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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:
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
This flavorful corn and black bean salad with grilled zucchini and feta cheese is a perfect companion for any summer vegetarian BBQ.
This easy Greek Orzo Salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, BBQ and get togethers. Whenever you need an easy and healthy side dish, that is guaranteed to disappear first, make this gorgeous Greek orzo salad!
Delicious vegan Mexican chopped salad with avocado dressing makes the perfect lunch salad or an easy side dish to any Mexican feast. This gluten free salad is packed with fresh veggies, dietary fiber and plant based protein.
This hearty vegan minestrone soup is packed with seasonal vegetables, beans, lentils and whole grains. Perfect comforting vegan winter soup full of flavor and nutrients!
Easy Miso Soup (Japanese Clear Soup) Recipe makes a perfect nutritious umami-packed savory vegan lunch. Comforting, healthy and ready in just 15 minutes!
Vegan Pesto Pasta with Beans and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
This creamy, delicious, healthy, satisfying vegan pesto pasta is the perfect marriage of comfort food and culinary art that comes together quickly and simply.
This vegan Bolognese is gently simmered with classic Italian herbs, garlic, and tempeh “meat” that is sure to become your go-to vegan pasta sauce that comes together in just 20 min!
This warm, juicy vegan jackfruit sandwich will satisfy your cravings for BBQ pulled pork and comfort food in one go. Try this easy and delicious vegan sandwich packed with nutrients and fiber!
Enjoy tasty, hearty rainbow vegan hummus wraps for a lunchtime treat. Make this versatile, fast, easy recipe for vegan wraps in minutes and enjoy with your favorite dressing.
Bite into a deliciously chewy vegan bagel sandwich infused with Mediterranean baba ganoush, crisp cucumber, rich sun-dried tomatoes and spicy arugula. Protein rich and delightfully nutritious, your lunchtime options just got a whole lot tastier.
This Vegan Tempeh Sandwich is whole lot healthier than your traditional BLT, but you’re guaranteed to be just as satisfied after your plate is polished off.
Mouthwatering, delicious vegan sloppy joes are the perfect addition to your vegan sandwich collection! Look no further to satisfy your craving for comfort food, with a healthy, vegan twist.
Turkish Borek with Spinach and Feta Cheese is great for a take along lunch or vegetarian dinner. It needs only 30 minutes to make and 7 simple ingredients.
Healthy and delicious 5-minute easy vegan taco recipe. Satisfying, delicious, quick tacos, loaded with healthy fillings that you can easily customize.
Other Vegetarian Lunch Box Recipes
Ultimate Vegan Buddha Bowl
The Ultimate Vegan Buddha Bowl is loaded with nutrient dense vegetables, healthy fats, the best vegan protein, and healthy grains. This Buddha bowl is complete, well balanced meal in just one serving and isn't hard to make. The vibrant colors and rich flavors make it incredibly satisfying and you'll want to enjoy this vegan bowl of yumminess again and again.
These delicious German vegan potato pancakes or Kartoffelpuffer are crispy from the outside and tender on the inside and only require 3 staple ingredients and 30 minutes of your time. They are perfect for a quick and filling breakfast, lunch or dinner meal that everyone will love!
Celebrate springtime with this delicious and healthy asparagus quiche with sweet potato crust. This easy quiche is made of 7 ingredients and is perfect for brunch, Easter or any springtime family gathering!
The Best Vegan Quiche Ever: Perfectly cheesy soy-free creamy filling over whole grain crust topped with crunchy asparagus. 40 minute easy recipe from start to finish!
Easy Fresh Vegan Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce: Satisfying, colorful and versatile snack loaded with veggies and dipped in delicious peanut sauce with ginger and garlic. Perfect healthy mess-free portable snack or appetizer everybody will love! Naturally gluten-free, raw and low carb.
Healthy vegan Roasted Beet Hummus served with pita chips is a delicious colorful appetizer perfect for Valentine's Day. This creamy beet hummus packed with nutrients will surely get you in the mood!
Elena Szeliga is the founder of Happy Kitchen.Rocks, where she shares delicious and healthy vegetarian and vegan food, from weeknight dinners to veganized classics and gourmet appetizers. Her recipes have been featured at Better Homes & Gardens, BuzzFeed, Country Living, The Kitchn and Reader’s Digest. Her mission is to help cook easy vegetarian and vegan meals with simple and fresh ingredients. Read more about Elena.
Tiffinsworld
Friday 19th of May 2023
Thank you for sharing this recipe with us.
Helena
Tuesday 14th of May 2019
Yum! So many delicious AND healthy options! I really can't wait to try them all! :-)
Elena Szeliga
Wednesday 15th of May 2019
Glad you like the roundup Helena!
Kortney
Tuesday 29th of January 2019
I have been hunting for lunch ideas to bring to work. Cannot wait to try these!! Especially the pad thai zoodles! Yum!
Elena Szeliga
Tuesday 29th of January 2019
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
Tuesday 2nd of January 2018
Thanks for these ideas! I get in such a rut - but now I have some inspiration. :)
Elena Szeliga
Wednesday 3rd of January 2018
I'm so glad it was helpful for you Catherine!
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
Monday 28th of August 2017
There are so many fresh, colorful options here! They look fantastic!
Elena Szeliga
Monday 28th of August 2017
Thank you Ashley! Love all the recipes too!