Creating a meal from scratch can seem like a daunting task. And when you pair that with cooking multiple dishes at the same time, it can seem down right impossible. But what if I told you that the entire meal prepping process could be a little easier. All you have to do is follow these simple steps to begin your meal prepping journey!
Step 1. Get Storage Containers
Before you begin your meal prepping journey, you need to have storage containers that can be put in the refrigerator and freezer. Whether you use tupperware or freezer bags is up to you. But for most recipes, I would suggest that you purchase some meal prep containers.
Why? These containers can easily store a single serving in it perfectly. So, you can easily have your breakfast, lunch, or dinner with you. Additionally, they are usually microwavable, freezable, and dishwasher safe. So, you can bring it with you as you travel to work, school, etc. Another perk is that their uniform design makes it easier for them to be stacked in refrigerators and freezers, which cut down on the amount of space that you would have to use.
And buying these containers don’t have to be expensive. You can look online on Amazon.com or Walmart.com to buy them for a great price! (I bought 32 meal prep containers from Amazon that cost only $8.98).
Step 2. Look for Recipes
Now that you have your meal prep containers, look for some recipes that you would like to try. What I usually do is pick a lunch and dinner recipe, make it, and store it away. Just make sure that they can also be frozen because it’s easy to make more than you actually need for one week (Unless you’re willing to eat this dish for multiple meals a day or you can take the extra meals to someone else).
You can find recipes on sites such as:
Or, if you still have them, look for some delicious recipes in your cook books.
Free Printable Recipe Cards
Need help coming up with meal ideas? Download this free printable to help with your meal prepping needs.
Step 3. Check For Ingredients
Now you might think that the next step is to go to the store, but it’s actually to check and see if you have some of the ingredients at home.
Although you might not want to do this, this can keep you from spending extra money on ingredients at the store and wasting food.
Step 4. See if You Have Enough Room
Another thing that you need to do before heading out the door is ensuring that you have enough space for your meals. If you still have Thanksgiving leftovers or have just filled up your fridge not to long ago, I wouldn’t recommend meal prepping your dishes at that time (unless you have an extra fridge or freezer somewhere in your house).
Step 5. Go Grocery Shopping
Now it’s finally time to head to the store and get your ingredients. Remember brand name products aren’t the only quality items in the store. So, check for store brands and items on sale.
Related: 12 Ways To Save Money And Shop Smart
Step 6. Prep Food and Separate Ingredients
After you have all of your ingredients, make sure that you set a time or day that you will have plenty of time to cook. I usually do this on a Sunday and cook (depending on the recipes) anywhere from 1 to 5 hours.
Then on that day begin prepping your food and tools. Whether this means dicing vegetables, beginning to boil water, or even just preheating your oven. Doing this at the same time can help you to save time.
For example, you can preheat the oven and start boiling your water. While you’re waiting for those things to heat up, you can chop up all your vegetables and measure out your spices and seasoning. And, if it doesn’t need to be refrigerated, you can separate the ingredients by recipes on your countertop or island.
Step 7. Cook Your Oven Food First
The next step would be to begin preparing recipes that can be cooked in the oven. Why? Bulk meal prepping is all about using your time wisely. So, while your other dishes are cooking in the oven, you can start cooking your other recipes on the stove top.
For instance, let’s say that you were going to make some tacos and a casserole. Prepare your casserole and pop it in the oven, and then start working on your tacos.
Step 8. Start Your Most Time Consuming Dish
Now this next one isn’t really a step, but more like a tip. But, if you have a dish that will take longer, go ahead and cook that one first (especially if it has to be cooked in the oven).
As mentioned earlier, you can always start working on another dish (whether through prepping more ingredients or starting to cook it). But if you have another recipe that needs to be cooked in the oven, and it requires a different temperature, you could always prepare it and place it in the fridge. Or, you might even start cleaning your dishes so that you won’t have a huge stack of pots and pans to clean at the end of the process.
And speaking of temperature, if you have recipes that require the same cooking temperatures, you should double them up and cook them at the same time. This will allow you to save way more time cooking your food.
Step 9. Put Food Away
After you have finished cooking your food, let it cool down for a bit (at the least 10 to 15 minutes). Then transfer your food into your storage containers. After this decide how quickly you will eat your food.
If you think that you will eat it all in less than a week, then place it in the refrigerator. However, if you think it will take a little longer, put it in the freezer.
Personally, what I try to do is place about 3 or 4 in the fridge and the remaining in the freezer. So, if I decide that I don’t want to finish the rest throughout the week, I don’t have to. But if I do want to eat the rest that week (or even the following weeks), I can just place it in the fridge the night before to defrost.
Related: Freeze Food To Save Money
So, hopefully you’ve enjoyed this guide on how to start meal prepping!
Happy Meal Prepping!
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Hannah Roberts is the creator of Do. Live. Study. She loves to learn new things and hopes to help others as they go throughout their journey as an adult. You can connect with her below.
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