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Ready to prep some meals? Here are 12 of our most popular recipes, primed for meal prep. Make 4 meals every Sunday and try all the combinations (or mix and match your favorites!). These are healthful, filling options that you’ll love.

4 glass containers filled with meal prep foods like veggies, rice, chicken, and salmon.

Meal prep is always great in theory: perfectly portioned, healthful meals ready and waiting for you to enjoy. The reality is fraught with issues: Hours of cooking and cleaning up after, recipes you don’t like, and ultimately food waste (and maybe even a secret trip to McDonalds?).

I think the best way to approach Meal Prep is to take recipes you already love and already make and just convert those recipes into your meal prep routine. And don’t make too much! Make whatever you can consume within 4 days so it doesn’t spoil and you don’t get sick of it.

And switch it up! Here are 4 of my most favorite combinations and some of the most popular recipes on Culinary Hill (and a few tweaks to consider when you get bored).

Table of Contents
  1. Week 1: Turkey meatballs
  2. Week 2: Lemon pepper chicken
  3. Week 3: Baked salmon
  4. Week 4: Chipotle chicken

Week 1: Turkey meatballs

These meatballs are made with ground turkey, brushed with olive oil, and baked until tender and brown. They are so so good. Eat them with some quinoa and roasted broccoli.

Need a sauce? Chipotle mayonnaise is my favorite here (just add 1-2 tbsp. mayonnaise in a bowl and stir in adobo sauce from canned chipotles to taste).

4 glass containers filled with meal prep foods like veggies, rice, chicken, and salmon.
Turkey Meatballs
Leaner than beef, these Turkey Meatballs are healthy, packed with flavor, and incredibly moist on the inside. A combination of fresh and dried herbs give these meatballs an Italian flare while also providing a balance of flavors.
VIEW RECIPE
Turkey meatballs in a white serving bowl.
How to Cook Quinoa
Once you know how to cook quinoa to fluffy, tender perfection, you'll want to add this protein- and fiber-rich whole grain to your menu or meal prep every week.
VIEW RECIPE
Cooked quinoa in a sliver bowl with someone spooning some out.
Roasted Broccoli with Lemon and Parmesan
This recipe for Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan and Lemon turns boring broccoli into something crispy and caramelized in 40 minutes or less. Delicious!
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Roasted broccoli on a baking sheet with lemon garnish.

Week 1 tweaks

Week 2: Lemon pepper chicken

You can make 3-ingredient Lemon Pepper Chicken on the grill, on the stove, or in the oven. Over-achievers can DIY the lemon pepper seasoning, too.

Add mashed sweet potatoes and roasted asparagus to the mix for a colorful, hearty meal prep option.

4 glass containers filled with meal prep foods like veggies, rice, chicken, and salmon.
Lemon Pepper Chicken
This easy Lemon Pepper Chicken is great on the grill, on the stove, or in the oven. Dinner is solved in 30 minutes or less, and it's delicious!
VIEW RECIPE
Lemon pepper chicken on a blue platter.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
These Mashed Sweet Potatoes are flavored with fresh thyme, butter, and just a touch of brown sugar. They make a delicious side dish for your weekly menu or holiday table.
VIEW RECIPE
Mashed sweet potatoes in a gray bowl.
Roasted Asparagus
An easy recipe for Roasted Asparagus with olive oil, garlic, and lemon. The high oven temperature cooks it to tender-crisp perfection in 10 minutes or less.
VIEW RECIPE
A baking sheet full of roasted asparagus with lemons.

Week 2 tweaks

Week 3: Baked salmon

Make and bake a large salmon filet, then slice into perfectly portioned pieces. Pair with roasted green beans and baked rice.

To switch things up, substitute brown rice or add a side of teriyaki sauce.

4 glass containers filled with meal prep foods like veggies, rice, chicken, and salmon.
Baked Salmon
This easy Baked Salmon recipe is flavored with fresh lemons and herbs, baked in foil, then broiled until crispy. And it's ready in 20 minutes or less!
VIEW RECIPE
Baked salmon on a bed of lemon slices with fresh herbs.
Baked Rice
Making Baked Rice in the oven is fast, foolproof, and fluffy. This easy 3-ingredient recipe is great for meal prep and freezer friendly, too.
VIEW RECIPE
Baked rice in a bowl.
Roasted Green Beans
These easy Roasted Green Beans are loaded with garlic and lemon and roasted to perfection. They are simple enough for busy weeknights but delicious enough for holidays too!
VIEW RECIPE
Roasted green beans on a baking sheet with lemon garnish.

Week 3 tweaks

Week 4: Chipotle chicken

With so many Chipotle copycat recipes on the site, it’s hard to choose just 3! Chipotle chicken, cilantro-lime rice, and fajita veggies are always popular and always delicious.

For a vegan option, try Chipotle Sofritas. Add sides of salsa (mild, corn, medium, and hot) to complete your Chipotle bowl.

4 glass containers filled with meal prep foods like veggies, rice, chicken, and salmon.

Week 4 tweaks

Culinary School Secrets
Pro-level tricks to transform your cooking!

Meggan Hill

I’m the Executive Chef and head of the Culinary Hill Test Kitchen. Every recipe is developed, tested, and approved just for you.

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