Easy Vegan Meal Prep Bowls (Healthy Lunches On The Go)

The whole point of meal prep is to keep things simple. That’s why I love these easy vegan meal prep bowls. There’s minimal cooking and so much scope for variety. Enjoy these vegan lunch bowls meal prep at home or on the go for an easy meal prep lunch idea!

Also known as Buddha Bowl Meal Prep or even Burrito Bowl Meal Prep, these healthy meal prep bowls are an ideal way to ensure your lunch is full of nutrients!

Healthy Eating Plate

The bowls use the idea of a healthy eating plate: 1/2 of your plate should be filled with vegetables and some fruit, 1/4 of the plate is whole grains and starches, and the last 1/4 is protein. Healthy fats will be present in some of your food choices (for example avocado or olives) and in a small quantity of dressing dribbled on top.

1. Grains And Starches (1/4 of the bowl)

Most grains and starches can be prepped in advance and will store for several days in your fridge.

Try these ideas:

Rice
Pasta
Sweet potatoes
Quinoa
Regular potatoes
Squash
Bread

2. Vegetables And Some Fruit (1/2 of the bowl)

The best thing about these vegan meal prep bowls is you can use just about anything to come up with a healthy plate. To keep the cost of your grocery list down opt for vegetables and fruit in season.

Grocery stores often run offers on over-stocked fresh fruit and vegetables and you can always buy frozen. There’s less food waste with frozen food. Just keep bags of produce in your freezer and use as needed.

Some vegetables will need to be cooked and prepped in advance. Fresh fruit and salad vegetables are best prepared just before use.

Opt for variety, different colors, and textures. Make your plate zing with peppers, zucchini, spinach leaves, carrots, green beans, and tomatoes… the list of options is endless.

If you’re taking prepared fresh fruit or avocado to work in your lunch box, a little lime or lemon juice will help to keep them fresh. Vinaigrette can also be used for avocado and is ideal for prepared salad. Keep your lunch box in the fridge.

3. Protein (1/4 of the bowl)

There are so many cheap and affordable protein options when you’re following a vegan diet. You can soak and prepare beans and lentils for your bowls in advance or opt for quick and easy tins.

Try these protein ideas:

Beans (chickpeas, black beans, cannellini beans, kidney beans…)
Lentils
Tofu
Nuts (peanuts, almonds, hazel nuts…)
Soy milk
Soy yogurt

4. Healthy Fats

Essential for health, use healthy fats to supplement your bowls:

Olives including olive oil for dressings
Nuts
Coconut
Seeds
Peanut butter
Almond butter
Tahini (make your own to save money)

Apart from coconut, these healthy fats are unsaturated fats, but they are high in calories – so use them with caution.

5. Dressings

It’s the dressing on your vegan bowl that pulls the dish together. It can just be a simple vinaigrette of olive oil and vinegar. A typical recipe is three parts oil to one part vinegar with salt and pepper to taste.

You can use lime or lemon juice instead of vinegar and add extra flavor with chili flakes, mustard, or garlic – experiment with different flavors.

Alternatively, simply drizzle on some coconut milk.