How To Meal Prep For A Family {10 Helpful Tips} - The Girl on Bloor (2024)

Meal prepping for a family can save time, money, and stress. Use these tips to plan and prepare healthy and delicious meals for the week.

Family Meal Prep Tips

Family meal prep can be a game-changer for busy households, saving time, money, and stress during the hectic week ahead. With a bit of planning and organization, you can streamline your cooking process and ensure that wholesome meals are always on the table for your loved ones. Here are ten tried-and-true tips to help you conquer family meal prep like a pro.

Tip #1: Create A Meal Plan

The key to successful meal prep is having a plan. Set aside some time each week to create a meal plan, taking into account your family's preferences, dietary needs and schedules. Having a clear plan will make grocery shopping and cooking much more efficient.

Learn how to create a meal planin just 15 minutes each week. Make sure to pencil in any standing traditions like Friday Night Pizza. Don't forget to account for your kids' extracurriculars or events that may prevent you from cooking a fresh meal each night. You may want to consider packing some meals that can be easily be eaten on the go, like sandwiches.

Tip #2: Make A Grocery List

Once you have your meal plan in place, make a detailed grocery list to ensure you have all the ingredients you need for the week ahead. Organize your list by sections of the grocery store to streamline your shopping trip and avoid forgetting any essential items.

Make sure your pantry and fridge are always stocked with favourites like eggs, pasta, rice, onions, and garlic, so you won't need to make more trips to the grocery store mid-week in case plans change (more on that below).

Read this post tolearn how to make a grocery list fast.

Tip #3: Prep Ingredients In Advance

Spend some time prepping ingredients as soon as you get home from the grocery store. This will save you valuable time during the week and make assembling meals a breeze.

Take a look at your recipes for the week and identify any steps you can do in advance.

Here's a list of what my typical Sunday prep session can look like:

• Wash and cut fruits and vegetables (including prepping healthy snacks chopped up bell peppers, carrots and celery)
• Mix sauces, marinades or homemade salad dressings
• Grate cheese
• Portion out your protein (i.e. dice chicken or defrost a certain amount of ground beef)

If you're looking for more help with ingredient prep, make sure to check out my appDinner Prep Pro. In addition to receiving weekly meal plans, each recipe also comes with prep-ahead instructions designed to make meal prep easier.

Tip #4: Cook in Batches

Instead of cooking every meal from scratch each day, consider cooking a few big-batch recipes at once. This could include soups, stews, grains, and proteins that can be easily reheated and enjoyed throughout the week. Not only does batch cooking save time, but it also reduces kitchen clean-up and minimizes food waste.

While this isn't my preferred way of meal prepping (I loveingredient prep), a lot of families often rely on making multiple dishes on the weekend. Using appliances like your slow cooker or Instant Pot can make this process go a bit quicker, especially if you're using your oven to bake or roast something, too.

Tip #5: Use Versatile Ingredients

Choose ingredients that can be used in multiple dishes to maximize efficiency and minimize waste. For example, roasted veggies can be served as a side dish one night and tossed into a salad or pasta the next. Versatile staples like rice, black beans, and pasta are also great for creating a variety of meals with minimal effort.

Pro tip: I always recommend stocking up on tortillas. They're excellent forquesadillas,breakfast burritos, and tacos. You can also use them to make pizzas!

Tip #6: Invest In Quality Storage Containers

Invest in a set of high-quality storage containers to keep your prepped ingredients and cooked meals fresh for longer. Look for containers that are freezer-safe, microwave-safe, and stackable for easy storage. I find glass is best!

Properly storing your food will help prevent spoilage and keep your meals tasting their best.Read this post onmeal prepcontainersto get my recommendations.

Tip #7: Get The Whole Family Involved

Meal prep doesn't have to be a solo endeavour – get the whole family involved! Assign age-appropriate tasks to each family member, whether it's washing vegetables, setting the table, or stirring a pot on the stove. Not only does this lighten the workload for you, but it also teaches valuable life skills and fosters a sense of teamwork.

You can also get your family involved in creating your weekly meal plans. You can show them recipes you've saved on Instagram, for example, to see if they would be interested in trying them.

Tip #8: Make Use Of Your Freezer

Your freezer is your best friend when it comes to meal prep. Freeze leftover portions of soups, casseroles, and sauces for quick and convenient meals on busy nights. You can also freeze raw ingredients like meat, bread, and berries to prolong their freshness and reduce food waste.

Explore my freezer meals post to get recipe ideas!Whenever you have a free weekend, consider making an extra batch of a recipe to freeze for later.

Tip #9: Utilize Leftovers

Don't let leftovers go to waste – repurpose them into new and exciting meals. For example, leftover roasted chicken can be shredded and used in tacos, salads, or sandwiches. Get creative with your leftovers and transform them into delicious dishes that your family will love.

I've got a whole collection ofleftover meal ideasfor you to look at!

Tip #10: Have Fun And Be Flexible

Above all, remember that meal prep should be a fun and rewarding experience. Don't be afraid to experiment with new recipes and flavours, and don't stress if things don't always go according to plan. Stay flexible and adaptable, and don't forget to enjoy the process of nourishing your family with delicious homemade meals.

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