Meal prepping is no joke! It is about getting the right ingredients and finding easy recipes that you can actually make at home. So, here are 3 special recipes for you!
Meal prepping is a great idea because it saves you time and money, takes the stress out of deciding what to eat, and can help you make healthier choices. The challenge is figuring out what to make. It is interesting enough to eat repeatedly, easy to prepare all at once, and simple enough that it does not feel like a hassle. Do not worry, we have got you covered with meal prep ideas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Meal prepping is just making several meals ahead of time instead of cooking each one separately. It is not a new idea, but it can be tough to plan for all your meals. To start, you will need some good containers for storing your meals. Chefs recommend you to get a matching set to stay organized. Once you have everything ready, just dive in and start prepping!
Here are 3 easy meal prep ideas that can make your life a lot easier.
- Freezer Burritos –
These beef and bean freezer burritos are perfect for a quick snack or after-school treat. In the recipe, ground beef is simmered in spiced tomato sauce, then layered with refried beans, rice, and a mix of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese in a flour tortilla. With time-saving ingredients like taco seasoning, canned diced tomatoes, and pre-seasoned refried beans, these burritos are easy to make. Serve with sour cream, guacamole, or pico de Gallo for extra flavor. The good news is that you can store them in the freezer for up to 3 months if you double-wrap them in plastic and foil. Let’s get into the recipe now –
Ingredients –
- 2 Tbsp. canola oil, divided
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 Tbsp. taco seasoning
- 1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more
- 1 jalapeño, seeds removed, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 (15-oz.) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes with green chiles
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 (15-oz.) refried black or pinto beans or homemade refried beans
- 4 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 4 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 8 (10″) flour tortillas
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice, cooled
Recipe –
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the beef with taco seasoning and salt. Then break the meat into small pieces and cook them until they are brown, which will take you about 6-7 minutes. Now, remove the beef and set it aside. In the same skillet, cook jalapeño and onion until softened, about 5 minutes, then add garlic and cook for 1 more minute. In the next step, add tomatoes and cook for 3-5 minutes, then return the beef to the skillet and mix. In a bowl, mash the beans with the remaining oil, and in another bowl, mix the cheeses. Now, spread beans on a tortilla, add rice, beef mixture, and cheese, then roll it up tightly. You can seal the edges with a bit of beans. Repeat for the remaining burritos. Wrap each one in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat the burritos, unwrap and microwave with a damp paper towel for 5-6 minutes or air fry at 375° for about 15 minutes. You can also crisp it in a skillet with oil for 3-4 minutes.
2. Brownie Protein Bites
Craving something sweet to get you through the afternoon? These brownie protein bites are the perfect snack. Made with a few simple pantry ingredients and your favorite protein powder, these easy-to-make bites will quickly become a must-have in your snack routine. With every bite, you will feel just like the childhood treat they are named after. Here is how you can make it.
Ingredients –
- 1/2 cup (48 g.) almond flour
- 1/4 cup chocolate protein powder
- 3 Tbsp. (18 g.) unsweetened regular (NOT Dutch-processed) cocoa powder
- 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/3 cup almond butter
- 2 Tbsp. almond milk
- 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 6 oz. dark chocolate (60% cacao; good-quality chips or chopped bars)
- 1 Tbsp. refined coconut oil
- 2 Tbsp. Mini rainbow-colored chocolate chips
Recipe –
Start with a large bowl where you have to mix almond flour, protein powder, cocoa powder, and salt. Now, add almond butter, almond milk, maple syrup, and vanilla, and stir everything together with a spatula. Scoop about 20g of dough per bite and roll them into balls (you should get 12). Now, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. If the balls are sticky, you can also freeze them for 15 minutes. In the next step, melt dark chocolate and oil in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds. Dip each ball into the chocolate, spoon more over it, then place it back on the baking sheet. Let the chocolate set for just a few minutes and then sprinkle with rainbow chocolate chips. You can now refrigerate these bites to harden the chocolate and then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
3. BBQ Protein Bowls
These BBQ bowls are full of flavor and have everything you need – BBQ chicken, corn, a simple slaw, rice, and pickles. They are a protein-packed lunch that’ll give you the energy boost you need. Once the rice is prepped, these bowls only take 15 minutes to cook and put together. They are also perfect for meal prepping, so let’s get straight into the recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 cups barbecue sauce
- 1/3 cup orange juice
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 1/2 tsp. chili powder
- 3 cloves garlic, minced and divided
- 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 lb. boneless and skinless chicken breasts
- kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 cup kale, finely chopped
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 3 cups cooked brown rice
- 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
- 1/2 cup pickle chips
Recipe –
Start by taking a large bowl and mixing barbeque sauce, orange juice, cumin, chili powder, and 2 cloves of garlic. Now, set aside 1/4 cup of the sauce for later. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat, add chicken, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 8 minutes, flip the chicken, then pour 3/4 of the sauce over it and cook for another 8 minutes until the chicken is done and the sauce has thickened. Let the chicken rest, then slice into cubes and cool. In a separate bowl, mix mayo, red wine vinegar, mustard, and the remaining garlic. Toss the dressing with kale, cabbage, and carrots, then season with salt and pepper. To assemble, divide rice into 4 bowls and top with chicken, slaw, corn, and pickles. Drizzle with the reserved barbecue sauce and serve.
With these 3 easy recipes, you no longer need to worry about what to eat or how to hit your protein goals in a day! Happy eating!!
