No Heat Lunch Ideas that are Easy to Meal Prep
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Need some inspiration for cold lunches for your next meal planning session? Look no further! I got you! These no heat lunch ideas are not only easy recipes, they’re healthy and you can make them in a big batch so it’s a one and done for your meal prep and you’re ready for the week ahead. We’re done struggling on a weekday morning, trying to grab whatever’s in the fridge and calling it lunch. We’re planning and meal prepping. These are the perfect lunch idea for the busy mama who has no time to heat a lunch let alone eat anything while it’s hot or the working mama who wants something simple and delicious. Here are my favorite easy lunch ideas you can eat cold or at room temperature. Which will you try? I’d love to hear and connect over on Instagram @daniellemgodfrey.
Cold Lunch Ideas
There are many ways to enjoy a cold lunch! These are great packable recipes perfect for work lunches or for the mom at home who needs an easy way to scarf something down while managing all the different hats she wears at home. Now, grab your grocery list and take some notes for the next time you head to the grocery store!
Simple Salads Recipes
One of my favorite lunches to meal prep is an easy salad. A salad does not just mean a green salad. It can, absolutely, and I LOVE a green salad but there are so many other salads you can make in a big batch at the beginning of the week and portion out into your meal prep containers to have lunch for the entire week.
Pasta Salad
Pasta salads are great because you can add protein and veggies, of course your pasta and this makes a very balanced meal that’s going to keep you full all day. How to build your pasta salad:
- Pick your pasta – I like fusilli or tortellini
- Pick your protein – chicken is always good! Salmon is also delicious
- Pick your veggies – some of my favorites are artichoke hearts, tomato, zucchini, corn
- Pick your dressing – pesto, Italian, balsamic, what’s your favorite?
Potato Salad
Potato salad is an easy lunch idea that will last a long time and is super cheap. I like a simple potato salad with just the potatoes, green onion, mayo and seasonings but you can add egg too. You could even make it a loaded potato salad and add bacon and cheese. How do you like your potato salad?
Egg Salad
Egg salad is great because you can make a big batch and use it different ways throughout the week. One day you can have it on a sandwich. Another day, scoop it up with some cucumbers. Egg salad is a great way to incorporate protein into your lunch.
Tuna Salad
Another no heat lunch idea that’s easy to use in different ways throughout the week is tuna salad! Top it on a green salad. Use it on a sandwich (I love a tuna melt but that’s not super meal prep friendly!). Grab some crackers to scoop it with. One big tuna salad and many ways to eat it throughout the week.
Chicken Salad
There are a ton of chicken salad recipes but my favorite is to use rotisserie chicken. Just shred that and mix it up with your favorite mix ins. This Pinterest search has a ton of chicken salad recipes to check out!
Fruit Salad
I would use a fruit salad as a side to a main dish for lunch but this is a salad so it goes in this category! (More side ideas below, keep reading!) A fruit salad is so customizable with so many options of different fruits you can incorporate. My favorite combo is strawberries, pineapple and blueberries. Sometimes a piece of fruit is exactly what you need as a sweet, refreshing treat in your lunch. Yum!
Green Salad
Last but certainly not least on this no heat lunch ideas salad category is a green salad. This is typically what you think of when you say you have salad for lunch. I have a million different ways I enjoy eating a salad. You got your mixed greens salad, Chinese chicken salad, taco salad. You could even just change the flavor with the salad dressings. When I make a salad for lunch, I incorporate the veggies (obviously) a protein to keep me full longer and a carb to give me some energy to keep me going throughout the day. What’s your favorite salad to make for lunch?
You may also be interested in 5 TIPS FOR EASY MEAL PREPPING PLUS A BONUS TIP
Meal Prep Lunches
Like we discussed (extensively) above, salads are a great meal prep option for lunch! I’m all about the meal prep that’s going to take 30 minutes or less so you’ll have meals for the rest of the week! Besides a salad, here are some other great lunch ideas!
Sandwiches
This does not have to mean just a boring pb&j (unless you’re into that). You can make a luxurious sandwich with deli meat, cheese, avocado, pickles, lettuce, (insert your fav sandwich here!) A sandwich is great for make ahead lunches.
Want to add more veggies to your sandwich? Instead of using bread, build your sandwich in half a bell pepper! Check out this recipe video here!
Roll ups/Wraps
A roll up for wrap has similar ingredients to a sandwich but is a little more low carb as you’re using a wrap instead of bread. My favorite gluten free brand is Siete. Just add all your favorite sandwich items and roll them all up in a wrap or tortilla. These are the perfect no heat lunch ideas!
Cold Lunch Sides
A great addition to your no heat lunch is a no heat side! That way you don’t have to worry about using the office microwave at all!
Fresh veggies
One of my favorite no heat lunch snacks is fresh veggies and ranch (homemade ranch dressing is even better!) So yummy! My favorite veggies to snack on are carrots and cucumbers. Have you ever tried carrots and almond butter? Don’t knock it till you try it! SO good!
Cheese sticks
Cheese sticks are a great addition to your lunch! My favorite cheeses are mozzarella, cheddar, provolone and brie. Cut some up and pair with crackers as the perfect no heat side.
Deli Meats
Need some extra protein throughout your day to stay full longer? Roll up your favorite deli meats! Or make it fancier by rolling the meat with your favorite sliced cheese.
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is another awesome way to add some protein to your day. Mix in some fresh fruit or nuts or granola and you have a delicious snack!
Healthy fats
It’s great to add some healthy fats to your diet as they give you energy. These are things like nuts, avocados, eggs, cheese, chia seeds and dark chocolate.
Packed Lunch Essentials
When you’re packing your lunch, you need these essentials! These are my favorite things to use when I pack my lunch to go to work. I keep my meal prep in my fridge in their containers until it’s time to grab and take it to work!
Lunch boxes
Here are some clean and simple lunch box options! Some include space for an ice pack if that’s an option you need!
Lunch Bag
A lunch bag is a great option if you want something a little different than a rigid lunch box!
These lunch bags have ice packs built in. Freeze before you pack and they’ll stay cold for the day.
Meal prep containers
These are my favorite meal prep containers! I use these every week when I prep both my breakfasts and lunches. Depending on what the meal is, it varies on which ones I’ll use.
These are all microwave and dishwasher safe. I love that they’re light weight and stackable (except the mason jars). They make meal prepping and story the meals very easy!
No Heat Lunch Ideas Final Thoughts
I hope these no heat lunch ideas give you some inspiration for your next meal plan. I’d love to know which ideas you love and what you’ll try. These cold lunch recipes are perfect for the busy mama who needs something easy to grab and eat on the go while chasing after children OR for the working mama bringing a delicious lunch to the office! I love these lunches because I identify with both of these mama versions depending on the day and if I’m going into work or not. Which mama are you? Let’s connect! My favorite platform in Instagram where I share lots of meal prepping ideas and simple recipes over there while still enjoying all the treats and wine! Come say hi @daniellemgodfrey!