Meal prep is one of things I really hate.
It’s mostly because I never know what I’m going to feel like eating, and the idea of prepping and then eating the same thing all week…ugh. It just makes me kind of sad.
I need easy meal prep, or I won’t meal prep at all.
If you didn’t get a chance to read my series on pantry staples, I’d start there. Complex carbs and healthy fats and proteins. It’s everything your kitchen needs. It’s ok, I’ll be here when you get back.
So the way I meal prep is by taking the pantry staples I always have laying around, and making things that can be swapped out or mixed up so it never feels like I’m eating the same thing over and over. Even if the ingredients are the same.
This meal is a perfect example of that.
It’s the essence of how I do meal planning. Using those foods you always have laying around and then remixing them into something new.
It takes 3 foods that are kitchen essentials (quinoa, salmon, and avocado) along with a few extras. Once the quinoa is made, everything else is just assembly. If you use a can of salmon (that you should, obviously, keep on hand), you don’t have to cook ANYthing else. A bit of dressing, and you’re on your way.
This salad bowl is practically half protein from the quinoa and salmon. The other half is basically fiber from the veggies and avocado.
It’s also great because you can do almost anything else with these ingredients.
The beauty of having a well-stocked kitchen with those pantry essentials is how easy it is to swap out any parts of this bad boy.
Try it with a boiled egg instead of (or with!) the salmon. How about cheese instead of (or with!) the avocado. Skip the quinoa and put everything onto some whole wheat bread or into a wrap and you’ve got a perfect sandwich to go.
No matter what you decide to do, you can’t lose. It’s all good. And it’s all REALLY healthy.
I really like this bowl with a creamy yogurt ranch dressing. It’s also great with a light vinaigrette. It’s your world. Dress your salad however you like it.
So let’s make some salad bowls!
Creamy Quinoa Avocado Salmon Bowl
This salad takes 4 pantry staple ingredients and turns them into a simple salad. It's extremely simple to meal prep this, by keeping some prepared quinoa in the fridge and then opening everything else when ready. Swap out the avocado for cheese, or the salmon for a hard boiled egg and this salad can become anything you want it to be.
Ingredients
Salad
- 1/2 cup Quinoa cooked in broth
- 1 cup Leafy greens I like mixed spring blends
- 1/2 cup Salmon, canned fresh works well too, you'll just have to do the work and cook it first
- 1/4 Avocado
Creamy Lemon Yogurt Dressing
- 1 cup Greek yogurt fat-free or 2% work well
- 1 Lemon, juiced
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Honey
- 1/4 tsp Thyme
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion powder
- 1/2 tsp Parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Extras, all are good
- Seaweed chips great with the salmon
- Cherry tomatoes
- Boiled egg can replace the salmon
- feta or cheese of choice great with avocado and tomato
- Chopped red onion
- Chopped cilantro
- Lemon yogurt dressing or any dressing you prefer
Instructions
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After cooking the quinoa, assemble in a bowl along with the salmon, avocado and tomatoes.
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Top with any extras of your choosing.
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Add dressing, and enjoy!
For more mix and match foods, don’t miss my post series on pantry staples.
These essentials will let you do this kind of meal prep around the clock. There’s a list of complex carbs, and healthy proteins – along with a whole lot of suggestions. Check them out here. If you liked this recipe, you’ll love these:
- 15 Minute Banana Bread
- Banana PUMPKIN Muffins with Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Frosting
- Super Simple Breakfast Wraps
- How-To Guide for Foolproof Smoothies
And don’t forget to sign up before you go. I’ll never spam you. I’ll only ever drop you an email a couple times a month to let you know what’s happening. And when you sign up, you’ll get some freebies right away. Just to say thanks.