Let’s change up the normal lunch prep routine with some ideas that do not require a reheating – just store in the fridge and grab when lunchtime arrives. Best in summer! Here are 16 Make-Ahead Cold Lunch Ideas to Prep for Work This Week.
1. Vietnamese Cold Chicken Salad from A Spicy Perspective
Recipe & Photo: A Spicy Perspective
2. Best Ever BLTA Wraps from Yummy Healthy Easy
Recipe & Photo: Yummy Healthy Easy
3. Greek Salad Pita Pockets with Grilled Chicken from Delish
Recipe & Photo: Anna Watson Carl at Delish
4. Udon with Chicken and Garlicky Peanut Dressing from Bon Appetit
Recipe: Claire Saffitz; Photo: Alex Lau
5. Meal Prep Chopped Thai Salad with Easy Peanut Dressing from Project Meal Plan
Recipe & Photo: Project Meal Plan
6. Grilled Chicken Caesar Wrap from Culinary Hill
Recipe & Photo: Culinary Hill
7. Turkey Pesto Tortilla Pinwheels from Project Meal Plan
Recipe & Photo: Project Meal Plan
8. Sriracha Cilantro Chicken Salad from Simply Whisked
Recipe & Photo: Simply Whisked
9. Turkey Ranch Club Wraps from Life in the Lofthouse
Recipe & Photo: Life in the Lofthouse
10. Salmon and Black Sesame Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls) from The Kitchn
Recipe & Photo: Anjali Prasertong
11. Vegan Black Bean Salad with Avocado and Corn from Crazy Vegan Kitchen
Recipe & Photo: Crazy Vegan Kitchen
12. No-Heat Meal Prep Ham & Cheese Pinwheels + Greek Quinoa Salad from Simply Delish Eats
Recipe & Photo: Simply Delish Eats
13. Thai Summer Rolls with Peanut Sauce from Pinch of Yum
Recipe & Photo: Pinch of Yum
14. Veggie Packed Greek Yogurt Tuna Salad (No Mayo!) from Project Meal Plan
Recipe & Photo: Project Meal Plan
15. Turkey Spinach Pinwheel Meal Prep from Damn Delicious
Recipe & Photo: Damn Delicious
16. Paleo Whole30 Chicken Salad from Jay’s Baking Me Crazy
Recipe & Photo: Jay’s Baking Me Crazy
Have any more awesome cold lunch ideas to prep for work? Leave them in the comments or share and say!
– Danielle
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Hey, I'm Danielle. I made Project Meal Plan because being prepared and saving time are my favorite things. It doesn't hurt that I LOVE cooking and photography too. 
hmm…These were listed as make ahead lunches. I think all the sandwiches, wraps and rolls would be a mushy soggy mess if made even the night before. Any salad with lettuce would be brown and wilted if made ahead. Great lunch ideas, but not much that could be made ahead and still be appetizing.
Hi Carol! Hopefully there was still a helpful idea or two on this list for you!
I prepare lunch salads ahead often and I never end up with brown lettuce. That is unfortunate if you are having that experience! I try to use the freshest possible lettuce, and always eat them within four days. I package the dressing separately and add it to the salad right before eating.
I have personally tried several items on this list and really enjoyed them as lunches. Pinwheels are my favorite. In the recipe post for the pinwheels on this list, I do talk about how using condiments such as mayo or mustard will create a soggy roll, so instead I like to use cream cheese.
Sometimes it just takes a bit of experimentation to figure out what works for you. Hope you’ll give some of these ideas a try! Thank you for your comment! – Danielle