Looking for a refreshing change from hot lunches? This collection of 27 cold and ready-to-eat homemade recipes offers a convenient solution. Say goodbye to tedious meal prep and hello to a smarter, more economical way to fuel up at work or school.
With hectic schedules and endless commitments, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind and opt for takeout instead of cooking. But what if you could enjoy a delicious, satisfying lunch without sacrificing precious time?
Enter: our epic list of cold lunches that are quick to prepare and pleasing to both your taste buds and those of your family members.
From international-inspired wraps to hearty salads bursting with flavor, this compilation has something for everyone. And the best part? You won’t need hours to prep – just a few simple ingredients and some basic kitchen skills.
Whether you’re a fan of classic BLT combinations or crave new flavors, our list is sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
Mexican Lettuce Wraps
With just 15 minutes of preparation time, these refreshing lettuce wraps are a perfect solution for a quick and easy meal on-the-go. Whether you’re packing lunch for work or school, this Mexican-inspired dish is sure to hit the spot with its bold flavors and fresh ingredients. Feel free to add a kick by sprinkling some crushed red pepper flakes – perfect for those who like a little heat in their meals.
Yukon Gold Potato Salad
When it comes to a quick and impressive potato salad, look no further. The secret lies in cooking the Yukon Gold potatoes just right – avoid overcooking them for the best results. To add some extra oomph, you can’t go wrong with the classic combination of onion, pickles, eggs, mustard, mayonnaise, and celery. But don’t be afraid to experiment and make it your own by incorporating other ingredients that catch your eye.
No-Mayo Carolina Coleslaw
This innovative coleslaw recipe departs from traditional formulas by introducing a unique dressing that’s both sweet and tangy. The addition of celery seeds amplifies the flavor profile, setting it apart from more classic variations. To allow the flavors to harmonize, simply cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving.
Creamy Red Potato Salad
A show-stopping potato salad comes together when red potatoes are harmoniously paired with fresh herbs, a tangy medley of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt. This refreshing cold lunch is a blank canvas just waiting for your personal touch. Add some protein-packed eggs and crispy bacon to make it a satisfying meal, or inject some heat by sprinkling in red chili flakes – the possibilities are endless!
Creamy Pasta Salad
This classic pasta salad recipe makes for an excellent cold lunch option at work, offering a harmonious balance of lightness and creaminess. The addition of bacon adds a savory flavor that’s hard to resist. When it comes to the type of pasta, you have the freedom to choose, but I suggest opting for shorter shapes as they’re more convenient to eat with a fork.
Chicken, Spinach, And Cream Cheese Tortilla Wrap
Transforming a cold lunch into a culinary masterpiece, look no further than this scrumptious tortilla wrap! Simply combine rotisserie chicken, fresh spinach, and a tangy cream cheese mixture to create a satisfying meal. The pièce de résistance is the creamy spread, infused with sour cream, green onions, and crispy bacon bits, elevating this easy lunch idea into a flavor extravaganza.
Black Bean Lettuce Wraps
Indulge in the harmonious union of crisp romaine lettuce and earthy black beans in these delectable wraps. The simplicity of using canned black beans makes it an effortless endeavor, and by incorporating diced jalapeños, you’ll be rewarded with a satisfying and filling meal that will leave you craving for more.
Caesar Salad
What sets this Caesar salad apart is its unexpected twist on the classic recipe – it’s just as flavorful, but without anchovies or raw eggs. The key to its bold taste lies in the Worcestershire-based dressing, which provides a depth of flavor that’s hard to resist. To fully appreciate its nuances, it’s recommended to refrigerate the salad before serving.
And for an even bigger payoff, prepare it ahead of time and let it chill in the fridge for at least 24 hours – the flavors will meld together beautifully.
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Indulge in the warm, fuzzy feeling of comfort food with this delectable Hawaiian macaroni salad, crafted from a mere handful of essentials that won’t break the bank. The best part? It’s astonishingly straightforward to prepare. And if you’re looking for a creative twist, why not try mixing things up by adding some tangy pineapple chunks, crunchy green peas, or refreshing diced celery for an added layer of texture and visual appeal?
Classic Gazpacho
Indulge in this quintessential Spanish cold lunch option – gazpacho – that’s as easy to prepare as it is refreshing. The combination of juicy tomato and cucumber purees, infused with authentic Spanish flair, makes for a delightful treat on a warm day. To craft this chilled delight, simply combine the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Allow the flavors to meld together by chilling the mixture for a few hours before serving – voila!
A stress-free culinary experience that’s sure to please.
Rotisserie Chicken Salad
Quickly assemble this 8-ingredient chicken salad recipe using leftover rotisserie chicken, perfect for a hassle-free meal. Its versatility is unmatched, allowing you to customize the flavor by incorporating your preferred mix of ingredients like crunchy pecans, sweet grapes, or tangy sour cream – the possibilities are endless!
Turkey Wraps
When it comes to crafting the perfect cold lunch for work, a well-stacked turkey wrap is an undeniable winner. The combination of savory turkey, crispy bacon, melted cheddar, tangy red onions, peppery microgreens, fresh lettuce, and creamy cream cheese all come together in a harmonious union that’s not only delicious but also incredibly convenient. In just 15 minutes, you can prepare this satisfying meal to fuel your workday.
Caprese Salad
Our go-to easy lunch option is a delicious salad, and this Caprese-inspired recipe is a standout. The crowning glory of this dish is undoubtedly the balsamic reduction, which harmonizes perfectly with the rich flavor of the tomatoes. Additionally, the pungent aroma of fresh basil adds an extra layer of depth to the overall experience.
Watermelon Feta Salad
This delectable summer lunch features a harmonious blend of crumbly feta, refreshing watermelon, and peppery arugula, all brought together by a zesty salad dressing. For those who don’t share a love for feta, blue cheese or goat cheese can serve as an excellent substitute. To add a pop of color and freshness, consider garnishing with sprigs of fragrant cilantro just before serving.
Lentil Vegan Wraps
Imagine indulging in a culinary delight that’s not only vegan-friendly but also packed with nutrients. That’s exactly what these scrumptious lentil wraps offer. By combining tender tortilla bread with a medley of salad, succulent lentils, and your choice of dressing or sauce, you’ll be treated to a satisfying and filling snack or meal that just happens to be dairy-free.
Cucumber Tomato Salad
The beauty of this salad lies in its unassuming charm, requiring just seven straightforward components. To bring it all together, simply chop the vegetables and fresh herbs, combine them in a large bowl, and refrigerate for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld – simplicity at its finest.
Ham And Cheese Sandwich
Elevate your sandwich game without breaking out the fancy ingredients – just combine two simple yet mighty components: ham and cheese. Take it to the next level by introducing a tangy sweetness and satisfying crunch through the addition of pickled relish. For an extra dose of creaminess, consider tossing in some condensed milk. This trifecta of flavors is sure to please even the most discerning palate.
Burrito Bowl
The star of this burrito bowl is not just the abundance of flavorful ingredients like salsa, lettuce, black beans, tomatoes, and avocados that make it perfect for a satisfying lunch meal prep. The true showstopper is the rich, tangy, and smoky sauce brought together by the harmonious union of sour cream, chipotle paste, garlic, and lime. This bold condiment adds a depth of flavor that elevates the entire dish to new heights.
Fresh Spring Rolls
Transform your everyday lunchbox into a culinary showstopper by incorporating these restaurant-inspired spring rolls. As they disappear from your coworkers’ lunchboxes, their eyes will widen in amazement. The combination of refreshing and vibrant flavors is only complete with the accompaniment of creamy peanut sauce. Make sure to have all the necessary ingredients on hand to bring this delightful dressing together.
Bombay Veg Sandwich
Experience the symphony of flavors in this iconic Bombay vegetable sandwich! A delightful medley of sweet, briny, spicy, and savory notes await your taste buds. While it’s a treat on its own, consider elevating it with tomato ketchup or an extra dollop of green chutney. Feel free to add mozzarella, cheddar, or paneer for an added layer of creaminess.
Asian Noodle Salad
This Asian-inspired noodle salad is a game-changer, as it requires minimal cooking – just boil the noodles! The best part? It’s perfectly suited for serving chilled. A harmonious blend of creamy peanut butter, sweet honey, zesty ginger, and a bold kick from Sriracha creates an explosion of intriguing flavors that will leave you craving more.
German Cucumber Salad
To make the most of this salad, you’ll want to slice your cucumbers into incredibly thin strips. One of the best ways to achieve this is by using a mandoline slicer or a cheese grater. With these tools, you can effortlessly create uniform slices that will perfectly complement the other flavors and textures in the dish.
Cucumber Sandwich
While cucumbers are often associated with salads, they also excel in sandwiches, adding a delightful crunch and freshness. Our recipe combines a few simple ingredients – mayonnaise, salt, pepper, and a pinch of black pepper – to create the perfect condiment. Thinly sliced cucumbers are then layered on top, providing a refreshing contrast to the richness of the spread. This harmonious combination is sure to elevate your sandwiches to the next level.
Chicken Club Roll-ups
With a mere handful of ingredients, including tortillas, chicken, ham, bacon, cheese, tomato, and avocado, you can easily craft delectable chicken club roll-ups that deliver a delightful harmony of savory and sweet flavors. When served alongside a tangy accompaniment like ranch dressing, buffalo chicken sauce, or Sriracha sauce, these bite-sized treats are sure to satisfy your cravings.
Egg Salad
Egg salad is a classic that never goes out of style, and this particular rendition is so divine it’s sure to leave you wanting more. Whether you serve it as an open-faced sandwich or use it as a topping for crackers, the flavor profile is undeniably alluring. The real magic happens when you start experimenting with different ingredients, though.
Think about adding tangy diced pickles, sweet and crunchy relish, juicy tomatoes, or even crispy bacon bits to give it some added texture and smoky depth. As I write this, my stomach is growling in anticipation!
BLT Pasta Salad
A symphony of flavors and textures is struck when crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, juicy tomato, and al dente rotini pasta come together in a rich and creamy dressing – a combination that’s sure to captivate your taste buds! This adaptable salad offers endless possibilities for customization. Feel free to add a crunchy sprinkle of croutons or the tangy bite of sourdough bread, evoking the familiar flavors of a classic BLT sandwich.
Chickpea Jar Salad
This delectable salad is packed with nutritious goodness, boasting a medley of chickpeas, crunchy vegetables, fresh cilantro, and savory salted peanuts. Its shelf life extends to a respectable six days when stored in the refrigerator, making it an ideal candidate for meal prep lunches. But what truly sets this dish apart is its bold Asian-inspired flavor profile, courtesy of a creamy and spicy peanut butter dressing that adds depth and excitement to each bite.
The bottom line
When life gets busy, meal planning can easily fall by the wayside. And let’s face it – relying on drive-thru windows or take-out meals isn’t exactly the most satisfying solution. To help you break free from this cycle, I’ve curated a list of 27 refreshing cold lunch ideas that are perfect for serving straight away. From light and crunchy salads to satisfying wraps and sandwiches, this collection has something for everyone – and is sure to delight both kids and adults alike.
