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30 Exciting Paleo Lunch Box Recipe Ideas

Bringing lunch to work doesn’t have to mean reheating last night’s leftovers.

These are plenty of quick and easy recipes you can prepare, to make lunchtime a meal you really look forward to.

Like Chicken and Bacon Bites with Green Onion and Sage, a Roasted Cauliflower Broccoli Tuna Bowl, Mini Paleo Burgers, and more…

A healthy lunch box will help you stay energized throughout the day:

• Pick a main meal – it could be something you’ll heat up like Mexican Chori Pollo or a salad like Rainbow Thai Chopped Salad
• Add healthy snacks like nuts, fruits and berries.
• There’s also Banana Bread if you’d like something sweet
• And pack a bottle of water to help you stay hydrated

We’ve got chicken, pork, beef, and seafood recipes to get you inspired – as well as fruit and vegetable recipes, too.

The best part about these lunch box ideas: you can also use these recipes as starters or appetizers for dinners and parties!

Table Of Contents for Paleo Lunch Box Recipe Ideas

• Paleo Lunch Box Ideas – Chicken Recipes
• Paleo Lunch Box Ideas – Pork Recipes
• Paleo Lunch Box Ideas – Beef Recipes
• Paleo Lunch Box Ideas – Seafood Recipes
• Paleo Lunch Box Ideas – Vegetables Recipes
• Paleo Lunch Box Ideas – Fruit Recipes

If you click or tap any of the links above, it will instantly take you to the recipe below. Or download the entire list by clicking on the green button below.

Paleo Lunch Box Ideas – Chicken Recipes

Chicken & Bacon Bites with Green Onion and Sage

– Meatified

Ingredients: bacon, ground chicken, green onion, ground sage, garlic powder.
Photo Credit: Rach from Meatified

These delicious little bites are a perfect addition to a lunchbox as they taste just as good hot or cold and can be enjoyed on their own or with a dipping sauce. The sage and garlic bring up the flavor of the chicken and the bacon adds a salty hit and keeps these snacks moist and unctuous. These would also be great to serve as party food or at a children’s party, served with cocktail sticks to avoid sticky fingers.

Cooked Chicken, Broccoli and Apple Salad

– The Healthy Foodie

Ingredients: chicken, apple, broccoli florets, raw almonds, green olives, apricots, crispy bacon, vinaigrette, garlic, lemon juice, paleo mayo, Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, raw honey, Himalayan salt, black pepper, fresh rosemary.
Photo Credit: Sonia from The Healthy Foodie

This salad is packed with protein, flavor and textures and makes a really satisfying meal. Adding fruit to a salad adds another dimension to the meal – a sweetness and juiciness that you don’t expect. The chicken and bacon flavors are enhanced by the dressing and the rosemary. It might be a good idea to try using different fruit for a variation; something like mango would work well here.

Mexican Chori Pollo (Contains Dairy)

– I Breathe I’m Hungry

Ingredients: onions, butter, chicken or turkey meat, Mexican Chorizo, ground coriander, ground cumin, garlic powder, chipotle powder, jack or cheddar cheese.
Photo Credit: Melissa from I Breath I’m Hungry

This Mexican-based recipe is wonderfully spiced, and the chorizo adds a real depth of flavor to the chicken. It can be eaten as it is or served with a salad and some guacamole to keep the Mexican theme going. If you find the chicken is a little dry you could add a spoonful of chicken broth, but the oils in the chorizo usually keep the dish moist enough.

Paleo Butter Chicken

– My Heart Beets

Ingredients: chicken thighs, coconut cream, lemon juice, garam masala, coriander powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder, paprika, salt, pepper, ghee, onion, ginger, garlic, green bell pepper, tomato sauce, coconut milk, Kashmiri chili powder or cayenne, fenugreek leaves, cilantro.
Photo Credit: Ashley from My Heart Beets

Like a lot of Indian recipes, the list of ingredients can be a bit surprising, but the mix of spices used here is what gives the dish an authentic curry flavor. Butter chicken is a firm favorite in many countries, but making your own is even more special. It has a smooth and creamy sauce which is not too strong, but will leave you wanting more!

Chipotle Dijon Turkey Meatballs (Contains Dairy)

– Slim Palate

Ingredients: turkey, chipotle powder, garlic, Dijon mustard, dried cilantro, egg, parmesan, limes, avocado oil, salt, pepper.
Photo Credit: Josh from Slim Palate

Turkey is one of the leanest white meats you can find but it doesn’t disappoint in the taste department! These meatballs are tangy and spiced but filling and so satisfying. They could be served with a salad as a main meal or packed for lunch as a savory treat. They would also go really well as a light meal for kids, but go easy on the chipotle!

Watermelon Arugula Salad (Contains Dairy)

– Clean Eating with a Dirty Mind

Ingredients: baby arugula, watermelon, chicken, avocado, ricotta salata, sea salt, shallot, sherry vinegar, fresh lemon juice, water, Dijon mustard, extra virgin olive oil, pepper.
Photo Credit: Vanessa from Clean Eating with a Dirty Mind

Sometimes it is so nice to find something unusual added to a salad, and the watermelon is the perfect hidden ingredient here. It adds juiciness to the meal and really lifts the freshness of the dish, and sets off the chicken perfectly. With a dressing of mustard and vinegar, this salad is the height of summer freshness.

Rainbow Thai Chopped Salad

– Get Inspired Everyday
Ingredients: chicken thighs, sambal oelek chili paste, fish sauce, maple syrup, garlic, mixed greens, purple cabbage, cucumber, red bell pepper, mangos, cilantro, green onions, cashew butter, lime juice, coconut milk, tamari sauce or coconut aminos, sea salt.

It is a true saying that you eat with your eyes as well as your mouth – meals taste better if they look appealing. Well, this salad is packed with color and texture and looks truly amazing! There are sweet notes from the fruit, savory ones from the meat and fish sauce and a zesty freshness from the lime juice. This is a perfect salad to pack for lunch or to enjoy sitting outside on a warm day.

Turkey Cucumber Roll Ups

– Plaid and Paleo
Ingredients: cucumber, veggie dip, turkey deli meat.

These rolls are the type of food that looks like you went to a lot of trouble to make them, but they are remarkably easy to prepare. They are full of flavor and an excellent way to use up deli meat for a quick snack. You could serve these as an appetizer or use them for a healthy lunch for the kids so that you know they are eating something wholesome.

Paleo Lunch Box Ideas – Pork Recipes

Slow Cooker Breakfast Meatloaf

– Meatified

Ingredients: coconut oil or avocado oil, onion, ground pork, eggs, almond flour, maple syrup, garlic powder, fennel seeds, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, ground sage, dried thyme, black pepper, paprika, sea salt.
Photo Credit: Rach from Meatified

This is a versatile recipe that can be used for breakfast, lunch or dinner! It has a lovely herby flavor which brings out the taste of the pork and is so simple to make that it could become a family favorite. Serve it hot for breakfast with an egg or pack it cold for a light and savory lunch option. It tastes even better if you can store it the fridge overnight as this allows the flavors to meld together.

Pork Scaloppine Roll-Ups

– The Healthy Foodie

Ingredients: pork scallops, Himalayan salt, black pepper, asparagus spears, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, orange bell pepper, extra-virgin olive oil.
Photo Credit: Sonia from The Healthy Foodie

These roll-ups are another example of color being important in food – they are a rainbow on a plate, thanks to the lovely bell peppers. This would be a great appetizer for a dinner party or to take to work for a light yet satisfying lunch. If you can’t find pork scallops, simply buy pork loin, cut it thinly then pound to make it flat. This recipe also works with chicken and other veggies such as green beans.

Cajun Cauliflower Mini Dogs (Contains Dairy)

– Beauty and The Foodie

Ingredients: sausages, cauliflower rice, coconut flour, eggs, cheese, butter, baking soda, red pepper sauce, mustard powder, paprika, sea salt, chili powder, jalapeños, mustard, hot sauce.
Photo Credit: Stacey from Beauty and The Foodie

Looking a lot like mini corn dogs, these would make the perfect snack for picnics or for entertaining. You can use whatever is your favorite type of sausage, or go wild and experiment with the local butcher’s new formula! If you are making these for children you could serve them with a tomato salsa or their favorite dip, or simply piled on a plate just as they are.

Walnut Pear Bacon Salad with Pear Dressing

-Cook Eat Paleo

Ingredients: eggs, walnuts, pear, bacon, salad greens, extra virgin olive oil, lime or lemon juice.

The combination of textures in this dish makes it a great idea for a quick and easy lunch. You have sweetness from the pears, the crunch from the walnuts and the smoky flavor of the bacon and all together this is a tasty and delicious dish. The sweet pears do not overtake the other flavors because of the citrus juice and you can serve this with whatever salad greens you like.

Paleo Lunch Box Ideas – Beef Recipes

Magic Meat Muffins

– The Nourished Caveman

Ingredients: mushrooms, egg yolks, ground beef, coconut aminos, coconut flour, sea salt.
Photo Credit: Vivica from The Nourished Caveman

These muffins can be made to eat at any time – serve them hot for breakfast, or let them cool to pack in a lunchbox for a protein-rich snack. The mushrooms help to give these muffins a wonderful meaty texture and you can add spices of your choice to enhance the flavor even more. A couple of suggestions would be rosemary and thyme, or Italian seasoning.

Spinach Cilantro Meatballs (Grain Free)

– Savory Lotus

Ingredients: ground meat, onion, sea salt, herbamare seasoning, cumin powder, baby spinach, cilantro, eggs.
Photo Credit: Katja from Savory Lotus

Meatballs are the perfect way to encourage your family to get the nutrients they need, and as this recipe is a really versatile one, you can adjust the ingredients to suit your own taste. This is another opportunity for you to experiment with different meats, herbs and seasonings. These meatballs store perfectly in the freezer so you always have a go-to snack when you need one!

Mini Paleo Burgers

– Paleo Flourish

Ingredients: ground beef, mustard, pickles (optional), lettuce leaves, salt, avocado oil, almond flour, baking powder, eggs, coconut oil.

Mini foods are so appealing to every member of the family that these would be a great idea for a picnic or barbecue with family and friends. They are meaty, tasty and satisfying and are a fabulous way to encourage kids to eat the healthy way! These burgers can be frozen before cooking, layered with baking parchment so they are easy to split apart and cook later.

Paleo Lunch Box Ideas – Seafood Recipes

Cajun Salmon Patties

– I Breathe I’m Hungry

Ingredients: pink salmon, smoked salmon, egg, ranch cilantro lime dressing, almond flour, fresh parsley, cajun seasoning, avocado oil.
Photo Credit: Melissa from I Breath I’m Hungry

This recipe is one of the low-carb options that can help you if you are just starting out on the ‘cut the carbs’ journey, partly because of the rich flavor and partly because they look so good! Using a mixture of smoked and pink salmon gives you the proper salmon flavor but with the smoky note as well. These can be served with the dressing detailed here or with a different one of choice, although a citrus-based one goes well with fish.

Curried Tuna Salad

– My Heart Beets

Ingredients: tuna, curry powder, salt, mayo, raisins, red onion, celery, cilantro.
Photo Credit: Ashley from My Heart Beets

Since tuna can have quite a strong flavor, it easily accommodates the curry taste which lifts this salad to a new level. The celery and red onion give a great crunch compared to the soft tuna and there is even a sweet note from the raisins. If your family don’t like the texture of raisins, you could try soaking them in warm water or tea to make them swell and give more juice.

Paleo Tuna Salad

– Paleo Effect

Ingredients: tuna, celery rib, shallot, garlic, paleo mayo, paleo dill pickle relish or coconut vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, dill, parsley, onion powder, cayenne pepper, sea salt, black pepper, paleo white bread.
Photo Credit: Meghan and Angel from Paleo Effect

Tuna salad has been a favorite in many families for years and has the tendency to be a bit boring sometimes. Well, not this one! It has spice, crunch and tastes so good! You can serve this on toasted paleo bread as a sandwich, or use it as a filling for a baked sweet potato, but it also makes a fantastic lunchbox to take to work with you.

Spicy Tuna Cakes

– Nom Nom Paleo
Ingredients: ghee, tuna, scallions, fresh cilantro, sweet potato, lemon zest, jalapeño pepper, eggs, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, black pepper, lemons.

Canned tuna is something you find in most store cupboards, so why not spice it up and try making these delicious fish cakes! The flavor of the tuna is strong enough that it can easily carry the heat from the chili and the scallions and lemon give them a fresh and citrus kick. If you have trouble with these sticking to the tray, you could invest in a silicone tray which makes it easier to remove them.

Caesar Salad (Contains Dairy)

– The Nourished Caveman

Ingredients: egg yolk, avocado oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, anchovy filets, garlic cloves, parmesan, leaves of romaine hearts, pork rinds.
Photo Credit: Vivica from The Nourished Caveman

Caesar salad is one of the most popular salads known to man, and this is the healthy version and well worth trying. If you don’t have pork rinds you could top this with crunchy bacon pieces to maintain the diversity of textures, or boost it to a main meal by adding cooked chicken instead. Don’t worry about the anchovies – they don’t add a fishy taste, the just add a richness to the dressing.

Smoked Salmon and Cucumber Nori Wraps

– Rubies and Radishes
Ingredients: nori wraps, smoked wild salmon, cucumber, avocado, fresh basil, coconut aminos.

Smoked salmon goes so well with cool cucumber and avocado and these rolls have smoky flavors from the salmon and fresh tastes from the basil. Nori wraps are now available in a lot of supermarkets and are quite easy to use, even if you don’t have a roller. They provide the means to make delicious finger food snacks and lunches and if you look at the list given here you will see that they are versatile and can incorporate many different ingredients.

Sardines & Celeriac With Chunky Avocado Dressing

– Irene Macri
Ingredients: celeriac root, lemon juice, sardines, green onions, yellow or red pepper, rocket salad, avocado, semi-dried tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar, lemon juice, sea salt, mustard.

Putting salads in a jar is such a great idea – you get to see the rainbow of colors and it is so easy to slip into your bag to have for lunch at work! This salad is packed with textures and flavors too, with the saltiness of the fish to the sweet and crisp veggies, and it is a versatile recipe. For example, if you don’t have or don’t like celeriac, you can swap it for cabbage or grated carrot which adds even more to the color.

Roasted Cauliflower Broccoli Tuna Bowl

– Paleo Flourish

Ingredients: cauliflower, broccoli, olive oil, lemon, salt, tuna, parsley, tahini, tamari soy sauce, sesame oil.

Roasting vegetables gives them a milder and sometimes sweeter flavor and cauliflower is perfect for roasting. The tahini gives this dish a bit of a kick, but it goes really well with the fish. This dish is simple but packed with flavor and texture and makes the ideal packed lunch, filling and satisfying, to keep you going through a busy day.

Salmon Nicoise Salad with Mustard and Caper Dressing

– Healy Eats Real

Ingredients: garlic, red wine vinegar, mustard, capers, sea salt, olive oil, green beans, salmon filets, black pepper, grape tomatoes, olives, lemon.
Photo Credit: Hannah from Healy Eats Real

There is something quite luxurious about a beautiful salmon filet served with a delicious dressing, making this dish a great option to serve to friends for a dinner party. This salad has all the requirements of a great meal – meaty fish, heat from the mustard and fresh vegetables to set it off. You could even use asparagus instead of the green beans to make it even more impressive.

Smoked Salmon And Cucumber Ham Wraps

– Paleo Flourish

Ingredients: ham, cucumber, smoked salmon, coconut cream, green salad.

With only a few minutes of preparation time, these rolls can be put together easily for a snack or a light lunch. The smoky taste of the salmon is partnered with the cool cucumber and the meaty ham, making these a great idea for a lunchbox or family picnic. Serve these with simple salad greens or on their own for a quick snack on the go.

Paleo Lunch Box Ideas – Vegetables Recipes

Broiled Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus Spears

– Nom Nom Paleo
Ingredients: asparagus, prosciutto, kosher salt, ground pepper, avocado oil or fat of choice, balsamic vinegar.

In expensive restaurants, this is the way asparagus is often served, wrapped in prosciutto ham, so this recipe gives you the chance to make your own ‘luxury’ side for a dinner party. These also make great snacks for picnics or for a healthy lunchbox snack. The crispy, salty ham and the tender asparagus taste even better when drizzled with the aged balsamic vinegar.

Zucchini Fritters (Contains Dairy)

– Slim Palate

Ingredients: zucchini, green onions, almond flour, parmigiana reggiano, eggs, salt, pepper, lemon juice, avocado oil or coconut oil.
Photo Credit: Josh from Slim Palate

These fritters are a fantastic way to use up that zucchini that you have in the fridge without having to buy in a bunch of other ingredients. They can be enjoyed on their own or with paleo garlic mayo or any other sauce you happen to think of! Try to squeeze as much water as possible out before you cook them as this helps them to stay in shape.

Lasagna Rolls (Vegan)

– Healy Eats Real

Ingredients: eggplant, zucchini, tomato sauce, cashew cheese, ghee, coconut oil or palm oil, salt, pepper.
Photo Credit: Hannah from Healy Eats Real

These little rolls make a wonderful appetizer, especially if your guests are vegetarian or vegan. They are quite straightforward to prepare and the color of the tomato sauce adds a lovely finishing touch. Just remember to dry off the moisture from the zucchini and eggplant so that they don’t taste soggy.

Paleo Lunch Box Ideas – Fruit Recipes

Paleo Blini

– Nom Nom Paleo
Ingredients: eggs, coconut milk or almond milk, banana, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, coconut flour, baking soda, kosher salt, ghee or coconut oil.

The best part about making these blini yourself is that you can make them normal size for an appetizer or make them mini for party food or for kids’ parties. Traditionally blini were topped with smoked salmon and a little dill sprinkled on top, so these would make a great addition to an impressive lunch box treat too! Another bonus is that they freeze really well, so are ideal for batch cooking so you will have some ready anytime.

Banana Bread (Contains Dairy)

– Slim Palate

Ingredients: coconut flour, almond flour, banana, butter, cacao nibs, cinnamon, baking soda, honey, eggs, vanilla extract, salt.
Photo Credit: Josh from Slim Palate

If, like loads of other people, you have a bunch of bananas that is slowly going bad and you consider putting them in the trash, then this recipe is for you! A moist and delicious banana loaf that will impress your family and friends, made to taste even better if the bananas are over-ripe. One tip – don’t be tempted to over-sweeten the bread mix as the ripe bananas have their own sugars and extra sweetener can mask the wonderful flavors.

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