Meal prep lunches are a great way to save you time, money, and effort, whether you work at home or away. Check out these meal prep lunch ideas to make it easy!
Ah lunchtime.
Lunchtime can be such a welcome break during a harried day—especially when it’s already made with little last-minute prep other than opening the box. And maybe sticking it in the microwave.
Meal prep lunches can be easy, delicious, and affordable! It just takes a little meal planning and prep to get you going.
Meal Prep Lunches
Meal prep lunch is a great system that allows you to save money, eat well, stick to your food preferences, and save time. You don’t need to stand in line at a restaurant, mess around in the kitchen when you’re hangry, or settle for something less than delicious because you’re in a hurry. Since you can plan your meal prep lunches in advance, you can make sure they fit your budget.
What is a meal prep lunch?
A meal prep lunch is simply a lunch meal that you’ve prepped and portioned in advance. For instance, it can be something as simple as a sandwich or wrap or as elaborate as your favorite salad or bowl meal piled high with your favorite toppings.
What can I meal prep for lunch?
Whether your tastes lie in sandwiches, salads, bowls, or wraps, there is a wide variety of meal prep lunches you can make at the start of the week and enjoy over the coming days. Scroll down for some yummy lunch ideas.
Should I meal prep some foods differently?
While most foods that you enjoy eating the next day can be meal prepped for lunch, consider if there are sauces or toppings that might make the dish soggy. You’ll want to store those ingredients separately and assemble them right before eating.
For example, tuna or chicken salad can make the bread too wet if assembled many hours before eating. So, it’s best to store the salad in a container with a lid and package the bread in a bag. Be sure to pack a spoon and put the sandwich together right before eating.
How do beginners meal prep for a week?
Certainly, if you’re just starting out with meal prep, don’t feel like you have to do a lot. Start with one recipe that you can vary just a little bit so that you can enjoy something slightly different each day.
In other words, good starting recipes are DIY Pasta Salad or meal prep salads that can be easily changed each day, but contain enough common ingredients to make the prep work simple.
Does meal prepping lunch save money?
Meal prepping allows you to plan your meals in advance, using up what’s on hand, including leftovers. Further more, by having a meal prepped, you’re less likely to buy pricier convenience foods or spend a fortune at a restaurant.
In short, make a week of lunches and you’ll be sure to save time, money, and stress over the coming days!
Enjoy an adult lunchable with this simple Bagel Box. Supplement the humble bagel with homemade flavored cream cheese and plenty of fruits and veggies. Make lunch time super simple and totally delicious with this Protein Box, aka DIY Bistro Box. Packed with good stuff, it won’t break the bank. Enjoy a delicious, flavor-packed lunch with this Mediterranean Bento Snack Box. Rich hummus, tangy salami, tender veggies, and soft pita bread will make your day! The Ploughman’s Lunch, aka Ploughman’s, is the UK version of the Snacky Lunch. What was once a laborer’s meal now looks like a very posh cheese and meat platter. Make your own at home for less! Asian Bowls are my answer to an easy, delicious, make-ahead dinner. You can mix and match the ingredients however you like for an asian bowl—and it’s always amazing. Enjoy a quick and delicious lunch or dinner with these Shrimp Bowls topped with Mango and Avocado. So easy and so yummy! Forget the fancy taco shop and it’s high priced burrito bowls. You can make your own—better and for less! Pack these Chicken Burrito Bowls with Chipotle Crema for lunch this week. This Easy Chicken Quinoa Bowl is simple, hearty, and packed with flavor as well as protein. It makes a perfect weeknight dinner or workaday lunch. Take beans and rice to a whole new level with this savory chicken topping touched with the awesome sauce that is sour cream and salsa verde. Enjoy an easy lunch with this Easy Mediterranean Chicken Bowl. It’s packed with flavor and late summer produce. And it’s super-packable. Enjoy eating in the great outdoors with this easy, make-ahead picnic sandwich. Meatless and packed with lots of fresh veggies, it’ll do your summer good. The classic Italian Sub recipe is an easy and affordable sandwich to make yourself. You’ll enjoy a great lunch at a price that can’t be beat! Can’t decide between an egg salad sandwich and a BLT? You don’t have to! This Egg Salad BLT sandwich combines them both into one fantastic meal. Go beyond the egg salad sandwich with this egg + salad sandwich. Hard cooked eggs, vinaigrette, and abundant veggies make a delicious and economical meal for Sandwich Night. Looking for lots of flavor at lunchtime? This Veggie Pesto Sandwich packs a punch, all while being meatless, portable, and budget-friendly. Sandwich Night will become something super special when you top creamy chicken salad with bacon in these Chicken Salad Club Sandwiches. What happens when you wrap up sub fillings in a tortilla? You have an Italian wrap recipe that’s out of this world and full of flavor. The best part of a sub sandwich is the meat and veggies and abundant Italian dressing. You have all those in this tasty Submarine Salad, so good you won’t miss the bread! Meal prep salads are a great way to enjoy an easy and delicious lunch. Learn how to make lunchtime easier with a prepped salad just the way you like it. Enjoy a restaurant-quality entree salad at home with this Baby Greens Salad with Turkey, Cranberries, and Blue Cheese. Super easy, simple, and delish! Brown bagging it will taste amazing when you pack up a Black Bean Taco Salad. These stay good for several days in the fridge, so make a bulk batch! Enjoy a quick and delicious Tortellini Pasta Salad full of fresh veggies and a vibrant dressing. It’s perfect as a packable lunch, a fast main dish, or an easy side. This Quinoa Vegetable Salad is packed with protein and flavor and full of all the colors of the rainbow. It’s perfect for packing. Tender chicken, juicy raspberries, and tangy goat cheese get together to party in this simple yet flavorful Chicken & Raspberry Salad. No need for a cafe salad today when you’ve got this going on! Couscous is an easy grain to prep quickly AND it makes a fantastic base to all kinds of cold salads. Make this super simple Couscous Salad this week!Meal Prep Lunches to Save You Money
Bagel Box (DIY Adult Lunchables)
Protein Box (aka DIY Bistro Box)
Mediterranean Bento Snack Box
The Ploughman's Lunch, a very British Snacky Lunch
Asian Bowl: My New Favorite Dinner
Shrimp Bowls with Mango and Avocado
Chicken Burrito Bowls with Chipotle Crema
Easy Chicken Quinoa Bowl
Cilantro Chicken Rice Bowls
Easy Mediterranean Chicken Bowl
Picnic Sandwich Recipe
Italian Sub Sandwich Recipe
Egg Salad BLT Sandwich
Egg Plus Salad Sandwiches
The Veggie Pesto Sandwich That's Perfect for Packing
Chicken Salad Club Sandwiches
Italian Wrap Recipe
Submarine Salad: You Won't Miss the Bread!
Meal Prep Salads to Make Lunchtime Easier
Baby Greens Salad with Turkey, Cranberries, & Blue Cheese
Black Bean Taco Salad
Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe for an Easy Meal
Quinoa Vegetable Salad
Chicken & Raspberry Salad Recipe & Other Salad Tips
Make this Super Simple Couscous Salad this Week
Constance L Revoldt
Thank-you for this remarkable post.
I’ve never prepped lunches before, so this is fantastic!
Jessica Fisher
My pleasure. Let me know if you have any questions, Constance!