Like every other working mom on the planet, I attempt to bring my lunch to work rather than go out… it’s healthier and cheaper. Mastering bring-lunch-to-work would save so much, time, money and added pounds. One small thing that’s helped tremendously: perfect sized meal prep containers. This may seem like a small, insignificant thing, but it really made a difference while prepping. I love the idea of a bento box, but all of the bento boxes are tiny and I like a lunch for lunch, not a snack. The two smaller spaces are one-cup each, and the larger portion is two cups. Plus, it’s a great size for a lunch box so I only have one bag to tote.
A 10-pack of these meal prep containers is around $10.
Now the next hurtle: making lunches you’ll actually look forward to eating. Here’s one menu you can prep a few days ahead of time and store in the meal prep containers for lunches: kale Caesar salad, chickpea salad, and an artichoke + tomato + edamame spread sandwich. These will last in the fridge 3 – 4 days.
Lunch Meal Prep Ideas
Kale caesar
The Kitchn’s 5-ingredient kale Caesar is easy to make and will keep in the fridge for 3 days. I actually tossed the kale along with the dressing ingredients into the Vitamix to blend so it would be super chopped. I should have used the mini chopper because the kale was hard to get out of the bottom of the blender.
Chickpea Salad
Chickpeas, olives, cucumbers tossed in a vinaigrette (I used olive oil, Dijon, and lemon since that was already out for the kale caesar.)
Baguette sandwich
The Tomato, basil, & artichoke picnic sandwich from Love & Lemons is DELICIOUS. According to the Internet, baguettes keep best when wrapped in tin foil. Make your sandwich, wrap it in tin foil, and put them in the container. Or, wrap the baguette separately and put in the fridge if you don’t want the bread to absorb the spread.
Need more work lunch prep inspiration?
You can use these meal prep containers for little snack plates, sandwiches, and salads – even leftovers!
- Check out 30 fancy picnic recipes – easy to make ahead
- 4 outstanding salads that will make a desk lunch more exciting
- When in doubt, make an easy mezze plate
