Every weekday morning (almost), I get up with my husband at 5:15. I make him a handheld hot breakfast and one of my easy, packable lunches. I give him a smooch and send him out the door.
I’m a great wife, but that’s not the only reason I do it. I do want him to eat healthily and take care of himself. But really, that’s not why I do it, either.
I. Am. Cheap. My main drive to get up at 5:15 am Monday through Friday is because I do not want him to spend $25 daily for breakfast and lunch.
I had a conversation with him last week about money. I was curious about his thoughts when he expected money to come in.
I was pretty sure I knew the answer – being married for 25 years.
If he has extra money, for example, income tax return, what does he think about first? Does he think: I should invest this into a Roth IRA? Should I beef up our emergency fund? Should I add a new roof to the garage?
Nope.
When asked, the first thing he thinks of is…What can I buy?
He is at Home Depot right now, getting moldings for the upstairs. He has been there for 3.5 hours.
I texted him to ensure he was okay because the weather worsened.
So, because my husband is a spender and not a saver, I know that I have to set up the situation so there is little to no opportunity for unnecessary spending.
And because it is five in the morning, these must be easy, packable ideas. I cannot tell you the number of times I have forgotten something because I was half asleep. Easy, packable ideas are the name of the game.
30 Lunch Ideas For Work (For Men)
These are some cold lunch ideas that I usually make for my husband. He might also get a peanut butter and jelly or bologna sandwich. Because sometimes, life happens. And sometimes, he would get a twenty-dollar bill if I didn’t sleep well. These are some great lunch ideas for work for men, especially when they have no way to heat leftovers.
These ideas are great for anyone on the road to work every day, those who work outside, or any place they cannot get to buy lunch. These are great cold lunch ideas for construction workers, too.
Pasta Salad With Steak and Veggies
Pasta salad with steak and veggies is a hearty and flavorful lunch option for men at work. The pasta provides carbohydrates, while the steak and veggies add protein and fiber. The salad can be dressed with a tangy vinaigrette, making it a tasty and healthy meal for the workday. Plus, it’s easy to pack and doesn’t require heating.
Hummus And Veggie Wrap
It doesn’t seem manly, but it’s packed with nutritious and hearty protein to keep your guy going all day!
Grab a flavorful wrap and add a decent dollop of humus and all the veggies your sweet hubby likes. Serve with some chips or a sweet treat.
Roast Beef and Cheddar Cheese Sandwich
A roast beef and cheddar cheese sandwich with pickles is a classic and satisfying lunch option for men at work. The sandwich is filled with protein from the beef and cheese, while the pickles add a tangy and refreshing crunch. It’s a simple and easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for busy workdays.
Sushi Rolls with Pickled Ginger and Wasabi
Sushi rolls with pickled ginger and wasabi are a delicious and healthy lunch option for men. The rolls provide protein and healthy fats from the fish, while the pickled ginger and wasabi add a tangy and spicy flavor. It’s a portable, easy-to-pack meal that can be enjoyed coldly, making it perfect for a busy workday.
Roasted Veggie And Cheese Quiche
The great thing about quiche is that it can be eaten at cool or room temperature and still taste great. It’s a flavorful and filling lunch option for men at work. The quiche is filled with protein and fiber from the eggs and vegetables, while the goat cheese adds a creamy and tangy flavor. It’s a satisfying and nutritious meal that can be enjoyed coldly, making it perfect for a work lunch.
Greek Salad With Chicken and Pita Bread
This salad is hearty when you add chicken, garbanzo beans, grape leaves, and feta cheese. Makes for a yummy lunch with Pita bread to dip in the leftover dressing.
Tuna Salad With Crackers
Tuna salad with crackers and sliced vegetables is a convenient and tasty lunch option for men at work. The high protein content in the tuna helps to keep hunger at bay throughout the day, while the vegetables provide a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals. Plus, it’s easy to prepare and pack, making it the perfect meal for busy workdays.
Quinoa Salad With Roasted Vegetables and Feta Cheese
Quinoa salad with roasted vegetables and feta cheese is a nutritious and satisfying lunch option for husbands on the job. Quinoa is a great source of protein, while roasted veggies provide fiber and vitamins. The feta cheese adds a creamy texture and tangy flavor to the dish, making it a delicious and healthy meal to fuel the workday.
Veggie and Cream Cheese Bagel Sandwich
A veggie and cream cheese bagel sandwich is a tasty and easy-to-make lunch option for husbands at work. Packed with fiber, vitamins, and protein from veggies and cream cheese, it’s a filling and nutritious meal that will keep hunger at bay throughout the workday. Plus, it’s portable and easy to pack. You could even use one of those bagel thins for less bread.
Bacon Chicken Ranch Wrap
Grilled chicken, cold bacon, baby spinach, diced tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and ranch dressing. Make sure there is enough stuff in the wrap, but not so much that it bursts open.
Serve with chips, a pickle, a piece of fruit, and a little something sweet.
Orzo And Shrimp Salad
Boil up some orzo or small pasta of your choice and let it cool. Add veggies like cucumbers, tomatoes, and black olives. Use canned shrimp or some pre-cooked frozen shrimp, feta cheese, and Italian dressing.
Serve with some berries, a dollop of yogurt, and some granola. And a sweet treat to close out lunch.
Charcuterie Board
This might be one of my husband’s favorites. Now, I don’t give him the cutting board and all the fancy stuff, but I pack up some Italian meats, a few kinds of cheese, some dipping mustard, olives, and nuts.
I might add some grapes or apples and pears too. Sometimes crackers go along with the meats and cheeses. It’s a great way to build an adult version of a Lunchable.
Chicken Salad And Dipping Chips
Dice up some grilled chicken and mix it with mayonnaise. Add some onion, celery, craisins, grapes, or hot sauce, depending on your likes.
And use tortilla chips or those big scoop corn chips for eating. You could also use bell peppers or cucumbers as dippers if you were trying to eat uber-healthy. Don’t forget a piece of fruit and a sweet treat.
Mega Deviled Eggs And Veggie Dippers
Just add enhancements to regular deviled eggs. Think bacon, diced ham, or browned ground sausage. Overstuff them for a complete meal. Add some sliced vegetables and dip to balance it out.
Also, don’t forget some cookies and grapes.
Baked Sweet Potato with Salsa and Greek Yogurt Or Sour Cream
Baked sweet potato with salsa and Greek yogurt is a delicious and nutritious lunch option for husbands. The sweet potato is loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, while the salsa adds a spicy kick and the Greek yogurt adds protein and creaminess. It’s a filling and healthy meal that can be enjoyed at room temperature or chilled, making it perfect for a busy workday.
Buffalo Chicken Wrap
A buffalo chicken wrap with celery and carrot sticks is a spicy and delicious lunch option for men at work. The wrap is filled with shredded chicken, hot sauce, and ranch dressing, while the celery and carrot sticks provide a refreshing crunch. It’s a filling and flavorful meal that’s easy to pack and perfect for busy workdays.
Meatlovers Salad
My husband isn’t a huge fan of salads. But, if it has less “salad” and more meat, he will eat it. I am talking about a small layer of spinach topped with either deli meats and cheeses or leftover dinner meat.
Add some diced veggies (just a little) and a good salad dressing, and he’s okay. As always, some snacks and fruit go into the lunch box.
Turkey Bacon Rollups
This one is easy peasy. Deli turkey, a slice of cheese, a piece of bacon, and roll it up.
You could slice them to make them bite-size or send them whole for dipping in some Russian dressing or spicy ranch. Add some chips, a fruit salad, and a piece of banana bread.
Chicken Salad Sandwich With Craisins
A chicken salad sandwich with craisins is a sweet and savory lunch option that’s perfect for husbands. The chicken provides protein, while the craisins add a touch of sweetness and fiber. The sandwich is easy to pack and can be enjoyed at room temperature, making it a great option for a busy workday.
Yogurt With Berries Aand Granola
Yogurt with berries and granola is a quick and easy lunch option for husbands at work. The yogurt provides protein and calcium, while the berries add antioxidants and fiber. The granola adds crunch and carbohydrates, making it a satisfying and filling meal. It’s easy to pack with a cooler cube and can be enjoyed on their lunch break.
Rice Cakes with Almond Butter and Banana Slices
Making a play on the kid’s favorite peanut butter and jelly, a twist of rice cakes with almond butter and banana slices is a tasty and healthy lunch option for men. The rice cakes provide a crunchy base, while the almond butter and banana add protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates. It’s a portable and easy-to-pack meal that can be enjoyed at room temperature, making it perfect for a busy workday.
Loaded Potato Salad
A regular potato and mayo salad, but add bacon, scallions, some hard-boiled eggs, and some shredded cheese, and it will fill up that hubby and be super tasty.
Don’t forget some carrots and blue cheese dip and some brownies for dessert.
Chicken and Vegetable Kebab with Tzatziki Sauce
Chicken and vegetable kebab with tzatziki sauce is a flavorful and nutritious lunch option for men at work. The kebab is filled with protein and fiber from the chicken and veggies, while the tzatziki sauce adds a creamy and tangy flavor. It’s a satisfying and filling meal that can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature, making it perfect for a work lunch.
Tuna Macaroni Salad
Traditional elbow pasta with tuna, mayonnaise, and peas. Nothing special here. Some cut-up veggies, maybe some cheese, pepperoni, crackers, fruit, and one of your famous homemade granola bars.
Spicy Chicken Dippers
Cold, grilled chicken breast cut up in chunks and tossed with buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, or honey garlic sauce. Some carrot and celery sticks with some blue cheese or ranch dressing on the side. Serve with coleslaw, a pear, and a few peanut butter cookies.
Asian Noodles with Chicken and Vegetables
Asian noodle salad with chicken and mixed vegetables is a flavorful and satisfying lunch option for men at work. The noodles provide carbohydrates for energy, while the chicken and veggies add protein and fiber. The dressing, made with soy sauce and sesame oil, adds a delicious umami flavor to the dish, making it a tasty and healthy meal to fuel the workday.
Zucchini Fritters with Tzatziki Sauce and Veggies
Zucchini fritters with tzatziki sauce and mixed veggies make for a delicious and nutritious lunch option for men at work. The fritters are crispy and flavorful, while the tzatziki sauce adds a refreshing tangy taste. The mixed veggies add fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it a healthy and filling meal that can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature.
Mediterranean Chicken Rice Bowl
The Mediterranean chicken rice bowl is a hearty and healthy lunch option for men at work. The bowl is filled with protein and fiber from the chicken and rice, while the Mediterranean-inspired veggies and feta cheese add flavor and nutrients. It’s a satisfying and filling meal that can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature, making it perfect for a work lunch. Perfect for leftover rotisserie chicken.
Deli Meat Roll-Ups
Grab your guy’s favorite deli meats and cheeses and roll them up. There’s plenty of protein and it’s probably one of our favorite of all of the easy lunch ideas available at all grocery stores. Don’t forget a creamy dressing for dipping.
Black Bean and Corn Salad with Avocado and Lime Dressing
Black bean and corn salad with avocado and lime dressing is a flavorful and healthy lunch option for husbands. The black beans and corn provide protein and fiber, while the avocado adds healthy fats and the lime dressing adds a tangy kick. It’s a filling and nutritious meal that can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature, making it perfect for a work lunch.
Make Lunches To Save
My husband leaves the house at about 5:35 to be at work by 6. He will not get up at 4 AM to sit down, have breakfast, and drink coffee before leaving.
He heads into the office to participate in the morning meeting, and then his team gets their assignment and heads out in the crew truck.
My husband is on the road traveling from one power plant to the next power plant. He is never in one place, and there isn’t any place to warm up leftovers.
Also, many of these hydros are not near a place to purchase lunch without getting in the company vehicle and driving for a bit. It’s best to send him lunch. The same goes for many other professions- these are great cold lunch ideas for construction workers who might be in the same boat.
Then, the other guys will stop at the corner for “breakfast and coffee’. We prep the coffee maker the night before and set the timer to keep dropping $10 on a breakfast sandwich and a coffee.
I think this is better than a Yeti. It stays hot ALL DAY, and it doesn’t leak. We invested (actually, I found it on clearance at Target) in a Contigo travel cup, but you can find these on Amazon, too.
So if he wants to save coffee for later, he can just put it in the side pocket of his lunch box with no worries.
He also has a manly large cooler-type lunch bag like this one from Amazon.
It fits everything in quite well and keeps my cold lunch ideas for my husband at the proper temperature.
Then, I make him an egg and cheese breakfast wrap to eat on the way to work.
Savings: $10
: Related Post: 33 Cheap Breakfast Ideas On The Go
A delicious lunch is also prepared with plenty of food. I would instead pack more than he needs than not enough. With plenty of snacks to deter an impulse purchase later in the day.
This all has to be good cold food because he doesn’t have access to a microwave.
Consider that coffee break between that early morning breakfast and the noon lunch.
Pack a protein bar, a bagel with cream cheese, or a muffin to stop an impulse buy at the donut shop.
A meal with a side and a drink will cost around $10. And then a snack in the afternoon – muffin, chips, or brownie and juice will be another $5.
Savings: $15
I make lunches to save money, but I also make breakfasts and coffee and provide snacks. All in the name of money savings.
5 Tips For Thrifty Work Lunches
My husband’s lunches need to taste good, and they need to be eaten cold. But they also need to be simple, easy, and economical.
Because if they aren’t, what’s the purpose of doing all that work?
So here are some of my tips to save money. While also making some thrifty work lunches that will meet the rest of the above criteria.
As with any household management task, meal prep is essential when packing lunches. When creating your meal planning outline for the week before you make your grocery list, consider the meal plans for lunches.
Think of repurposed leftovers. Cook tonight for tomorrow’s lunch. Are you making mac and cheese? Make extra pasta for macaroni salad.
Also, don’t forget the reusable water bottle like this one from Amazon. It’s a must!
Here are a few other tips for work lunches.
: Related Posts: 25 Best Ways to Live Frugally on One Income
Buy in bulk.
We tend to shop at BJ’s Warehouse a lot. Things like yogurt, cheese sticks, and snacks are all bought in bulk and then separated. Also, apples and pears will last quite a while, and I find them cheaper in bulk. Here’s a post all about saving at membership clubs.
Use reusable containers.
Using those reusable containers makes sense not only for your budget but also for the environment. I love our reusable containers.
I use them for both boys, myself, and leftovers. Here is the link to my favorite stainless steel lunch containers – Square deep containers with lids, rectangle containers with sections and tops, and round stainless bowls with lids from Amazon.
Create your own “Lunchables” or “takeout.”
Kids are not the only ones who like those little Lunchables. When my husband tries to cut down on bread and pasta, he loves cheeses and meats.
Making a little Lunchable with salami, a few different kinds of cheese, some olives, or maybe a few nuts and a piece of chocolate makes lunch seem fancy.
Creating mini sandwiches, subs, or wraps that you might get in a posh sandwich shop also keeps cold lunches exciting.
A turkey bacon wrap with ranch dressing, avocado, lettuce, and tomatoes or a mini-sub roll with roast beef, swiss, and Russian seems more special than just ham and cheese.
Buy it when it’s on sale.
Stocking your freezer with proteins when it’s on sale is an innovative and thrifty move. Yogurts and cheeses freeze well.
Of course, grabbing those chicken thighs when they are forty-nine cents a pound will make a pretty tasty and cheap chicken salad in a pita shell.
Buying a whole roast for five dollars a pound and cooking it yourself will save you six dollars a pound at the deli. $10.49 per pound for roast beef is crazy expensive.
Plus, they put a lot of salt, colorings, and preservatives.
: Related Post: 25 Thrifty Ways to Save Money on Meat
Think outside of the (bread) box.
Consider ditching the old slice of bread for other options. Wraps, rolls, and buns keep sandwiches pleasing and exciting to the eyes and the taste buds.
Not only sandwich bread alternatives but keep going. Try a shrimp and orzo pasta salad or extremely deviled eggs.
Even a green, meat lovers salad (less green, more meat) with a favorite dressing would be different and exciting.
Final Thoughts On Easy Packable Lunches For Your Husband
Those are my ideas for a healthy lunch. I am keeping it frugal at the same time. Even though these things might cost a tad more than peanut butter and jelly, they will be cheaper than buying meals out every day.
Consider what your husband likes to eat. He may love egg salad but despise tuna salad. You could meal prep five of those mason jar salads, which would be the bee’s knees.
Some great lunch ideas for work for men.
If you can’t bear to watch large amounts of money disappear on workday meals, consider these ideas for cold lunches. It will save time and money and is just healthier for you. And if your husband is like mine, you may not be able to count on him to make his lunches. You might need to take the lead on this.
Related Posts:
What Is Reverse Meal Planning, And Will It Save Money?
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MICHELLE PROSCIA
I just started to do lunch prep for my husband. I bought a portable hot plate lunch bag for him. Om still mew to the husband lunch prep, but that bag opens up many possibilitiea and he loves it.
Shannon
My husband is a shift worker and works with young adults with no kids and can buy lunch everyday… we have two kids in school, a home, etc. So the 100 bucks a week on ordering out is alot. These meals are perfect ! He does have access to a microwave so I took your ideas and added my own touches to them so they can be enjoyed warmed up or cold! Thank you so much for the ideas! Truly is a HUGE help : )
Sara
So grateful that you are here and happy that I was able to help!
Kristen
Great ideas! I struggle to think of creative things to send with my husband, and I know he is SO tired of pb&j or a turkey sandwich! Thanks for the tips!
Susanna
Love this post! Glad to read I’m not the only cheap wife who has a husband constantly thinking, “what can I buy?” These are great ideas, specifically for those of us feeding men working physical outdoor jobs without access to microwaves. Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you 🙂
Sara
Absolutely! So happy you found this helpful!! Thank you!
Katherine
Thank you for all the helpful tips. It is much appreciated.
Brian Crawford
Great tips and suggestions
Needed help figuring out stuff to pack for lunch for myself.
Thank you
P.S. Super impressed you do all that for your hubby! Wish I could say the same for my wife.