21 Tasty Cold Lunch Ideas to Carry You Through Your Day

Cold lunches are convenient options for when you don’t have any methods of heating up your food. These simple to prepare meals, while not hot, will still satisfy your lunchtime needs.

How to decide what cold lunches to make

Variety is the key if you are going to be eating a lot of cold lunches. If you stick to just one thing, like only sandwiches, lunch will get boring pretty quickly. Try a variety of cold lunch ideas for work like sandwiches, salads, noodles, and grains, and you won’t be disappointed that you are eating something cold.

Cold sandwiches for lunch

Sandwiches are one of the easiest types of cold lunches to prepare. Whether you prefer a sandwich packed with meat or veggies, you’ll love these sandwich suggestions.

1. Turkey pesto sandwich

This delicious sandwich is best served on a ciabatta roll. Take your ciabatta roll and slather on enough fresh pesto to fill the crevices of the roll. Next, put on a piece of white sliced cheese like provolone or mozzarella, then layer on some sliced turkey breast.

2. Italian sub

The Italian sub is one of the classic cold sandwiches. Start with a submarine roll and layer on all of your favorite cold-cut deli meats like ham, salami, and sandwich pepperoni. Top the lunch meat with some shredded lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and Italian dressing.

3. Turkey and Roast Beef Muffuletta

The muffuletta is a New Orleans staple. It consists of focaccia bread with a layer of spicy cold cuts and cheese. The meats are topped with a hefty layer of chopped olives and giardiniera, which has juices that soak into the bread. The sandwich is pressed overnight to help the flavor spread even more.

4. Hummus wrap

This wrap is great for vegetarians. Get a spinach or other flavored wrap and spread on a layer of your favorite hummus. Layer on cut vegetables like purple cabbage, carrots, roasted peppers, and microgreens. Put on a light layer of dressing and roll it up. 

5. Peanut butter and jelly sandwich

The PB&J is the childhood favorite sandwich that can be elevated to new levels. Instead of using white bread, use a tasty whole grain bread. Upgrade to a fruit compote instead of grape jelly, and almond butter instead of the traditional peanut butter.

Healthy lunchtime salads

If you don’t want to have a sandwich for lunch, a salad is a perfect healthy cold lunch idea. Make your salads so they are packed with protein and nutrients to power you through the second half of your day.

6. Greek salad

A Greek salad is typically served without any greens but is filled with vegetables. It includes olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and feta cheese. It is seasoned with salt, pepper, and a dash of oregano. 

7. Cobb salad

The Cobb salad packs a nutritious punch. It is made with chopped lettuce, chicken, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, tomato, and bleu cheese, and it’s finished with a red wine vinaigrette.

8. Waldorf salad

If you are craving fruit, the Waldorf salad is what you want. The Waldorf is a mixture of apples, grapes, walnuts, and celery combined with mayonnaise and served over lettuce. Add in chicken for extra protein.

9. Beet and feta salad

A beet and feta salad is the perfect way to use up your leftover roasted beets. Cut them into bite-sized pieces and combine them with feta and spinach. Top it with a balsamic vinaigrette, and it is ready to go.

10. Shredded Brussels sprout salad

To make this salad, shred your Brussels sprouts on a mandolin or in a food processor. Once you are done shredding, add in some toasted pine nuts, dried cranberries, and pecorino cheese, and dress with olive oil and lemon juice.

Delicious cold noodle dishes

Cold noodles can be a tasty treat at lunch if they are made properly. The key is a light, refreshing dressing or sauce that won’t clump up when cold.

11. Soba noodles

Soba is a type of Japanese noodle made from buckwheat and is always eaten cold. Cook your noodles, chill them, and then simply top with a light coating of soy sauce. Add in some tofu that was tossed in sesame oil for some extra protein.

12. Ramen noodle salad

Typically ramen noodles are eaten hot in soup, but they can be used in a cold salad as well. Take your cooked and chilled noodles and top them with a mixture of shredded Asian vegetables like bok choy, napa cabbage, radishes, and carrots. Coat them in a mixture of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and olive oil. Top with some kimchi for a spicy kick.

13. Miso spaghetti noodles

Cook spaghetti noodles and rinse with cold water. Toss them to coat in miso paste, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Add in garlic, scallions, and a diced chili pepper.

14. Spicy peanut noodles

These fiery noodles start with a batch of cooked rice noodles, and the flavor is kicked up with a sauce made from peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, chili oil, garlic, and ginger.

15. Vietnamese noodle salad

This is another salad loaded with Asian flavors. It consists of cold vermicelli noodles, a sauce made of fish sauce, rice vinegar, and red pepper served over shredded vegetables. 

Cold grain dishes

Grain-based dishes are another great cold lunch idea. Just about any grain will taste delicious cold.

16. Quinoa salad

This protein-packed salad starts with quinoa that was cooked in chicken stock and then is loaded with black beans, chickpeas, and diced avocados. Sprinkle the avocado with lime juice to prevent browning. 

17. Farro and kale salad

Simply start with a batch of farro and combine whatever seasonal vegetables you have on hand to build this salad. Peas and asparagus topped with a mustard vinaigrette is a favorite combo.

18. Bulgur and herbs

The pairing of the earthy flavored bulgur with freshly chopped herbs makes for a unique lunch. Add in some toasted walnuts for an extra crunch.

19. Tabbouleh

Tabbouleh is a Middle Eastern grain salad made from bulgur that is blended with fresh parsley, tomatoes, lemon juice, and salt.

20. Wheatberries and beets

Wheatberries are the nutty kernel of the wheat plant. This colorful dish mixes the wheatberries with roasted beets, apples, greens, and pecans.

21. Roast Chicken Grain Bowl

Mix your favorite grain with your favorite protein for this delicious lunch option. Coworkers and lunch friends alike will want this recipe!

Tips for keeping your lunch cold

There are a few ways to make sure your lunch stays cold for when you are ready to eat it.

• Use an insulated lunchbox with an ice pack.
• Keep your lunchbox out of direct sunlight.
• Keep your lunch in the work fridge if available.

Final thoughts on cold lunch ideas

Once you decide what you want to make for your cold lunches, shop for the ingredients on Instacart. You can choose same-day delivery or schedule a delivery for a future date.

Grab it now on Instacart:

Ciabatta Roll ()

Sun of Italy Hot Giardiniera (16 oz)

Hummus ()

Tomatoes ()

Avocado (1 ct)

Brussels Sprouts (per pound)

King Soba Noodles, Organic, 100% Buckwheat (8.5 oz)

Radish (1 lb bunch)

Marukome Miso (13.2 oz)

Red Boat Fish Sauce 40N, 100% Pure Flavor, Keto, Paleo (8.45 fl oz)

Organic White Quinoa (16 oz)

Instacart

Author

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