By: Denise Bustard4 Comments
Posted: 5/21/21Updated: 5/25/21
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These 17 clean eating meal prep ideas are full of fresh, wholesome ingredients that are easy to prep ahead for healthy lunches and dinners through the week.
Meal prep is such a transformational habit if you are looking to reduce your stress, eat a little healthier, and save money. While I have already shared the 25 most popular meal prep recipes on the blog, today it's all about clean eating.
I'll admit that the label 'clean eating' had me scratching my head, as there seems to be no clear cut definition out there. Instead, I'll share my definition of clean eating.
What 'clean eating' means to me
- cooking most things from scratch
- using fresh vegetables
- picking whole grains
- avoiding 'short cut' products that are full of chemicals.
- When using canned ingredients, we stick to ones made with as few ingredients as possible, and make sure we are getting the best quality product.
This is how we actually eat the majority of the time, although I never labeled it as 'clean eating'. To be honest I'm not sure I like the way 'clean' makes other ingredients sound as if they are 'dirty', yet it is a universally used term these days, and so be it.
For the purpose of this clean eating meal prep ideas post, I've stuck to no refined ingredients (flour, sugar, etc), no packaged ingredients with more than 5 ingredients (barbecue sauce etc), and no processed ingredients. I recommend pairing these ingredients with brown rice and whole grain pasta wherever possible.
Simple ingredient swaps for clean eating:
- soy sauce for coconut aminos
- mayonnaise for avocado
- packaged granola bars for homemade energy bites
- instant or white rice for brown rice, quinoa or farro
- sugary cereal for steel cut oats or overnight oats
- bottled salad dressing for a simple homemade vinaigrette (like this one)
Don't forget to pin this post to save it for later!
Sheet Pan Honey Lemon Sheet Pan Salmon and Broccolini
A simple honey lemon salmon recipe baked up on a sheet pan with broccolini. Serve over rice and drizzle with the honey lemon sauce. Makes a great meal prep lunch.
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Cold Sesame Noodles with Spiralized Vegetables
These cold sesame noodle meal prep bowls are the perfect vegan prep ahead lunch: spiralized vegetables tossed with chickpeas and whole wheat spaghetti in a spicy almond butter sauce.
Check out this recipe
Maple Ginger Cashew Chicken Stir Fry (30 Minutes)
A simple cashew chicken stir fry packed with veggies, sprinkled with cashews, and tossed in a sticky maple ginger stir fry sauce. Works great for an easy weeknight dinner or for meal prep.
Check out this recipe
Meal Prep Chicken Fajitas (Sheet Pan)
Sheet pan chicken fajitas with tender and juicy chicken, bell peppers, and onions tossed in a delicious homemade fajita seasoning. Ideal for meal prep or for a simple weeknight dinner.
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Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Lentil Curry
This slow cooker butternut squash lentil curry is creamy and flavored with warm spices, butternut squash, coconut milk and lime juice! Works great as a comforting vegan dinner, or for meal prep.
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Chopped Chickpea Salad (Make Ahead)
This chopped chickpea salad has bulgur wheat, crunchy veggies, feta cheese, and a delicious honey lemon vinaigrette is a delicious vegetarian salad that tastes even better on day 2!
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Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Quinoa Stew
Hearty, healthy, and filled with delicious southwestern flavor, this slow cooker black bean, quinoa and sweet potato stew is so easy to prep! Works great as a weeknight dinner, and can be meal prepped in multiple ways.
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Turkey Taco Meal Prep Bowls
These turkey taco meal prep bowls with turkey taco meat, corn, pico de gallo and brown rice are simple, but filling. Make them ahead for four delicious lunches.
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Southwestern Wild Rice and Sweet Potato Salad
Wild rice and sweet potato salad is loaded with healthy veggies and tossed in a chili lime vinaigrette. Gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and perfect for lunch or a side salad!
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Korean-Inspired Turkey Meal Prep Bowls
These ground turkey meal prep bowls have a delicious Korean-inspired sauce! Packed with flavor and under 400 calories per bowl, you can prep this recipe on the weekend for healthy and delicious lunches through the week.
Check out this recipe
Perfect Cauliflower Fried Rice (with cashews!)
Cauliflower fried rice is flavored with ginger, soy sauce and sesame oil, and cooks up in one pan! Lighter, yet filling, it has soft scrambled eggs, chicken and cashews.
Check out this recipe
Pulled Pork Meal Prep Bowls
Pulled pork meal prep bowls are full of summery flavors: spicy Instant Pot pulled pork, roasted sweet potatoes, corn and fresh tomatoes! Gluten-free, paleo, and perfect for lunches.
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Teriyaki Tofu
Sweet, tangy, and full of umami, this teriyaki tofu is a delicious vegan weeknight dinner option! Seared until golden, then smothered in an irresistibly sticky sauce, this tofu is hard to beat.
Check out this recipe
Thai Chicken Lunch Bowls (Meal Prep)
Thai chicken lunch bowls have roasted vegetables and chicken served over rice with a tangy homemade peanut sauce. Easy to prep and keeps well for four days!
Check out this recipe
Cauliflower Cashew Lunch Bowls
Makethese cauliflower cashew lunch bowls ahead of time and have work lunches ready for the week! Roasted cauliflower, toasted cashews, barley and chickpeas are all tossed in a delicious honey-ginger vinaigrette!
Check out this recipe
Vegan Moroccan Chickpea Skillet
Vegan Moroccan chickpea skillet is freezer-friendly and perfect for meal prep! With chickpeas, sweet potatoes and spicy Moroccan seasoning.
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Buddha Bowl Recipe
This Buddha bowl recipe is full of healthy plant-based ingredients and works great for meal prep! Customize it using your favorite veggies and don't forget to drizzle with the delicious tahini sauce.
Check out this recipe
Meet Denise Bustard
Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.
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Candice says
I love your variety of flavors and ingredients. I love trying new things
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Latasha says
A new journey
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Jayna says
OMG - LOVE your page and your recipes! I'll be subscribing!
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Denise says
I'm so happy you're enjoying them! Let me know if you have any recipe requests 😀
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