Love Asian food like we do? Here are some meal prepping ideas and recipes for my fave, Asian themed meals.
Meal Prepping Tips: Meal prepping can be a game-changer for busy individuals looking to maintain a healthy and organized eating routine. Here are a few tips to make your meal prepping sessions successful:
- Plan your meals: Start by creating a weekly meal plan to guide your meal prep. Consider your dietary needs, desired variety, and balance of nutrients. This will help you determine what ingredients to buy and how to distribute your meals throughout the week.
- Invest in good quality storage containers: Use airtight containers that are durable and leak-proof to keep your prepped meals fresh and avoid any spills. Opt for BPA-free containers that are safe for reheating in the microwave or storing in the freezer.
- Use proper labeling: Label your meal prep containers with the contents and date to ensure you consume them before they spoil. This helps you stay organized and keep track of the freshness of your meals.
- Keeping Rice Fresh: Rice is a staple in many meal preps, and it’s important to keep it fresh and prevent it from becoming dry or soggy:
- Store rice properly: Allow cooked rice to cool completely before storing it in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This prevents moisture buildup and helps maintain its texture.
- Reheat with caution: When reheating rice, add a splash of water or broth to the container before microwaving to help rehydrate the grains and prevent them from drying out.
- Keeping Veggies Fresh: Fresh vegetables are a key component of many meal preps, and these tips will help you maintain their freshness:
- Prep ahead: Wash, chop, and prep your vegetables in advance to save time during the week. However, keep in mind that some vegetables, like leafy greens, are best prepped closer to consumption to prevent wilting.
Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry:
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 carrot, thinly sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Cooked rice or noodles, for serving
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the chicken slices with teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Let it marinate for about 15 minutes.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the marinated chicken to the skillet and cook for about 5-7 minutes until cooked through.
- Push the chicken to one side of the skillet and add the bell pepper, carrot, and broccoli. Stir-fry for an additional 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Divide the stir-fried chicken and vegetables into meal prep containers and serve with cooked rice or noodles.
- Asian Quinoa Salad:
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 cup shredded cooked chicken
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup chopped scallions
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, shredded chicken, red cabbage, carrots, cucumber, and scallions.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and honey to make the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss until well coated.
- Divide the Asian quinoa salad into meal prep containers and sprinkle with sesame seeds for garnish.
- Easy Beef and Broccoli:
- Ingredients:
- 1 pound beef sirloin, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- Cooked rice, for serving
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch. Add the sliced beef and toss to coat. Let it marinate for 10-15 minutes.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, and stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the marinated beef to the skillet and stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Add the broccoli florets to the skillet and stir-fry for an additional 3-4 minutes until crisp-tender.
- Divide the beef and broccoli into meal prep containers and serve with cooked rice.
Feel free to customize these recipes by adding additional vegetables or adjusting the sauces and seasonings to suit your taste preferences. These meal preps will allow you to enjoy delicious and satisfying Asian-inspired dishes throughout the week with minimal effort. Check out our recipe section for more ideas on saving time, calories and money by prepping your lunches ahead!
