21 Delicious and Healthy Vegetarian Lunch Box Ideas that are everything but boring: Satisfying, quick and easy lunch recipes to look forward to! Easily portable, mess-free, packed with nutrients, can be eaten cold.
I know that many of you are struggling with how to eat healthy and vegetarian while eating outside. I can absolutely relate to your struggles with this issue. The best tip here is: Think ahead.
Sure you can have lunch with your colleagues at a restaurant. But not every restaurant has healthy vegetarian lunch options and even if it does, you gotta have lunch every day, so repetitive meals become boring pretty quickly. Not to mention it can be pricey.
On the other hand, lunch can be challenging to make ahead at home, since you are limited to easily portable meals that have to be nutritious and not boring. Bonus point if they can be eaten cold. Two bonus points if they are delicious.
When it comes to school lunch box ideas, it's really hard to be creative. Your kid can't have PB&J every day for lunch. To save you a headache I put together a list of simple, delicious and healthy vegetarian lunch box ideas that both kids and adults enjoy.
What Makes a Healthy Lunch Box?
Over the years, I've posted quite a few healthy vegetarian lunch box recipes on my blog. They are everything but boring and delicious too! I included a few vegan and gluten free in this roundup as well.
No more brainstorming in the supermarket or making the same old boring sandwiches over and over again.
Here are a few healthy vegetarian lunch ideas that are also:
- delicious;
- nutrient-dense;
- satisfying;
- quick;
- easy;
- can be eaten cold (except for soups);
- NOT boring;
- good for adults and kids;
- easily portable in a lunch box.
Lunch Containers and Boxes
To make you all set, I suggest the following lunch container sets that are not only leak-proff, but also microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe for your vegetarian packed lunch:
-
Leakproof Bento Lunch Box (your kids will love it!)
Pro tip: Make sure to put your lunch box in a plastic ziplock bag to make sure nothing leaks from it. This can easily happen if you forget to close the lid properly. I always prefer to be on the safe side.
Healthy Vegetarian Lunch Box Recipes
These healthy vegetarian lunch ideas are perfect for adults to take to work and for kids to eat at school. I have quite a few vegetarian lunch recipes on my blog that I can swear by (including my best vegan sandwiches and vegan wraps collection).
I categorized them by type:
- salads,
- soups,
- pasta dishes,
- sandwiches,
- other vegetarian lunch box recipes like hummus with pita chips, quiches, falafel and spring rolls.
Check more amazing vegetarian lunch recipes from my fellow food blogger friends below.
Vegetarian Lunch Salads
Corn and Black Bean Salad with Zucchini

Easy Greek Orzo Salad

Vegan Mexican Chopped Salad with Avocado Dressing

Vegetarian Lunch Soups
One Pot Vegan Minestrone Soup

Vegan Ramen with Pan-Seared Tofu and Vegetables

Easy Miso Soup (Japanese Clear Soup)

Vegetarian Lunch Pasta Dishes
Vegan Pesto Pasta with Beans and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

The Best Vegan Bolognese

Vegetarian Lunch Sandwiches
Vegan Pulled Jackfruit Sandwich

Vegan Wraps with Hummus

The Ultimate Vegan Bagel Sandwich

Vegan BLT Tempeh Sandwich

Perfect Vegan Sloppy Joes

Grilled Zucchini and Corn Tacos

Pita Pockets with Roasted Veggies and Hummus

Turkish Borek with Spinach and Feta Cheese

5-minute Easy Vegan Tacos

Other Vegetarian Lunch Box Recipes
Ultimate Vegan Buddha Bowl

Vegan Zucchini and Corn Fritters

German Vegan Potato Pancakes or Kartoffelpuffer

Asparagus Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust

The Best Vegan Quiche Ever

Vegan Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce

Roasted Beet Hummus with Pita Chips

More Vegetarian Lunch Box Recipes
Quick Flatbread Pizza Margherita

Tiffinsworld says
Thank you for sharing this recipe with us.
Helena says
Yum! So many delicious AND healthy options! I really can't wait to try them all! 🙂
Elena Szeliga says
Glad you like the roundup Helena!
Kortney says
I have been hunting for lunch ideas to bring to work. Cannot wait to try these!!
Especially the pad thai zoodles! Yum!
Elena Szeliga says
I'm so happy the post is useful for you Kortney! Please let me know which lunchbox recipes you like the best 🙂 Cheers!
Catherine @ Ten Thousand Hour Mama says
Thanks for these ideas! I get in such a rut - but now I have some inspiration. 🙂
Elena Szeliga says
I'm so glad it was helpful for you Catherine!
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen says
There are so many fresh, colorful options here! They look fantastic!
Elena Szeliga says
Thank you Ashley! Love all the recipes too!
Michelle Gwynn Jones says
I am so glad I don't have to pack a lunchbox. My friend, he's 5 and today was his first day of school EVER - he was so excited telling me about his new lunchbox
Elena Szeliga says
Awesome, Michelle! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Jagruti says
Fantabulous recipes here, all looks so amazing and I want to try them all very soon. Thank you for including my Sun dried tomato chickpea cakes:)
Elena Szeliga says
Thank you for your patties recipe, Jagruti! Can't wait to try it! 😉
Natasha @ Salt & Lavender says
Thanks for including my chickpea salad in here!! All these photos are making me hungry! 🙂
Elena Szeliga says
Thank you for your gorgeous recipe, Natasha! 🙂