Whether you’re feeding a hungry team or you want to make a splash at your next lunchtime presentation, boxed lunches are a simple and delicious way to bring some excitement to the midday meal.
If you want to learn more about this popular work lunch idea, you’re in the right place. Stick with us as we review the benefits of boxed lunches and introduce you to our top five boxed lunch catering ideas.
Why Are Boxed Lunches so Popular?
Convenience, creativity and time savings are just a few of the reasons why so many companies turn to boxed lunch options. Because they’re self-contained and include everything you need for the meal, they’re a hassle-free solution for lunch-and-learns, meetings or a quick lunch at your desk. And since there’s no required setup and minimal cleanup, they’re also an efficient option for busy workdays and lunch at off-site locations.
Boxed lunches became one of the top catering ideas for office lunches during the COVID-19 pandemic. The individual packaging removes the need to share utensils or congregate around buffet-style tray catering, creating health and safety benefits. Today, many individuals still appreciate the hygienic benefits of boxed lunches, as well as the wide range of meal choices and the ability to create highly personalized meals.
5 Boxed Lunch Options You Have to Try
There are tons of exciting boxed lunch ideas for catering that go well beyond a basic sandwich and a bag of chips. With a network of over 100,000 restaurants, ezCater can help you order the perfect boxed lunch meal whenever you need it. Whether you’re looking for boxed lunches in New York City or delivery to your office in Philadelphia, we’ve got you covered.
When it comes to boxed lunches, the options are virtually endless. Next time you’re looking for catering ideas for office lunch, consider one of these scrumptious picks.
1. Vegan Bowl
Today, it’s common to have at least one vegan or vegetarian in a group setting. Offering a tasty vegan boxed lunch is an excellent way to ensure inclusivity. When you choose an option made of fresh, delicious ingredients, it can also appeal to health-conscious individuals and even the carnivorous crowd.
So what’s a combo that will satisfy garden gobblers and meat lovers alike? A boxed lunch featuring a vegan salad made with chickpeas, cucumbers, black and green olives, fresh parsley and brown rice. It’s mixed with a simple blend of salt, pepper and extra virgin olive oil. The meal is rounded out with house-made hummus, avocado, carrot and celery sticks and a lemon wedge.
2. Burrito Box
A popular grab-n-go item, burrito boxes are an excellent way to bring some fun into the workday. And if you use Relish by ezCater, you can even allow each individual to choose their filling options, offering choices like chicken, beef, steak, or pork. You may also want to offer a vegetarian burrito filled with black beans and rice or faux meat.
Burrito boxes are typically paired with fresh salsa, tortilla chips and a cookie. When ordering from a restaurant that offers burrito boxes, it’s also typically easy to add a taco salad box or a rice bowl, giving the group a well-rounded selection of lunch options.
3. Citrus Asian Crunch Salad Box
A citrus Asian crunch salad box is another popular option. It combines crispy romaine lettuce, carrots, green cabbage, kale and broccoli, blended with fresh cilantro, edamame and pickled red onions. It’s then tossed in a tangerine soy ginger dressing and topped with a drizzle of teriyaki sauce and crispy carrots. A French baguette and a cookie round out this tasty meal.
When ordering boxed lunch salads, offering a few different types of salads or the option to pair half a salad with half a sandwich is common. This ensures everyone in the group can choose something that appeals to them.
4. Italian Lunch Box
When searching for creative lunch catering ideas, you can’t go wrong with an Italian lunch box. This channels the essence of a charcuterie board paired with a caprese salad.
The main attraction is a mix of fresh mozzarella cheese and slices of ripe tomato and fresh basil, topped with pesto and pine nuts. The dressing is a simple side of balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and salt and pepper. Alongside, you’ll find green and black olives, red and green grapes, and a slice of toasted whole grain bread or a package of whole grain crackers.
5. Sushi Bento Box
To bring a touch of class to your next lunch meeting, consider a sushi bento box. There are many options here, but a basic box may include a small California roll and a few Asian dumplings (Goyza), with a side of white rice and a small house salad with ginger dressing.
You could also offer other types of rolls and tempura chicken or shrimp for those who may prefer a cooked option. Like all other boxed lunches, sushi boxes typically come with chopsticks and/or forks inside the box, as well as packaged soy sauce.
Boost Your Workday with Boxed Lunches
Individually packaged for a hassle-free experience, these boxed lunch catering ideas will please any crowd. ezCater currently has over 112,000 boxed lunch delivery options across the nation. Simply choose a caterer , place your order and let us handle the rest. Start exploring our site now to see just how easy and convenient your workplace lunch can be.