33 healthy make ahead lunch bowls to keep your meal prep exciting! Healthy lunch recipes to fuel you all afternoon long, including rice bowls, vegetarian, chicken and beef options.
Stuck in a lunch rut? Let's get you out of it! If you loved our healthy meal prep lunch ideas, then these make ahead lunch bowls are sure to shake up your meal prep with new flavors and inspiration!
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Loaded with veggies, protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs - these make ahead lunch bowls are portable and convenient to eat at work or on the go! Best of all, they are absolutely delicious and sure to keep hunger at bay all afternoon long.
Save money, reduce stress, and stick to a healthy routine by adding these make ahead lunch bowls into your meal prep rotation!
reasons you'll love these recipes
- there is something for everyone - from vegetarian bowls, to low carb, gluten-free, chicken, beef and more
- they are filled with wholesome ingredients to set you up for a successful week of healthy eating
- these make ahead lunch bowls are SO quick and easy to prepare!
Tips to keep your lunch bowls fresh
- store your dressing or sauce separately in condiment containers until just before you serve (unless the recipe states otherwise).
- keep leafy greens away from wet ingredients - mason jars are great for layering!
- store in a 2 cup glass meal prep container (keeps your food from absorbing flavors)
- store no longer than 4 days - chicken, rice, and most vegetables start to decline drastically after 4 days
- add toppings such as avocado and cilantro when ready to enjoy, for optimal freshness
Chicken bowls
These chicken lunch bowl recipe ideas are perfect for a balanced and filling lunch. From pasta salad to butter chicken, stir-fries and more!
Kale Chicken Pasta Salad
This kale chicken pasta salad is made with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries. A healthy meal that works great for meal prep, or an easy weeknight dinner!
Check out this recipe
Cashew Chicken Stir Fry
Cashew chicken stir fry is a simple yet flavorful weeknight meal that works great for reheat meal prep lunches! Made with a hoisin sesame sauce and served with broccoli and rice.
Check out this recipe
Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls
Greek chicken meal prep bowls with seasoned chicken, greek salad, tzatziki and optional pita bread. A delicious lunch with low carb option.
Check out this recipe
Caprese Chicken Salad Meal Prep Bowls
Caprese chicken salad meal prep bowls are fresh, summery and delicious. With baked chicken, fresh cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, quinoa and basil leaves all drizzled in a balsamic vinaigrette.
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
Southwestern Chopped Chicken Salad (Meal Prep)
This southwestern chopped chicken salad is going to be your new favorite work lunch! Prep ahead on the weekend and when you're ready to serve, drizzle with ranch and sprinkle with tortilla strips.
Check out this recipe
Honey Sesame Chicken Lunch Bowls
These Honey Sesame Chicken Lunch Bowls have chicken breast, broccoli and asparagus tossed in a sweet and savory honey sesame stir fry sauce. Perfect for healthy meal prep lunches!
Check out this recipe
Moroccan Couscous Meal Prep Bowls
These Moroccan inspired meal prep bowls are full of warm spices and deep flavor. With spiced chicken thighs, roasted cauliflower and green beans served over lemony pearl couscous, it's an easy meal to prep on the weekend.
Check out this recipe
Healthier Firecracker Chicken Meal Prep Bowls
Healthier firecracker chicken meal prep bowls are sweet and spicy! Lightened up compared to classic recipes, but still super flavorful. Gluten-free and ready in 35 minutes.
Check out this recipe
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
EASY slow cooker butter chicken is made with healthy ingredients, and can be assembled and frozen for meal prep! Made with tender chicken thighs, and a creamy coconut tomato curry sauce, it's dairy-free, gluten-free, low carb, and delicious!
Check out this recipe
Satay Chicken Lunch Bowls
These satay chicken meal prep lunch bowls can be prepped on the weekend and enjoyed throughout the week for a tasty, low carb lunch. Youโre going to want to drizzle that peanut sauce on everything!
Check out this recipe
Maple Ginger Chicken Meal Prep Lunch Bowls
Maple ginger chicken meal prep lunch bowls are made ahead on the weekend so you have four delicious lunches waiting for you!
Check out this recipe
Low Carb Indian Chicken Skillet
This low carb Indian chicken skillet has incredible flavor with spiced cauliflower rice, chicken thighs and green beans. Easy to prep ahead for grab and go lunches.
Check out this recipe
Vegetarian bowls
These vegetarian lunch bowl recipes have a few things in common: plant based, delicious, portable, and packed with all the good stuff! Keep the dressing separate until just before serving.
Vegan Sushi Meal Prep
This vegan sushi bowl meal prep has all the flavors of sushi without the rolling! Made with cucumber, carrots, radish, edamame, rice and a sriracha mayo dressing.
Check out this recipe
Falafel Salad Bowls (Meal Prep)
Falafel salad bowls are made with crispy baked falafels, fresh veggies, and a drizzle of creamy tahini maple dressing. A nutrient-dense vegan meal prep recipe!
Check out this recipe
Coconut Chickpea Curry
This coconut chickpea curry has a flavorful Indian-inspired curry sauce, and is delicious served over rice with a side of naan. Made with vegan ingredients, it's simple and quick to prepare.
Check out this recipe
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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.ย
Check out this recipe
Vegan Slow Cooker Tikka Masala
This vegan slow cooker tikka masala is PERFECT for meal prep! It makes an easy freezer crockpot meal, and leftovers keep (and can be frozen) for healthy plant-based lunches.
Check out this recipe
Thai Chickpea Mason Jar Salad
Thai chickpea mason jar salad has a tangy peanut dressing, quinoa, zucchini, carrots and cabbage and is topped with honey roasted peanuts! Ready in under 25 minutes.
Check out this recipe
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
Farro Arugula Salad (Meal Prep)
This farro arugula salad is a delicious vegetarian meal prep recipe! With snap peas, feta cheese, egg and a tangy vinaigrette, it is filling and delicious!
Check out this recipe
Vegan Spring Roll Bowls (Meal Prep)
This vegan spring roll bowl meal prep makes four lunch portions that you can enjoy through the week! With crumbled tofu, crunchy veggies, and a tangy peanut sauce.
Check out this recipe
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!
Check out this recipe
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!
Check out this recipe
Cauliflower Cashew Lunch Bowls
Makeย these 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
Spicy Tofu Noodles Meal Prep
These spicy tofu noodle meal prep bowls are made with a sweet, savory and spicy sauce, whole-wheat spaghetti, zucchini noodles, and tofu! Make it ahead and enjoy for lunch through the week.
Check out this recipe
Vegan Portobello Fajita Meal Prep Bowls
Portobello fajita vegan meal prep with delicious roasted portobellos, bell peppers and onions, black beans, and seasoned quinoa!
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
Beef + Pork bowls
Just like chicken, beef and pork are incredibly versatile protein sources. These make ahead lunch bowls are diverse in flavor and would be incredible for lunch!
Sesame Ginger Beef + Zucchini Noodles
Sesame ginger beef and zucchini noodles is a delicious lower carb lunch option that is perfect for meal prep! Not only is it fast to make, but tastes delicious and only 4 g net carbs.
Check out this recipe
Baked Meatball Meal Prep with Spaghetti Squash
This baked meatball meal prep with spaghetti squash is a lower carb lunch option! Save time and reduce your dishes by baking the meatballs right in your meal prep containers.
Check out this recipe
Egg Roll in a Bowl (30 min, low carb)
Egg roll in a bowl tastes just like your favorite take out and comes together quickly using a single pan. With only 7 g net carbs, this recipe has slaw, ground pork, and a delicious sauce.
Check out this recipe
Healthier Mongolian Beef Meal Prep
These Mongolian beef meal prep bowls are perfect if you are craving take out, but want to keep things healthier. With tender strips of flank steak served in a deliciously sticky sauce.
Check out this recipe
BBQ Meatloaf Meal Prep Bowls
BBQ Meatloaf Meal Prep Bowls are an easy lunch idea that you are going to be so excited to eat! With cajun mashed sweet potatoes, steamed green beans and mini BBQ meatloaves.
Check out this recipe
Low Carb Meatloaf & Cauliflower Mash
Low carb meatloaf and cauliflower mash meal prep is healthy comfort food. Makes five delicious servings perfect for a low carb lunch.
Check out this recipe
Low Carb Satay Beef Meal Prep Bowls
With a creamy Thai peanut sauce that serves as both a marinade and dipping sauce, this satay beef meal prep recipe is not short on flavor! Serve it up with cauliflower rice and green beans for a delicious low carb lunch option.
Check out this recipe
Sarkari Job says
Healthy foods make your body fit and healthy, I love to eat this.!
Marion says
Hi Denise,
I've been following each one of these recipes (I'm on week 16), that's actually the first time I try meal prepping and the results are incredible! Theses recipes are healthy, it's a very good way to save money and to discover new foods, it's time saving and I can tell I'm in better shape.. your post is a GREAT find, thank you so much!
Marion
Denise says
Wow, that's amazing Marion! So happy to hear you've been enjoying this post!
Dragana says
Are these considered as clean eating? Do they follow the guidelines for clean eating?
Denise says
Hi Dragana, I can't speak for all of the recipes in this round-up, but I believe my recipes largely fall under 'clean eating' as I use very few processed ingredients.
Kelly Lee says
Is there a simple way of printing each series of recipes or does one need to go into each recipe separately ? very time consuming
Denise says
Hi Kelly! This is a round up of my favorite recipes from around the web, so you have to go to the recipe developer's site and click to print. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Ann Mccallum says
I want the lunch suggestions please
Denise says
Hi Ann I'm confused by your question, these are lunch suggestions? I also have this round up with 19 Healthy MEal Prep Lunch Ideas: https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/2016/11/19-healthy-lunch-meal-prep-ideas.html, and you can browse the meal prep lunch category: https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/category/work-lunch
Karman says
I need help bringing prepared lunches to work. I also am on a health kick so check and check. These all look good! Thanks so much!
Ingrid says
Love ur lunch ideas...all super doopper yummy
Denise says
Thanks Ingrid!
Pat says
Lunch bowls look amazing. I would like to print them and make for my daughter who has pancreatitis.
Denise says
Hi Pat! You can print them from each page that they are on ๐ Hope you enjoy some of them!
Danielle N. Pope says
Greetings Denise,
I would like to use your web link on lunch bowls in my e-book. If this is OK, would you send me a permission contract? Please let me know.
Thanks so much.
Danielle N. Pope
JENNIFER says
I JUST FOUND THIS BLOG AND I'M SO EXCITED TO TRY THE RECIPES!!! THEY ALL LOOK SO PRETTY AND DELISH!
Allison - Celebrating Sweets says
I'm using several of these ideas for meals this week. Off to the store! Thanks for the inspiration. ๐
Denise says
I'm so glad you got some lunch ideas, Allison! I find packing work lunches to be such a challenge!
Catherine says
Dear Denise, all these lunch bowls look wonderful! What a great idea...I would love to try them all. xo, Catherine
Kelly says
Love this round-up, Denise! All of these lunch bowls are gorgeous and I seriously wish I could have one of each for lunch! Thank you so much for including mine!! <3
Michelle | A Latte Food says
I love your round-ups! All of these look amazing!
Kristine | Kristine's Kitchen says
This round up is the BEST, Denise! Now I have no excuse for packing a boring work lunch. I'd take one of these bowls over my usual pb&j any day! ๐
Izzy @ She Likes Food says
Now if I could just get someone to come over and make me one of these lunch bowls everyday, haha! Bowls like these are my favorites ever and I would happily eat any one of these for lunch everyday! Thanks for including one of mine!
Denise says
Meee tooo! Thanks so much Izzy! I'm going to try your salad soon!
lindsay says
GORGEOUS lunches too! sign me up! pinning. Thanks friend
Denise says
Thanks, Lindsay! Your salad looks SO good, I definitely have to try it!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
A colleague came to work with something like this one day last week, and I was so jealous.
Now I have some recipes to rival his!
These bowls are all so colourful, Denise, and we all know that means super healthy. ๐
Denise says
I am hooked on lunch bowls! Thanks, Helen!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
Well, you know how much I love food in bowls! I'm totally giddy over this round-up. Is that weird? ๐
Denise says
HA! Food in bowls is the BEST ๐ Thanks so much, Liz!
marcie says
What a great round-up, Denise! These are all so healthy and hearty, not to mention pretty! There are so many I need to try. ๐
Denise says
I was loving all the bright colors ๐ Thanks, Marcie!
Zaheer says
Any time You couldn't have been more right