Buckle up, folks! It’s Chef Emma Brookstone here, the microwave maven and bold culinary rebel from BusyCookLife.com. Today, we’re whipping up a game-changer: Savory Lentil Meal Prep Jars. These babies are the ultimate time-saver for busy people who crave real, satisfying food without the fuss. Get ready to ditch the takeout and embrace the power of the microwave – it’s about to become your new best friend.
Why You’ll Love This Savory Lentil Meal Prep Jars
These Savory Lentil Meal Prep Jars are a busy cook’s dream come true. They’re packed with protein-rich lentils, veggies, and a flavor-packed dressing that will have your taste buds doing the happy dance. The best part? You can whip up a batch in just a few minutes and have delicious, nutritious meals ready to go all week long. Say goodbye to the dreaded “what’s for dinner?” panic and hello to stress-free, satisfying meals that’ll keep you fueled and happy.
Ingredients (Single-Serve)
The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. You’ll need just a handful of pantry-friendly ingredients to create these savory lentil jars. Grab some cooked lentils, cherry tomatoes, spinach, red onion, and a zesty lemon-garlic dressing, and you’re good to go.
- 1 cup – Cooked lentils
- 1 cup – Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup – Fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup – Red onion, diced
- 2 tbsp – Lemon-garlic dressing (recipe follows)
Ingredient Substitutions
- Greens: Swap the spinach for kale, arugula, or mixed greens (for a flavor boost)
- Protein: Use cooked chickpeas or quinoa instead of lentils (for a gluten-free option)
How to Make Savory Lentil Meal Prep Jars
Let’s get this show on the road! Here’s how to whip up a batch of these delightful Savory Lentil Meal Prep Jars.
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by gathering your ingredients and prepping them for assembly. Cook your lentils if you haven’t already, and chop your veggies into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon-garlic dressing ingredients until well combined. This is the flavor-packed secret to these meal prep jars!
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Now, it’s time to layer everything up. Grab your airtight glass jars and start by adding a layer of lentils to the bottom. Top with the chopped veggies, then drizzle the dressing over the top. Repeat this process until your jars are full, finishing with a final layer of dressing.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Seal up your jars and pop them in the fridge. When you’re ready to enjoy, just grab a jar, give it a quick stir, and heat it up in the microwave for a fast, satisfying meal.
Variations & Time-Saver Tips
- Mix it up!: Feel free to switch up the veggies, grains, or proteins to keep things interesting. You could try swapping the lentils for quinoa, chickpeas, or even roasted sweet potatoes.
- Dress it up: Don’t be afraid to get creative with the dressing – a zesty balsamic vinaigrette or creamy tahini dressing would also be delicious.
- Batch Cooking: These jars are designed to be prepped ahead of time for easy, stress-free meals throughout the week.
- Microwave Magic: Just grab a jar, give it a quick stir, and heat it up in the microwave for a fast, delicious meal.
Serving, Storage & Reheat
Serve with: A piece of crusty bread, a handful of roasted nuts, or a fresh fruit salad.
Storage: These Savory Lentil Meal Prep Jars will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days, so you can enjoy them all week long.
Microwave Reheat: Simply grab a jar, give it a quick stir, and heat it up in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until hot and steamy.
Make-Ahead: These meal prep jars are designed to be prepped in advance, so you can enjoy the convenience all week long.
Nutrition Info
These Savory Lentil Meal Prep Jars are a nutritional powerhouse. Each serving is loaded with protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. Plus, they’re low in calories and fat, making them a wholesome and satisfying choice for busy people.
- Serving Size: 1 jar
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Protein: 18 g
- Carbs: 45 g
- Fat: 8 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
FAQs
Can I make these meal prep jars in advance?
Absolutely! In fact, that’s the whole point. These jars are designed to be prepped ahead of time for easy, stress-free meals throughout the week.
How long do the meal prep jars last in the fridge?
These Savory Lentil Meal Prep Jars will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days, so you can enjoy them all week long.
Can I freeze the meal prep jars?
Unfortunately, these jars don’t freeze well. The veggies and dressing will become watery and lose their texture after being frozen and thawed. It’s best to enjoy them fresh from the fridge.
What if I don’t have glass jars?
No problem! You can use any airtight container you have on hand, like Tupperware or mason jars. Just make sure to choose a container that’s the right size to fit all your ingredients.
Can I heat these up in the microwave?
Absolutely! That’s the beauty of these meal prep jars. Just grab a jar, give it a quick stir, and heat it up in the microwave for a fast, delicious meal.
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Savory Lentil Meal Prep Jars
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Meal Prep Recipes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Savory Lentil Meal Prep Jars are a nutritious and delicious way to prepare meals in advance. Packed with protein and fiber, these jars are perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
1 cup dried lentils
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 carrot, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cups spinach, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
1. Rinse the lentils under cold water.
2. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onion, garlic, carrot, and bell pepper until softened.
3. Add the cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper, and stir for 1 minute.
4. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
5. Add the lentils and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 25-30 minutes until lentils are tender.
6. Stir in the chopped spinach and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
7. Remove from heat and let cool before portioning into jars.
Notes
These jars can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Feel free to customize the vegetables based on your preference.
Add a squeeze of lemon juice before serving for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 jar
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 15g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 0mg