44 of Our Best Cold Lunch Ideas

Read Time: 20 mins

44 of Our Best Cold Lunch Ideas2/44 Hearty Muffuletta 5 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 55 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Famous in Louisiana, muffulettas are cold cuts, cheese and olive salad layered into an Italian bread shell. I was happy when a friend and co-worker gave me this recipe so I could make them myself. More than a meal, it’s a dining experience! —Ruth Hayward, Lake Charles, Louisiana Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 378 calories, 19g fat (5g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 1103mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 14g

protein. 3/44 California Roll Wraps 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved California Roll Wraps Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 6 wraps Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love the California rolls I get at sushi restaurants and wanted to capture those flavors in a sandwich I could take to work. I started with the standard ingredients, added a few others and came up with a hit. —Mary Pax-Shipley, Bend, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1 wrap: 365 calories, 18g fat (3g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 647mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 7g fiber), 13g protein.

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat. 4/44 Gyro Salad with Tzatziki Dressing 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: If you’re fond of gyros, you’ll enjoy this garden-fresh salad showcasing ground lamb, crumbled feta cheese, Kalamata olives, tomatoes and a creamy, tangy dressing. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 236 calories, 16g fat (7g saturated fat), 43mg cholesterol, 807mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 14g protein. 5/44 Golden Beet and Peach Soup with Tarragon Test Kitchen

Approved Golden Beet and Peach Soup with Tarragon Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: One summer we had a bumper crop of peaches from our two trees, so I had fun experimenting with different recipes. After seeing a beet soup recipe in a cookbook, I changed it a bit to include our homegrown golden beets and sweet peaches. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 159 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 129mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 4g fiber), 3g protein.

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 fruit, 1/2 fat

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 fruit, 1/2 fat. 6/44 Salmon Salad Sandwiches 16 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Salmon Salad Sandwiches Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These are perfect to pack in your kids’ lunch boxes when they can’t face another boring sandwich. We love the salmon, cream cheese and dill tucked inside a crusty roll. The carrots and celery add a nice crunch. -Yvonne Shust, Shoal Lake, Manitoba Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 463 calories, 29g fat (12g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 1158mg sodium,

28g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 25g protein

28g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 25g protein. 7/44 Sausage Squash Kabobs 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Expect a crowd to gather around the grill when these flavorful kabobs are cooking. The zesty honey-mustard glaze gives a lovely sheen to the sausage and veggies. —Lisa Malynn Kent, North Richland Hills, Texas. Nutrition Facts: 2 kabobs: 385 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 1491mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (40g sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein. 8/44 Grilled Chicken Ramen Salad 2 Reviews Test Kitchen

9/44 Buffalo Tofu Wrap 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved

Approved Grilled Chicken Ramen Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love this chicken ramen salad because it’s a complete meal in one bowl. Everyone loves when it’s on the table—that’s a reaction that doesn’t happen every night, so I appreciate the kudos when I get them! —Karen Carlson, Alameda, California Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 458 calories, 29g fat (4g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 738mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 22g protein. 9/44 Buffalo Tofu Wrap 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved

My family loves the tofu filling in this wrap!

Buffalo Tofu Wrap Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My family loves the tofu filling in this wrap! For parties, we often serve it as a dip with tortilla chips or pita bread. My husband requests this often, and it’s super easy to double the recipe if needed. —Deanna Wolfe, Muskegon, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 wrap: 452 calories, 29g fat (7g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1066mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 11g protein. 10/44 Turkey, Gouda & Apple Tea Sandwiches 4 Reviews Test Kitchen

11/44 Ham Caesar Salad 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste

Approved Turkey, Gouda & Apple Tea Sandwiches Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Cut into triangles or quarters, these fun mini sandwiches are a tasty addition to an afternoon tea gathering. The cranberry mayo lends an original flavor twist, and the apples give them a sweet-tart crunch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 tea sandwich: 59 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 150mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. 11/44 Ham Caesar Salad 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste

One bite, and you’ll fall in love with this combo!

of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: One bite, and you’ll fall in love with this combo! Serve with fresh iced tea and banana splits for a casual menu that won’t heat up your kitchen. —Mary Ann Schlabach, Sarasota, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1-3/4 cups with 2 tablespoons dressing: 326 calories, 22g fat (5g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 1108mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 19g protein. 12/44 Club Roll-Ups 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Club Roll-Ups Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go

The result is anything

to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Packed with meat, cheese and olives, these roll-ups are always a hit at parties. Nutrition Facts: 1 roll-up: 554 calories, 29g fat (12g saturated fat), 80mg cholesterol, 1802mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 7g fiber), 27g protein. 13/44 Thai-Inspired Roast Beef Sandwich Test Kitchen Approved Thai-Inspired Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 5 min Servings 1 serving Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love Thai food, but I wanted to see how its flavors would translate in a plain ol’ peanut butter sandwich. The result is anything

but plain—it’s just darn delicious

but plain—it’s just darn delicious. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor Nutrition Facts: 1 open-faced sandwich: 239 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 458mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 15g protein. 14/44 Chicken Caesar Pitas 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Hand-held and picnic friendly, these chicken-stuffed pockets pack a double dose of whole grains from brown rice and whole wheat pitas. The chicken can be made up to 2 days in advance for a fast-fix lunch. —Taste of

This was my absolute go-to sandwich last summer when I was pregnant

Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 2 filled pita halves: 398 calories, 10 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 65 mg cholesterol, 919 mg sodium, 44 g carbohydrate (3 g sugars, 5 g fiber), 31 g protein. 15/44 Mint-Cucumber Tomato Sandwiches 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 4 sandwiches Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I jazzed up the quintessential teatime cucumber sandwich to suit my family’s tastes. This was my absolute go-to sandwich last summer when I was pregnant. It hit all the right spots! —Namrata Telugu, Terre Haute, Indiana Nutrition Facts:

1 sandwich: 286 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 631mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 9g protein. 16/44 Tuna and White Bean Lettuce Wraps 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Tuna and White Bean Lettuce Wraps Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a fabulous way to dress up ordinary tuna salad. This easy recipe makes a quick dinner or lunch at the office, and it’s good for you. —Heather Senger, Madison, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 3 wraps: 279 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 fat, 1 starch

fat), 31mg cholesterol, 421mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 7g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 fat, 1 starch. 17/44 Dilly Chickpea Salad Sandwiches 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 15 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 295 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 586mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 7g fiber), 10g protein. 18/44 Chicken Salad Caprese 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 8 cups salad (6-1/2 dozen crostini) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This unique, flavorful salad and

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• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

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✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

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