Eight Meal Prep Recipes to Try for Lunch
Don't be intimidated by endless hours in the kitchen or large amounts of Tupperware containers—meal prep is made simple with these recipes.
Italian couscous salad / Photo by Chelsea Lords
When the week gets hectic, meal prep can be vital to keeping your healthy eating on track. It also simplifies your morning routine and gives you more time to sleep or exercise. To get you started, we rounded up quick recipes you can make for a killer weeknight dinner that will generate enough leftovers for lunch at the office. Each one contains a variety of different ingredients and flavors and can be easily modified.
1. Honey Sriracha Glazed Meatballs
via Eat Yourself Skinny
These meatballs are a healthy source of lean protein and made with better-for-you ingredients such as whole wheat breadcrumbs and low-sodium soy sauce. Serve with brown rice and some sliced vegetables for a complete meal.
2. Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
via Life Made Sweeter
Save yourself the hassle of doing dishes with this easy, one-pan recipe. To keep the recipe low-carb, and for the ease of packing the meal for lunch, serve the fajitas over a bed of cauliflower rice.
3. Mexican Quinoa Chicken Salad Lunch Bowls
via Project Meal Plan
These bowls are made with quinoa, black beans, and chicken to keep you satisfied all afternoon. When you pack the bowl in the morning, be sure to add freshly sliced avocado.
4. Apple Harvest Mason Jar Salad
via The Seasoned Mom
Keep your salad from going soggy by layering it in a mason jar. Start with the dressing on the bottom, then add the chicken, apple, nuts, cheese, and top with the greens.
5. Spicy Chickpea Quinoa Bowl
via Eat Yourself Skinny
This chickpea quinoa bowl is a great plant-based option for vegetarians and vegans. When cooking the chickpea sauce, leave out the fresh cilantro. You want to add it on top of the meal after it’s cooked.
6. Ginger Lime Chicken Cauliflower
via Real Food Real Deals
This tangy chicken gets its flavor from a marinade made with lime juice, soy sauce, and ginger powder. In this recipe, the riced cauliflower is roasted instead of cooked in a pan.
7. Mediterranean Vegan Meal Prep Bowls
via Salt & Lavender
Quinoa, chickpeas, and hummus provide the protein in this bowl and are complemented by olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion. The quinoa can also be swapped for Greek potatoes or rice.
8. Italian Couscous Salad
via Chelsea’s Messy Apron
This meal prep recipe makes enough for six meals. Genoa salami is used as the meat in this recipe, but for a lighter option try low-sodium turkey, canned tuna, or even hard boiled eggs.
