The thought of making dinner from scratch every night can feel daunting, especially when there are so many other things to do like work, care for kids and keep up with household duties. Many families rely on convenience foods like frozen dinners, but there are also a number of fresh prepared entrees that can be found in the refrigerated section at most grocery stores. These meals are more healthful than frozen dinners and often more convenient, too.
The only difficulty is knowing which ones are worth buying. To help, we turned to reviews from real customers on Amazon who have purchased and tested these products for themselves. These best-selling items not only have near-perfect ratings, but they also have countless glowing reviews describing why they’re so great.
Read on for fresh prepared entrees that are so good, you’ll be feeling guilty for not making them from scratch.
Our Editor’s Best Fresh Prepared Entrees Reviews
- Chicken strips and fettuccine with broccoli, parmesan, romano, parsley, and alfredo sauce
- Ready in Minutes
- Microwave on high for 2.5 minutes
- Brought to you by Amazon Kitchen, grab-and-enjoy meal solutions, prepped for what’s next
- To ensure freshness, enjoy within a couple of days of arrival
- Classic spaghetti and meatballs in a rich tomato sauce, topped with parmesan
- Ready in Minutes
- Microwave on high for 2 minutes
- Brought to you by Amazon Kitchen, grab-and-enjoy meal solutions, prepped for what’s next
- To ensure freshness, enjoy within a couple of days of arrival
- Chicken in a subtly spiced tomato-cream sauce with herbed basmati rice and spinach
- Ready in Minutes
- Microwave on high for 2 minutes
- Brought to you by Amazon Kitchen, grab-and-enjoy meal solutions, prepped for what’s next
- To ensure freshness, enjoy within a couple of days of arrival
- Chicken tempura fritters coated in a sweet and tangy General Tso’s sauce, served with steamed broccoli and jasmine rice
- Ready in Minutes
- Microwave on high for 2.5 minutes
- Brought to you by Amazon Kitchen, grab-and-enjoy meal solutions, prepped for what’s next
- To ensure freshness, enjoy within a couple of days of arrival
- Seasoned salmon, spicy red pepper sauce, spinach, and couscous with currants and almonds
- Ready in Minutes
- Microwave on high for 2 minutes
- Brought to you by Amazon Kitchen, grab-and-enjoy meal solutions, prepped for what’s next
- To ensure freshness, enjoy within a couple of days of arrival
- Greek-style grilled lemon chicken with white meat chicken, orzo, olives & feta cheese
- Ready to Heat
- Brought to you by Whole Foods Market—our standards and quality are what set us apart every day
- 𝗘𝗫𝗧𝗥𝗔 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗜𝗡, 𝗘𝗫𝗧𝗥𝗔 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦 - Elevate your fitness with high protein meals enriched by an extra 2 oz of protein, providing at least 10g additional protein and 50 additional calories. Ideal for building muscle or gaining weight with delicious, chef-created recipes. This results in an extra 5-15 grams of protein and an extra 25-75 calories per meal
- 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗘, 𝗡𝗨𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗘 - Enjoy convenient, easy-to-prepare healthy meals loaded with lean proteins, whole grains, and fresh vegetables, all ready in minutes for sustained energy, health, and delicious convenience
- 𝗡𝗨𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗨𝗦 𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗬 𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗨𝗧𝗘𝗦 - Our 6 single-serve, ready to heat and eat, healthy frozen meals fits perfectly into your busy lifestyle. Easily heat your dish in the microwave, stove, or oven and enjoy a nutritious, high-protein meal in minutes without the hassle
- 𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗗 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗪𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡 - With 500+ calories and 35+ grams of protein per serving, our individually packaged ready to eat meals are tailored to help you gain healthy muscle weight as part of your fitness journey
- 𝗔𝗙𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘, 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛𝗬 𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗟 - Clean Eatz Kitchen delivers not just quick healthy meals, but a healthy culinary experience that is both nutritious and delicious. We're committed to making nutritious eating easy and affordable, offering portion-controlled, high-protein meals to fit every budget
- Chicken and rice enchiladas in chipotle sauce with cilantro rice, black beans, and monterey jack cheese
- Ready in Minutes
- Microwave on high for 2 minutes
- Brought to you by Amazon Kitchen, grab-and-enjoy meal solutions, prepped for what’s next
- To ensure freshness, enjoy within a couple of days of arrival
- Tender beef strips with colorful pepper medley and jasmine rice, topped with bold black pepper sauce
- Ready in Minutes
- Microwave on high for 3 minutes
- Brought to you by Amazon Kitchen, grab-and-enjoy meal solutions, prepped for what’s next
- To ensure freshness, enjoy within a couple of days of arrival
Best Fresh Prepared Entrees Buying Guide
Before choosing the best fresh prepared entrees you should consider following options:
1. Protein Source: The main ingredient in your protein source determines the overall quality of your meal. Options like beef, salmon, chicken, and eggs are high in protein but also high in saturated fat.
Be sure to check the labels and try to find sources of protein that are higher in omega-3 fats and leaner overall.
2. Sodium: Salt is a flavor enhancer, so it is impossible to have a meal without it.
However, too much salt can cause water retention, high blood pressure, and increase your risk of heart disease. One of the easiest ways to reduce the amount of salt in your diet is to cook with broth instead of water.
3. Carbohydrate Source: When shopping for carbs, keep in mind that not all carbs are created equally.
Pasta and bread are high in calories but are slowly digested by the body. As a result, they are often referred to as “bad” carbs.
On the other hand, foods like beans and sweet potatoes are often considered “good” carbs because they are lower in calories and digested quickly, making you feel full for a longer period of time.
4. Organic: You may have heard the word “organic” thrown around a lot, often with little explanation of what it means.
What it boils down to is that the food was grown without the use of synthetic herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides.
5. Fresh or Frozen: Frozen meals are convenient and cost less than fresh, but they often have more sodium, and the quality is not as high.
Fresh meals are more expensive and may require additional time to prepare, but they are generally higher in protein, vitamins, and minerals.
6. Cost: The price tag of a frozen meal plays a large role in your decision. The price of fresh meals varies depending on the ingredients in your meal.
For example, a fresh salmon dish may be more expensive than a frozen chicken dish.
However, the overall protein content is higher in the fresh salmon dish, and the omega-3 fat content may be higher as well.
7. Portion Size: Portion size is important to keep in mind when shopping for fresh meals. Frozen meals are already portioned, but with fresh meals, you are responsible for the size.
If you are eating at home, consider keeping the leftovers for lunch the next day.
If you are eating the meal at work, keep a small Tupperware in your desk drawer to store your leftovers.
8. Meal Prep: When preparing your meal, make sure to read the label to determine the overall nutrition of the meal.
Choose meals that are high in protein and low in carbs. Frozen meals are often higher in carbs and lower in protein, so keep that in mind when making your decision.
9. Quality of Ingredients: If you have the option, try to purchase meals with ingredients you recognize, instead of buying something that has a long list of unrecognizable ingredients.
This is especially important with fresh meals, since you are responsible for the preparation. Try to stick to fresh meals with simple ingredients, so you can be sure the quality is high.
10. Taste: Taste is subjective, but it doesn’t hurt to try a few different options before making your final decision.
The best way to do this is to purchase a small or single-serving size. This way, you can try a few different options and make
What else you should know about fresh prepared entrees
1. What are some of the most popular fresh prepared entrees?
Some of the most popular fresh prepared entrees include salmon, grilled chicken, steak, and vegetables.
2. What are the benefits of eating fresh prepared entrees?
Some benefits of eating fresh prepared entrees are that they can be healthier than fast food or processed foods, they can save time because you don’t have to cook them yourself, and they can be more convenient than cooking at home.
3. What are some tips for preparing fresh prepared entrees?
Some tips for preparing fresh prepared entrees include:
-Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling any food.
-Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before cutting or eating them.
-Use clean utensils, cutting boards, and cooking surfaces when preparing food.
-Cook food thoroughly to the recommended internal temperature.
-Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw meat, poultry, and seafood away from other food.
-Refrigerate or freeze perishable food promptly.
4. How can I make my fresh prepared entrees more nutritious?
You can make your fresh prepared entrees more nutritious by adding more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. You can also add more lean protein, such as chicken, fish, tofu, or beans.
5. What are some common mistakes people make when preparing fresh prepared entrees?
Some common mistakes people make when preparing fresh prepared entrees are not cooking the food long enough, not using fresh ingredients, and not following the recipe.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best fresh prepared entrees. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best fresh prepared entrees will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.