14 Hearty Adult Lunch Ideas That Are Way Better Than Takeout
Skip the takeout and opt for one of these meals instead. Our hearty bring-with-you recipes will keep you fueled until dinner.
You know it's true: Anything you make at home will taste better than some salad or sandwich you grab from the office cafeteria. Save yourself (and your wallet) by making one of these adult lunch ideas that will have everyone wishing they'd brought something from home, too. We've got choices, including delicious easy meals that don't require re-heating and some tasty and hot DIY adult lunches (homemade cup of noodles, anyone?).
Related: 17 Cheap Lunch Ideas Under $2 That Taste Even Better Than Takeout
Turkey-Quinoa Salad
Granny Smith apple, Gouda cheese, dried apricots, and cranberries give this yummy grain salad its complex flavor. To tote, place this easy lunch recipe in a container with a tight-fitting lid, and put your favorite salad dressing in a separate small container.
Meal-Prep Vegetarian Beans and Grains
You only need 15 minutes to prepare this adult lunch idea for the next few days (or months if you go the freezer route). Utilize the protein-packed beans and grains to create a nutritious bowl for lunch. Or try our veggie burger variation.
Related: 14 Easy Make-Ahead Lunch Ideas to Add to Your Repertoire
Homemade Cup Of Noodles
Instant noodles in a jar relieve the stress of figuring out a satisfying, portable adult lunch idea. Simply build the noodle bowls the night before and make sure the jar is tightly sealed. Add hot water at lunchtime, and you've got a meal.
Crunchy PB and A Wrap
Perfect for breakfast, snack time, or a sweet adult lunch idea, these protein- and vitamin-packed wraps are sure to satisfy. Pack them in a bento box with carrots and a banana and cheese stick on the side.
Related: 15 On-the-Go Snacks for a Quick Energy Boost Any Time of Day
Burrito Bowls
Don't go out to get your burrito bowl fix. Make these customizable bowls at home using cauliflower rice, pork or chicken, beans, corn, and more. After heating up at lunchtime, top with cheese, greens, pico de gallo, and cilantro. This is a hearty lunch idea for adults craving more than a salad.
Sweet and Tangy Chicken Wrap
Lettuce and vegetable strips add crunch to these healthy chicken breast wraps. Use rotisserie chicken to make easy prep work of this adult lunch idea. Pack two wraps in a sealed container with a side of fresh veggies for a satisfying lunch.
Picnic Taco Jars
Here's a fun lunch for adults to take to work. Pack a wide canning jar with layers of seasoned taco meat, lettuce, and veggies for an all-in-one portable meal to tote with you to picnics, work, or anytime you need a quick meal.
Edamame Quinoa Salad
Chilled protein- and superfood-packed salads make incredible desk lunches you won't stop thinking about all morning. Pack in a tightly-sealed Mason jar or plastic container with a reliable lid.
Buy It: Ball Mason Jars ($12, Walmart)
Paleo Waldorf Salad Lettuce Wraps
Upgrade traditional Waldorf salad by adding nutritious cauliflower and swapping the usual mayo for our DIY Paleo-friendly mayonnaise. If you're not following a Paleo diet, swap out the lettuce wrap with cheese or a regular tortilla wrap for a super tasty adult lunch idea.
Succotash Salad With Buttermilk-Avocado Dressing
Due to their incredibly short growing season, high-quality lima beans are much more widely available in the frozen section. Pack this hearty traditional Southern potluck salad in your favorite glass jar or plastic container, but pour the creamy buttermilk avocado dressing into a separate container to add just before eating.
Tofu Spring Rolls
Pack these colorful spring rolls for an adult lunch box meal you'll crave. Bring soy sauce for dipping in a separate container (or pack a few of those packets you never seem to use up in another compartment of your lunch box).
Related: Learn How to Make Spring Rolls at Home from a Pro
Tuscan Tuna Salad
Skip that mayo-based tuna salad and opt for this delicious adult lunch idea. This hearty, flavorful (yet light) canned tuna recipe needs only a side of crusty multigrain bread to make it complete.
Buy It: Igloo Nostalgia Lunch Sack ($25, Target)
Orzo Chicken Salad with Avocado-Lime Dressing
Turn leftover chicken from dinner into a delicious adult lunch idea for work tomorrow. The protein-packed meal features a tangy homemade dressing made with lime juice, avocado, and garlic that's so good you'll want to put it on everything.
Related: How Long Do Leftovers Last? This Chart Tells You What’s Safe
Italian Focaccia Sandwich
Wrap up these Italian meat-stuffed sandwiches up to 24 hours in advance to let the flavors meld. Keeping them chilled keeps them from getting soggy, too. Serve with some homemade root veggie chips on the side.
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