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This blog post is about Boxed Lunch Ideas for Catering.
If you’re planning an event, meeting, or team lunch, boxed lunches are one of the easiest ways to keep things simple and mess-free.
I worked in event planning for about a year and learned a lot about what kinds of food cater well.
So, here are 22 creative and crowd-pleasing boxed lunch ideas to keep everyone happy, without the soggy sandwiches.
Boxed Lunch Ideas for Catering
This blog post is about Boxed Lunch Ideas for Catering.
1. Gourmet Sandwich Box
Skip the sad sub. Go with a crusty ciabatta roll or sourdough filled with roasted chicken, brie, arugula, and fig jam or aioli.
Add a handful of kettle chips and a small brownie or cookie on the side.
2. Classic Cobb Salad Box
This is a hearty salad that holds up well. Use chopped romaine, grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes, hard-boiled egg, avocado, blue cheese, and bacon bits.
Include dressing on the side and maybe a mini roll or slice of focaccia.
3. Bento Box Lunch
Perfect if you want something fresh and balanced.
Add 4–6 sushi rolls, a little container of soy sauce, some edamame or seaweed salad, fruit slices, and a sesame rice cracker.
You can keep it vegetarian or go with salmon or shrimp.
4. Mediterranean Mezze Box
This one’s a crowd-pleaser. Pack hummus, a few falafel, cucumber and tomato salad, dolmas, pita wedges, and olives.
Add a little sweet, like a square of baklava or dried apricots.
5. Wrap & Chips Combo
Wraps are easy to eat and easy to make exciting.
Try turkey with pesto and spinach, or grilled veggies with hummus. Slice the wrap in halves or pinwheels, pair with a bag of chips or popcorn, and tuck in a mini cookie.
6. Build-Your-Own Taco Box
This one’s fun! Include two small tortillas (flour or corn), seasoned chicken or ground beef, shredded lettuce, cheese, salsa, and sour cream in separate little containers.
Toss in tortilla chips and maybe a mini churro or lime wedge.
7. Italian Antipasto Box
This feels fancy without being fussy. Go with slices of salami, prosciutto, marinated mozzarella balls, roasted red peppers, olives, and crackers or breadsticks.
Round it out with some grapes or a dark chocolate square.
8. Grain Bowl Box
Build a base of brown rice, farro, or quinoa (or cauliflower rice for low-carb).
Add roasted veggies, grilled chicken or tofu, and a drizzle of tahini or chimichurri sauce on the side. Include a lemon wedge and maybe a small fruit salad.
9. Charcuterie Snack Box
Think adult Lunchables.
Cheese cubes, sliced salami or pepperoni, a few crackers, grapes or apple slices, a handful of nuts, and a piece of dark chocolate.
Great for light lunches or afternoon meetings.
10. Mini Sliders Box
Pack two or three mini burgers (beef, pulled pork, or even black bean) with lettuce, cheese, and a little side of pickles.
Add coleslaw and a mini dessert—like a cupcake or cookie—for a filling but fun meal.
11. Pasta Salad Box
Pasta salad travels well and stays tasty. Try a caprese pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and balsamic drizzle, or go Greek with olives, feta, and cucumbers. Pair with a breadstick and a lemon bar.
12. Breakfast-for-Lunch Box
Some people just love breakfast any time of day.
Include an egg and cheese bagel sandwich or a veggie breakfast burrito, a side of fruit salad, and a muffin or granola bar.
Add a cold brew or juice if you’re feeling generous.
13. Asian Noodle Salad Box
This one’s light but packed with flavour. Use soba or rice noodles tossed in sesame-soy dressing, with shredded carrots, cabbage, green onion, and grilled chicken or tofu.
Add a side of mandarin oranges or a fortune cookie.
14. DIY Sandwich Kit
For picky eaters or anyone who wants fresh bread, keep things separate.
Include sandwich bread or a roll, slices of turkey or ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and condiments in little packets.
Add a bag of chips and a fruit cup.
15. Soup & Sandwich Combo
Perfect for colder days. Pack a sturdy soup (like tomato basil or chicken noodle) in a leak-proof container, a half sandwich (maybe grilled cheese or turkey and Swiss), and a cookie. Don’t forget a spoon and napkin!
16. Loaded Baked Potato Box
Serve a whole baked potato or sweet potato with toppings on the side: shredded cheese, sour cream, green onion, bacon bits, and roasted broccoli.
Add a slice of banana bread or a small side salad to round it out.
17. Vegan Power Bowl
A colourful bowl with roasted sweet potatoes, chickpeas, quinoa, kale, and avocado slices.
Top with tahini, lemon-turmeric, or green goddess dressing. Include a few crackers or a fruit-based energy bite.
18. Pizza Lunch Box
A small personal pizza (cheese, pepperoni, or veggie), a side Caesar salad, and a cookie make this feel like a Friday treat.
Great for casual team lunches or when you want to keep it fun.
19. Southern Comfort Box
Include two buttermilk fried chicken tenders, creamy mac and cheese, a piece of cornbread or biscuit, and maybe a pickle or slaw.
Add a sweet tea or mini pie if you want to go all out.
20. Sushi & Seaweed Snack Box
Keep it simple with a roll of California, veggie, or spicy tuna, a little soy sauce, wasabi peas or seaweed snacks, and a few slices of cucumber. Include chopsticks and a mochi treat if you want to be extra thoughtful.
21. Kids’ Favorite Box
Mini ham or PB&J sandwich, cheese cubes, grapes, goldfish crackers, and a fun-size treat.
Great for school events or family-friendly catering where you need to please younger guests.
22. Low-Carb Lunch Box
Grilled chicken or hard-boiled eggs, sliced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, olives, cheese cubes or hummus.
Add a handful of almonds and a low-sugar protein bar or dark chocolate square for dessert.
Don’t Forget:
Include clear labels on each box (especially for allergens and dietary preferences), utensils, napkins, and a little thank-you note if you’re feeling extra.
A thoughtful boxed lunch goes a long way in making people feel cared for, whether it’s a corporate lunch or a picnic in the park.
This article is all about the best boxed lunch ideas for catering.
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