The prepared box lunches sold at specialty markets, butcher shops and delis are a real treasure. All you have to do is grab one, head to the nearest park or corner office and enjoy. Boxed lunches are a great alternative to a sandwich and chips or a salad. They’re more thoughtful than takeout, healthier than most restaurant options and they’re usually a whole lot less expensive than ordering in.
Here are our best fresh prepared box lunches.
Our Editor’s Best Fresh Prepared Box Lunches Reviews
- Quick and Convenient Meal Prep: Perfectly portioned to feed the appetite of both older children and adults, prepare multiple meals in advance and safely store them in the fridge until you’re ready to transport one meal to school or work in the leak-proof lunch box included with the set
- Leak-Proof Compartment Tray: Entrees, sides, and snacks stay separated on-the-go without the inconvenience of multiple lunch bags or containers
- Customizable Compartments: Keep the 3-compartment structure as-is to pack larger main courses or add the optional divider to create 4 compartments. Note: The divider will not create a leak-proof division between foods with juices or other liquids.
- Purchase With a Purpose: Bentgo continues to be a proud supporter of Feed the Children, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that gives hope and resources for hungry children and families. Since 2017, Bentgo has donated more than $300,000 to help put an end to hunger.
- What You Get: Bentgo Fresh leak-proof lunch box, 3 compartment trays with removable divider, 2 meal tray covers, user manual, industry-leading 2 Year Warranty, and caring customer support
- QUICK & EASY LUNCH PREP: Prepare meals and snacks the night before, or for the entire week, and safely store in the fridge until you’re ready to pack or eat
- HEALTHY PORTION CONTROL: Each compartment is portioned perfectly for packing a healthy and balanced lunch; Tray is BPA-free and dishwasher and freezer-safe
- IDEAL TO TRANSPORT DRY SNACKS & MEALS: Tray and cover can be used as-is to take dry snacks and meals on-the-go; NOTE: For mess-free transport of meals with liquids, pack the tray inside your leak-proof Bentgo Fresh lunch box (sold separately)
- TRANSPARENT, CUSTOMIZED LID: Convenient see-through lid is customized to snugly fit each compartment so your meals and snacks stay fresh longer; NOTE: The lid is not leak-proof
- INTERCHANGEABLE DESIGN: Fits perfectly with any Bentgo Fresh lunch box! Coordinate the colors, or mix and match your tray and lunch box for a playful combination!
- CHICKEN SALAD WITH CRACKERS KIT: Premium, fresh-tasting chicken salad; Includes canned chicken salad, six crackers and spoon; Simply open the box and enjoy
- DELICIOUS CHICKEN SNACK WITH CRACKERS: Pack of 3, 3.5 ounce Bumble Bee Snack on the Run! Chicken Salad with Crackers Kit will satisfy you and your family whenever you want a tasty snack or quick lunch on the go
- PROTEIN SNACKS: This delicious Bumble Bee chicken salad with crackers kit is a good source of protein (See product packaging for nutrition information)
- SHELF STABLE CHICKEN SALAD KIT: Bumble Bee Snack on the Run! chicken salad with crackers kits require no refrigeration and are already mixed and ready-to-go wherever life takes you; Perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, camping and sports
- CONVENIENT SNACKS: Enjoy Bumble Bee Snack on the Run! chicken salad with crackers kits as a great-tasting, protein packed snack, lunch or as part of any other meal; Perfectly sized for your lunch box or lunch bag
- 【3 Compartment Design】 Three perfectly portioned compartments for the bento box allows you to store different food separately, there's enough room for you to separate fruits and veggies, healthy snacks and dipping sauces according to your balanced diet.
- 【Safe and Reusable】 The straw bento box is made of high-quality polypropylene and wheat fiber materials, which is safe and healthy
- 【Lightweight and Portable】 Wheat straw bento box is lightweight which can be carried easily in a backpack or lunch bag when you go out or preparing for a picnic. It keeps the food fresh and you can eat healthy and delicious food even in the wild!
- 【Stack Up】These meal prep containers have a stack-able design, with this stacking bento box that will carry your home-cooked lunch, salad, fruit and dessert to the office, perfect for storing while saving space for your place.
- 【Microwave & Freezer Safe】Make meal-prep easy by popping the tray out of the outer lunch box, filling it with food and freezing. They are heat resistant and microwave safe (-4°F to 248°F (-20℃ to 120℃) for our daily use. (Please remove the lids before heating).
- Everyone’s Favorite Meal Prep Pack*: Bentgo is America’s go-to brand for maintaining healthy habits! Pack nutritious meals for the entire week with this practical 20-piece set that comes with ten 3-compartment trays and ten custom-fit lids that help seal in freshness, so you can enjoy breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and even leftovers on the go.
- Portion Controlled Design: No need to measure your portions—volume is already embossed on the tray to help you with your healthy eating goals, diet, or weight loss plans. The custom-fit lids keep food fresh all day long and stack together neatly to save you space in your pantry. Plus, all the lids are clear, so you can easily identify what food is inside at a glance.
- Easy To Heat & Clean: Safely heat up your food straight from the freezer or refrigerator for warm, delicious meals and leftovers. Each meal prep container is both microwave and top-shelf dishwasher safe. Note: before microwaving, open the lid corner to allow steam to vent. For best results, hand wash to extend the life of the product.
- Durable & Reusable: Made of tough, but safe, BPA-free materials, Bentgo Prep containers are designed to last meal after meal, so you can ditch single-use plastics with these eco-friendly containers. They are lightweight, portable, and easy to carry to the gym, office, dorm, soccer field, and more.
- What You Get: 10 three-compartment trays, 10 custom-fit lids, electronic meal prep book, and caring customer support.
- LIGHTWEIGHT & STYLISH: Bentgo Deluxe Lunch Bag is suitable for adults, but can also be used by students or teens looking for a durable, lightweight lunch bag. Made with water-resistant fabric and featuring various stylish colors, this is the perfect lunch bag for all ages!
- PREMIUM INSULATION: Leak-proof thermal insulation helps keep your food warm or cool for up to 4 hours (or even longer with an ice pack!) for when you’re on the go. This high-quality lunch bag is durable and perfect for transporting meals on the go to school, work, or any outdoor activity.
- SPACIOUS & VERSATILE: Fit a full meal with snacks and drinks in this large lunch bag. The main compartment can hold a lunch box, the internal mesh pocket is perfect for an ice pack or extra snacks, plus the external pocket is convenient for storing extras you want to keep separated from the main compartment, such as utensils and napkins.
- MULTIPLE CARRYING OPTIONS: Conveniently transport your meals over the shoulder with the adjustable strap. Alternatively, you can remove the strap whenever and use the easy-carry padded handle.
- WHAT YOU GET: Bentgo Deluxe Lunch Bag, adjustable and removable strap, industry-leading 2 year manufacturer warranty, and caring customer support.
- CHICKEN SALAD WITH CRACKERS KIT: Premium, fresh-tasting chicken salad; Includes canned chicken salad, six crackers, one mixed fruit cup, one cookie and a spoon; Simply open the box and enjoy
- DELICIOUS TUNA LUNCH KIT: Pack of 4, 8.2 ounce Bumble Bee Lunch on the Run! Chicken Salad Kits; Includes canned tuna salad, six crackers, one cup of diced peaches, one cookie and a spoon
- PROTEIN SNACK OR LUNCH: This delicious Bumble Bee chicken salad with crackers kit is a good source of protein (See product packaging for nutrition information)
- SHELF STABLE CHICKEN SALAD KIT: Bumble Bee Lunch on the Run! chicken salad with crackers kits require no refrigeration and are already mixed and ready-to-go wherever life takes you; Perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, camping and sports
- CONVENIENT SNACKS: Enjoy Bumble Bee Lunch on the Run! tuna salad with crackers kits as a great-tasting, protein packed snack, lunch or as part of any other meal; Perfectly sized for your lunch box or lunch bag
- 🥪Extra Large Salad Container for Lunch:Spacious 38 oz large salad reusable bowl fits up to 4.5 cups, divided food storage containers with lids for store sandwich salad toppings snack fruit salad dressing easily.
- 🍔Lunch Containers with Compartments: 4-compartment tray includes 1 large 10-oz compartment and 2 smaller 5-oz compartments to fit toppings of your choice,plus a leak-proof 2-oz removable salad dressing sauce tainer.
- 🌭Leak-Proof Design:This handy lightweight container features an airtight lid with 4 side snapping clamps so you don't need to worry about making a mess if things get tossed around during your travel, keep food fresh on the go,No drip value, No leak, Keep wet and dry ingredients separate and fresh.
- 🍕Safety Bento Box without BPA:Suitable for people over 5 years old(age 5+).The salad lunch box uses food grade safe material which is safe to human health and in fashionable appearance.
- 🌮Multi-Purpose Lunch Box:The suitable for adults-sized meal preparation containers,convenient to carry for work, picnic, travel. It is available for you to put salad lunch boxes into your backpack.
- PORTION CONTROL AND TIME SAFING: These boxes offer the busy people the best solution on meal prep! Diets/portion control, to-go meals and storing food ahead of time can be simple. No more last-minute cooking. Prep your meals ahead of time in these boxes, so no one goes hungry. Cheap in price, you can handover food to your friends and don't actually bother about the container.
- FREEZER AND MICROWAVE SAFE: They can withstand temperatures from -40°F to 320°F (Or -40°C to 160 °C). Enjoy the ease and efficiency of using a microwave safe meal prep container. And also prepare and package up your meals ahead of time.
- BPA FREE :These food containers are ECO Friendly! Food-Grade Safe PP material. They are strong enough to be reused for a long period of time so you won’t throw them away to hurt the environment or your wallet! You can clean these portion control boxes easily by placing on the top rack of the dishwasher.
- Durable :Made of durable heavyweight polypropylene which makes this bento boxes strong and tough and can support hefty foods without bending or cracking, yet light enough to make carrying it simple and easy.
- Easy to Open : Airtight overlapping lids which makes it leak-proof, and designed with multiple opening points to avoid spilling commonly when opening all at once.
Best Fresh Prepared Box Lunches Buying Guide
Before choosing the best fresh prepared box lunches you should consider following options:
1. Portion size: Portion sizes can vary widely, so it is important to understand what you are getting for your money.
The standard sizes are usually a half or whole sandwich, small or large snack/side, fruit, a protein bar and a cookie.
If you are ordering a sandwich, make sure it is not one of those overstuffed monstrosities. You are paying for the entire contents of the box, not just the sandwich.
2. Ingredients: We all have our preferences when it comes to certain ingredients. If you don’t like turkey, you probably aren’t going to be happy with a turkey sandwich.
Make sure the ingredients are fresh. Look for things like “prepared fresh daily” on the packaging.
3. Protein: If you are trying to incorporate more protein into your diet, this is the perfect opportunity. You can easily get a protein bar or two in your lunch for very little money.
4. Snacks: If you are trying to eat healthier, you may be tempted to throw out the snack. Don’t do that.
Snacks make a great addition to your lunch, and they can be a great way to get some variety.
5. Variety: Having a variety of items in your lunch is essential. We tend to get bored easily, so we tend to eat less if our lunch is boring.
Having a variety of items in your lunch will help prevent this, and it will help you get more nutrients.
6. Cost: There is a big difference in price. You can get a box with a lot of variety and decent quality for $7-$12.
On the other hand, you can get a lunch in a restaurant for that same amount.
7. Convenience: Some places will deliver. Some places will even deliver cold. Others will even deliver hot!
If you are trying to eat healthier, having a healthy lunch delivered to you can be a lifesaver.
8. Customer service: Of course, you want to have good quality food, but you also want good customer service.
You should be able to get the information you need about their products and be able to contact them if you have any issues.
9. Portability: While you may not be taking your lunch to go, you may be eating it away from your desk.
You will want something that will not make a mess if you are eating in your car or on a park bench.
10. Taste: Obviously, this is something you will have to decide for yourself. If you have an opportunity to try out a company’s products, do so.
If not, you may have to take a chance. If you don’t like what you get, you can always throw it away and get something else.
11. Variety of items: This is especially important if you are trying to lose weight. Having a variety will ensure that you are getting all the nutrients you need.
Having a variety of items will also help you from getting bored. You will not want to throw away food if it is something that you like.
12. Brand: Some companies have a good reputation for quality and customer service. Some are known for their variety of healthy options.
Some companies are known for their quality and variety, but they are more expensive. You will want to make sure you are getting the best value for your money.
13.
What else you should know about fresh prepared box lunches
1. How are the box lunches prepared?
The box lunches are prepared by a professional catering company.
2. What type of food is included in a typical box lunch?
A typical box lunch may include a sandwich, a side item such as chips or a pickle, and a dessert.
3. How long will the box lunch stay fresh?
A box lunch will stay fresh for about four hours.
4. How much does a box lunch cost?
A box lunch typically costs between $10 and $15.
5. Where can I find a place that sells fresh prepared box lunches?
There are many places that sell fresh prepared box lunches, but some examples include grocery stores, delis, and catering companies.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best fresh prepared box lunches. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best fresh prepared box lunches will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.