Meal prep is my least favorite thing to do on Sundays, or any day for that matter. However, it is essential if I want my week to be as stress-free as possible. I can’t control everything, but meal prepping at least takes out the stress of having to plan meals on-top of everything else that can come up during the week.
Because I have been meal prepping consistently for over a year now, I’ve naturally created a list of my favorite recipes. These recipes qualify as favorites, not just because they taste good, but also because they are easy to make. I do not eat clean and will never claim to. However, when it comes to meal prep, I believe a good balance between healthy and satisfying is the key to staying consistent. That’s just what I’ve found works for me. See my blog post 5 Tips for Successful Meal Prep.
Having a list of go-to recipes also makes it easier for me to decide what I’m going to cook for the week. I don’t have to search for something new every time. Instead, I can simply choose from my list. I pretty much have a solid rotation going, but will throw something new in the mix every now and then. A good way to find and save recipes is using Pinterest. All of the recipes I am going to share have all been saved on my Pinterest boards.
Asian Turkey Meatballs
These Asian Turkey Meatballs were one of the first repeat recipes I tried when I first started meal prepping regularly. Prep time is about 10 minutes and then you cook them in the oven for 15 minutes. Really simple! You’ll start to see that “easy and simple” is a common theme as you continue reading. I often pair these meatballs with brown rice and broccoli.
Honey Garlic Salmon
Honey Garlic Salmon is currently my favorite meal prep recipe. The recipe requires the salmon to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, but after that, only 15 minutes in the oven and your done! I like to stick to foods that can be prepped and cooked in the oven or the air fryer. Most things that have to be cooked on the stove top can be more time consuming in my experience.
Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Speaking of cooking things on the stove, this Chicken and Broccoli stir fry is one of a few meal prep recipes on my list that have to be cooked on the stove. With that, the cook time is longer than the previous two. I don’t cook this one as often as the others because of that, but I like to throw it in the mix every now. Because this includes protein and vegetables, I just add in some brown rice to complete the meal.
Maple Lime Chicken Thighs
My husband found this recipe and it has become one of my favorites. I also like this recipe because the chicken is cooked in the air fryer. All I have to do is let the chicken marinate for a few hours before tossing it in the air fryer for about 20 minutes. The only thing I don’t like is about his recipe is the cleanup. The marinade from the chicken will stick and harden to the grill in the air fryer which can be difficult to clean. Having an air fryer with a durable non-stick surface is essential. I have also cooked these in the oven as an alternative method and they turned out just great, just not as crispy.
Turkey Taco Bowls
Turkey Taco Bowls are the simplest recipe on the list. It includes simple ingredients and takes very little time and effort to make. I put some brown rice in the rice cooker and everything else can be cooked on the stove in less than 10 minutes. This is perfect for those prep days when you REALLY just don’t feel like it.
So, there it is! I’m always looking to add to this list, so if you have any great recipes of your own, please share in the comments. Happy meal prepping!
