Our Easy Meal Prep Ideas refers to the simple, handy strategies used to prepare meals ahead of time that save time, reduce stress, and lead to healthier eating habits. These ideas are game changers for someone looking to create nutritious meals effortlessly using readily available ingredients. Instead of leaning towards processed and fast food, we turn to pre-prepared meals, which are both wholesome and immensely satisfying. This approach makes managing portion sizes easy, and the variety of ingredients incorporated implies that we are getting a balanced diet. It's about simplifying the cooking process without compromising health and making meal times effortless and enjoyable. It's a win-win for health and a busy schedule.
Easy Meal Prep Ideas
Sheet Pan Pineapple Chicken
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or breast
- ⅓ cup sodium soy sauce
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 red pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow pepper, sliced
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
Sweet Chili Chicken Instant Mason Jar Soup
INGREDIENTS
- 1 Tablespoon chicken bouillon powder
- 1 Tablespoon sweet red chili sauce add more to desired preference
- shredded chicken breast, cooked
- julienne carrot
- spiralzied zucchini
- green onion, diced scallions
- snap peas, cut lengthwise
- cilantro
- salt, to taste
- pinch red chili flakes, optional.
Instant Pot Pepper Steak Stir Fry
INGREDIENTS
- 2 lbs Flank Steak
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ small onion, sliced thin
- 1 cup sliced red pepper
- 1 cup sliced green pepper
SAUCE
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoon brown sugar
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- ⅓ cup hoisin sauce
- ½ cup water
- 1 Tbs chili garlic sauce (Sambal Oelek) you can sub in sriracha here
SLURRY TO THICKEN SAUCE
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoon water
Low Carb Big Mac Salad
Ingredients
-
1 lb extra-lean ground beef
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- ½ cup dill pickles, chopped
- 2 plum tomatoes, diced
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
Big Mac sauce
- ½ cup light mayo
- 2 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon relish
Paleo Breakfast Meal Prep Bowls
Ingredients
-
- 4 pre-cooked spicy sausage links like andouille or chorizo, or preferred sausage links
- 1 lb brussels sprouts halved
- 2 med/large sweet potatoes cut into ½-1” pieces (I used 1 large orange and 1 white sweet potato)
- 2 tablespoon avocado oil
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
- 5 eggs*
- Fresh herbs for garnish optional
Taco Bell Power Bowl
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 chicken cutlets
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Quick guacamole
- 1 avocado
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion (and/or 1 clove garlic, minced)
- 2 teaspoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup white rice
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 1 pinch salt
Toppings
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup pico de gallo storebought or homemade
- 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 tablespoon shredded cheese
- 2 tablespoon sour cream
Buffalo Chicken Ranch Whole30 Meal Prep
Ingredients
- 2 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ¼ cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
- 2 tablespoons ghee
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon Whole30 mayonnaise
- 2 12-ounce bags frozen cauliflower rice
- salt
- pinch turmeric if desired
- 1 head romaine lettuce shredded
- 1 cucumber diced
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
- 1 bunch green onions sliced thin
- 2 avocados peeled, seeded, and diced before serving
- Whole30 ranch dressing for drizzling
- celery sticks for garnish
Slow Cooker Chipotle Honey Chicken Taco Salad Lunch Bowls
Ingredients
Slow Cooker Chipotle Honey Chicken
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup chicken stock
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoons adobo sauce from a can of chipotle peppers
- 1 chipotle pepper whole; optional; see note 1
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts roughly 2 large breasts; see note 2
Salad
- 3 cups cabbage finely chopped or shredded
- 2 carrots shredded
- 1 bell pepper thinly sliced
Before Serving
- tortilla chips or strips
- or small tortillas to serve as tacos
Jerk Chicken Meal Prep Lunch Bowls
Ingredients
Jamaican Rub
- ½ tablespoon dried thyme leaves
- ½ tablespoon ground allspice
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/16 teaspoon cayenne for mild spice or ⅛ teaspoon (for spice-ay!)
Jerk Chicken Lunch Bowls
- ¾ cup uncooked quinoa
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- juice 1 lime
- 2 bell peppers cut into large chunks
- 1 large zucchini cut into large chunks
- 2 mangoes cubed
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Ingredients
Rub:
- 1 tablespoon sugar brown or coconut; optional
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon chili powder note 1
- 1.5 teaspoon cumin
- 1.5 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛-¼ teaspoon cayenne optional
Fajitas
- 2 chicken breasts roughly 1 lb; sliced into strips; note 2
- 2 bell peppers sliced into strips
- 1 red onion sliced into strips
- 1 zucchini optional; sliced into strips
- 1 cup mushrooms optional; quartered
- 1 lime juiced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
To Serve
- 8 6 inch tortillas or tortilla boats
- avocado
- cilantro
- cheese or other toppings