Tzatziki Dipping Bento

Tzatziki is made with Greek yogurt and is a great dip to add to any lunch to dip veggies. You can pack your child’s favorite ones, and you’ll get a healthy lunch made with real ingredients that is also fun to eat!

To make it a balanced and filling meal, you just need to open the fridge and add a few more basic staples, as I’ll show you below. That’s all. Lunch solved!

This lunch includes:

• Tzatziki yogurt dip: a terrific source of protein and a great sauce to dip veggies.
• Cucumber slices: since Tzatziki is made with cucumber, they pair amazingly well.
• Cherry tomatoes: optional for extra nutrition. You can add other veggies instead.
• Hard-boiled egg: more protein to make this bento a filling lunch.
• Cheese: your favorite cheese, sliced.
• Deli turkey: or any deli meat you have on the fridge.
• Whole-grain crackers: or your kid’s favorite crackers.
• Grapes: optional, for a sweet addition. Include any fruit you like.

You’ll find the measurements in the recipe card below.

Here is how I packed this lunch:

1. Pack the dip
   Fill a small, lidded container with Tzatziki and close the lid.
2. Add the wet ingredients
   In the main compartment of a lunch container, place the cucumber slices, rolled up turkey, cheese, and peeled hard-boiled egg. If there’s room, place any other veggies, like the cherry tomatoes, in this compartment or in a separate compartment.
3. Pack crackers separated
   Store the crackers in a separate compartment or container so they don’t absorb the moisture from the other ingredients and get soggy.
4. Add fruit
   Pack any fruit, like grapes (shown), in another compartment or container.
5. Refrigerate
   Close the lid to the main bento container. Refrigerate up to a day ahead.  

Tips to pack healthy lunches for kids (and adults)

Make a batch of hard-boiled eggs
Having hard-boiled eggs in the fridge is a convenient way to add protein to any lunch. Batch-cook them, peel them, and store them in the refrigerator. Then, you can add it to bento boxes like this one and many other portable meals for kids and adults. 

Swap ingredients
When assembling bento lunches, the #1 rule is to pack things correctly to keep lunch fresh and appealing. Meaning: feel free to add and swap ingredients to use what you already have, like your favorite cheese, crackers, and any deli meat, instead of turkey.

Get creative with veggies and fruits
No cherry tomatoes? No problem. Omit them, or add baby carrots, bell peppers strips, celery sticks, green beans, etc. No grapes? Add berries, cherries, sliced oranges, tangerine, kiwi, peach, pineapple, pears, or apples. If adding pears or apples, check this post with all my tips to prevent them from browning.

Save time
Instead of packing this lunch while trying to wake up the kids and make breakfast, assemble this bento the day before. Slice cucumber, eggs, and cheese, and roll up deli turkey. Pack everything ahead so it’s ready to add to the lunch bag on busy mornings!