Have you ever wondered “what are the benefits to meal prepping?” Or maybe even what “foods are good to meal prep?” I don’t know about you but I love meal prepping! Meal prepping is a great way to eat healthy while saving both time and money.
When I meal prep I find it’s much easier for me to avoid snacking, treats, or other unhealthy foods. I’m never stumped wondering how do I create a healthy meal plan. Meal planning also helps me save money because I’m not tempted to stop at the local drive thru on my way home from work!
I’ve put together a list of easy and affordable meal prep recipes that you’re sure to love!
Meal Prep Tips To Get You Started
1. Make a Plan
Meal planning on a budget is something that will save you a ton of time and money. It doesn’t have to be a big elaborate plan, pick at least 2-3 recipes you’d like to prep for the week then head to the store and pick up the ingredients.
If you need some help with meal planning be sure to read this. It’s a fantastic article that walks you step by step through the process of meal planning.
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2. Use the right food storage containers
Make sure to use a food storage container that has a good seal. A good tight seal will guarantee that your food stays nice and fresh (oh and doesn’t spill into your bag).
I like to use these because they are divided so your food stays nice and organized. I also like them because
- They are clear so you can see what’s inside of them
- They are glass so they are safe to be put into the microwave
If you choose to use your own plastic storage containers please make sure they’re BPA free. Especially if you plan on microwaving your food in them!
3. Use Mason Jars
I never realized how helpful a 12-pack of Mason jars could be. I was a bit reluctant to buy them in the beginning because I thought -I don’t need 12 jars cramming up my cabinets.
Boy was I wrong, I love them! They are useful for everything. Having 12 jars allows my husband and I to have enough jar salads for the both of us.
The jars are also fantastic for taking soups and smoothies to work- no worries about anything being spilled with these great jars.
4. Keep Your Financial Goals In Mind
I bet you’re thinking to yourself. Hey! I thought we were talking about meal prepping some yummy food! Absolutely, yes we are!
But a big motivator behind your continued success in meal prepping will be to see how much money you are saving by doing so!
If you haven’t created a budget or grocery store allowance yet it may be time to consider doing so.
BREAKFAST MEAL PREP IDEAS
1. Overnight Oats
From Whole Fully
These overnight oats are the perfect grab and go breakfast for when you’re in a hurry. These are a great meal for prepping because you can store them in mason jars the night before.
2. Overnight Chia Seed Pudding With Almond Milk
From The Worktop
Another perfect grab and go breakfast. This meal prepped chia seed pudding is a healthy vegan meal that will be ready in no time. The best part is you only need 2 ingredients.
It’s quick and super easy. Mix chia seeds and almond milk in a mason jar before going to bed, put them in the fridge and you will have a tasty breakfast to enjoy in the morning! Top with your favorite fruit if you’d like
3. Green Smoothie Prep Packets
From Clean Food Crush
I love having smoothies in the morning. Prepping the smoothie ingredients into individual bags makes busy mornings a cinch.
Simply pull out the ingredients from your freezer and pop them into your Magic Bullet Blender -You’ll have a healthy affordable breakfast on the go.
What I like best? Getting a good dose of fruits and veggies right from the start.
4. Healthy Egg Muffin Cups
From Show Me The Yummy
When my husband and I were on our Paleo kick a couple of years ago we would prepare these all the time. These are an easy way to have breakfast on the go. I love that these are packed full of healthy veggies. Top with avocado and you won’t even know there were prepared ahead of time.
Lunch Meal Prep Ideas
5. Italian Couscous Salad
From Chelsea’s Messy Apron
I love using couscous in my meal prep! What’s even better is using it in a salad. This is a fantastic couscous salad with an Italian twist- It’s fresh and light tasting while still being filling and satisfying.
The dressing is the perfect amount of tangy, it’s packed with spice/dried herbs and has a bit of sweet tied in as well. This is a perfect meal idea for lunch or dinner.
6. Turkey Spinach Pinwheels Meal Prep
From Damn Delicious
There’s something about finger foods that I can’t resist. I don’t know if its the bite-sized pieces that I love or just that it makes me feel like a kid again. This is the perfect prepped meal that is good for either a quick snack or a full lunch.
7. Greek Couscous Salad
From Chelsea’s Messy Apron
As I mentioned before I am a big fan of couscous. This colorful and healthy Greek couscous salad is so delicious it’ll have your friends wanting a bite.
The recipe calls for chickpeas, I love roasting my chickpeas. However, if you’d like to add some grilled chicken and leave out the chickpeas that’s an option too!
8. Healthy Homemade Instant Noodles
From Sweet Peas and Saffron
I absolutely love hot soups! What I love even more is noodle soups. This meal prepped soup is a quick, easy, and healthy lunch that will be steaming hot in a couple of minutes.
9. Turkey Taco Lunch Bowls
From Sweet Peas and Saffron
Flavorful turkey taco meat, corn, brown rice and a simple pico de gallo.
10. Thai Peanut Chicken Meal Prep Bowls
From Valerie’s Kitchen
This tasty Thai Peanut Chicken Meal Prep Bowls include a layer of simple sesame noodles topped with quickly sautéed chicken, fresh and crunchy slaw, and some peanut sauce for dipping. A delicious, grab-and-go meal!
11. Cold Sesame Noodle Meal Prep Bowls
From Sweet Peas and Saffron
These cold sesame noodle meal prep bowls are the perfect vegan prep ahead lunch: spiralized vegetables tossed with chickpeas and whole wheat spaghetti in a spicy almond butter sauce.
12. Greek Orzo Salad In a Jar
From How Sweet Eats
This is absolutely delicious. The fresh and flavorful veggies make this an instant hit. I love the feta cheese with the pickled onions. Yum Yum!
13. Sweet Potato Chickpea Buddha Bowl
From Minimalist Baker
These Buddha bowls are ridiculously healthy. Loaded with four kinds of vegetables, fiber, chickpeas, and a maple-tahini sauce that’s so good you’ll want to put it on everything.
14. Salad in a Jar
Found on Veggies Save The Day
I absolutely love to eat jar salads for lunch. Meal prepping salads saves a ton of time. We like to have about five of these in our fridge ready to go for when schedules are tight and we’re looking for something healthy.
The great thing about jar salads is the dressing is on the bottom so things don’t get soggy.
We bought a package of 12 Ball Mason Jars. Not only are these jars useful for salads, but there are great for smoothies on the go and also the noodle soup above. ** I prefer the wide mouth jars because its easier to fill the jars without making a mess.
Dinner Meal Prep Ideas
15. Jerk Chicken Meal Bowls
From Food Lovin’ Family
Flavorful jerk spiced chicken, black beans, pineapple salsa and yellow rice.
Hey Friend! Don’t you think these meal prep containers look useful? I love that they come pre-portioned to keep everything nice and organized. They even have a place for your utensils. You can find them on Amazon by clicking here!
16. Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry Meal Prep
From My Food Story
Tasty teriyaki chicken stir fry meal prep dinners are the easiest way to make sure you are ready for the work week ahead. Served with brown rice and grilled vegetables, it’s a balanced meal!
17. Spicy Chicken Meal Prep With Rice And Beans
From Pinch Of Yum
This spicy chicken with rice and beans is a perfectly balanced meal that you can meal prep to last you all week. If you are a fan of using an Instant Pot, this is the perfect recipe for you.
If you don’t have an instant pot don’t worry this can still be made without an instant pot.
You can use a crock pot or even your stove- the instant pot just makes the prep super quick.
18. Honey Sesame Chicken Bowls
From Sweet Peas And Saffron
Chicken breast, broccoli and asparagus tossed in a sweet and savory honey sesame stir fry sauce.
19. Sheet Pan Garlic Ginger Chicken & Broccoli
FromPinch of Yum
This is a fantastic meal prep recipe made without refined sugar. It’s made with all the typical ingredients of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, but then there’s a trick to sweeten things up and it involves dates.
Yep dates! If you aren’t into using dates you can always use honey or even sugar if you wish.
20. Fajita Meal Prep Bowls
From Spend With Pennies
Everything you love about fajitas made on a sheet pan and served with rice. These are loaded with flavor and are easy to make.
21. Mexican Stuffed Peppers
From Fit Food Finds
Looking for a show-stopping meal prep recipe that’s packed with lean protein and vegetables? Make these delicious Mexican Stuffed Peppers; you won’t be disappointed!
22. Honey Sriracha Glazed Meatballs
From Eat Yourself Skinny
These honey sriracha glazed meatballs are sweet, spicy and full of so much flavor! They take less than 30 minutes to make and are perfect for weekly meal prep!
You really can’t go wrong with delicious flavors like Sriracha, soy sauce, ginger, honey, and garlic all drizzled over baked (yes baked!) turkey meatballs.
23. Baked Turkey Meatballs with Spinach
From Home Cooking Memories
These Baked Turkey Meatballs with Spinach are healthy, full of flavor, and they’re baked in the oven so you won’t have to stand at the stove frying them. I really like it when I can stretch meat out with vegetables
24. BBQ Chicken and Roasted Sweet Potato Bowls
From The Creative Bite
Hearty healthy sheet pan recipe with chicken, broccoli and sweet potatoes.
25. Chicken Pad Thai
From Life Made Sweeter
Pad Thai is one of my favorite things to order whenever we go out for Asian food.
This meal prepped chicken pad Thai is full of authentic flavors and is so much better than restaurant takeout!
The flavors made up of sweet, sour, spicy and savory is seriously the best!
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