27 Primal Lunchbox Ideas

Packing a lunch day after day saves money and helps you stick to your health goals, but it requires some regular inspiration. From simple no-cook Bento box lunches, to layered Big-Ass salads, to big-batch recipes that provide dinner and lunch the next day, we’ve got you covered. Pack something good every day of the week with these go-to Primal lunchbox ideas.

Big-Ass Salads

Put together several Big-Ass salads and store them in glass mason jars so you can grab the pre-made salads for lunch throughout the workweek. Dressing goes in the bottom of the jar and the salad ingredients are layered on top. This keeps everything crisp and fresh, even if you pack the salad a few days in advance. When you’re ready to eat lunch, dump the contents into a bowl and voila! You’ve got yourself a Big-Ass salad.

Tips For Packing Jar Salads:

Use quart-sized jars for main course salads and pint jars for side salads
Wide mouth jars are easiest to pack
Most mason jar salads can be packed up to 3 days ahead of time
Pour 2 to 4 tablespoons salad dressing in the bottom of the jar
Layer ingredients from firmest in texture to lightest, so the salad doesn’t get soggy
Greens are the last ingredient to go in the jar. Tear larger leaves into bite-sized pieces. It’s okay to pack the greens in tightly.

Mason Jar Big-Ass Salad Inspiration:

Greek Salad: Thinly sliced red onion, cooked ground lamb or sliced lamb , large diced cucumber, feta, Kalamata olives, spinach

DIY Dressing: Dill Vinaigrette
Primal Kitchen® Pairing: Greek Dressing

Nicoise Salad: Canned olive oil-packed tuna or sardines, cold potatoes, hard-boiled egg slices, green beans, halved cherry tomatoes, romaine lettuce

DIY Dressing: Parsley Dressing
Primal Kitchen Pairing: Italian Vinaigrette

Chopped Chicken Salad: Leftover cooked, shredded or sliced chicken, thinly sliced red bell pepper, grated carrots, chopped green onion, slivered almonds, shredded cabbage

DIY Dressing: Asian Dressing
Primal Kitchen Pairing: Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette

More Delicious Jar Salads:

Mark’s Big Ass Keto Salad

Banh Mi Salad

Harvest Bowl with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

Bento Box Lunches

Bento box lunches offer a variety of flavors and foods with very little effort. The trick is keeping your kitchen well stocked with healthy whole foods that require little or no prep time. Just open your fridge and pantry, pull a few things out, and pack up your bento lunch box.

Bento Lunch Box Inspiration:

Canned olive oil-packed tuna with Primal Kitchen Mayo + Sweet mini bell peppers + Olives + Fresh berries with coconut butter
Smoked Salmon + Cucumber + Avocado + Green beans drizzled with sesame oil + Dried Seaweed (nori or SeaSnax)
Primal-approved jerky (no sugar or additives) + Hard-boiled egg + Carrot slices with Primal Kitchen Ranch Dressing + Apple slices and nut butter
Primal-approved cooked sausage (no sugar or additives) + Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese shavings + Cherry tomatoes with fresh basil (or pesto) + Raw Almonds

Other Bento Box Ingredient Ideas:

Greek Yogurt
Macadamia Nuts
Cooked Bacon
Meatballs
Chicken Drumsticks
Cooked Sweet Potato Slices
Primal/Keto Muffins
Peanut Butter Protein Cookies

For more kids’ bento box ideas, check out this post.

Leftover Lunches

Not sure what to pack for lunch? The answer might be in your fridge already. It’s called “leftovers.” Packing lunch is always easier when there are dinner leftovers in the fridge. These 9 recipes make big batches of food, providing both dinner and lunch the next day.

Chicken Cacciatore

Tender chicken thighs are cooked in a rich sauce made from tomatoes, mushrooms, bell peppers and garlic. Packing fresh garnishes in your lunch box like basil, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and black olives will give leftover chicken cacciatore fresh, bright flavor.

Sheet Pan Shrimp and Broccoli

This simple sheet pan meal is just as good the next day eaten as a shrimp and broccoli salad. Buy a bag of baby spinach to toss with the leftover shrimp and broccoli for lunch and don’t forget to dress the salad with Primal Kitchen Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette.

Sweet Potato Chili

Chili tastes better a day or two after it’s made, which means it’s a perfect leftover for lunch. With a simple list of ingredients and a short cooking time, this smoky sweet potato chili is sure to become a regular weeknight dinner that also provides lunch the next day.