Whether your goal is to lose weight or simply to avoid the siren song of takeout on crazy busy days, stocking your kitchen with healthy staples just isn't enough. The key to success is actually transforming those staples into nutritious, homemade meals you can reheat in just minutes.
While there's no shortage of healthy recipes, only certain ones have been created with meal prep in mind. Here, you'll find delicious breakfasts, lunches and dinners that will last for days in the fridge (or for months in the freezer) and are loaded with metabolism-stoking, satiating protein. Pick a few that make your mouth water and start cooking!
Almond Butter, Strawberry And Banana Overnight Oats With Chia
You don't often come across an oats recipe that serves up 16 grams of protein. But thanks to the addition of Greek yogurt, almond butter and chia seeds, this one from Ambitious Kitchen does just that. Double, triple or quadruple the recipe to make what you'll need for the week, then divvy up the servings into individual jars or containers. If you're planning to tote your breakfast to the office, make transport easy by stirring the almond butter and banana garnish right in with the rest of the ingredients.
Vegetarian Black Bean Breakfast Burritos
Fluffy scrambled eggs, tahini- and cumin-spiced black beans, roasted sweet potato, chopped green chilli and corn: That's the stuff these freezer-friendly burritos from Fit Foodie Finds are made of. Just assemble the individual burritos, wrap them in foil, and pop them in your icebox. When you're ready to eat, zap one in the microwave for a fast, hot breakfast with 16 grams of protein, a hit of satiating fibre, and no shortage of that savoury Mexican flavour.
Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
This flank steak and veggie stir-fry comes together in under 30 minutes, and it'll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days, says Kelly of Life Made Sweeter. And with 20 grams of protein and just 2 grams of sugar per serving, it's far better for you than anything you'd find at a takeout joint. Pack it up with brown rice for lunch, or warm it up for a lightning fast dinner.
Slow Cooker Turkey Quinoa Chilli with Sweet Potatoes and Black Beans
This sweet, smoky chilli from Erin of Well Plated is everything you want in a clean make-ahead meal: It only takes 10 minutes to prep, it gets more flavourful as it sits in the fridge, and it's got almost 30 grams of protein per serving. Plus, it’s versatile: You can top it with crunchy tortilla chips, sliced avocado, or for even more protein, a dollop of Greek yogurt.
Garlic Crockpot Chicken and Lentils
Not only is Cotter Crunch's chicken and lentils dish easy to make, but it also packs a huge protein punch—to the tune of 42 grams per serving. And thanks to the delicious basil, mint and orange marinade, it's loaded with flavour. Pack it up with a side salad for lunch, or enjoy it as a bowl for dinner with the optional avocado-yogurt sauce on top. The best part: Since it's made with hearty ingredients, it can hang out for days in the fridge without getting soggy.
Crockpot Pork Posole Stew
This filling meal-in-a-bowl from Heidi of Foodie Crush is made with pork shoulder, veggies and hominy, a canned Mexican-style corn that's sold in specialist stores and online. This recipe yields a huge batch, so keep half in the fridge for the week (it'll only get more delicious over time) and freeze the rest in individual containers for fast lunches or dinners later on. And if you're looking for protein, it's got plenty. Each serving gives you nearly 50 grams of the muscle-building nutrient.
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