Easy Lunch Ideas
Last year, I shared a “mini-series” of lunch ideas on Instagram with ecozoi. Today I’m sharing all of them in one place for easy reference!
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Last year I did a mini-lunch ideas “series” on Instagram with Ecozoi. Today I decided I would share those lunches here for ease of finding. Make sure you check back here because I will make sure to update this with more lunches as I make them!
This was also a popular one by my followers, so rest assured, as I’m making lunches… you will see more of these images/videos pop up on my Instagram as well. So make sure you’re following me.
First things First… Let’s talk about lunch tools
Although the ecozoi lunch boxes are what you’re gonna see mostly in this post, I’m sharing all of my favorite lunch items for our family. If you follow me on Insta, you’ll see that we use an assortment of lunch boxes and lunch bags (they’re kind of like water bottles for other moms, don’t ask me why. I just love a good lunch box.).
- 5-Compartment Ecozoi Stainless Steel Lunch Box
- ecozoi Stainless Steel Lunch Box, Leak Proof, 3 Tier Rectangle with Bonus Pod & 3 Sections
- Bentgo® Modern – Versatile 4-Compartment
- OmieBox Bento Box for Kids
- On-the-Go 6-Pack from Stasher
- Stanley Classic Legendary Vacuum Insulated Food Jar 18 oz
- ecozoi Canvas Lunch Bag with Pockets
- Bentgo Lunch Bags
- Stanley The Quick Flip GO Bottle
- ZULU Torque 16oz Plastic Kids Water Bottle
Include the Kids
DISCLOSURE: These tips are generalized, and meant to be suggestive. Everything I’m sharing I do with my kids, and they are all different even within my own five. So please take these as suggestions or ideas and if you think your child needs more or less help, then go with what you and your child are comfortable with. Ultimately, you know your kids, do what YOU think is best.
- Depending on the age of the child and capabilities, they can help with cooking or cutting.
- They can all put their items in their boxes.
- Most kids can help with cutting cheese thanks to my handy dandy discovery… the butter slicer!
Check out the video for details….
Kids can also help (at any age) by putting the food in the lunch box themselves. I love. todo this and give a little ownership to the kids on what they’re eating.
Lunch Ideas
Every one of these ideas have been shared on Instagram first. So there is also a link to the reels/post that I originally shared.
Leftover Chinese Food
What’s in the lunch:
Chinese stir-fry green beans (I add bacon to mine)
Pork Pot Stickers
Rice (It’s a darker color because I heated it in the same pan as the green beans, so the rice has all kinds of extra yummy)
Soy Sauce for dipping.
As Seen on Instagram
The Easy Taco Lunch
What’s in the lunch:
- Tortilla shells or chips
- Taco meat (get my homemade seasoning recipe here)
- Shredded Lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese (I buy @westbycoopcreamery because it’s the best)
- Sour Cream – not pictured, but you’ll see it in the video below. (I buy @westbycoopcreamery because it’s the best)
As Seen on Instagram
Healthy Lunch
What’s in the lunch:
- Hardboiled eggs
- sliced carrot “chips” with Ranch Dressing. I use my Rachel Ray box grater for this.
- sliced beef kielbasa
- sliced marbled jack cheese (I prefer @westbycoopcreamery for my cheese)
- crackers of choice
As Seen on Instagram
Pizza snackers
What’s in the lunch:
- Garlic @triscuit (shredded wheat crackers)
- @belgioiosocheese Sliced Mozzarella (I quartered them to fit the crackers)
- Deli Sliced Pepperoni also quartered to fit the crackers, you could also grab smaller pepperoni)
- Grape tomatoes halved (I like the color from the medley, but simple red ones are totally fine)
- optional fresh Basil Leaves (I add these the next morning so they don’t brown)
- Optional fruit/dessert – I did grapes this time
See the image below for how they look assembled…
As Seen on Instagram
Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla
What’s in the lunch:
- cooked rice
- lettuce
- tomatoes
- quessadilla sliced into 4 slices
- Buffalo Chicken made with canned chicken and buffalo sauce
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese (I buy @westbycoopcreamery because it’s the best)
- ranch dressing for dipping
As Seen on Instagram
Upgraded Sandwich Lunch/Snack
What’s in the lunch:
- ham sandwich (with lettuce and tomato)
- sliced carrots with ranch
- cheese curds
- kielbasa sliced
- Pretzel chips and Sabra hummus
As Seen on Instagram
Want Recipes you can use for lunch/snacks?
Check out:
- Versatile Snack Bars
- Cowboy Caviar
- Cranberry Chicken Sandwich
- DIY Pudding Cups
- Microwave Quesadilla
- Marinated Cherry Tomato Mozzarella Salad
- Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
- Recipe: Asian Cucumber Salad
Did you try it, have questions?
Your feedback is highly appreciated. Kindly share your thoughts in the comments section! Any ideas you share for lunch that I use I give credit for! So make sure you share the account you want me to link to.
Let’s get social!
Please tag me on Instagram or Facebook, @alwaysjennsmith, and share your thoughts. It’s wonderful to see loved ones coming together over delicious food. Or share it on this post’s Pinterest Pin!
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©Photo, Prop Styling, and Food Styling by Jenn Smith
