20 high protein batch cook recipes for the whole week
Wholefood, high protein meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, every one with at least 25g of protein, freezer instructions, and storage guidance built in.
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The habit that makes healthy eating effortless
Batch cooking is one of the most powerful habits you can build for your health and your nutrition. When high protein, wholefood meals are already prepared and waiting in your fridge, making healthy choices becomes effortless, even on your most exhausting days.
This guide contains 20 high protein, wholefood recipes designed for batch cooking. Every recipe includes storage guidance, freezer instructions and tips for getting the most out of your Sunday prep session.
Your Sunday batch cook plan
Set aside 2 to 3 hours on a Sunday and you’ll have nutritious, high protein meals ready for the entire week. Here’s the order to work in for maximum efficiency.
Step 1 — Start with the oven: Get your chicken, salmon or mince cooking first as these take longest. While they cook, prep your vegetables and grains.
Step 2 — Grains next: Set rice, quinoa or oats going on the hob. These need minimal attention and cook while you do everything else.
Step 3 — Prep snacks last: Energy balls and overnight oats take minutes and can be done while everything else is cooling.
Protein target: Every meal in this guide contains at least 25 to 35g of protein to support muscle maintenance, blood sugar balance and satiety throughout the day.
3 hours once. 20 meals ready. Zero decisions all week.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, five of each
Every recipe includes storage guidance and a batch cook tip so you know exactly how to get the most out of your Sunday prep.
Breakfast Recipes
- 400g rolled oats
- 800ml whole milk
- 4 tbsp Greek yoghurt
- 4 tbsp chia seeds
- 4 scoops vanilla protein powder
- 4 tbsp peanut butter
- 4 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Toppings: berries, pumpkin seeds
- Divide oats between 4 jars.
- Mix milk, yoghurt, chia seeds and protein powder together.
- Pour over oats in each jar and stir well.
- Add a tablespoon of peanut butter to each jar.
- Seal and refrigerate. Add toppings before eating.
- 12 eggs
- 100ml whole milk
- 200g baby spinach, chopped
- 1 red pepper, finely diced
- 100g feta cheese, crumbled
- 100g smoked salmon, chopped
- 4 spring onions, sliced
- Salt, pepper and chilli flakes
- Olive oil for greasing
- Preheat oven to 180c. Grease a 12-hole muffin tin generously.
- Whisk eggs with milk, salt and pepper.
- Divide spinach, pepper, spring onions and salmon between holes.
- Pour egg mixture over fillings.
- Top with crumbled feta and chilli flakes.
- Bake 18 to 20 minutes until set. Cool before storing.
- 800g full fat Greek yoghurt
- 4 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 4 tbsp pumpkin seeds
- 4 tbsp walnuts, chopped
- 200g mixed berries
- 4 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 4 tbsp hemp seeds
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Divide yoghurt between 4 airtight containers.
- Add flaxseed, hemp seeds and cinnamon to each.
- Top with walnuts and pumpkin seeds.
- Store berries separately and add fresh each morning.
- Drizzle with honey just before eating.
- 12 eggs
- 4 tbsp creme fraiche
- 200g smoked salmon, sliced
- 2 tbsp butter
- Fresh chives, chopped
- Salt and black pepper
- 8 slices rye bread to serve
- Whisk eggs with creme fraiche, salt and pepper.
- Melt butter in a pan over low heat.
- Add eggs and stir slowly until just set — keep them slightly underdone.
- Remove from heat and fold in smoked salmon.
- Divide between containers and scatter chives.
- Refrigerate. Serve on rye toast.
- 4 ripe bananas
- 8 eggs
- 4 scoops vanilla protein powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp coconut oil for cooking
- Greek yoghurt and berries to serve
- Mash bananas thoroughly in a large bowl.
- Whisk in eggs until smooth.
- Add protein powder, baking powder and cinnamon. Mix well.
- Heat coconut oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Cook small pancakes for 2 minutes each side until golden.
- Cool completely before stacking with parchment between each one.
I’m Tracey, a nutritional therapist in Nantwich, Cheshire
If batch cooking like this is working for you already, that’s exactly the point. If you’ve ever started a diet on a Monday more times than you can count, The Well Fed Club might be worth a look, or book a free call if you’d rather talk it through.
Lunch Recipes
- 4 chicken breasts
- 300g quinoa
- 2 red peppers, sliced
- 1 courgette, sliced
- 200g cherry tomatoes
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 100g baby spinach
- Juice of 2 lemons
- Salt and pepper
- Preheat oven to 200c. Cook quinoa per packet. Cool.
- Coat chicken in 2 tbsp olive oil, paprika and garlic powder.
- Bake chicken for 25 minutes. Rest then slice.
- Toss vegetables in remaining olive oil and roast 20 minutes.
- Dress spinach with lemon juice.
- Divide quinoa, spinach and roasted veg between 4 containers. Top with chicken.
- 800g lean beef mince
- 2 tins chopped tomatoes
- 2 tins kidney beans, drained
- 2 red peppers, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 sticks celery, diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp chilli flakes
- 500ml beef stock
- Salt and pepper
- Heat oil in a large pot. Brown mince in batches.
- Add vegetables and cook 5 minutes.
- Add spices and stir 1 minute.
- Add tomatoes, beans and stock. Stir well.
- Simmer on low for 35 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Season well. Cool before dividing into containers.
- 4 tins tuna in spring water, drained
- 300g brown rice
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 200g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 red onion, finely diced
- 80g baby spinach
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh parsley
- Cook brown rice per packet. Cool completely.
- Whisk olive oil, vinegar and mustard for dressing.
- Combine rice, tuna, cucumber, tomatoes and onion.
- Add dressing and toss well.
- Add spinach just before dividing into containers.
- Scatter fresh parsley and refrigerate.
- 600g turkey mince
- 2 carrots, diced
- 3 sticks celery, diced
- 2 courgettes, diced
- 2 tins chopped tomatoes
- 1.5 litres chicken stock
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 200g spinach
- Salt and pepper
- Heat oil in a large pot. Brown turkey mince well.
- Add carrots, celery and courgette. Cook 5 minutes.
- Add herbs, tomatoes and stock. Stir well.
- Simmer 30 minutes on medium heat.
- Add spinach in final 2 minutes.
- Season well and cool before portioning.
- 4 salmon fillets
- 600g sweet potato, peeled and diced
- 2 eggs
- 4 spring onions, finely sliced
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 4 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 100g breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Lemon wedges to serve
- Steam or boil sweet potato until tender. Mash and cool.
- Poach salmon for 8 minutes. Flake and cool.
- Mix sweet potato, salmon, eggs, spring onions, mustard and parsley.
- Shape into 8 patties and coat in breadcrumbs.
- Fry in olive oil for 3 to 4 minutes each side until golden.
- Cool on a rack before storing.
Dinner Recipes
- 8 chicken thighs, bone-in skin-on
- 4 carrots, chunked
- 4 parsnips, chunked
- 300g baby potatoes, halved
- 2 red onions, quartered
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp dried rosemary
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Preheat oven to 190c.
- Toss all vegetables in 3 tbsp olive oil and half the herbs. Season well.
- Spread in a large roasting tin.
- Rub chicken with remaining oil, herbs and garlic powder.
- Nestle chicken thighs on top of the vegetables.
- Roast 45 to 50 minutes until chicken is golden and cooked through.
- Cool before portioning into containers.
- 1kg lean beef mince
- 2 tins chopped tomatoes
- 1 tin tomato puree
- 2 carrots, finely diced
- 3 sticks celery, finely diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 200ml red wine, optional
- 300ml beef stock
- Salt and pepper
- Heat oil and brown mince well in batches. Set aside.
- Soften carrot and celery in the same pan for 8 minutes.
- Return mince to pan. Add wine if using and let it bubble 2 minutes.
- Add tomatoes, puree, herbs and stock.
- Simmer on very low heat for 45 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Season well. Cool completely before portioning.
- 4 salmon fillets
- 500g baby new potatoes, halved
- 400g asparagus, trimmed
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 2 lemons, sliced
- Fresh dill and parsley
- 2 tbsp capers
- Salt and pepper
- Preheat oven to 200c. Parboil potatoes 8 minutes. Drain.
- Toss potatoes in 2 tbsp olive oil. Roast 15 minutes.
- Add asparagus to the tray. Drizzle with remaining oil.
- Nestle salmon fillets among vegetables.
- Top with lemon slices, herbs and capers.
- Bake 15 minutes. Cool before storing.
- 800g chicken thighs, diced
- 2 tins coconut milk
- 2 tins chopped tomatoes
- 2 red peppers, diced
- 300g baby spinach
- 2 courgettes, diced
- 4 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tbsp garam masala
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 500ml chicken stock
- Salt and pepper
- Heat oil and brown chicken in batches. Set aside.
- Add curry powder, garam masala and turmeric. Stir 1 minute.
- Add peppers and courgette. Cook 3 minutes.
- Return chicken to pot. Add coconut milk, tomatoes and stock.
- Simmer 30 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce has thickened.
- Stir in spinach until wilted. Season and cool before portioning.
- 800g turkey mince
- 2 eggs
- 80g breadcrumbs
- 4 tbsp fresh parsley
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tins chopped tomatoes
- 1 tin tomato puree
- 200ml chicken stock
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Mix mince, eggs, breadcrumbs, parsley, half the oregano, garlic and seasoning.
- Roll into golf ball sized meatballs.
- Brown in olive oil in batches for 4 to 5 minutes. Set aside.
- Make sauce: combine tomatoes, puree, stock and remaining oregano. Simmer 10 minutes.
- Return meatballs to sauce. Simmer 20 minutes.
- Cool completely before portioning.
Snack Recipes
- 200g rolled oats
- 4 tbsp natural peanut butter
- 3 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 2 scoops vanilla protein powder
- 4 tbsp chia seeds
- 60g dark chocolate chips
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
- Mix thoroughly until everything is well combined.
- Refrigerate mixture for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Roll into 16 even balls.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
- 6 eggs
- Cold water
- Salt for serving
- Optional: hummus, avocado or nut butter for dipping
- Place eggs in a single layer in a saucepan.
- Cover with cold water by 2cm.
- Bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer.
- Cook 9 minutes for hard boiled.
- Transfer immediately to ice cold water for 5 minutes.
- Store unpeeled in the fridge.
- 200g rolled oats
- 2 scoops vanilla or chocolate protein powder
- 400ml whole milk
- 4 tbsp Greek yoghurt
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 4 tbsp peanut butter
- 4 tsp honey
- Toppings: banana, berries, granola
- Divide oats and protein powder between 4 jars.
- Whisk milk, yoghurt and chia seeds together.
- Pour over oats and stir well.
- Add a tablespoon of peanut butter to each.
- Drizzle with honey. Seal and refrigerate.
- Add fresh toppings just before eating.
- 200g sliced turkey breast
- 100g cheddar or Gruyere, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 red pepper, thinly sliced
- 4 tbsp cream cheese
- Fresh chives
- Black pepper
- Lay turkey slices flat on a board.
- Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on each slice.
- Add a slice of cheese, avocado and pepper.
- Roll tightly and secure with a cocktail stick.
- Arrange in an airtight container.
- Scatter chives and season with black pepper.
- 400g full fat Greek yoghurt
- 4 tbsp almond or peanut butter
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 4 apples for dipping
- 4 tbsp granola
- 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
- Combine yoghurt, nut butter, honey and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Divide between 4 small containers.
- Top with granola and pumpkin seeds.
- Store apple separately and slice fresh when ready to eat.
Batch cook golden rules
Batch cooking is one of the most powerful habits you can build for your health. When nutritious food is already prepared and waiting in your fridge, you are far less likely to reach for something quick and processed at the end of a long day.
Start small, pick just two or three recipes from this guide for your first batch cook session. Once it becomes a habit you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.
Always allow food to cool completely before refrigerating or freezing to prevent condensation and bacterial growth.
Label everything with the date it was made. Most batch cooked meals keep for 3 to 4 days in the fridge and up to 3 months in the freezer.
Invest in a set of good quality airtight glass containers, they make a huge difference to how long food stays fresh and are much better for reheating.
Always reheat food until piping hot all the way through before eating.
Wherever you’re based, this works the same
Based in Nantwich, Cheshire, working with clients across Cheshire and right across the UK. Every consultation is by video, so there’s no clinic to travel to, wherever you are.
Curious what a personalised plan could achieve for you specifically?
Book Your Free 15-Minute Call →Clients who’ve made small changes stick
“I went to Tracey because I had been a yo-yo dieter for years and wanted to approach it differently while improving my gut health. I got so much more than that. The biggest change was how Tracey changed my mindset by looking at the psychology of food and food noise.”
Anne Lamb“If you are sitting on the fence wondering if Tracey can actually help you, then all I can say is ‘get off that fence!’ Since getting Tracey’s help I have lost 10lbs, without even trying, and my health has improved a lot.”
Linda SteeleBatch cooking, answered honestly
How long does batch cooked food actually last?
Most of these recipes keep for 3 to 5 days in the fridge, and many freeze well for up to 3 months. Each recipe on this page states its specific storage time, since this varies by ingredient, fish and eggs generally keep for less time than meat-based stews or soups.
Do I need special equipment to batch cook?
Just a good set of airtight glass containers, really. They keep food fresher for longer and reheat more evenly than plastic. Beyond that, nothing here needs specialist kit.
How do I fit 20 recipes into one Sunday session?
You don’t need to make all 20 at once. Pick 2 or 3 recipes that cover different meals, oven items first, grains next, snacks last, and build up your rotation over a few weeks as it becomes a habit.
Is 25g of protein per meal actually necessary?
It’s a useful general target for supporting muscle maintenance, blood sugar balance and satiety, particularly important from your 30s onwards and through perimenopause. Individual needs vary though, which is exactly what a personalised plan accounts for.
Should I get The Well Fed Club or book a free call?
They suit different people. The Well Fed Club is a self-guided £14.99 e-book for women who are done with dieting, no calorie counting, no restriction, just a straightforward, evidence-based approach to losing weight for good. A free 15-minute call is better if you want a plan built specifically around your own health history and goals.
If I want more personalised support, are consultations done online or in person?
Entirely online. Every 1:1 consultation is delivered by video, so it works exactly the same whether you are in Cheshire or anywhere else in the UK.
Related resources
Book a call, or go at your own pace
Talk it through on a free 15-minute call with no pressure and no obligation, or if you’ve started a diet on a Monday more times than you can count, get The Well Fed Club, a straightforward, evidence-based approach to losing weight and keeping it off, for £14.99.
