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Meal Prep · July 6, 2017

How to Build a Power Bowl: Simple Meal Prep Ideas

Colorful Southwestern salad in a white bowl on a desk with a computer keyboard. this …

It’s pretty obvious that salads and bowls are my thing. Not only are they incredibly nutritious, but their simplicity, endless combinations, and deliciousness make bowls our favorite thing to meal prep. In just an hour (or less!), turn one bowl combination into five magical servings you can enjoy all week (while saving time, money, and your sanity). Read on to learn how to build the perfect, prep-ahead bowl.

To build the perfect power bowl, simply pick your ingredients from the lists below, prep the components, and store in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble (and eat!). The combinations are endless; create your own or try some of our summer favorites.

Layered salads in mason jars from the side.

OUR SIMPLE FORMULA FOR DELICIOUS, PREP-AHEAD BOWLS

Green Base + Protein + Veggies and Fruit + Healthy Carb + Something Fancy + Dressing


GREEN BASE
+ choose 1
(1 large handful per serving)
lettuce
spring mix
baby spinach
baby kale
lacinato kale
arugula
shredded cabbage


PROTEIN
+ choose 1
(1 palm-sized portion per serving)

chicken or turkey
beef
lamb
pork
fish or shrimp
canned tuna or salmon
tofu
tempeh
hard-boiled eggs


VEGGIES + FRUIT
+ choose 2-3
(1/2 – 1 cup per serving)

cucumber
red peppers
cherry tomatoes
roasted eggplant
broccoli or cauliflower
carrots
asparagus
green beans
zucchini or yellow squash
berries


HEALTHY CARB
+ choose 1
(1/2 cup per serving)

whole grains (rice, quinoa, farro)
lentils
roasted sweet or regular potatoes
noodles or pasta
beets
corn
plantains


SOMETHING FANCY
+ choose 1-2
(1-2 tablespoons per serving)

nuts or seeds
cheese
olives
fresh herbs
avocado or guacamole
dried fruit
tahini
kimchi or sauerkraut
nutritional yeast


DRESSING
+ choose 1
(about 1/4 cup per serving)

balsamic vinaigrette
spicy peanut dressing
greek vinaigrette
basil yogurt dressing
cumin lime dressing
make your own


Once you choose your bowl ingredients, it’s prep time! Decide on an hour to prep (we like Sunday or Monday night), turn up the music, pour a glass of wine, and get prepping. Store your prepped ingredients in separate air-tight containers in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble your bowls (I’m kinda obsessed with these Glasslock containers). And voilà: a week’s worth of fast food that’s actually good for you.



Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. There is no additional cost to you. I only link to products I truly recommend and trust.

Previous Post: « Watermelon Lime Cucumber Cooler
Next Post: Prep-Ahead Summer Bowl Recipes + Printable Meal Planner »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Matti says

    July 16, 2017 at 2:45 pm

    How do you keep your guacamole from turning brown so that you can use it the next day to make your salad.

    Reply
    • Ally says

      August 11, 2017 at 10:40 am

      Hi Matti! This article has some good tricks about keeping guacamole green: http://www.thekitchn.com/the-best-way-to-keep-guacamole-green-tips-from-the-kitchn-193462
      Enjoy!

      Reply

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