Meal Prep Lunch Ideas + Recipes
How many times do you stand in front of your refrigerator in the morning, staring blankly, wondering “What am I going to pack for lunch today?” If this has ever been you (or is you every morning), you’re not alone! Many times we simply eat lunch because we’re hungry… never really feeling excited about it. It’s always a struggle to get out the door for work in time, and packing your lunch just seems like another chore. Can I get an Amen?
BUT, here at the Heaping Harvest we want you to enjoy food. We want you to enjoy eating nourishing meals that give your body AND mind fuel. In fact, eating lunch is imperative for work that is productive. Without proper nutrition during your workday, your body won’t be able to function to its full potential. That’s why eating nourishing lunches during your work day is so vital… and we’re here to give you a plethora of different lunch ideas, inspiration, and even recipes!
Note: For each of these lunch ideas, I always have in mind to include a protein, fat, carb, vegetable, and fruit. This is always my framework for a balanced lunch or meal in general! I also suggest grabbing some glass containers to meal prep with and to use in the microwave when needed. Glass is better for the environment and is free of BPA! Below are some meal packing products I love.
Lunch Meal Prep Recipes + Inspiration
Idea #1: Charcuterie Lunch
This is one of my favorite lunch options when I don’t feel like meal prepping! It’s easy, simple to assemble, and you can be done with 5 lunches within 30 minutes.
First, choose a protein, fat, vegetable, fruit, and a carb snack. This ensures that you will get enough nutrients AND have a balanced lunch. Protein keeps you full for longer, fats are vital for brain function, fruits and vegetables give you fiber, and whole grains give you vitamins.
Here are some examples of each group below:
Next, you’ll grab a container with multiple sections and add one item from each group to your container. Below are some combination ideas!
The Classic: Grass fed cheese, hummus, bell peppers, almonds, grapes, and seed crackers.
The Spring: Turkey meat rolls, roasted cashews, clementines, pickles, and sprouted pretzels.
The Mediterranean: A hard boiled egg with hummus, carrots, pita, olives, and apple slices.
The Wrap: Turkey wrap with lettuce and tomato, roasted almonds, grapes, bell peppers, and pretzels.
The Summer: Cheese, guacamole, cherry tomatoes, strawberries, and sweet potato chips.
This lunch idea is so fun to play around with! Have fun, assemble on a Sunday, and keep refrigerated for easy to-go lunches throughout the week!
Idea #2: Veggie Burritos
This idea is very simple, fun, and easy to meal prep!
To make the Burritos, go to my Lunch Meal Prep: Veggie Burritos Blog! It will tell you everything you need to know + the recipe!
Idea #3: Pesto Chicken Paninis
This is super easy to make and one of my husbands favorite lunches! I will say, though, this is more of a work-from-home lunch because they are much better warm and fresh. Although, you could use the pesto chicken as a protein for a charcuterie box!
To Make: Simply cook 2-3 pounds of chicken in a crockpot for about 6 hours on low heat. When it’s done cooking, shred with a fork, add 1/2 cup pesto, and salt + pepper. Mix together and add to slice of toasted sourdough. Add parmesan cheese on top, broil on high heat until the cheese is melted, add the second slice of toasted sourdough and EAT! You can accompany this with roasted almonds, fruit, and some bell pepper slices.
Idea #4: Chicken Salad Boxes
This is similar to the chicken pesto idea, however, you’ll use this as is, and not make it into a sandwich. You can make this on a sunday and meal prep all of your boxes for the week. I love that you can mix and match this chicken salad with other items, too, so you don’t have to eat the exact same thing every day of the week. For example:
Chicken Salad scoop with crackers, grapes, cheese, and little pickles.
Chicken Salad scoop with pita slices, cheese, strawberries, and carrots.
Chicken Salad scoop with blueberries, clementines, and a side salad with a berry dressing.
Idea #5: Roasted Veggie Pesto Goat Cheese Pasta
This is one of my favorite dinner meals, but it can also double as a delicious and filling lunch! I would accompany it with some almonds and fruit.
More Inspiration?
That’s all the ideas I have for now, but stay tuned for more to come. To stay up to date on each new recipe that drops, make sure to subscribe to our email list! We promise there will be no spam, just healthy, fun, and nourishing meal ideas + recipes to inspire you!
Also, If you try any of these meal prep ideas, please write a comment below! XO!