1. Plan your meals in advance: One of the best things you can do to make meal prep easier on busy weeknights is to plan your meals in advance. Take some time at the beginning of the week to sit down and decide what you’re going to eat each night. This will help you create a shopping list and make sure you have all the ingredients you need on hand. Planning ahead also allows you to prep some ingredients in advance, making it easier to throw together a meal when you’re short on time.
2. Prep ingredients ahead of time: Once you’ve planned your meals, take some time to prep ingredients in advance. Chop vegetables, marinate meat, and cook grains and legumes ahead of time so that they’re ready to go when it’s time to cook. This will save you valuable time during the week and make it easier to get a meal on the table quickly.
3. Use your slow cooker or Instant Pot: Slow cookers and Instant Pots are a busy cook’s best friend. These handy appliances allow you to throw all your ingredients in, set it and forget it until dinner time. Slow cookers are perfect for soups, stews, and roasts, while Instant Pots can cook everything from rice and beans to meat and vegetables in a fraction of the time it would take on the stovetop.
4. Batch cook and freeze meals: Another great way to save time on busy weeknights is to batch cook and freeze meals in advance. Spend a few hours on the weekend cooking up a big batch of your favorite meals and portion them out into individual containers. Pop them in the freezer, and you’ll have a stash of ready-to-eat meals that just need to be reheated when you’re short on time during the week.
5. Make use of store-bought shortcuts: Don’t be afraid to use store-bought shortcuts to make meal prep easier on busy weeknights. Pre-cooked rotisserie chickens, pre-packaged salads, and frozen vegetables are great options for when you’re short on time but still want a healthy and delicious meal. Just be sure to check the ingredient list for any added sugars or preservatives.
By following these five essential food prep tips for busy weeknights, you’ll be able to make mealtime a breeze even when life gets a little hectic. Planning ahead, prepping ingredients in advance, using your slow cooker or Instant Pot, batch cooking and freezing meals, and making use of store-bought shortcuts are all great ways to save time and stress in the kitchen. With a little bit of effort and some smart meal prep strategies, you’ll be able to enjoy delicious and nutritious meals even on the busiest of nights.
