Hey there! Are you ready to explore the world of vegan meal prep recipes? You may be a seasoned plant-based eater or just curious about incorporating more veggies into your diet, and this article will serve you as great starting point to expand upon.
Vegan meal prep is all about creating great and nutritious meals that save you time and do a good job of keeping you properly energized. From hearty breakfasts to satisfying dinners, we’ll dive into some recipes that are designed to be easy, affordable, and absolutely delicious. Therefore, set-up the storable containers and let’s get cooking – your future self will greatly appreciate you!
The Magic of Oats for Vegan Diets
Oats and oatmeal are a staple in many vegan diets, and there’s a good reason it is. Oats are incredibly versatile, packed with nutrients, and can be included in a variety of recipes. Oats will surely cover you on many fronts. So, let’s explore some oat recipes for breakfast.
An Oatmeal Recipe for Breakfast
Starting your day with a bowl of oatmeal is like giving your body that loving embrace it’s regularly needs. It’s comforting, filling, and sets the day off to a proper start. Here’s a simple oatmeal recipe to kickstart your mornings (pair it with coffee):
Classic Oatmeal Recipe:
- Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1 cups water or milk (whole, almond, coconut, etc.)
- A pinch of salt, if desired
- Favorite toppings of your choice (e.g., fresh berries, nuts, seeds, maple syrup, or a dollop of almond butter)
- Instructions:
- Bring the water or choice of milk to a boil in a pot.
- Add the oats and a pinch of salt, boil for a minute, and bring to a simmer.
- Cook for roughly 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the oats are soft and creamy.
- Serve hot, and add your favorite toppings.
This recipe works best when you can afford the time to prepare it for breakfast.
Overnight Oats Recipe for a Healthy Start
If your mornings are a time crunch, overnight oats can help cutdown on time waste. They require no cooking and can be prepared the night before in a really short amount of time. This meal is perfect for busy and on the go mornings.
Quick Overnight Oats Recipe That’s Healthy:
- Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup milk option of your choosing
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or agave nectar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Your favorite mix-ins (e.g., sliced banana, berries, nuts, or a spoonful of nut butter options)
- Instructions:
- In a mason jar or a bowl, combine the oats, milk choice, chia seeds (optional), maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
- Stir well to combine, and add your mix-ins as you see fit.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- In the morning, give it a good stir and enjoy cold, or heat it up if you prefer a warm breakfast.
The overnight take on this recipe will save you loads of time and make that much more efficient to get out of the door.
Exploring Healthy Meal Prep Recipes
Meal prepping is a very useful tool to meet lifestyle changes to achieve better health. This is especially true when you’re trying to maintain a very healthy diet. It ensures nutritious meals ready to go when needed, and may be useful for avoiding unhealthy options. Here are a couple of vegan meal prep ideas to get you started:
Quinoa and Veggie Bowls
Quinoa is a fantastic selection for meal prep bowls. High in protein, gluten-free, and pairs well with a variety of vegetables and sauces.
Let’s get down into the setup.
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water or broth alternative
- Select variety of roasted or steamed vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, zucchini)
- 1 can of chickpeas or garbanzos, drained and rinsed
- Your favorite dressing (e.g., tahini dressing, lemon vinaigrette)
- Instructions:
- Rinse the quinoa under cold water.
- Bring water or vegetable broth to a boil.
- Add the quinoa, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for more or less 15 minutes, or until the quinoa is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
- Top with your choice of vegetables, chickpeas, or other beans.
- Drizzle with your favorite dressing or sauce.
Use containers to divide the quinoa for meal prep.
Lentil and Sweet Potato Curry
This hearty curry is perfect for meal prep. It’s packed with flavor, nutrients, and can be easily reheated for a quick lunch or dinner.
Let go over the set up.
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup red lentils
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 1 sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
- ½ can of coconut milk
- ½ onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
- Instructions:
- Sauté in a large pot with onion and garlic until fragrant.
- Add the curry powder and cumin, and cook for another minute or two.
- Add sweet potatoes, lentils, coconut milk, and diced tomatoes.
- Boil for a short duration, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils and sweet potatoes are tender.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Allocate to meal prep containers and garnish with fresh cilantro.
Wrapping it All Up
Vegan meal prep doesn’t have to be a complicated or time-consuming process. With a little planning and some sound recipes, you can enjoy nutritious and satisfying meals all week long. Also, healthy meal prep recipes are good for weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight. This process can be used however you may be starting your day. With a comforting bowl of oatmeal or grabbing, a jar of overnight oats on the go, enjoying a hearty quinoa bowl or curry, these recipes will keep you fueled and happy. Happy cooking and vegan meal preparation (also see Vegan Meal Prep Meals)!