I understand the concept behind office microwaves. To me, it seems like they would smell like a combination of burnt paper towels and reheated fish, and I don’t want to take that risk. I have a running list of lunches that can be eaten cold, are easy and portable to tak, and won’t create a watery mess on my desk by 12:30. I go back to these options often. Some of them say, “I planned this,” while others say, “I found this in the fridge and made it work.” To be honest, that’s the reality of most weekdays.
Contents
1) Tuna White Bean Salad
I know that especially at the workplace, tuna can be a little socially sensitive, so I go easy on the fishy part and go heavy on the lemon and herbs. The presence of white beans adds substance to the meal, in the way that a ‘proper lunch’ is expected to be. Packing lemon wedges on their own and squeezing them right before you eat enhances the freshness and taste (a bit less like it has sat in a container all morning). Feel free to use a cracker to scoop it, or if you want to go full goblin, use a fork. No judgement!
2) Chickpea Salad Sandwich
If you want a law office tuna salad alternative that won’t require you to use a microwave, you could combine some chickpeas, a little mustard, diced celery, and a couple of pickles.
To avoid a murky texture, I try to minimize the amount of yogurt/vegan mayo I use, and if you dislike sogginess like I do, keep the bread apart. After making the salad the night before, it will be sufficiently marinated by lunch and you will be greeted by a bold and zesty flavor. Surprisingly, this taste will come with a fluffy texture.
3) Greek Salad
When I feel like I am making a meaningful contribution to society, this is the lunch I prepare. The trick is to layer it in a certain way: dressing, then a solid layer, then the greens. I’ve had it at my desk while I was serious emailing, and it did help. If you want to get that crunchy and then soft effect, keep the pita apart.
4) Soba Noodle Salad
The good news is that soba noodles don’t get sad like other kinds of pasta when clumped together in the fridge. The raw veggies are actually nice to eat instead of feeling like a chore when combined with a nice peanut sesame sauce that sticks to everything.
I love that you have edamame for it helps with that 3 p.m. hunger. If you like to stack a lot, you can stack a lot of sauce on the side.
Caprese Grain Bowl
About half the challenge is figuring how far farro can retain a pleasantly chewy texture after being refrigerated.
The mixture of tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil is really quite simple but very enjoyable. When having it as lunch, I prefer to use cherry tomatoes as I find big tomatoes unappealing. Just before eating, I like to sprinkle everything with a bit of salt, it just elevates everything.
Chicken Slaw Wrap
A rotisserie chicken actually saves my weeknights, and my lunches for the week are also protected. I throw it in with some crunchy slaw (the type that stays crunchy) and a little bit of the yogurt-lime sauce. If you’ve had a wrap that gets all soggy and turns into a damp paperweight, you’ll appreciate this one: keep the sauce in a little container and put it in at lunch. It’s crunchy, savory, and just plain enjoyable to eat without the need to heat it.
Sesame Chicken Salad
It’s basically the energy of takeout salad, but it actually fits in a lunchbox. You don’t need a microwave to enjoy the dressing, which is gingery with soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar snappy.
For some sweetness, I like to add pieces of apple or some segments of mandarin oranges. I know it’s a bit divisive to add fruit to a salad but, if possible, make sure to add the sesame seeds right before you eat to preserve their crunch.
8) Hummus Snack Plate
There are days when I don’t want to eat a whole meal, I just want to snack on a bunch of small, enjoyable foods.
There’s something about having olives and fruit with your hummus, crunchy veggies, and pitas that just feels classy. It also helps use up those odd leftover pieces of things like a half a pepper, single cucumber, etc. If you add a hard boiled egg or some nuts, you’ll keep your fuel up for a lot longer.
9) Turkey Apple Sandwich
Even if you’re eating this sandwich under some obnoxious fluorescent lights, it will evoke the sensation of fall. The apple adds some sweetness and crunch which contrasts with the sharpness of the cheddar cheese. I usually put a whole grain mustard on, but it can be a little overpowering. Part of my lunch strategy is to minimize chaos by wrapping the sandwich tightly so it can travel well.
10) Smoked Salmon Bagel
Smoked salmon is always a safe choice, unlike some raw fish at 8 a.m., so I’m glad that I can just take it without doing any prep.
To avoid the ingredients getting soggy, the bagel, cream cheese, salmon, and toppings are kept separate. The bagel will still be good when it is not toasted. Do not use the toaster in the kitchen; it is a fire hazard. If you are sensitive to salt, use fewer capers and let the lemon do the work.
11) Tomato Mozzarella Pasta Salad
Pasta salad can be a great meal! To elevate your salad from just plain old boring beige look, leave your short pasta warm and toss with some olive oil, then add your ingredients like tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil, and a vinegar. Crazy right? I made this half asleep and it’s still a delight to eat! If you’re a basil hater, just leave it out!
12) Mediterranean Lentil Salad
Lentils are great for lunches, even when they are cool, and they fill you up without making you tired later in the day. I love them with cucumber, roasted red pepper, parsley and feta along with some lemon and olive oil. No matter how crazy your morning is, this meal will make you feel both lucky and skilled. If you want a peppery taste, add some arugula at the end.
13) Pesto Chicken Salad
It couldn’t get much simpler than this, just put chicken, pesto, tomatoes, and some white beans together.
Lunchtime for me means no lettuce and nothing wilts, so it’s peaceful. As some shop-bought pesto can be metallic, choose a good one! A little lemon juice is a nice touch.
14) Avocado Egg Toast
I usually don’t use that much mayo, but when I do I substitute a good part of it with avocado
Once you made the egg and avocado mix, cover the bowl tight with plastic wrap to keep it from browning, and pack it in a container. It’ll still brown because, well, it’s an avocado. But, as far as taste is concerned, it will be just fine. This can be eaten with toast, on crackers, or even wrapped in some lettuce leaves.
15) Shrimp Avocado Salad
For me, it’s easy to buy, prepare, pack and eat shrimp, which is a protein that tastes good even when cold. I prepare some shrimp and mix it with avocado, cucumber, cilantro, and a zesty lime dressing. If you’re eating it later, keep the avocado separate and mix it in at lunch. This is bright and light and still has lunch vibes and not “a snack that got promoted.”
16) Niçoise-Style Salad
I concern for whether it is in the style of tradition, or it is edible at noon.
The fridge should be fine for tuna, hard-boiled eggs, green beans, olives, and a small potato. Cream dressings are more likely to separate than vinaigrette, so less risk of that and more shine with vinaigrette. It’s neater if you pack the egg whole and cut it up at work.
17) Cottage Cheese Bowl
Even if it’s a bit lazy, I think some effort has gone into this lunch.
It takes less than a minute and a half to assemble cool and crunchy cottage cheese with some diced cucumber and tomato. Dairy not for you? A thick yogurt or a non-dairy alternative will do. You can even make it feel like you are at a bagel shop (minus the bagel!) by adding Everything seasoning to the mix.
18) Prosciutto Melon Salad
I appreciate the fancy-lazy style. It’s like you’re pretending to have everything together, but you actually don’t. Add some shavings of parmesan and a little drizzle of olive oil and you’re all set. If you’re not into juicy greens, then it’s reasonable to pack the melon separately.
19) Peanut Chicken Rice Bowl
It can be a little strange based on the firmness of the rice, which is why I either go for a rice that is slightly sticky and of the short-grain variety, or I let the rice go to almost room temperature because I find that sticky rice when it cools to room temperature is more firm than when it’s warm.
Combining chicken, cucumbers, carrots, and peanut sauce makes for a tasty and satisfying meal. I could even enjoy it while doing some rather boring work on a spreadsheet. To add more crunch, feel free to toss in some chopped peanuts.
20) **BLT Salad**
Let’s be honest. Having bacon in a salad just makes everything better. It feels like a reward, not just a side salad. To keep it crispy, pack it in a small container and sprinkle it just before you eat.
Romaine and cherry tomatoes have a better shelf life than delicate salad greens. You start to reach culinary heights with avocado; it’s best if you don’t slice it until the last minute to prevent it from turning brown.
21) **Veggie Couscous Bowl**
Couscous is like a clean shirt. It’ll never let you down. It’s simple, and surprisingly comforting. The roasted vegetables provide sweetness and depth in flavor, while the goat cheese adds creaminess that doesn’t need to be warmed up to be good. In the deepest, darkest winter, this dish transports me to the Mediterranean. If goat cheese isn’t your thing, you can substitute it with feta.
22) **Spicy Dumpling Salad**
Dumplings should be prepared the night before, and then placed in a cooler. Afterwards, mix them in a type of chili oil dressing and include some sliced scallions. Some will think it’s odd to have cold dumplings, but they’re so good that you may end up packing them “by mistake.” To offset the spice of the dressing, I also add soy sauce and rice vinegar. Don’t forget to prepare your dumplings at home; microwaves aren’t available. Turkey Hummus Pita Putting hummus in your pita is a must; it’s like mayo, but way better. The other amazing thing about a pita is that you don’t have to worry about it falling apart or making a huge mess like a sandwich would. The sandwich, of course, is dripping with melty cheese, turkey, toppings, and all the good stuff. You can even do a little cucumber detachment. That way the soggy stuff is kept separate from the other ingredients until it’s eating time.
Antipasto Lunch Box
Antipasto Lunch Box,
This is what I put together when I want to do the least amount of work for the most amount of reward. Marinated artichokes, olives, grapes, cheese, and a few slices of salami take me on a mini vacation.
You are welcome to modify how much you take depending on how hungry you think you will be, and be mindful of the sodium content as some cured meats can be surprisingly salty.
25) Curry Chicken Salad
The level of curry in Curry chicken salad can go from “interesting” to “too much” very quickly, so I keep the curry powder to a minimum and let lemon and salt do some of the heavy lifting. Adding celery increases the crunch, and the almonds make it more of a meal. I like to eat it with sandwiches but I also like it over greens to keep it lighter. I think packing it cold for lunch is a great idea because it enhances the flavor of the dish, especially after the flavors mingle and blend from sitting in the fridge overnight.
26) Quinoa Tabbouleh
Even though bulgur is traditionally used in tabbouleh, quinoa is more accessible and has better structural integrity.
What matters are the herbs. Parsley and mint should be prominent and very fresh. I once went overboard with mint, and it felt like I was eating a salad that had been brushed with minty toothpaste, so I will be more careful with the mint. If you want it to be more filling, add chickpeas.
27) Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
If the day has already been annoying, lunch might need to be a bit comforting and sweet. Overnight oats with peanut butter and banana are, for some peculiar reason, surprisingly filling and comforting.
If you aren’t a fan of mushy foods, feel free to add some chopped nuts to it right before you eat, so you have something to chew on. This also serves as a good excuse for, “I didn’t get to the grocery store.”
28) Turkey Roll-Ups
These seem a bit old-fashioned, in a nice way. Cream cheese, whether plain or herbed, is spread onto slices of smoked turkey, and a bit of cranberry sauce is added before being rolled. They’re easy to make, are not messy, and help hit that sweet and salty spot that makes a lunch feel more enjoyable. You should toss in some baby carrots or an apple to complete the meal.
29) Falafel Salad Bowl
Surprisingly, falafel is enjoyable when it is cold, especially so when paired with a creamy tahini-lemon dressing.
The crunch of the cucumbers, soft tomatoes, and the zing of pickled onions are all so satisfying. If your falafel is a bit dry (which can happen), you can definitely add more dressing to it. You might even feel like you are escaping the office with this lunch, even though you are still physically there.
30) Chicken Caesar Wrap
This is a classic for a reason, but if you place it on the bottom then the wrap could end up being soggy.
Keep the dressing separate and for that extra crunch, put the croutons in a small bag and add them at the very last minute. The Parmesan and lemon without heat make it bold tasting. If you enjoy anchovies, just a bit makes a huge difference.
31) Sardine Toast Kit
I know sardines are a bit divisive, and the smell is definitely worth considering when eating with a group. If you have a really nice office lunch with minimal prep, this is a great choice. The dish is fresh because of the lemon, tomatoes, and parsley, so you might want to consider how people might react to the strong fish smell.
32) Steak Salad
The leftover steaks are extremely good when they are cold, especially when they are thinly sliced and mixed with arugula.
Yogurt mixed with horseradish gives a nice snap to the dish and removes the need for a heavy dressing. Some people may not like the steak cooked less than medium-rare because it might be too cold and therefore unpleasant, so aim for medium-rare to medium. This is the lunch of a person who pretended to have it all together the night before.
33) Panzanella Salad
When making bread salad, moisture control is essential, but it’s still wonderful, however.
I prepare the tomatoes, cucumbers, and dressing, but keep the toasted bread cubes separate until lunch. Then, you mix them together and wait one minute. The bread softens just enough without collapsing. It’s good mess so bring a fork you trust.
