18 Healthy Meal-Prep Recipes You Can Make in Your Instant Pot (2024)

18 Healthy Meal-Prep Recipes You Can Make in Your Instant Pot (1)

Meal prep can help keep you on track with your goals, in addition to saving you money, but if the idea of carving out hours on Sunday to cook a week's worth of meals sounds daunting, it's time to make use of your Instant Pot. The Instant Pot can help speed up meal prep by cutting down on prep and cook time, and by freeing up your stove and oven so you can tackle more dishes at once.

To get you started, we've rounded up a bunch of healthy recipes you can make in large batches and serve throughout the week. Keep reading for the list!

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18 Healthy Meal-Prep Recipes You Can Make in Your Instant Pot (2)

White Chicken Chili

It takes just 30 minutes for this delicious chili to cook in the Instant Pot, and with the recipe making up to 10 servings, you'll have plenty to sustain you throughout the week.

Get the recipe: white chicken chili

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18 Healthy Meal-Prep Recipes You Can Make in Your Instant Pot (3)

Beef Carnitas

These beef carnitas are ideal for meal prep because they're just so versatile. Throw them on a salad or in a lettuce wrap, or eat them with some simple, colorful vegetables.

Get the recipe: beef carnitas

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18 Healthy Meal-Prep Recipes You Can Make in Your Instant Pot (4)

Chinese-Style Brown Fried Rice

This brown fried rice isn't actually fried at all, but you'll still love the flavor it adds to your meals throughout the week (and the way it satisfies those cravings for takeout).

Get the recipe: Chinese-style brown fried rice

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Chicken Fajitas

Make a batch of these fajitas on Sunday, then serve them with whole-wheat tortillas or lettuce wraps during the week. If you want to make the guacamole ahead of time, simply pour a thin layer of water on top to keep it from turning brown.

Get the recipe: chicken fajitas

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Tomato Basil Spaghetti Squash

Paired with parmesan and cream cheese, this "pasta" dish is heavenly — and it only takes 23 minutes with the Instant Pot. Store individual portions in the fridge, then reheat for lunch or dinner.

Get the recipe: tomato basil spaghetti squash

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18 Healthy Meal-Prep Recipes You Can Make in Your Instant Pot (7)

Coconut Pork

Give shredded pork a fresh twist with coconut and a number of spices, including turmeric, ginger, and cardamom. To make this recipe healthier, swap out the white rice for a whole grain.

Get the recipe: coconut pork

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18 Healthy Meal-Prep Recipes You Can Make in Your Instant Pot (8)

Cauliflower Curry

This vegan dish takes just 15 minutes from start to finish, and it's filled with warm, flavorful spices.

Get the recipe: cauliflower curry

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18 Healthy Meal-Prep Recipes You Can Make in Your Instant Pot (9)

Korean Chicken Bowls With Spiralized Peppers

The chicken is seasoned with soy sauce, ginger, sriracha, and maple syrup (a healthier alternative to sugar), then served with spiralized peppers over a bed of rice or quinoa. It sounds so delicious, doesn't it?

Get the recipe: Korean chicken bowls with spiralized peppers

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18 Healthy Meal-Prep Recipes You Can Make in Your Instant Pot (10)

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

If you think creamy can't possibly translate to healthy, you're in for a surprise with this meal-prep-friendly chicken dish. It's made with vegan cashew cream instead of heavier ingredients.

Get the recipe: creamy Tuscan chicken

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Vegetarian Chipotle Chili With Quinoa

When in doubt, turn to sweet potatoes to deliver a healthy, filling dish. This chili also contains two types of beans and quinoa for a double dose of protein. Top it with Greek yogurt and avocado.

Get the recipe: vegetarian chipotle chili with quinoa

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Short Rib Ragu

This short rib ragu is the furthest thing from a sad desk salad, and while it'll need an hour in the Instant Pot, it takes just 10 minutes of prep.

Get the recipe: short rib ragu

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18 Healthy Meal-Prep Recipes You Can Make in Your Instant Pot (13)

Carrot Soup With Ginger

Soup is an Instant Pot staple, and since it's so easy to warm up, it's also perfect for meal prep. This one is packed with vegetables, including carrots, cauliflower, and onion.

Get the recipe: carrot soup with ginger

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18 Healthy Meal-Prep Recipes You Can Make in Your Instant Pot (14)

Cashew Butter Chicken

Love Indian butter chicken? Prep this healthier version, seasoned with cumin powder, Kashmiri chili powder, turmeric, and more.

Get the recipe: cashew butter chicken

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Brazilian Fish Stew

Choose a firm white fish, such as cod or halibut, to be the star of this stew, which is made with seafood broth, crushed tomatoes, and coconut milk.

Get the recipe: Brazilian fish stew

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Sticky Chinese BBQ Pork Lettuce Wraps

Lettuce wraps can be surprisingly filling, especially when paired with tender, juicy pork rib loin, red cabbage, and chopped nuts. Add the pork to the lettuce just before serving for a fresh, flavorful meal.

Get the recipe: sticky Chinese BBQ pork lettuce wraps

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18 Healthy Meal-Prep Recipes You Can Make in Your Instant Pot (17)

Moroccan Lentils

Break out your meal-prep containers, because this vegan dish is the perfect work lunch. The lentils and sweet potato make it a hearty dish, and you'll love the touch of maple syrup and variety of spices to finish it off.

Get the recipe: Moroccan lentils

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18 Healthy Meal-Prep Recipes You Can Make in Your Instant Pot (18)

Mexican Casserole

Choose ground chicken or turkey as the base for this casserole — made with brown rice, black beans, peppers, onions, and tomatoes, among other ingredients — for a healthy and flavorful meal you can enjoy throughout the week.

Get the recipe: Mexican casserole

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Chicken Meatballs and Zucchini Noodles

Pasta and meatballs get a much healthier spin with ground chicken and zucchini noodles. You won't even miss those extra carbs.

Get the recipe: chicken meatballs and zucchini noodles

18 Healthy Meal-Prep Recipes You Can Make in Your Instant Pot (2024)

FAQs

Are instant pots good for meal prep? ›

They're super-versatile, so you can mix and match ingredients as you prep lunches and dinners throughout the week: salads, sandwiches, stir-fries, grain bowls, and so on.

How do you meal prep if you can't cook? ›

Meal prepping can be as simple as throwing together a couple of hearty, nutritious homemade sandwiches loaded with enough nutritious foods and variety to keep you satisfied. Piling them with different vegetables, quality deli cuts, and condiments will make sure you don't get bored.

What is the best long lasting meal prep? ›

Soups, stews, and chili are the ideal meal prep because they last a little longer than most meals (up to five or six days) AND they're extremely freezer-friendly. If you're new to meal prep and are nervous about how foods taste after a few days, I recommend starting with a soup, stew, or chili.

What foods can you meal prep for a week? ›

24 Meal-Prep Recipes You Can Make On Sunday For The Whole Week
  • Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki. ...
  • Turkey Taco Meal Prep Bowls. ...
  • Slow Cooker Butter Chicken. ...
  • Honey Garlic Salmon Lo Mein. ...
  • Korean Steak Bowls. ...
  • Sheet Pan Salmon Niçoise Salad. ...
  • Instant Pot Greek Chicken and Rice. ...
  • Honey Baked BBQ Salmon Bowls.
Oct 25, 2020

What are 3 keys to successful meal prepping? ›

Choose a specific day of the week to: 1) plan the menu, whether week by week or for the whole month, and write out your grocery list 2) food shop, 3) do meal prep, or most of your cooking. Some of these days may overlap if you choose, but breaking up these tasks may help keep meal planning manageable.

Can you lose weight by meal prepping? ›

Meal Prepping Is Linked to Weight Loss and Obesity Prevention. Takeout meals are almost always higher in calories, total fat, saturated fat, and sodium than those prepared at home, says Syn. That explains why meal prepping has been linked to weight loss and obesity prevention.

What foods Cannot be meal prepped? ›

What foods should you not meal prep?
FoodReason
Egg-based sauces and mayonnaiseThe ingredients may separate or curdle when defrosted or reheated.
Cream-based products, such as custard and yoghurtThe ingredients will separate when frozen and the texture will change.
9 more rows
Sep 1, 2022

What food is best eaten cold? ›

Check them out below.
  • Pasta salad. ...
  • Grain Bowls and Salads are Perfect for Lunch. ...
  • Tacos are a Great Cold Lunch! ...
  • Mason jar salads. ...
  • Cold noodles for Lunch. ...
  • Pita pockets. ...
  • Cold proteins: deli meats, canned tuna, and hard-boiled eggs. ...
  • Sandwiches and Wraps, the OG Cold Lunch.
Jun 7, 2023

Is it better to meal prep or cook? ›

While both methods require planning and purchasing ingredients in bulk, batch cooking is more suited for those who want to have a variety of complete meals ready to go, while meal prepping is better for those who want more control over the final outcome of their meals.

Are pressure cookers good for meal prep? ›

Instant Pot and other electric multi-cookers can make meal prepping and batch cooking faster and easier. If you're motivated to cook healthy whole foods for yourself and your family, this tool can really help support your efforts. Reason #1: Pressure cookers cook faster!

How long do Instant Pots usually last? ›

The average lifespan of an Instant Pot ranges from 2-5 years, but it can last longer depending on how often it's used and how well-maintained it is. So it's safe to say Instant Pots aren't commonly being replaced, and may even be a one-time purchase.

How reliable are Instant Pots? ›

Yes, the Instant Pot is widely considered an effective and versatile pressure cooker. Many users find it worth the price due to its convenience, time-saving features, and ability to perform various cooking functions in one appliance. Absolutely, an excellent kitchen appliance!

Can you use instant rice for meal prep? ›

Now you've tried these ideas, try mixing and matching your own favorite ingredients with Minute® Rice Cups and invent your own recipes. Note: If you like to meal prep, batch cook enough servings of our Instant Rice and use it to make quick meals throughout the week.

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