This post was sponsored by YQ by Yoplait.
What if I told you that yogurt is more than just a solid breakfast or snack?
You can not only use yogurt in different breakfast recipes but lunch and dinner recipes too. Today I’m sharing nine different ways to use YQ by Yoplait in different meal prep recipes.
YQ by Yoplait is yogurt made with ultra-filtered milk that comes in eight (yes, eight!) different flavors. It’s high in protein and packed with flavor.
YQ has many flavors, but the Plain is the most versatile for cooking. It has less of that tangy flavor that Greek yogurt has, which makes it an optimal ingredient for the meal prep ideas listed below.
I know these ideas will inspire you to use YQ creatively in your kitchen and add even more protein to your meals!
Easy cooking swaps and substitutes using YQ by Yoplait
I told you, we are going far beyond the breakfast yogurt bowl topped with fruit. You can actually use YQ by Yoplait as a substitute or ingredient for the following common cooking ingredients.
- Sour cream. Instead of a dollop of sour cream, use a dollop of plain YQ. Easy!
- Heavy cream. This is one of my favorite swaps because I can never use up a whole carton of heavy cream before it expires and it’s another way to add more protein to a dish. YQ to the rescue! You can simply process or blend some YQ with regular milk to thin it out to get a heavy cream consistency, then use it in sauces and soups.
- Marinades. You’ll see this in some of the meal prep ideas below, but you can use YQ by Yoplait as a base for creamy chicken or beef marinades that will keep your protein of choice extra moist and delicious.
- Dressings, sauces and dips. This is a no-brainer as a creative use for yogurt! Plain YQ makes a great protein-packed base for upgraded versions of ranch, spinach artichoke dip and more.
Do you feel your horizons broadening yet? Let’s get into some specific meal prep ideas featuring YQ by Yoplait.
3 breakfast meal prep ideas with YQ that go beyond smoothies:
1. Yogurt Protein Pancakes
Did you know you can meal prep pancakes? They’re one of my all-time favorite easy breakfasts to prep that make any old Tuesday morning feel like Sunday brunch. Adding YQ by Yoplait to your pancake batter adds extra protein to help keep you satisfied AND with so many different flavors available, you can really jazz up any pancake. That’s a win/win in my book.
2. Freezer-Friendly Egg Breakfast Muffins
If you like more savory breakfasts, you can use YQ in easy baked egg muffins!. Adding YQ will provide a fluffy, satisfying texture without overpowering the savory egg, sausage and veggie flavor we all know and love. Next time you whip up a batch of freezer-friendly egg and veggie muffins, try adding a 5.3 oz container of plain YQ to the mix before baking.
3. Overnight Oats With YQ
Have you tried overnight oats yet? If not, just know they’re the best meal prep breakfast ever and you’re missing out. Why? Absolutely no cooking is required and they’re easy to take anywhere on the go. Adding any flavor of YQ by Yoplait gives them a creamy texture while also making them even tastier. Check out my master overnight oats recipe here to get started.
6 lunch or dinner meal prep ideas featuring YQ by Yoplait:
1. Yogurt Marinated Chicken
I won’t lie, the first time I heard of using yogurt to marinate chicken, I was skeptical. Of course, after trying it, I’m a believer! How to do it: mix one 5.3 oz container of Plain YQ with juice from two lemons or limes, a few cloves of crushed garlic and salt and pepper to taste. Add that mixture to a zip-top bag with chicken breast and marinate that for at least 30 minutes. Then you can bake or grill the chicken with your favorite veggies and complex carbs (I’d choose green beans and sweet potatoes, my favorites) and you have a full meal prep ready to go!
2. Creamy Cauliflower Mashed “Potatoes”
Spoiler alert: I enjoy cauliflower mashed “potatoes” more than regular mashed potatoes! Adding Plain YQ yields an unbelievably creamy cauliflower mash. You can add this quick recipe as a side to your dinner table, or use it in meal prep with your favorite grilled protein and roasted veggies!
3. Coconut Chicken Satay
Plain YQ isn’t the only flavor you can use for savory dishes. Try using Coconut YQ to recreate this flavor-packed coconut chicken satay. I love this for meal prep because it’s something you’d think you could only get at a restaurant, but you can totally make it at home with just a few ingredients.
4. Tzatziki Sauce
This popular creamy herbed cucumber and yogurt sauce obviously isn’t the main component of a meal, but it’s something every home cook should have in their arsenal. Tzatziki, which is super easy to make with Plain YQ, can go on salads, on top of any “bowl meal” with grains and veggies, it can go in wraps and sandwiches and makes a great snack pairing with chopped raw veggies or pita chips.
5. Creamy Avocado Vegetable Soup
Got a bunch of vegetables to use up before they go bad? Got some Plain YQ and some milk? You’re in business to make this super easy, creamy vegetable soup. All you have to do is throw everything (including YQ) in a blender, then heat it up on the stove. Soup is such an awesome meal prep for lunch or dinner and adding YQ will make it even more delicious. It’s freezer-friendly too!
6. Quick Skillet Chicken Korma
Do you think korma is only something you can order in restaurants? Think again. You can absolutely make this Indian-inspired dish at home with Plain YQ by Yoplait and it doesn’t require any time for marinating. Assemble this quick skillet chicken korma over rice and top with cilantro in your containers, and you’ve got a restaurant-quality meal prep!
So is your mind blown? I told you we were going way beyond yogurt with granola and yogurt in smoothies! As always, I encourage you to get creative with meal prep, especially finding other uses for easy-to-find ingredients like YQ by Yoplait.
Where to find YQ by Yoplait:
Speaking of easy-to-find, check out the YQ by Yoplait store locator to see where you can get some nearby!