*This post may contain affiliate links. Please read the full disclosure here.
Lunch Ideas for Adults
Are you looking for some bento lunch box ideas for work or a day out?
There are awesome lunch box ideas for adults that are healthy and ready in less than 30 minutes.
We all know how much it can cost us to buy food when we are out and about.
While buying lunch is convenient and quick, it’s not a cost-effective option.
Packing your own lunch is going to save you money and give you the peace of mind knowing that you are eating healthy food.
Now the biggest hurdle is, brainstorming make-ahead lunch box ideas that will stay fresh all day.
To help with this, I have put together a list of healthy lunch ideas for adults that can be made a day in advance. These recipes stay fresh all day and work well for family picnics too!
Here’s a little tip.
When it comes to packing lunch, the easiest food idea that comes to mind is sandwiches. Try and make use of leftover ingredients for this so you are not wasting food.
I have a post that shows you how to use this free recipe finder that helps you with cooking meals from left-over ingredients in your fridge.
When you have just one carrot or a small piece of pumpkin, and can’t think of a recipe to use them in, the recipe finder will help you with some ideas.
Okay, now let’s get onto this list of lunchbox ideas for adults that are great for the weekdays.
19 Packed Lunch Ideas for Adults
1. CHICKEN HUMMUS NAAN WRAP
An easy chicken wrap recipe you can throw together in just 15 minutes for a quick & healthy dinner or lunch.
Featuring simple ingredients like shredded chicken, hummus, chopped fresh veggies, a homemade vinaigrette, and crumbled cheese all piled onto a piece of soft & chewy naan bread.
2. VEGAN CHICKPEA SANDWICH
This 5-ingredient Mashed Chickpea Salad is vegan, gluten-free, and ready in 10 minutes.
Meal prep it for weekday lunch or healthy snack. This chickpea salad is spreadable, so it’s also perfect on crackers and wraps.
3. BUFFALO CHICKEN PASTA
4. CURRY EGGLESS SALAD
This easy and flavorful vegan egg salad is made with 10 healthy ingredients.
5. HEALTHY CHICKEN WRAP
Dinner is served! These delicious and Healthy Chicken Wraps are super simple to prepare and ready in only 20 minutes!
Bonus, these wraps save great and are perfect for workweek lunches.
6. Chicken and Bacon Wrap
A good lunch is filling, flavorful, and easy to make. And this Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap checks all of the boxes. Enjoy a healthy and refreshing family favorite lunch that’s economical and simple to make using leftover chicken.
7. TURKEY AVOCADO SANDWICH
A simple turkey sandwich that’s quick and easy to make!
8. Cheesy Taco Tortilla Roll-Ups
Loaded with a creamy, cheesy ground beef taco filling that’s oh so tasty, Cheesy Taco Tortilla Roll-Ups deliver up great flavor, offer make-ahead convenience, and are easy to make, too. What more could you ask for in a tasty little bite?
9. Lemon Herb Orzo Salad
This bright and fresh pasta salad is a simple and tasty make ahead lunch! Packed with roasted asparagus, chickpeas, and crunchy radishes, with lots of herbs and lemon vinaigrette for flavor!
10. MEDITERRANEAN SALAD
Mediterranean salad made with leafy greens, feta cheese, chickpeas, olives, fresh chopped veggies, and shredded cooked chicken, then topped with a tangy red wine vinaigrette.
Fix this for a quick lunch or dinner in about 15 minutes or prep it ahead of time for a simple & healthy meal.
11. CHICKEN PASTA SALAD
12. HAWAIIAN PASTA SALAD
Hawaiian Pasta Salad is so quick, easy and inexpensive to make. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a taste of the tropics all year long.
13. PUMPKIN COUS COUS SALAD
The salad comes together quickly and it’s a truly simple recipe with very few ingredients. And it is delicious. And so filling too!
14. VEGAN TRAIL MIX SALAD
This healthy Trail Mix Salad is vegan/gluten-free and packed with all the things you love about trail mix (minus the chocolate chips of course).
Dried fruit and nuts are mixed with whole grains and a lovely, fresh dressing. Super portable making it great for packing to school, work or on hikes.
15. ROASTED VEGETABLE SANDWICH
A Roasted Vegetable Sandwich on toasted ciabatta bread with mozzarella -kicked up with a spicy chile-garlic mayonnaise made with freshly grated garlic and ground Controne hot pepper!
16. SHRIMP FRIED RICE
Leftover rice gets a brand new life, thanks to this shrimp fried rice recipe.
This economical dish is a perfect way to use up odds and ends in your crisper too!
17. MACKEREL SANDWICH
This quick and easy Mackerel Salad is a healthy, low-mercury alternative to tuna salad, and is perfect for lettuce wraps and sandwiches, packed lunches and light dinners.
18. VEGAN PINWHEELS
Southwest-Style Vegan Pinwheels are creamy, satisfying, and perfect for your next party or in your lunchbox.
No one needs to know how easy they were to make – not to mention how tasty they are!
19. Cranberry Tuna Salad
If you love tinned tuna and would like to different version of the tuna salad recipe – try this one with cranberries.
Just mix your canned tuna with some mayonnaise, chopped fresh coriander, diced onions and cranberries.
Add salt and pepper to taste, and use this as a sandwich filling. Great for work and kids lunch box!
There you have it!
19 healthy packed lunch ideas for adults that are easy to make even for beginners!
