Brown bagging doesn’t have to be humdrum. Add a little creativity to some planning, and voilà—you get a different meal every day that’s not only good for you but tastes great, too. Here are the top 10 best brown bag lunch ideas to get you on the right foot toward your next meal.
Veggie Quinoa Salad
Quinoa salads are ultra-brown-bag lunch-friendly. For added protein, take some cooked quinoa mixed with diced vegetables like bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and chickpeas. After that, drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, and you are good to go. You will have a leisurely and wholesome brown bag lunch that tastes wonderfully well.
Chicken Wraps
Easy to make, versatile, and at the top of bag lunch ideas. On a whole-grain tortilla, generous helpings of hummus, fill it with grilled chicken, shredded lettuce, slices of avocado, and a splash of dressing of your choice. There’s no disputing that this will be a complete and satisfying bagged lunch that will keep one full until lunchtime.
Hummus and Veggie Sandwich
This would be perfect for the veggie sandwich, giving the meal a vegetarian feel. Spread a generous amount of hummus onto whole-grain bread and add thin slices of cucumber, tomato, and some spinach leaves. Refreshing and full of energy, this brown bag lunch idea will surely not disappoint.
Pasta Salad
Another excellent brown bag lunch idea you can consider is pasta salads. Mix your favorite pasta type with some chopped-up vegetables, olives, and feta cheese. Place a simple vinaigrette onto the top, and you have a meal prepared easily at the prep end and easier on the eating end.
Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups
So, in the same boat of being easy prep but still, a filling lunch is the turkey and cheese roll-ups. Essentially, take sliced turkey, wrap it around some cheese, and hold that in with a toothpick. Pair some baby carrots on the side with a serving of an apple, and voila, the meal is complete.
Greek Yogurt and Fresh Fruits
What’s another easy brown bag lunch idea? Greek yogurt, served with fruit on the side. Take a cup of Greek yogurt and serve it with a container holding mixed berries or a sliced apple. This meal is full of protein; you can have it ready in just minutes in the morning.
Bean Salad
A bean salad makes for an excellent brown bag lunch. Just puree some black beans and mix it with corn, diced bell peppers, and cilantro, dress it in a squeeze of lime juice and a pinch of salt to taste, and voilà, you will have the most refreshing, tangy lunch replete with both proteins and fiber.
Egg Salad Sandwich
An egg salad sandwich is a daintier version of the regular bag lunch. Smash some chopped boiled eggs in a mixing bowl with tasty mayonnaise, mustard, and relish. Spread on whole grain bread and top with a few lettuce leaves for some crunch. Voila. Simple and beautiful.
Vegetable Sushi Rolls
These make lovely little “brown-bagged” lunches—sticks of sushi rice with nori wrapped around cucumber, avocado, and carrots. It is relatively dense in nutrition and filling but also puts some “fun” into your meal.
Leftover Stir-Fry
Now, one of the creatively delicious brown bag lunch ideas is with leftovers. If you have leftovers from that great stir-fry, just put them in a container and take them to work for reheating. That way, you will have your meal without too much hassle about cooking.
