veggies. Keeping everything in separate compartments makes it easy to mix and match bites throughout lunch.
51. Butter noodles
Butter noodles are a simple option for days when you want something warm and comforting without much fuss. They’re also a safe choice for picky eaters. Toss cooked pasta with butter and Parmesan, then pack it in a thermos to keep it warm until lunchtime.
Packed lunch ideas are easy with Instacart
Nobody wants to rise before the sun just to figure out what to pack for lunch. With these packed lunch ideas and the right groceries on hand, you can put together a tasty and filling lunch ahead of time.
Whether you’re packing for work, school or a day on the go, Instacart can help you get the ingredients you need for a less stressful morning.
Course:
Recipes
Cuisine:
American
Difficulty:
Easy
Packed Lunch Ideas
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