10 Global-Inspired Meal Preps to Bring Vacation Vibes to Your Meals
Mar 11, 2025

Introduction:
Transport yourself to the world’s most delicious destinations without leaving your kitchen! These 10 globally-inspired meal prep recipes bring the flavors of Italy, Thailand, Mexico, and beyond to your plate. Each dish is packed with authentic taste, making your meal prep routine feel like a culinary getaway.
1. Italian Chicken Parmesan with Garlic Butter Pasta

A crispy, cheesy chicken dish served with a rich garlic butter pasta, perfect for an Italian-inspired meal.
Ingredients:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup breadcrumbs
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1 cup marinara sauce
½ cup shredded mozzarella
1 cup cooked pasta
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Dip chicken in beaten egg, then coat with breadcrumbs and Parmesan.
Pan-fry until golden brown, then top with marinara and mozzarella.
Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes until cheese melts.
Toss pasta with butter, garlic powder, and salt, then serve with chicken.
⏱ Prep Time: 30 minutes
🔥 Complexity: Medium
2.Thai Coconut Curry Chicken

A creamy, aromatic dish with a perfect blend of coconut milk, spices, and tender chicken.
Ingredients:
2 boneless chicken thighs, diced
1 can coconut milk
1 tbsp red curry paste
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tsp ginger, minced
1 tsp garlic, minced
1 cup cooked jasmine rice
Instructions:
Sauté garlic and ginger in a pan until fragrant.
Add chicken and cook until browned.
Stir in curry paste, coconut milk, and fish sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Serve over jasmine rice.
⏱ Prep Time: 20 minutes
🔥 Complexity: Easy
3.Carne Asada with Cilantro Lime Rice

Juicy, marinated steak with a fresh and zesty rice base, bringing the flavors of Mexico to your plate.
Ingredients:
8 oz flank steak
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
1 cup cooked rice
1 tbsp chopped cilantro
Instructions:
Marinate steak in olive oil, lime juice, cumin, and garlic powder for at least 30 minutes.
Grill or pan-sear until desired doneness, then slice.
Mix cooked rice with lime juice and cilantro, then serve with steak.
⏱ Prep Time: 40 minutes (including marination)
🔥 Complexity: Medium
4. French Honey Garlic Butter Salmon

A rich and elegant dish featuring pan-seared salmon in a honey butter glaze.
Ingredients:
2 salmon fillets
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp garlic, minced
1 tsp lemon juice
1 cup mashed potatoes
Instructions:
Melt butter in a pan and sauté garlic until fragrant.
Add honey and lemon juice, then place salmon fillets in the pan.
Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden.
Serve with mashed potatoes.
⏱ Prep Time: 20 minutes
🔥 Complexity: Easy
5.Japanese Teriyaki Chicken with Rice

A sweet and savory teriyaki-glazed chicken served with warm, fluffy rice.
Ingredients:
2 boneless chicken thighs
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp mirin
1 tsp sesame seeds
1 cup cooked white rice
Instructions:
Mix soy sauce, honey, and mirin in a bowl.
Pan-fry chicken until golden, then pour in the sauce.
Simmer for 5 minutes, then sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Serve over white rice.
⏱ Prep Time: 20 minutes
🔥 Complexity: Easy
6. Greek Lemon Chicken with Orzo

A tangy, herb-infused chicken dish paired with delicate orzo pasta.
Ingredients:
2 boneless chicken breasts
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp dried oregano
1 cup cooked orzo pasta
1 tbsp crumbled feta cheese
Instructions:
Marinate chicken in olive oil, lemon juice, and oregano for 30 minutes.
Pan-sear until golden and fully cooked.
Serve over orzo, topped with feta.
⏱ Prep Time: 40 minutes (including marination)
🔥 Complexity: Medium
7. Moroccan Spiced Chicken with Couscous

A fragrant, spiced dish served with fluffy couscous for a taste of North Africa.
Ingredients:
2 boneless chicken thighs
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 cup cooked couscous
1 tbsp raisins (optional)
Instructions:
Season chicken with spices and pan-fry until cooked.
Prepare couscous according to package instructions.
Serve chicken over couscous and top with raisins.
⏱ Prep Time: 25 minutes
🔥 Complexity: Easy
8.Brazilian Garlic Butter Shrimp with Rice

Succulent shrimp coated in garlic butter, inspired by coastal Brazilian flavors.
Ingredients:
10 shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp garlic, minced
1 tsp lime juice
1 cup cooked white rice
Instructions:
Melt butter in a pan and sauté garlic.
Add shrimp and cook until pink, then drizzle with lime juice.
Serve with white rice.
⏱ Prep Time: 15 minutes
🔥 Complexity: Easy
9.Jamaican Chicken with Coconut Rice

A bold and spicy dish featuring jerk-seasoned chicken with creamy coconut rice.
Ingredients:
2 chicken thighs
1 tbsp jerk seasoning
1 cup cooked jasmine rice
½ cup coconut milk
Instructions:
Rub chicken with jerk seasoning and grill until cooked.
Simmer rice in coconut milk for a creamy texture.
Serve together for a Caribbean-inspired meal.
⏱ Prep Time: 30 minutes
🔥 Complexity: Medium
10.Spanish Chorizo and Rice

A smoky, flavorful rice dish with rich chorizo and aromatic spices.
Ingredients:
½ cup sliced chorizo
1 cup cooked rice
½ tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp olive oil
Instructions:
Heat oil in a pan and sauté chorizo until slightly crispy.
Stir in rice and smoked paprika.
Serve warm for a satisfying meal.
⏱ Prep Time: 15 minutes
🔥 Complexity: Easy
Conclusion:
Bring global flavors to your meal prep with these 10 international-inspired recipes. Whether you’re craving rich Italian comfort food, bold Mexican spices, or fragrant Thai curries, these dishes will keep your taste buds excited. Try them out and turn your meal prep routine into a culinary adventure!