Five Kid Friendly Lunch Meat & Cheese Ideas

Five Kid Friendly Lunch Meat & Cheese Ideas

If you’re like most busy parents, your days are jam-packed from dawn to dusk (and beyond!) as you juggle an array of appointments and activities. Managing everything requires a mix of organization and flexibility, which is why we all recognize the benefit of simplifying areas of our lives whenever we can.

So if lunchtime meal planning is adding an element of stress to your daily routine, here’s a helpful selection of ideas that utilize lunchmeat and cheese to help make lunch a delicious experience for your little ones. You’ll feel good knowing that your children are enjoying wholesome ingredients that help provide a nourishing boost for their afternoon activities! The convenience of pre-packaged lunchmeats makes it easier (and more delicious) than ever to create delectable lunches that bring smiles.

For a classic sandwich-style lunch, start here! Smoked turkey breast takes center stage in this ultra-yummy and super-easy sandwich. It’s an all-in-one lunch, coleslaw included!

Rye Bread Sandwich

Ingredients:

• 4 slices Hillshire Farm Naturals Hardwood Smoked Turkey Breast
• 6 slices seedless rye bread
• 1/3 cup Deli coleslaw
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ¼ cup fresh chives, finely chopped
• 2 slices bacon, cooked and halved
• 1/3 cup finely grated smoked Gouda cheese
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions:

1. Use a 3-inch circular cookie cutter to cut a circle out of each of the 6 slices of rye bread.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, the mustard, the honey, the chives, and the lemon juice.
3. Take one of the circles of rye bread and spread the mayonnaise mixture on one side.
4. Place two pieces of the Hillshire Farm Naturals Hardwood Smoked Turkey Breast on top of the mayonnaise.
5. Add another slice of rye bread on top of the turkey. Place more of the mayonnaise mixture on top.
6. Add half of the coleslaw on top of the mayonnaise.
7. Add two pieces of the bacon on top of the coleslaw.
8. Add half of the Gouda cheese.
9. Take a third slice of rye bread and add mayonnaise on one side; place it mayonnaise-side down on top of the Gouda cheese.
10. Repeat to create the second sandwich.

Makes 2 sandwiches.

Or, if you’re looking for a light lunch that’s perfect for those on-the-go days, here’s an idea that incorporates a delicious yogurt dip with the flavors of ham, cheese, and apple. It doesn’t get any easier than this!

Ham-Apple-Cheese Squares with Yogurt Dip

Ingredients:

• 4 slices Hillshire Farm Ultra-Thin Honey Ham
• 4 slices of Cheddar cheese, cut into 2-inch square slices
• 4 thin wedges of a Granny Smith apple
• The juice of a lemon
• 1 bread and butter pickle, diced
• 1/3 cup plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 tablespoon honey

Directions:

1. In a bowl, combine the yogurt, the Dijon mustard, the yellow mustard, the salt, and the honey.
2. Squeeze the lemon juice into a bowl and soak your apple slices for a couple of minutes if you’d like to prevent them from turning brown.  
3. Roll up each slice of ham lengthwise and cut it into thirds.
4. Place three rolls of ham on each slice of cheese.
5. Add an apple wedge on top of the ham.
6. Add a dollop of the tip on top along with a few pieces of diced pickle.

Makes 1 serving (you’ll have dip left over)

Now remember, nobody ever said lunch had to be boring, so why not elevate the average turkey sandwich with this super-fun presentation?

Sandwiches-on-a-Stick

Ingredients:

• 8 slices Hillshire Farm Ultra-Thin Honey Roasted Turkey Breast
• 8 wooden skewers
• Cherry tomatoes
• Ciabatta bread, cut into 1-inch pieces
• Cheddar cheese, cut into small squares
• Monterey Jack cheese, cut into small squares
• Red grapes
• Lettuce, cut into large pieces
• Cheese tortellini, cooked

Directions:

1. Roll up the turkey slices and cut into 1-inch pieces. Fold the lettuce as needed to thread onto the skewers.
2. Then assemble a combination of any/all of these ingredients on skewers to create an array of fun and flavorful sandwiches that your little ones will love!
3. *Note: Grapes and cherry tomatoes can pose a choking hazard for small children, cut the grapes and tomatoes in half or quarters to be safe.

Makes 8 skewers

Everybody loves pizza—and it’s even more fun when you can create “pizzas” in just minutes! Even better yet: the flavor combination of pineapple, maple syrup, and smoked ham.

English Muffin Pineapple Ham Pizzas

Ingredients:

• 1 maple French toast English muffin
• 4 slices Hillshire Farm Ultra-Thin Smoked Ham
• ½ cup chopped pineapple
• ¼ cup maple syrup, warmed
• 2 slices baby Swiss cheese, quartered
• Grapes, halved, optional
• Split the English muffin in half and toast them.

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, combine the pineapple with the maple syrup and stir.
2. Place two slices of the ham on each of the muffin halves.
3. Add about half of the pineapple mixture to each of the muffins.
4. Top with 4 quarters of Swiss cheese and place the “pizzas” in a broiler for several minutes until the cheese has melted.
5. Top with grapes if desired.

Makes 2 pizzas.

And finally, if you’re looking for an upgraded spin on the classic BLT, here’s a waffle-inspired version that features chicken breast and heirloom tomatoes. Can we all say yummy? 

Chicken Waffle BLTs

Ingredients:

• 4 whole grain frozen waffles
• 6 slices Hillshire Farm Ultra-Thin Rotisserie Seasoned Chicken Breast
• 2 slices bacon, cooked and halved
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 medium-sized heirloom tomato, thinly sliced
• Leaf lettuce (use your favorite type of lettuce, or use arugula)

Directions:

1. Cook the waffles according to package directions.
2. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise and black pepper.
3. Slather one side of all four waffles with the mayonnaise mixture.
4. Place three slices of chicken breast on top of one of the waffles.
5. Add lettuce, bacon, and tomato.
6. Top with another waffle (mayo-side-down).
7. Hold everything together with a wooden skewer if desired.

Makes 2 large BLTs.

What are some of your favorite kid-friendly ways to incorporate lunchmeat and cheese into your lunchtime meal planning? Share your ideas in the comments!