A list of 18 creative packed lunch ideas or portable veggie lunches, many of which can be made from dinner leftovers. Delicious and nutritious homemade lunches for work or school.
Back when I used to work in an office, preparing my packed lunch the day before or in the morning was one integral part of the daily routine and I didn’t see it as optional. For one thing, it is a lot more economical but more so I wanted to make sure that I was eating a healthy midday meal that met my dietary needs. Rarely do we find a ready-made sandwich or salad that meets all our nutritional needs. When making my own packed lunch, I can include all components of a healthy meal in the ideal ratio for what my body needs. Every body is different and the amount of protein, carbs, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables and not forgetting water will definitely vary for each one of us.
Lunch packing per se is not a daily occurrence for me nowadays, since I work from home. But sometimes I do pack a bento when I am travelling or just going out somewhere I won’t find food that I like or be able to eat.
I’ve had several requests for meal prepping and while I work on a few posts and videos (yes they are coming some time in the near future!) on how I personally manage food preparation for myself, I’ve decided to compile a list of 18 packed lunch ideas or portable healthy tasty lunches from my fellow blogger friends to stir up some ideas and make lunch packing really quite fun while keeping them nutritious and delicious at the same time.
*All photos in this post have been used with permission from the respective photographer / blog author.
18 Packed Lunch Ideas: Portable Veggie Lunches
A list of 18 creative packed lunch ideas or portable veggie lunches, many of which can be made from dinner leftovers. Delicious and nutritious homemade lunches for work or school.
Grilled Eggplant Wraps with Spicy Tahini Slaw
from Dianne's Vegan Kitchen -
Tahini slaw adds some protein as well as calcium to these tasty grilled eggplant wraps.
Mediterranean Pasta w/ Roasted Peppers & Artichokes
from Veggie Inspired -
A simple pasta salad that's full on taste and calls for pantry staples.
Hummus Potato Salad
from Contentedness Cooking -
A twist on the traditional potato salad with added protein thanks to the hummus dressing.
Tandoori Jackfruit Bao (Pao)
From Veganlovlie - This one is from us - a recipe that I shared a short while ago. I love making a batch of these for the week as they freeze really well and can be reheated in the oven or in a steamer and ready to serve at any time. They make nice easy-to-carry lunches that can be eaten warm or cold.
Vegan Asparagus & Pesto Quiche
by The Vegan Larder -
Quiches are probably not the first thing you would think of for a packed lunch, yet they make great portable lunches that can be eaten warm or cold - think dinner and leftovers for lunch.
Sweet Potato & Pinto Bean Burrito
from Triad to Wellness -
What I love about these burritos is that they can be kept frozen for up to 3 months and reheated at your convenience when needed. It's also a great way to use up leftover mashed sweet potato.
Bulgur Wheat Salad Recipe ~ Tabouli
from Veggie Society -
With heaps of fresh parsley, tomatoes and bulgur wheat, this tabouli makes a refreshing light lunch.
Tenderstem & Cucumber Soba Noodle Salad
from The Veg Space -
Tossed with a flavourful dressing, soba noodles work really well in cold salads.
Vegan Chicken Salad with Pickles
from Fried Dandelions -
A tasty and filling salad with options to use either soy curls or chick peas for protein. It's full of flavour and nutrients, and doesn't take a lot of time to make either.
Vegetable Pasties with Vegan Mince
from Veganlovlie -
Another one of my favourite foods to make in a batch for easy lunches or snacks throughout the week. Pasties make filling lunches when you want to enjoy a little treat.
Vegan Frittata (Gluten Free)
from Sunnyside Hanne -
A vegan frittata with eggy flavours thanks to kala namak (black salt). Just like quiches, frittatas are delicious served warm or cold.
Asian Style Kelp Noodle Salad
from Rainbow Nourishment -
A low-carb and soy-free noodle salad that packs all the flavours of Asian take away in a healthy version. It can be enjoyed both cold or warm.
Tofu Bánh Mi Sandwich with Lemongrass
from Veganosity -
Fresh French baguette filled with fragrant vegetables and tofu for a simple lunch that is just as filling and nutritious as it is tasty.
Warm Rice Salad with Aubergine and Lentils
A flavourful brown and wild rice salad with aubergine (eggplant), lentils and sun-dried tomatoes. An ideal meal prep dish that can be enjoyed warm or cold.
Mediterranean White Bean and Sorghum Salad
from Sharon Palmer -
This is the kind of salad that can use up dinner leftovers such as roasted veggies and combined with a handful of flavoursome Meditarranean herbs for a refreshing tasty lunch.
Kalia Curry with Jackfruit Recipe | Cari Jacques | Vegan
from Veganlovlie - Dry curries and spiced vegetables are my favourite fillings for wraps. This curried jackfruit makes an excellent filling for wraps (homemade or store-bought) and a lunch to look forward to. You can also meal prep some grated cucumber to make the raita on the day to go with it. Else, just add in some salad leaves and various chutneys or pickles and you have yourself an easy delicious packable lunch.
Roasted Vegetable and Tofu Sandwiches
from Tinned Tomatoes -
Lunchtime sandwiches can sometimes be somewhat boring but not if you combine the right flavours. Using a nice tasty spread can sometimes also make all the difference without a lot of effort.
Vegan Sabich Sandwich with a Twist
from My Goodness Kitchen -
This vegan-friendly version of the sabich swaps in white bean and mayonnaise mix for the eggs and tabbouleh for the cabbage making it a delicious wonderful packed lunch.
Great ideas here! It’s making me hungry! I need to start packing my lunch when I pack the kids’ lunches…even though I work from home…it might stop me from grazing all day! Thanks for including my Mediterranean Pasta Salad!