Meal Prep Friendly Bowls Recipes

If you're looking to make your life easier with a little prepping, meal prep bowls are an amazing place to start. I've rounded up my absolute best bowl recipes for you in this post–these are the ones I've been making on repeat because they just taste so good! All of them are nutritious and filling, and contain different types of plant-based protein for lots of variety.

I've been meal prepping for 7+ years now, and I can tell you that Nourish bowls have become a steady part of my weekly routine (and one I don't want to miss). What I love about them is that they give you a finished meal but with a ton of flexibility.

You can easily swap out a few ingredients, the toppings, and the dressing to avoid feeling like you're eating the same thing a few days in a row (even though you're technically doing it).

Why meal prep bowls?

• To make lunches a no-brainer. Trust me, when I say that meal prepping just one bowl for lunches will already significantly reduce the mental load associated with cooking and grocery shopping. No more wondering what you're going to eat the next day. The mental space I gained back from meal-prepping just 1 bowl a week is life-changing.
• To avoid skipping meals or choosing a more convenient but often less nourishing alternative. Meal-prepped bowls help you eat healthy and balanced meals several days of the week (yay!).
• It saves you money! Bringing your homemade lunch to work or school can be much more budget-friendly than purchasing lunch from restaurants or cafes every day. Over time, these savings can add up.

Elo's tips

• Swap out the dresssing. It may sound obvious but it makes a world of a difference in terms of flavor. While all the components of your bowl remain the same, you don't feel like you're eating the same one twice.
• Add toppings. They can transform a bowl by adding both texture and flavor. Nuts, seeds, and herbs are a great place to start. If you feel a little more adventurous, try pickled red onions or pickled baby cucumbers (they are both really easy to make at home).
• Invest in a set of meal-prep containers. Choose 1 or 2 sizes but preferably all from the same brand. This makes it easier to stack them in your kitchen drawer or cabinet and you won't be looking for the right lid all the time. I like these glass rectangular containers. But if you take your bowls to work/school, I'd recommend BPA-free plastic containers.

Plant-based bowls recipes

1

Chimichurri Falafel Bowl

This bowl is number one on this list and my personal favorite! It has roasted veggies, crispy falafels, and the best chimichurri sauce. Every single component can easily be prepped ahead and they store well in the fridge. If you're only going to try one meal-prep bowl, let it be this one.

Get the recipe

2

Vegan Hummus Bowl

This vegan hummus bowl inspired by a traditional Greek salad is definitely in my top 3. It's packed with two different types of plant-based protein (hummus and tofu) to make it extra nourishing. If you're looking for a recipe that requires minimal cooking, this is your go-to.

Get the recipe

3

High-Protein Zucchini Bowl

This roasted zucchini salad is packed with quinoa and roasted chickpeas for a double dose of plant-based protein. But the true star of the show is the creamy green dressing with different types of herbs that adds a ton of flavor.

Get the recipe

How to store meal-prepped bowls?

When it comes to storage, you have 2 options. Which one you choose will depend on your lifestyle, food preferences, and the amount of time you have.

1. Store everything separately. That means storing the cooked grains, protein, veggies, and dressing in separate containers. You can then assemble your bowl right before serving.
   
   This method gives you more flexibility as you can use the ingredients in different ways. You could, for instance, use the veggies and protein in a wrap, and the grain as a side for dinner.
   
2. Make ready-to-eat bowls. Add everything to your favorite meal-prep containers for quick and easy lunches. In this case, I'd however recommend storing the dressing separately (e.g., in these small dressing containers) to prevent the grains from soaking it all up and making your bowl feel dry.

P.S.: I alternate between those 2 methods depending on how busy my week is going to be. If I know that I have very little time, I prep ready-to-eat containers. If I'm a little more flexible, I usually avoid eating the same bowl twice and will often use the ingredients for wraps, or sandwiches.