Recipe Roundup

15 Foods You Never Thought to Put in a Thermos

You probably only use the iconic insulated flask to keep coffee hot on the way to work or soup warm for your kid's lunch, but it can do more. So. Much. More.
  • Image may contain Dish Food Meal Bowl Curry and Soup Bowl
    Photo by Charles Masters, Food styling by Sue Li
    1/15

    Our Favorite Texas Beef Chili

    Soup in a thermos is a no-brainer. But how about a spicy, hearty bowl of chili? To keep hot food hot, pour boiling water into the thermos, close the lid, and let stand 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the food until piping hot (hotter than you would normally serve it). Dump the water, put the food in the thermos, and seal the lid. Your food should stay warm and is safe to eat within 5 hours.

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  • Image may contain Food Curry Dessert Ice Cream Creme Cream and Bread
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Rhoda Boone
    2/15

    Quick Chicken Tikka Masala

    Have leftover Indian? Bring it in your thermos with some naan on the side.

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  • Image may contain Food Pizza Cutlery Spoon Plant Breakfast and Produce
    Christina Holmes
    3/15

    Hot Oat & Quinoa Cereal

    Slow-cook oats or other grains right in the thermos for a warming late breakfast. Pour rolled oats into the thermos and cover with boiling water. Stir in nuts or fresh or dried fruit and let the thermos do the cooking for you.

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  • Image may contain Plant Food Bowl Vegetable Lunch and Meal
    Jennifer Martiné
    4/15

    Teriyaki Fried Rice

    If you're making scrambled eggs for breakfast, it's just a few extra steps to make this warm and nourishing fried rice for lunch.

  • A baking dish of Macaroni and Cheese with a serving spoon.
    Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
    5/15

    Our Favorite Mac and Cheese

    Mobile mac 'n' cheese? Yes, please! Don't forget to sprinkle some fried breadcrumbs on top.

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  • Vegan breakfast ideas green smoothie bowls topped with granola and fresh fruit.
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Anna Stockwell
    6/15

    Thermoses also keep cold things cold. Pack up that icy smoothie and bring toppings to make a pretty smoothie bowl at work.

  • Image may contain Cutlery Spoon Food Bread and Pita
    Romulo Yanes
    7/15

    Tacos with Pork in Green Sauce (Tacos de Cerdo en Salsa Verde)

    Treat your thermos like a mini taco truck. Pack your favorite fillings and bring tortillas on the side.

  • Image may contain Burger Food Bread and Bun
    8/15

    North Carolina Pulled Pork

    Or turn your thermos into a mobile sandwich bar. Load it up with warmed pulled pork, chopped beef brisket, or Sloppy Joe filling. Pack your buns separately (slaw or pickles are nice, too) and assemble when ready to eat.

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  • Image may contain Plant Food Produce Cutlery Spoon Vegetable Lentil and Bean
    Linda Pugliese, food styling by Anna Hampton
    9/15

    Couscous with Sautéed Almonds and Currants

    Your thermos is a portable crock-pot, too! Use it to cook couscous or quick-cooking grains like bulgur (just top with boiling water and seal). Feel free to add vegetables, rotisserie chicken, or, as in this case, currants and almonds.

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  • Image may contain Food and Meatball
    John Kernick
    10/15

    Mini Buffalo Chicken Balls

    No one could be mad about adorable mini meatballs for lunch.

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  • Image may contain Sushi and Food
    Emma Boys
    15/15

    Veggie Sushi Rolls

    Nobody likes warm sushi. Keep sliced sushi rolls (yes, sushi!) fresh and chilled in a thermos. (Just make sure to pack extra-long chopsticks that'll reach all the way to the bottom.)

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Rhoda Boone graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a BFA in photography and worked in the photo industry for over 6 years, both at Vanity Fair and Mark Seliger's photography studio. Then, in 2009, she left the world of fashion and celebrity to pursue her true passion: food. She graduated at the ... Read More
Senior Director, Culinary Production, Emeritus
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