The Trader Joe's Bento Box Lunch That Takes Less Than 15 Minutes To Prep

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An easy to prep, nutritious, and portable lunch can come in many forms, but if you want something more interesting than a sandwich or a Mason jar of overnight oats, it may be time to explore the wonderful world of bento boxes. While the elements in a traditional Japanese bento box can look immaculately arranged, the basics of these cutely packed lunches are easy to put together. There needs to be a starchy element, typically rice or noodles, some protein, fresh vegetables or fruit, and a small sweet treat. You're likely to have everything you need to make a bento box already at home, and if you've just returned from a shopping trip to Trader Joe's, then you can probably put one together in less than 15 minutes.

Trader Joe's range of cooked heat-and-eat dishes is perfect for quickly adding multiple elements to your bento box. The chicken shu mai dumplings only need a few minutes in the microwave, as does the Korean japchae fried rice. YouTube channel @JapaneseCooking101 posted a short featuring the dumplings as well as a clever mix of potato salad enhanced with edamame beans for a healthy Japanese twist on a classic. The loaded mashed potatoes are also a good alternative if you don't want to bother with additional mix-ins. There are lots of great Trader Joe's finds that are bento-friendly, and you can make a different boxed combination for every day of the week. If you don't have one already, consider getting a functional multi-section lunch container, such as the Shell and Turtle bento box for adults.

While traditionally Japanese, a bento box can be made using dishes from any cuisine while mixing and matching various flavors. As long as you include all the food groups, and keep a nice variety of flavors and textures, you're headed for bento success. Want to make an Italian bento box? Pick up Trader Joe's microwavable butternut squash risotto, throw in a few prosciutto-wrapped mozzarella antipasti sticks, and finish it off with a fresh cherry tomato and basil salad. You can also make the quick three-ingredient Trader Joe's pasta dinner and use it instead of the regular rice or noodle element of the bento.

For vegetarian options, consider the heat-and-eat cheesy creamy greens and veggies, or the teriyaki mushroom mini bao buns. Remember to always add a fresh fruit or veg element, and if you're meal-prepping for the next day, keep your bento box fruit fresh by adding it last. For those days when you don't want to chop fresh salad, a ready-to-eat noodle salad, such as Trader Joe's Korean-style bibim-guksu, is a quick and easy bento filler.

Finally, a bento isn't complete without a sweet bite, but this also happens to be the easiest element. Throw in a few individually wrapped cookies or candy pieces, or even a mini cake. You can also go fancier and pick up Trader Joe's exceptional mini brioche bites for a little French touch to your lunch. The combinations are endless, so keep your eyes open during your next Trader Joe's shopping trip for more bento inspiration.