When was the last time you made yourself a nice lunch for a work day? If you’re like most people, lunch is a bit of a scramble. That’s why we came up with 5 bento box lunch ideas for adults, so you can take a breather in the middle of the day with a meal that’s enjoyable and satisfying.
We hear it a lot here at Mark’s Daily Apple: Breakfast is easy, and I make dinner for my family so that’s automatic. But lunch? Most days, I just wing it. I’ll skip it sometimes just because my day is underway, or I’ll eat something that’s quick – which isn’t always the best choice.
Sound familiar?
We hear you. Making yourself a nice meal smack in the middle of the day just isn’t tenable for most people.
Prep for lunches doesn’t have to be an elaborate chore thanks to these adult lunch options. Perfect for on-the-go, these lunches utilize leftovers, basic ingredients, and quick-cooking items. When paired together, they create the perfect balanced Primal lunch.
The best part? Most of these options can be made ahead and enjoyed throughout the week.
Easy Italian Bento Lunch
Ingredients
- Sausage of choice
- Mozzarella
- Roasted squash
- Italian dressing
- Cherry tomatoes
- Basil
Roast and slice your favorite sausage, using a little avocado oil spray (optional) to prevent sticking. Slice up roasted zucchini and summer squash (or your favorite veggies), toss them in Italian dressing and roast on a sheet pan until golden. Assemble your lunch with the sliced sausages, mozzarella, the roasted squash, sliced tomatoes and garnish with fresh basil.
Easy Burger Lunch
Ingredients
Whip up some burgers on the grill or stovetop (or better yet, use leftovers) for this lunch. Slice your favorite potato or sweet potato (or for a lower carb option, you can use rutabagas or turnips) and toss them in avocado oil. Roast them on a sheet pan at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, then flip them over and roast until they’re golden.
Make burgers by using the sweet potato slices as “buns” and top your burgers with sliced tomato and red onion. Use your favorite Primal Kitchen condiments like Pesto Mayo, Dijon Mustard, and Spicy Ketchup to put on top. Serve with your favorite raw veggies.
BIG Mason Jar Salads
Ingredients
- Romaine lettuce
- Tomato
- Carrot
- Cucumber
- Nuts or seeds of choice
- Chicken breast or thighs
- Dressing of choice
No tiny salads here! Use a 32oz or half gallon mason jar and fill with your favorite salad items. To prepare this salad, we marinated chicken (you can use breast or thigh) in your favorite dressing for a few hours. Roast the chicken on a sheet pan at 375 degrees until the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Shred or chop the chicken, then layer it in your mason jars. For very large jars like this, we recommend pouring the salad into a large bowl before eating.
When you’re ready to eat, pour the dressing into the jar and give it a shake.
Deli Bento
Ingredients
Who needs a regular sandwich when you can make these fun Primal Deli Bento Boxes? Use your favorite sliced meat (we like natural roasted sliced turkey), avocado and nori sheets to wrap them up in. Avocado oil mayo and dijon mustard are great condiments here. Serve alongside a primal snack mix like walnuts and fresh blueberries.
Tuna Salad Lunch
Ingredients
Want a fun twist on tuna salad? Combine 1-2 cans of tuna with your favorite avocado oil mayo (and maybe some mustard, too), some chopped celery, and scoop the tuna into a cut bell pepper. Serve alongside hardboiled eggs and a handful of walnuts and dark chocolate.
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