Need some family meal prep ideas to start the year off right? The vote is in and these are the BEST meal prep recipes of 2023.
Traditions have a special place in my heart. They're such a lovely way to mark the passing of time, to remember to pause and look around, to take a break from the go-go-go that is modern life.
And while I of course love family traditions and making memories with my loved ones most of all, I also love Prep Dish traditions! After all, Prep Dish was my first baby. Whether it's marking our ten year anniversary or the smaller milestones like one more year of meal prep meal plans, I'm all for celebrating.
One of my favorite Prep dish traditions has become sharing out “best of” recipes each year, according to YOU! Every week, we poll our subscribers on Facebook to see what their favorite recipes were. At the end of the year, we compile the results to bring you the best of the best, and that's exactly what I have for you today.
So whether you're brand new to meal prep or you're a meal prep veteran looking to mix it up, look no further for family meal prep ideas to inspire you in the kitchen. These 18 meal prep recipes are tried and true favorites I love serving my own family again and again.
I hope you find a new favorite!
(Need more meal prep inspiration? You can find our best meal prep recipes from past years here: 2019 2020 2020 Kid Favorites 2021 2022 )
18 Family Meal Prep Ideas – Prep Dish Subscriber Favorites
1. Lemon Poppyseed Muffins
Gluten-free, dairy-free and paleo-friendly, these muffins check all of the boxes. Most importantly though, they're completely delicious. These also freeze really well so make a big batch and have easy grab-and-go breakfasts whenever you need them!
2. Teriyaki Noodles
You guys, this sauce is an absolute must. It's perfectly balanced with sweet and savory notes and no weird chemicals like the bottled versions.
3. Cajun Pork Bites
Straight from our low carb meal plans, these Cajun pork bites are perfect if you're trying to eat lower carb this year. They're also a surefire family favorite for anyone though! Feel free to add some rice on the side if you're not low carb.
4. Slow Cooker Chicken Verde
Everyone needs a couple of easy slow cooker (or Instant Pot) recipes in their repertoire and this one is a winner! Savory, tangy and earthy, this chicken is delicious in tacos, rice bowls, salads and wraps.
5. Low Carb Pesto Chicken w/ Zoodles
This recipe includes a spinach walnut pesto that's just as good on chicken and zoodles as it is on fresh pasta. You'll coat the chicken in pesto before baking it, giving it tons of flavor.
6. Crock Pot Chili
Living in Texas, I have to have a go-to chili recipe and this is mine. It's packed with veggies and has that classic smokey chili flavor.
7. Beef & Butternut Tagine
This is an older Prep Dish recipe and it's still making the favorites list all these years later for a reason! Sweet and savory, this is the ultimate healthy comfort food. Add it to your meal plan asap!
8. Stuffed Pork Chops
I know stuffed pork chops sound fancy but, I promise, they're easier than they seem. With onions, celery, apples, thyme and sage, the flavor is 100% worth the effort.
9. Firecracker Chicken
The star of this dish is the homemade chili sauce. While it's delicious on chicken and broccoli as written, don't limit yourself with this sauce, it's so versatile. Enjoy it on roasted potatoes, atop scrambled eggs, or on shrimp. You really can't go wrong.
10. Nut-Crusted Chicken Tenders
Pecans, walnuts and almonds all make a pretty incredible coating for crispy chicken tenders. These are always a kid-favorite as well.
11. Southwestern Steak Salad
This salad first appeared on the blog in 2018 but it's still a Prep Dish favorite today! The paleo salsa ranch is also a personal favorite of mine. It makes the best dip for veggies.
12. Chickpea Orzo Soup
This vegetarian chickpea orzo soup was part of our budget-friendly dinner series. It's jam-packed with veggies and gets plenty of flavor from lemon, garlic and herbs de Provence.
13. Vegetarian Peanut Stew
Also featured in our budget dinner series, this vegetarian peanut stew is inspired by the cuisine of Western Africa. It's incredibly rich and savory, perfect for the colder months when you're craving something hearty and filling.
14. Caesar Salmon Wraps
These caesar salmon wraps are a great way to offer salmon to the non-seafood-lovers in your house. The homemade caesar dressing is just so good, it's pretty hard to resist. That said, these would be delicious with chicken as well!
15. Mojo Chicken Skewers
Citrus and garlic give this Cuban-inspired dish its bold flavors. I love these skewers on the grill but you could also just use the mojo marinade on baked chicken if you prefer.
16. Turkey Burgers w/ Aioli
This post has 4 delicious turkey burgers in it as well as topping suggestions like our popular aioli.
17. Salmon Teriyaki Bowls
I can't say that I'm surprised that two recipes featuring our homemade teriyaki sauce made the favorites list this year. These bowls are quite flexible in terms of what veggies you include so choose your favorites!
18. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
Perfect in the afternoon with a cup of tea or for a healthy lunchbox treat, these pumpkin chocolate chip bars disappear fast! Made with almond butter, almond flour and coconut flour, they're paleo-friendly and include a good amount of protein and healthy fats. They're also super tasty, of course!
FAQ – Everything You Want to Know about Family Meal Prep Ideas
Are you new to meal prep or just looking for more family meal prep ideas? I've got you covered! Here at Prep Dish, we specialize in making healthy, delicious meal prep doable, even for the busiest families. Our subscribers receive 4 done-for-you meal prep meal plans each Friday (Gluten Free, Paleo, Low Carb and 1-Hour Super Fast meal plans). We help you prep the week's meals as efficiently as possible so you can get out of the kitchen and go enjoy your life!
How do I meal prep for the week for my family?
To meal prep for the week for your family, look at your schedule for the upcoming week and determine how many meals you'll need to prep. Then complete tasks like washing and chopping produce and making sauces, salad dressings and marinades. Checking these tasks off of your to-do list makes weeknight dinners come together so much more quickly. And if you want to make it REALLY easy, make sure to check out our Prep Dish free trial and we'll take care of the meal planning for you.
What are some meal prep ideas?
Apart from our 2023 favorite meal prep ideas above, you can check out our 20 easy chicken meal prep ideas, best 10 foods for gluten free meal prep and these 9 sheet pan meal prep recipes.
How long do meal preps last in the fridge?
How long your meal prep will last in the fridge depends on what items/recipes you choose to meal prep. This article on food safety and storage tips details how long common meal prep items will last.
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