Ordering lunch for a team can be a challenge. In addition to accommodating individual tastes and dietary restrictions, you must consider the requirements and limitations of a professional setting. If employees are eating quickly before a big meeting, for example, you might want a meal that’s satisfying and easy to clean up. The next time you’re organizing a group order, these easy meal ideas can streamline your planning process and pique employees’ interest.
Mediterranean bowls
Overflowing with fresh flavors and healthy ingredients, Mediterranean bowls are the perfect midday meal for a group. Loaded with ingredients like hummus, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, couscous, and roasted vegetables, they’re both light and filling. It’s easy to personalize the bowls to each person’s tastes; they can add chicken, lamb, garbanzo beans, tofu, or falafel.
Top the bowls with feta cheese and tzatziki sauce, and you have a combination that will leave workers feeling energized and ready for the second half of the day.
Bánh Mì
A bánh mì is a Vietnamese sandwich made with a baguette and fillings such as chicken, pickled and fresh vegetables, fresh herbs, and chilies. This delicious lunch is the perfect thing to eat before a busy afternoon of meetings.
The easiest way to serve bánh mì is to ask everyone to add their sandwich to a group order. That way, you don’t have to worry about a time-consuming setup and cleanup process; employees can simply toss the sandwich wrappers in the trash.
Taco bar
A taco bar is an easy and convenient way to feed a group. It adapts easily to individual needs; guests can build a bowl or a taco that perfectly suits their preferences and dietary limitations. Gluten-free eaters can use corn tortillas, for example, while vegans can opt for beans instead of meat. No matter what combination they choose, the result is sure to be bursting with flavor.
To satisfy everyone, make sure to include a variety of options, including:
- Corn and flour tortillas
- Ground beef
- Shredded chicken
- Beans
- Sauteed vegetables
- Guacamole
- Cheese
- Sour cream
- Salsa
Don’t have time to build a taco bar on your own? Most Mexican restaurants can cater one, even at the last minute.
Finger food buffet
Accommodate a wide range of people with a buffet of finger foods. Order multiple trays of small foods that can easily be eaten by hand. Employees can eat sitting down or standing up, depending on the event and the available space.
Consider a range of options, including:
- Dumplings
- Sliders
- Meat and/or vegetable skewers
- Lasagna cups
- Mac and cheese bites
- Crostini
- Thinly sliced wraps or sub sandwiches
- Egg rolls
- Bacon-wrapped dates
If you need easy meal ideas that adapt to different situations, this is a great option. It can be customized to suit nearly any group size, event, and level of formality. And because most restaurants and caterers offer a selection of appetizers or small bites, it’s a breeze to design a menu that leaves employees feeling satisfied.
Global cuisine
Pick a local restaurant that serves a specific international cuisine, such as Thai or Indian. Then, create a group order, and allow everyone on your team to choose their own entrée. As you eat, compare notes and get to know the different types of food on offer.
This strategy reduces your planning burden while ensuring everyone gets a meal that meets their needs. You can even create a fun team tradition by making the meal a recurring event—each month, you can try a different local restaurant or cuisine.
Whether you’re exploring new restaurants or planning a formal group meal, Grubhub Corporate Accounts can simplify your corporate ordering. Your account comes with a variety of group ordering options to suit a range of events and team sizes; you can even set budgets for remote employees. Because the Grubhub platform gives you access to more than 300,000 restaurants in 4,000+ U.S. cities, easy meal ideas are always just a few clicks away. And with built-in rules and budgeting tools, it’s a breeze to control costs.
Is your business ready for a more streamlined team ordering solution? Get started with Grubhub Corporate Accounts today.
