Just because you might be working from home, doesn’t mean you can’t eat something colorful and nourishing for lunch. These 5 easy vegan lunch ideas for work are travel friendly for those going into the office or just a few steps from the fridge to desk at home.
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My Formula for Healthy Lunches
Pick a Protein
Usually I start by picking a protein that I want to eat for the week by either looking through my pantry, raiding the fridge or grabbing something that sounds good while I’m shopping for groceries. Some of my favorites include: tofu, chickpeas, black beans, edamame, vegan deli slices, and tempeh.
Pair it with a Carb
Once I have the protein picked out, I start to think about how I can pair with a carbohydrate of some kind. Some carbs I often find myself incorporating into meals include: bread, wraps, whole grains (ie farro, pasta, rice), crackers, etc. I love making grain based salads like this one or a pasta salad for the week since they keep so well.
Add Some Vegetables
Next, I’ll think about how to incorporate some vegetables into the meal. Often, I will just throw in some fresh chopped veggies that I can dip into hummus or salad dressing. If you like to meal prep, roast a few different veggies in the oven on the weekend and add those to salads or grain bowls for lunch throughout the week. Some days I’ll pack a salad so my veggies become the base of that lunch for the day.
Finish it Off with Some Fruit
Get in all your servings of fruits and veggies for the day by finishing off your packed lunch with some fruit. I love packing apple slices with peanut butter, grapes, berries, or a couple of cuties.
Vegan Dumpling Box with Edamame
This colorful box may be my favorite lunch of the roundup. The night before, cook your dumplings according to package directions. (I like the Nasoya brand.) Allow to cool for a few minutes and then assemble with your other dumpling box ingredients. I paired it with some frozen edamame which you can just add to the box frozen the night before when packing and it will thaw by lunchtime the next day. I also added a small cup of soy sauce for dipping the dumplings and the edamame. I then added some carrots, cucumber and blueberries to round out the meal. Feel free to switch up the veggies and fruit based on what you like or have on hand that week.
Buffalo Tempeh Wrap with Vegan Ranch
When I was home on maternity leave, I think I made this buffalo tempeh wrap for lunch at least a dozen times. It was so easy to whip up during nap time and can pack well too if you want to take it with you to work. If you are new to tempeh (an awesome vegan protein!), this makes for a great non-intimidating introduction to it because what doesn’t taste great with buffalo sauce? If you want to make it into a salad, I have a recipe for that too!
Vegan Pinwheels
How fun are these pinwheels! For this lunch, I paired the pinwheels with some veggies, grapes, and chipotle Bitchin sauce. (It’s sooo good!) I like packing the Bitchin sauce when I am tired of hummus. Here’s how I made the pinwheels:
- Spread 1/4-1/3 cup vegan cream cheese (I like Kite Hill chive cream cheese) onto a large wrap. Sprinkle with chopped red bell peppers, shredded carrot, and a dash of everything bagel seasoning. Add 4-5 slices vegan deli meat (I like Tofurkey pepper slices). Roll up tightly and then slice into 2-3 inch wide pieces.
Vegan Roll Ups and Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers
I’ve seen these cream cheese stuffed snacking peppers a bunch on instagram and knew I needed to make a vegan version. I made these with vegan Kite Hill chive cream cheese and a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning. If you haven’t tried it before – you need to do so ASAP! So yum. To complete the meal, I paired that with some rolled up tofurkey deli slices and vegan cheese, crackers, veggies, sliced apples and almonds.
Daily Harvest Butternut Squash Bowl
I always keep a few Daily Harvest bowls in my freezer for days when my fridge is looking pretty empty and I need to pack something for work. I usually bump up the protein in these by adding beans like I did here in the bowl. Throw some fresh fruit and a plant-based yogurt into your bag and you have a really simple lunch. On a side note, these were a lifesaver when taking care of a newborn since I didn’t have more than 5 minutes to cook but wanted something healthy. (Seriously, Daily Harvest makes a great gift for new moms!) Use code DEBBIE for up to $40 off your first order.
Favorite Products for Packed Lunches
