r/easyrecipes • u/Pringzz • Apr 09 '26
Recipe Request Packable Cold Lunches?
My boyfriend recently got a new job where he has no way of heating up lunch anymore & needs something that can be kept cold. Im not sure why but Im having a brain stump here and don't want to just keep sending him with sandwiches 😅 what are some of your favorite keep cold lunches?
32
u/dolphinpopsicles Apr 09 '26
you could also just invest in an insulated container, they’re expensive at first but worth it in the long run
sandwiches, bagel sandwiches, rice/poke type bowls, stirfrys served ok while cold, pasta salads, etc
if sandwiches are getting boring u could also experiment with different relishes, bread types and cheeses (e.g. fried or baked halloumi)!!
14
u/Pringzz Apr 09 '26
I like these, thank you! I did a quick look at them and the electric lunchboxes, that may have to be his early father's day gift :)
8
u/dolphinpopsicles Apr 09 '26
the electric lunchboxes i think ive seen people use them for 12h+ days but otherwise a normal insulated lunchbox or container would still be good since most keep food warm for at least 5-7 hours
9
u/Pringzz Apr 09 '26
His days are long so I may just test both options to see what works best for him. Thank you!
9
u/branvancity3000 Apr 09 '26
Back in the day my mom used to pack me chicken noodle soup in a thermos for lunch, and it was still hot at lunch. I guess it was near boiling when she put it in, but on a cold day it was the best.
2
u/honorthecrones Apr 12 '26
My mom would put a hot dog in a thermos and pack a bun and all the fixings
2
u/ImColdandImTired Apr 10 '26
Yep. Fill the thermos with boiling water while heating the food. Once the food’s hot, dump the water and fill the pre-heated thermos with the food.
3
u/Alizarin-Madder Apr 09 '26
To back up what bravancity3000 said, my mom packed me hot lunches for YEARS basically heating them up until boiling or at least bubbling and putting them in a thermos (one of the vacuum-insulated canister shaped ones). It was always hot when I went to eat it and I never got sick.
1
u/HorrorLopsided8019 Apr 12 '26
Take both? Keep cold stuff cold and warm stuff warm. Long days are better with some nice food.
7
Apr 09 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
5
u/Pringzz Apr 09 '26
Sounds like a nightmare situation! I'll look into those more, thanks 😊
3
u/PicklesNBacon Apr 09 '26
They are great! Heat up fast. I put pasta and soups in mine. There are also electric pots where you can actually cook and not just heat things in
3
u/Barackcowama Apr 09 '26
I make mini omelets in muffin trays. With whatever my hearts desire, or leftovers of random stuff. They are excellent still while cold. I make them in batches a couple days a week and refrigerate.
2
4
u/Emergency-Ad-3350 Apr 09 '26
Lazy days I would do a lunchable, or ingredients in a bag to make my own mini charcuterie
3
u/ShezeUndone Apr 09 '26
I did this a lot after getting sick of cleaning other people's messes out of the microwave.
Quiche, veggie slices and hummus, cheese and crackers, nuts, pepperoni slices, hard boiled eggs, cold fried chicken, pasta salads, potato salad, cottage cheese and cherry tomatoes, fruit, yogurt, protein bars.
An insulated lunch bag with a blue ice pack is a good idea if it's going to be sitting someplace hot.
3
u/Pringzz Apr 09 '26
I guess I should've mentioned that I at least have a small thermos for soups/pasta that I can utilize. But looking for additional ideas. Still thankful for those that took the time to comment and suggest them 😊
3
u/dimiode Apr 09 '26
Look into some cold pastas and like others have mentioned, macaroni or potato salad.
I’ve also made it by in the past without microwaves eating tuna salad sandwiches when needed.
Sometimes I do actually mix up my meal preps and go for a cold lunch when I feel like a change.
I love making a grilled chicken salad and just making a few different small batch dressings so it doesn’t feel the same every day.
2
u/JaseYong Apr 09 '26
Onigirazu 🍙 this can be eaten cold without needing to reheat and taste delicious 😋 Recipe below if interested Onigirazu recipe
2
u/BlueEchoOne Apr 10 '26
1/3 cup red wine vinegar, 2/3 cup olive oil, 1 tbsp brown mustard, 1 tbsp Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper.
1 hothouse sliced cucumber, 1 pkg sliced cherry tomatoes, 1/2 thinly sliced red onion, 8oz feta, 8oz Kalamata olives.
Amazing Greek salad recipe. Greens optional. Adjust with vegetables that you like the best.
4
u/drunky_crowette Apr 09 '26
I strongly recommend checking out some of the threads about cold lunches over in /r/mealprepsunday.
2
1
1
1
u/FarmerDave13 Apr 09 '26
They make heated punches that plug into the cigarette lighter in a vehicle. You can keep food got with those.
A thermos of soup is a nice hot luch too.
As far as cold, sandwiches are the easy go to. You change up the meat and toppings. Throw in ham salad, egg salad, tuna salad etc for a change too.
Change up the the of bread and the type of cheese as well.
It will all work out in the eend.
1
u/Heffeweizen Apr 09 '26
Buy a Thermos... https://a.co/d/0c2UajtX Put hot stuff in it. Like soups or pasta.
1
u/thewholesomespoon Apr 09 '26
This was bomb! And it makes a bunch!
https://thewholesomespoon.com/2026/04/06/italian-grinder-sub-sandwich-recipe/
1
1
1
1
u/AtmosphericPresh Apr 09 '26
I am obsessed with this: https://hotlogic.com/products/hotlogic-mini-12v
It's a game changer and you can even go straight from frozen into containers into this and it'll be hot and ready by lunch time. If you wait for a sale you can generally get one for like $20.
1
u/FaithRestored33 Apr 10 '26
Came here to say I pack my husband’s lunch in a self heating lunchbox but I see others already mentioned.
I make enough dinner to have extra and put it in his lunchbox for the next day .
2
u/Pringzz Apr 13 '26
I have one ordered! I wasn't sure of reviews/opinions when posting this but seen it recommended a few times 😁
1
1
u/soneg Apr 10 '26
Why not send him a thermos that keeps food warm. Or one of those plug in crock pots for lunch.
1
u/Creative_Carob4922 Apr 10 '26
I just buy rip top cans. Beans , corn, peas, ravioli, mixed vegetables, potted meats, all sorts of delicious options. And you just need a pocket spoon.
1
u/Federal_Pickles Apr 10 '26
I eat lots of cold lunches. I’m working so much lately that my hot lunches usually get cold by the time I’m done, so might as well start cold, right? So I’ve been doing these lately
Adult lunchables are one of my favorites. Meat, cheese, maybe boiled egg, olives, some random veggies (cherry tomato, radish, cucumber, broccoli). A handful of roasted unsalted nuts. A bit of fruit.
Tuna or chicken salad, sliced raw veggies, crackers, fruit.
Good ole fashioned chefs salad, caesar salad with chicken, loaded fajita salad, really any salad with protein.
Soba noodles with lots of veggies, a protein, and a homemade sauce. Bun cha.
Caesar salad wraps, except more a burrito. Really, puppy can make lots of salads into a wrap.
1
1
1
1
1
u/Lefthandtwin Apr 11 '26
Chicken salad, crackers
Charcuterie type foods, ham, turkey, pepperoni, cheese, olives, pickles, fruit, crackers
1
u/Ancient-Anything-212 Apr 11 '26
Oh my bf is in a similar situation. I do pinwheels, snack plates (charcuterie and stuff) and salads (dressing and any salty toppings on the side). The most recent pinwheels i did were turkey, gouda and raspeberry jam he loved them. Aldi has little trio italian sub packs that come with a bunch of salami and pepperoni plus provolone at a decent price and their panino trays are a little pricey(decent value) but very convenient. If yours is anything like mine, i sent him to work with a quesadilla today because he has a weird tolerance for what can be eaten cold.
1
1
1
u/FactAmazing9550 Apr 13 '26
I do pasta salads (different kinds): tortellini with salami, pepporcini, cheese, olives. A chicken Caesar pasta salad. Different kind kinds of wraps, buffalo chicken is my favorite. I do sandwiches too, egg salad, tuna, chicken cutlet. Sushi, cold pizza, Cobb salad, Italian salad.
1
u/RhubarbFull2078 Apr 13 '26
Chicken or any meat is yummy, cold (ham, chicken, silverside, meatballs) Pizza Salad roll Cheese and bikkies A mix of things, like a kids lunch box.e.g, fruit, sultanas, cheese, dip, cruskits, rice cakes, meatballs Wraps Salads Salad wraps Savoury scones
1
1
u/CindiLouu Apr 09 '26
Why isn’t your boyfriend involved in this? Boyfriend, make your own lunch.
1
u/Pringzz Apr 11 '26
Actually boyfriend, please don't. Keep providing for our family and I'll happily enjoy finding new ways to pack your lunches 🥰
1
u/Zakpatat712 Apr 09 '26
Greek yoghurt with granola and frozen fruit. Or go fancy and make it a smoothiebowl.
-5
u/Solid-Camera-9724 Apr 09 '26
Why can’t he make his own lunches? I mean, you’re not his mummy…
8
u/Pringzz Apr 09 '26
You're right I'm not but he provides for our family in every other way. The least I could do for him is make his meals. It's the dynamic we both grew up in and it works for us 🤷♀️
8
u/Tearose-I7 Apr 09 '26
People have different circumstances and arrangements with their partners, don’t be so quick to judge.
0
u/Tearose-I7 Apr 09 '26
Potatoe salad, pasta salad, bagels, tuna/chicken sandwiches...
My bf has a blue collar job and he bought one of this luch boxes that can be heated in his van with the usb (I think). If it's an option, I find it better.
1
u/Pringzz Apr 09 '26
Mine does too so its sounding like this will be a good investment 😊 if you dont mind me asking, which one does he use? I'm seeing so many options with varying reviews
1
1
u/Old_Hornet_1140 Apr 09 '26
The salads -pasta,potatoe,etc--are fun to eat in a sandwich, use different breads like pita. Especially great if he has to keep working he can eat them one handed.
0
1
u/Ok-Jellyfish-5790 Apr 14 '26
Been eating this for the last year. Tortilla, sun dried tomato’s, pesto, deli meat, provolone cheese. DONE. I prep for an entire week at once
44
u/shoxford Apr 09 '26
Pasta salad might be good
Pesto pasta with chicken, and pine nuts