Meal Prep Soup Jars are a quick, budget-friendly lunch option that’s both nutritious and delicious. The jars are perfect for busy work days or when you just want a comforting meal without the hassle. Just add hot water, and you’ve got a homemade instant noodle soup that you can customize with your favorite veggies and proteins.
What Are Meal Prep Soup Jars?
Meal prep soup jars are an easy and convenient solution for those hectic weeks. You can prepare them in advance and store them in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days, making them the ideal grab-and-go meal. They’re also customizable, so you can pack them with a variety of vegetables, proteins, and noodles based on your preferences. Plus, they’re a fantastic source of fiber and nutrients, thanks to all the fresh vegetables and herbs.
Tips for making Meal Prep Soup Jars
Ingredients for Meal Prep Soup Jars:
Quick Cook Noodles:
- Preferably vermicelli rice noodles or quick cook ramen noodles, which soften easily when hot water is added.
Protein:
- Any protein like chicken, pork, beef, or tofu. Shredded or cubed works best. You can also use a hard-boiled egg as a protein substitute.
Vegetables:
- Carrots: Grated or julienned. Use pre-chopped carrots for added convenience.
- Bell Pepper: Thinly sliced. These soften nicely in the hot broth without direct cooking.
- Edamame: Shelled and ready to use; frozen works great.
- Bok Choy: Chopped. Feel free to substitute with spinach or cabbage if preferred.
- Green Onion: Thinly sliced, adding a fresh burst of flavor.
Herbs:
- Cilantro: Freshly chopped, adds a vibrant touch to the soup.
For the Soup Base:
- Soy sauce
- Miso paste
- Sriracha
- Sesame oil
- Better than Bouillon chicken soup base (or chicken bouillon cubes)
- Grated ginger
- Garlic powder
Equipment:
- Four 16oz storage jars
Instructions:
Prepare the Soup Base: In each glass jar, combine the soup base ingredients—soy sauce, miso paste, sriracha, sesame oil, grated ginger, garlic powder, and chicken bouillon. Use a small whisk or fork to mix everything into a consistent paste.
Layer the Ingredients: Start by adding your chosen protein to the jar. Next, add the carrots, bell peppers, edamame, and bok choy. Top with green onions and cilantro. The idea is to put the sturdier vegetables at the bottom and the more delicate ones on top.
Add the Noodles: Place a serving of quick-cook noodles on top of the veggies. These noodles are ideal because they cook easily once hot water is added.
Seal and Store: Close the jars with tight-fitting lids and refrigerate. These jars can stay fresh for up to 3 to 4 days.
Serving Your Soup: When you’re ready to eat, take a jar out of the fridge and bring it to room temperature. Pouring hot water into a cold glass can cause it to shatter, so be sure the jars have come to room temperature and pour very slowly until all the contents are covered. The water should be hot but not boiling. I also recommend placing the jar on a dish towel or pot holder while pouring to prevent the bottom of the jar from expanding at a different rate.
Secure the lid back on and let sit for about 10 minutes. Remember to use oven mitts when handling as the containers will be hot to the touch.
Enjoy: Open the jar, stir well to make sure the soup base has fully dissolved, and enjoy your soup straight from the jar or pour it into a bowl.
Why You’ll Love These Soup Jars:
These meal prep soup jars are not only a time-saver but also a healthy, customizable, and portable meal option. Whether you’re at work or looking for a quick meal at home, these soup jars are perfect. They are particularly ideal for those who commute as you can easily transport the jar to work and enjoy a warm, homemade meal without any fuss.
Give these meal prep soup jars a try and enjoy a new, fun way to do lunch! They’re sure to become a new favorite, keeping you nourished and satisfied throughout your busy week.
Meal Prep Soup Jars
Equipment
- 4 16oz storage jars
Ingredients
- 4 servings quick cook noodles
- 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 cups leftover protein shredded or cubed
- 2 cups carrots grated or julienned
- 2 cups bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1 cup shelled edamame
- 4 stalks bok choy chopped You can substitute with any leafy greens like spinach, cabbage,
- 2 green onion stalks thinly sliced
Soup base
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
- 4 tbsp miso paste
- 4 tsp sriracha
- 4 tsp sesame oil
- 4 tsp Better than Bouillon chicken soup base or 4 chicken bouillon cubes
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- To each 16oz glass jar, add the soup base ingredients as follows:1 tbsp soy sauce1 tbsp miso paste1 tsp sriracha1 tsp sesame oil1/4 tsp grated ginger1/2 tsp garlic powder1 tsp Better than Bouillon chicken soup base (or 1 chicken bouillon cube)
- Use a small whisk or fork to mix until all the ingredients are well combined into a brown paste.
- Divide the remaining ingredients and add them to the jar. Begin with the chicken/protein and proceed with the carrots, peppers, edamame, bok choy, green onions and cilantro. Add the sturdier vegetables first then finish with the delicate herbs.
- Add a serving of quick-cook noodles into each jar. Seal the jars with a lid and refrigerate.
- When ready to serve, remove the jars from the fridge and bring to room temperature. **BE SURE THE JARS HAVE COME TO ROOM TEMPERATURE TO PREVENT IT FROM SHATTERING**The water should be hot but not boiling. Slowly pour in hot hot water then close the lid. Use oven mitts as needed as the jar may be hot to the touch. Let the jars sit for 10 minutes then open and use chopsticks or a fork to stir and ensure the soup base has fully dissolved.
- Enjoy the noodle soup directly out of the jar or transfer to a bowl.
Emily A. says
Made this today and it was delicious!! The broth was awesome! Thank you!!
costcokitchen says
so glad to hear!
Ashley says
Ummmm this is simply delicious! The soup base is really really good! Prep is not super time consuming! Definitely incorporating this into the rotation as a staple!
costcokitchen says
yayyy! 🙂
Jana says
I can’t wait to try this. Do you have a favorite brand/type of Miso Paste you buy. I have never bought miso paste and don’t know who to choose one.
costcokitchen says
generally i go for organic white miso which tends to be milder in flavor. hikari is more widely available so i recommend it. ishino may be harder to find but this miso is slightly sweet and so delicious!
Jennifer Klaus says
Five stars ⭐️??Very delicious soup! Choose your noodles wisely as mine at first didn’t taste very good so i had to switch to another brand. Thank you for the quick meal prep soup! Yummy for my lunches ☺️
costcokitchen says
glad you were able to find a noodle brand that works for you! <3
DR says
So good! Thank you for the great recipe!!
costcokitchen says
you’re welcome! glad you liked it 🙂
Dana says
I’ve made it for my family twice now and we absolutely love it!! It’s so flavorful but yet nutritious. This is a Win for us!
costcokitchen says
woohoo! so glad ya’ll loved it 🙂