How to Meal Prep with Daily Harvest: A Beginner’s Guide

Quick Answer

To meal prep with Daily Harvest, start by choosing a mix of Harvest Bowls, Smoothies, and Oat Bowls that fit your week. Then, follow the simple steps below to store, thaw, and assemble your meals so you can enjoy them in minutes—no guesswork needed.

Meal prepping doesn’t have to mean spending your Sunday cooking dozens of containers. With Daily Harvest, you can build a week of satisfying meals with minimal effort—just a little planning and smart storage. Whether you’re new to meal prep or looking to simplify your routine, this guide walks you through the process step by step.

Daily Harvest meals are frozen and portioned for one, so they’re naturally suited for a grab-and-go lifestyle. By following a few simple steps, you can have a week’s worth of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners ready to heat and eat—without the stress of last-minute decisions.

Step 1: Choose Your Daily Harvest Products

Start by picking a variety of Daily Harvest products that cover your meals for the week. For breakfast, consider Oat Bowls like the Peach + Cinnamon Oat Bowl—it’s grain-free and comforting, with riced vegetables for texture. For lunch or dinner, Harvest Bowls like the Brussels Sprouts + Tahini or Sweet Potato + Wild Rice Hash offer complete, single-serve meals. Add a few Smoothies, such as the Acai + Cherry, for a quick snack or on-the-go breakfast.

Think about your week ahead: how many days do you need meals? Mix and match categories to keep things interesting. For example, alternate between a smoothie and an oat bowl for breakfast, and switch up your Harvest Bowls for lunch and dinner. This variety prevents boredom and ensures you get a range of nutrients.

• Check the product descriptions for complete meal details—most Harvest Bowls are a full meal, while smoothies can be a snack or part of a larger breakfast.

Step 2: Plan Your Storage and Thawing

Daily Harvest meals arrive frozen, so the first step is to organize your freezer. Dedicate a shelf or bin to your Daily Harvest items so they’re easy to find. Keep the boxes upright to avoid crushing—especially for smoothies and oat bowls. If you’re short on freezer space, consider a Bundle like the Hat Trick 3-Pack, which combines three smoothies in one pack and saves you 25%.

Thawing is simple: most items are ready in minutes—just follow the instructions on the package. For smoothies, blend them straight from frozen with your favorite liquid. For bowls, you can heat them in the microwave or on the stovetop. If you prefer to prep ahead, you can move a few items to the refrigerator the night before to speed up cooking time, but it’s not necessary.

• Keep a marker nearby to label your freezer shelf—this helps you rotate items and use them before they get lost in the back.

Step 3: Assemble Your Meals for the Week

Once you’ve chosen your products, take a few minutes to assemble your meals. For each day, decide which smoothie, bowl, or oat bowl you’ll enjoy. You can portion out any add-ons, like fresh greens, nuts, or a drizzle of olive oil, into small containers so they’re ready to go. This makes your Daily Harvest meal prep feel more like a complete meal rather than just a frozen dish.

For example, pair the Black Bean + Cheeze Harvest Bowl with a side of fresh salsa or avocado (the bowl already includes avocado!). Or, add a handful of spinach to your Acai + Cherry smoothie for extra greens. These small additions keep your meals fresh and satisfying, and they’re easy to prep in bulk.

• Use a weekly meal planner to map out which Daily Harvest product you’ll eat each day—this saves time and reduces food waste.

Step 4: Store and Reheat Properly

Proper storage ensures your Daily Harvest meals taste their best. Keep everything frozen until you’re ready to eat. For bowls, follow the heating instructions—most are ready in minutes. For smoothies, blend with your liquid of choice. If you’ve prepped add-ons, store them in airtight containers in the fridge for up to three days.

A common mistake is overcooking or undercooking—always follow the package directions for best results. For example, the Brussels Sprouts + Tahini bowl is designed to be warming and satisfying, so don’t rush it. Check the texture halfway through heating and adjust as needed.

• If you’re reheating a bowl in the microwave, cover it with a damp paper towel to keep it moist.

Step 5: Rotate and Refresh Your Menu

To keep meal prep exciting, rotate your Daily Harvest choices each week. Try a new Harvest Bowl flavor or switch up your smoothie selection. This not only prevents boredom but also ensures you get a variety of nutrients. For example, one week you might enjoy the Sweet Potato + Wild Rice Hash, and the next you try the Black Bean + Cheeze.

Keep an eye on your freezer inventory and make a list before you reorder. This helps you avoid overbuying and ensures you always have a meal ready when you need it. With a little planning, you’ll have a seamless meal prep routine that saves you time and stress.

• Set a reminder to review your Daily Harvest stock every weekend—this helps you plan your next order and avoid last-minute takeout.

Your Daily Harvest Meal Prep Checklist

1. Choose your products: Pick a mix of Harvest Bowls, Smoothies, and Oat Bowls for the week. Aim for at least two different flavors to keep things interesting. Checkpoint: Make sure you have enough meals for each day you plan to prep.
2. Organize your freezer: Dedicate a shelf or bin to Daily Harvest items. Keep boxes upright and store smoothies, bowls, and oat bowls separately for easy access. Checkpoint: Label your shelf to avoid digging through other frozen items.
3. Prep add-ons: Portion fresh ingredients like greens, nuts, or sauces into small containers. This makes each meal feel complete and adds variety. Checkpoint: Store add-ons in the fridge and use within three days.
4. Assemble your daily meals: Match each Daily Harvest product with your planned add-ons. For example, add a side salad to a Harvest Bowl or a spoonful of nut butter to a smoothie. Checkpoint: Write down your meal plan for the week to stay on track.
5. Store and reheat correctly: Keep everything frozen until ready to eat. Follow the package instructions for heating or blending—most items are ready in minutes. Checkpoint: Avoid overcooking by checking the texture halfway through.
6. Rotate and reorder: Review your inventory weekly and rotate flavors to avoid boredom. Make a list of what you need before reordering. Checkpoint: Set a reminder to plan your next order every weekend.

Daily Harvest Products That Make Meal Prep Easy

• Brussels Sprouts + Tahini: We combined some of our favorite global flavors in this warming, satisfying bowl. We started with butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, umami-bomb creminis, and protein-y green lentils. Then we tossed them in a creamy tahini, added a sprinkle of garlic and turmeric, and finished it off with crunchy hazelnuts. A complete, single-serve meal portioned just for you, ready in minutes. This bowl is a complete meal on its own, so you don’t need to prep sides—just heat and enjoy. It’s perfect for a hearty lunch or dinner during your meal prep week.
• Sweet Potato + Wild Rice Hash: How do you make a burrito bowl even better? Unwrap it...and make it an excellent source of fiber, too. Wild rice (a seed, not a grain!) mix with sweet potatoes and great northern beans in a smoky-sweet tomato sauce finished off with avocado. A complete, single-serve meal portioned just for you, ready in minutes. This bowl provides fiber and plant-based protein, making it a filling option that keeps you satisfied. The avocado adds healthy fats, so you have a balanced meal without extra prep.
• Acai + Cherry: Peak-summer cherries, blueberries, raspberries, and açaí combine in this sweet-tart and deeply berry-forward blend. Kale and psyllium husk bring hidden veggies and a boost of fiber to every sip. A complete, single-serve smoothie portioned just for you, ready in minutes. This smoothie is a quick breakfast or snack that includes hidden veggies, making it easy to sneak in extra nutrients during a busy week. Just blend with your favorite liquid and go.

Meal prepping with Daily Harvest is all about smart planning and simple steps. By choosing a variety of bowls, smoothies, and oat bowls, organizing your freezer, and prepping a few fresh add-ons, you can enjoy a week of delicious, hassle-free meals. Start small, find your rhythm, and soon you’ll have a meal prep routine that works for you.