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Need lunch ideas that are filling enough for a teen but still easy to pack on a school morning? These lunch ideas for teens include wraps, bowls, salads, sandwiches, bentos, and hot lunches that work whether you're packing for your teen or they're making lunch themselves.
Packed Lunch Ideas for Teens
I've packed these lunches for my own teens, so the ideas here are based on what actually worked for longer school days and bigger kids. They’re quick and simple enough for teens to pack themselves, while others are easy to prep ahead or make with leftovers.
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.
More Lunches for Teens
Ready to pack your own lunch? Start with one main item, then add sides like fruit, vegetables, and a snack. Need more ideas? Browse by what you need:
Lunchboxes for Teens
A teen lunch needs enough food for a longer school day and a container that doesn’t feel childish. These are the teen lunchboxes and thermoses I’ve bought for my high schoolers because they hold bigger portions and fit easily inside a backpack, gym bag, or school lunch bag.
Packing a Filling Lunch
Build lunch with protein, a filling carbohydrate, and foods with healthy fats. Turkey, chicken, eggs, tuna, cheese, hummus, nuts, rice, wraps, whole-grain bread, and fruit all help make lunch last longer.
For a bigger appetite, add another sandwich, an extra burrito, or one of these filling snacks for teens. If you have practice after school, use this guide to pack more food for active teens.
Treats for High School Lunches
A treat makes lunch more fun, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. Pack fruit, nuts, energy bites, a homemade parfait, or one of these lunchbox desserts.
Healthy Teen Lunch Wrap + 21 Other Ideas
Watch How It’s Made:
Ingredients
- 1 flour tortilla
- 1 cup chopped lettuce
- ½ cup halved cherry tomato
- 2 ounces sliced deli turkey
- 1 hard-boiled egg, sliced
- 2 tablespoons shredded Cheddar
- cheese
- 2 tablespoons Ranch dressing
Instructions
Make the Wrap
- Place the tortilla onto a flat surface. Top the center of the tortilla with lettuce, tomatoes, chopped deli turkey, chopped hard-boiled eggs, cheese, and a drizzle of Ranch dressing. Fold and roll burrito style and slice in half.
- Tip: Wet ingredients like tomatoes should be placed over lettuce to prevent the tortilla from absorbing moisture and getting soggy.
Pack for Lunch
- Pack the wrap in a lunch container. If adding fruits and veggies, keep them separate. Close the container and pack it into a lunch bag with an ice pack.
Julia says
I loved these quick and healthy lunch idea for my teen!
DK says
What a great list! I think my kid will love the grilled cheese and BLT – thanks!
MacKenzie says
As a mom of two teens I am always looking for new lunch ideas. They have gotten very tired of uncrustables. I made these wraps and now they keep asking for more.
Gianne says
The recipes were easy to make and delicious and are perfect for keeping teens fueled and focused throughout the school day.
Kimberly says
These are all great ideas and ones that my kids said they’ll actually make themselves which is a big win in my book!!