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Cold Lunch Ideas for Teens

By Updated

5 from 4 votes

If you’re looking for fresh cold lunch ideas to add to your rotation, this post includes some of my teens’ favorites that can be packed ahead or quickly in the morning.

As a mom of teens, I’ve packed my share of healthy lunches for school, so this post includes the ideas and the how-tos for packing them in a lunch box.

an image collage of six cold lunch ideas for teens

Cold Lunches for High Schoolers

Healthy packed lunches that can keep teens full tend to be protein-rich lunches that are tasty. Check out cold lunches for high schoolers and click to read how to keep each fresh in a lunch bag for hours:

Turkey Club Wrap
5 from 18 votes
Learn how to pack this teen-favorite wrap for school that's oh.so.good!
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Chicken Caesar Wrap
5 from 17 votes
Everything you love from the classic salad in a wrap -no fork needed.
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cobb salad lunchbox
Cobb Salad
5 from 10 votes
This one is so good, it's at the top of my high schooler's list of ideas!
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sliced chicken breast, vegetables bacon slices and a boiled egg in a lunch container
Leftover Chicken Lunch
5 from 25 votes
The perfect high-protein lunch to pack with leftovers. Bulk it up with a side salad, fruit, or even a yogurt.
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Turkey Pepperoni Sandwich
5 from 22 votes
Almost like pizza in sandwich form but with a lot more protein.
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greek chicken bento box with veggies, fruit, and tzatziki sauce.
Greek Chicken Bento
5 from 5 votes
Like eating an appetizer board at your favorite Mediterranean restaurant at school.
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thai pasta salad in a lunch container
Thai Pasta Salad Lunch
5 from 1 vote
Bursting with flavor and crunch, this Thai pasta salad is the perfect quick lunch!
Make This Recipe
Easy Ham and Cheese Sub
5 from 18 votes
Skip Subway and make your own with more filling! Remember to add tasty sides.
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Healthy Turkey and Cheese Sandwich
5 from 16 votes
No more plain, boring, turkey & cheeses with the list of add-ins you can add to this sandwich.
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protein lunchable
Protein Lunchable
5 from 15 votes
This classic never goes out of style. Skip buying the yellow box and add this to your lunch for a little extra.
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Bacon & Chicken Ranch Wrap
5 from 26 votes
This chicken wrap is all the rage and this post shares how to keep wraps from getting soggy!
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chicken strip salad
Quick Chicken Strip Salad
5 from 13 votes
Make it with leftover chicken strips or your favorite ones you keep in the freezer.
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sandwich with deli chicken and bacon, lettuce, tomato for school lunch.
Chicken Bacon Sandwich
5 from 15 votes
Want to pack this cult classic for school? Learn how in this post.
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two halves of a chicken avocado wrap in a lunchbox
Chicken Avocado Wrap
5 from 17 votes
Chicken and Avocado go to gether like PB&J. Learn how to keep it fresh!
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Turkey and Veggie Hummus Wrap
5 from 15 votes
Love crunchy foods? This wrap has you covered.
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Triple Decker Tomato & Cheese Sandwich and some carrots in a lunchbox
Tomato & Cheese Triple-Decker
5 from 14 votes
A healthy triple-decker packed for school. It's so good!
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Rotisserie Chicken Lunch Wrap
5 from 15 votes
Add one of the sauces listed and transform those rotisserie leftovers into a delicious lunch.
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bologna and cheese sandwich
Bologna and Cheese Sandwich
5 from 7 votes
If bologna is your go-to, that's cool. Here is how to make it more exciting to eat.
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strawberry peanut butter sandwich
Strawberry Peanut Butter Sandwich
5 from 7 votes
Adding sliced strawberries is way better than jelly. So so good.
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Always See My Lunches in Google
bento box with chicken, hummus, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, pita and cheese
Chicken and Hummus Bistro Box
5 from 24 votes
A protein lunch box you can snack on between classes or when lunch is busy.
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Turkey Sub
5 from 15 votes
Subs are all the rage and definitely winners with bigger appetites.
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Buffalo Chicken Salad with dressing in a divided lunch container. Carrot sticks and blueberries fill the other two container sides
Epic Buffalo Chicken Salad
5 from 6 votes
A healthy, protein salad for those who love Buffalo sauce!
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closeup view of caprese sandwich with pesto
Caprese Sandwich with Pesto
5 from 5 votes
A fresh Caprese salad packed for school in a sandwich you can hold and eat.
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chicken salad lunchbox with crackers and apples
Healthy Chicken Salad Lunch
5 from 5 votes
A healthy chicken salad packed with fruit, veggies, and crackers to keep you full with lots of protein.
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a bed of lettuce in a lunchbox and topped with corn, black beans, grilled chicken, and tomatoes. On the side are chips and a sauce container filled with ranch dressing.
Santa Fe Chicken Salad
5 from 12 votes
Taco night leftovers get a make over with this simple salad.
Pack this Lunch

After your teens work their way down this list of cold lunches, give them a copy of my ebook with 101 lunch ideas to last them this school year, and beyond!

Stop Wondering What to Pack. 

Pack lunches your kids will actually eat with 101 lunch ideas, practical packing tips, a complete Thermos Lunch Guide, and my Pack Meals Like a Pro bonus.

101 packed lunches on an ipad with a lunch packing tips ebook on an iphone
Grab a Copy!
by Laura Fuentes
onJune 25, 2024

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    5 from 4 votes

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  1. Clara says

    5 stars
    This is a great selection of recipes for hot summer days!

    Reply

  2. Kate K. says

    5 stars
    These lunch ideas are everything!! My kids (now teens!) have enjoyed many of your epic recipes so these are great for their growing appetites!

    Reply

  3. Ferrara says

    5 stars
    The salads and wraps are legit!

    Reply

  4. Maddie says

    5 stars
    These cold lunch ideas for teens are such a good idea! Saves so much time in the morning. Will definitely need to give these a try.

    Reply