Packing lunch for work can feel like a challenge, especially when you need something that’s portable, mess-free, and still satisfying by the time you sit down to eat. That’s where these 11 easy travel-friendly lunch ideas come in—delicious, simple-to-make meals that are perfect for busy days and commutes.
Start with wraps and sandwiches, which are classics for a reason. A turkey and avocado wrap or a hummus and veggie pita pocket are both filling, compact, and won’t spill in your bag. If you’re craving something fresh, mason jar salads are a smart choice—layer your dressing on the bottom and veggies, protein, and greens on top for a crisp, ready-to-shake lunch.
For heartier meals, try grain bowls made with quinoa, brown rice, or couscous. Add roasted veggies, lean proteins, and a drizzle of dressing for a well-rounded dish that’s easy to pack in containers. Pasta salads also travel well and taste even better after sitting in the fridge overnight, making them a great make-ahead option.
If you prefer warm lunches, pack a thermos with soup, chili, or stew to keep it hot until mealtime. Or prep a simple stir-fry with veggies and chicken that reheats beautifully in the office microwave. For snack-style lunches, bento boxes filled with cheese, crackers, nuts, fruit, and hard-boiled eggs are both fun and satisfying.
These 11 travel-friendly lunch ideas are proof that eating well at work doesn’t have to be boring or difficult. With a little planning, you’ll have meals that are easy to pack, enjoyable to eat, and keep you energized all day long.
Lemon Roasted Chicken Salad Wrap
Use leftover roast chicken to whip up Jeff’s chicken salad studded with sweet cranberries and crunchy celery. Wrap it up in soft tortillas for a lunch-friendly meal.
Roasted Veggie Buddha Bowl
Healthy vegetables and spiced chickpeas get roasted on the same baking sheet, making dinner a breeze to put together and clean up. Quinoa and avocado round out this nutritional meal.
Slow-Cooker Mediterranean Lentil Soup
Jeff’s big-batch soup ensures you’ll have enough for a full week of lunches — and it’s incredibly easy to prepare! Toss the ingredients in your slow cooker and you’ll have a hearty soup that’s packed with veggies and perfect for eating with a piece of crusty bread.
Chicken, Avocado Cream and Quinoa Salad-in-a-Jar
Enjoy a layered lunch with this portable, Mexican-inspired quinoa salad. To save time, make a big batch of quinoa, and freeze it in resealable bags for up to 1 month. Having a whole-grain arsenal in your freezer will help cut down on prep time later.
Copycat Guacamole Greens
This salad is inspired by a popular menu item at a healthy restaurant chain. We love it — but we also love saving money. So set aside some time during your week to make this vinaigrette, which makes enough for about five salads. And if you’re super ambitious, go ahead and prep enough ingredients for a week’s worth of lunches.
Jane Fox’s Famous Tortilla Soup
Soup is one of our favorite choices for a work lunch because it’s easy to prepare multiple portions ahead of time. Rachael’s spicy recipe, which is served with your favorite taco toppings, is one you’ll want to make again and again.
Make-Ahead Sandwich Rolls
Make Ree’s sandwich rolls on a Sunday and let them chill in the fridge until Monday morning. Her advice? Prepare the spicy mayo but don’t spread it on the bread until you’re ready to eat — after all, nobody likes a soggy sandwich
Healthy Farro Fried “Rice”
Farro is an Italian variety of wheat with grains that turn tender and toothsome with cooking. It’s often added to soups and risotto but works as a terrific substitute for rice in this easy stir-fry.
Quick and Spicy Tomato Soup
Giada’s trick to this quick and easy recipe is to either buy your favorite store-bought marinara sauce, or make your own and use the leftovers for the soup broth.
Southwestern Chicken Fajita Mason Jar Salad
Southwestern chicken fajita salad is the perfect grab-and-go lunch that requires minimal added effort, plus it’s a well-balanced meal with wholesome, real ingredients. Simply toss all of the ingredients together in a baking pan, then put it in the oven, set the timer, and walk away. You can enjoy the fajita mixture warm with a tortilla and rice, or, in this case, cold by incorporating it into a salad.
