The Best Meal Prep Tips + Easy Recipe Ideas - Atlanta Lifestyle Blogger | Karisma Ray (2024)

The Best Meal Prep Tips + Easy Recipe Ideas - Atlanta Lifestyle Blogger | Karisma Ray (1)

If you’re anything like me, you’re SUPER busy all the time. Between earning money, traveling, networking and keeping up with assignments for my doctoral degree, I don’t have much time for meal planning and don’t always make the healthiest choices. I think a lot of women could say the same thing—but summer bodies are lurking around the corner.

I’ve recently been trying to up my meal prep game and wanted to share some of the tips I’ve learned and a few of my favorite recipes and products.

Keep scrolling for my SALMON youtube video, 5 foolproof meal prep tips, easy recipe ideas, and the best meal prep essentials from Amazon!

RELATED: Easy Stir Fry Rice with Bragg Liquid Aminos

Meal Prep Tips

The Best Meal Prep Tips + Easy Recipe Ideas - Atlanta Lifestyle Blogger | Karisma Ray (2)

1. Write out Your Meals for the Week and Schedule Them by Day

Meal prepping is so much easier when you have a clear plan. Write out your meals for the week and assign specific days for specific foods. This also streamlines the decision making process for the rest of the week. Make the decision once, and you won’t have devote additional mental energy later on.

You can use a daily planner or calendar to schedule out your meals and keep organized.

This also makes creating a shopping list super easy and much less time consuming.

2. Create a Master Shopping List and Try to Shop In Bulk

The Best Meal Prep Tips + Easy Recipe Ideas - Atlanta Lifestyle Blogger | Karisma Ray (3)

Before you hit the grocery store, be sure to create a master shopping list separate from your planner or calendar and include all of the ingredients needed for each meal. I like to use the notes in my phone for this because it’s so easy.

This will also help you know what items to shop for in bulk which can save you tons of money!

3. Plan to Repurpose One Main Item Across Multiple Meals

The Best Meal Prep Tips + Easy Recipe Ideas - Atlanta Lifestyle Blogger | Karisma Ray (4)

To simplify the meal prep process, you can focus on one main food item and use it in different ways across multiple meals. For example, you could make chicken once, and use it with rice and peanut sauce for a Thai dish and again with noodles and stir fry sauce for a Chinese variation.

Keep fresh or steamed veggies on hand to throw in your dishes or to eat as a healthy snack.

4. Cook Once and Eat All Week

Meal prep works best when you cook once at the beginning of the week. You can stash freezer safe meals in the freezer to keep them fresh longer and pop them into the refrigerator the night before you plan to eat them. For non-freezer meals, make sure you use meats with the longest expiration dates.

If you want to use fresh seafood or other items that don’t keep for long in the fridge, you can plan one additional cook and prep day, halfway through the week.

5. Variety is Key

The Best Meal Prep Tips + Easy Recipe Ideas - Atlanta Lifestyle Blogger | Karisma Ray (5)

Most people don’t like to eat the same thing every day. It’s easy to get burnt out and reach for something unhealthy or a fast food option if your meals become monotonous. Get creative with your sauces and recipe variations and be sure to spread out your favorite meals between several days.

RELATED: What is Nutritional Yeast? Bragg Live Foods Knows!

Meal Prep Recipes

The Best Meal Prep Tips + Easy Recipe Ideas - Atlanta Lifestyle Blogger | Karisma Ray (6)

Here are some easy and delicious recipes to add to your meal prep arsenal.

Teriyaki Beef

The Best Meal Prep Tips + Easy Recipe Ideas - Atlanta Lifestyle Blogger | Karisma Ray (7)

Here’s a delicious Teriyaki Beef Recipe adapted from Clean Food Crush:

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 Cups fresh broccoli, chopped

  • 2 Carrots, thinly sliced

  • 2 Fresh cloves of garlic, grated

  • 1 Fresh nob ginger, peeled and grated

  • 1/4 Cup Bragg’s Liquid Aminos

  • 1 Tablespoon Raw honey

  • 1 Tablespoon Oil

  • 1 Tablespoon Sesame seeds

  • 1 Teaspoon Chili flakes

  • Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

WISK together the Bragg Liquid Aminos, honey, garlic, ginger, chili flakes and sesame seeds in a small bowl.

HEAT oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. ADD your steak and COOK, stirring occasionally for 5-6 minutes or until cooked through.

ADD in the fresh broccoli and carrots and COOK for an additional for 3-4 minutes.

POUR the sauce over the meat and veggies to coat.

REFRIGERATE in airtight containers for up to 5 days or freeze of up to 2 months.

Garlic Butter Salmon

The Best Meal Prep Tips + Easy Recipe Ideas - Atlanta Lifestyle Blogger | Karisma Ray (8)

The Best Meal Prep Tips + Easy Recipe Ideas - Atlanta Lifestyle Blogger | Karisma Ray (9)

Watch My Family Cooking Channel, The Geechee Kitchen on How to MAKE Perfect BAKED SALMON on YouTube. CLICK Here or the photo above.

You’ll also love this Garlic Butter Salmon and Asparagus adapted from eatwell101:

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 Medium-sized salmon fillet, cut into 4 chunks

  • 2 Asparagus bunches, cleaned and trimmed

  • 1 Teaspoon Olive oil

  • 2 Teaspoons Garlic, minced

  • 1/2 Cup vegetable broth (low sodium) or white wine

  • 1/2 Stick butter

  • 1 Cup Cherry cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

  • 1/2 Small red onion, minced

  • 1 Tablespoon hot sauce (optional)

  • Juice from half of a lemon

  • 1 Tablespoon cilantro or parsley, minced

  • Crushed red chili pepper flakes to taste (optional)

DIRECTIONS

COMBINE the cherry tomatoes with olive oil, minced red onion, salt and pepper to MARINATE and set aside.

SEASON the salmon with salt and pepper and set aside. WASH AND TRIM the ends of the asparagus and blanch in boiling water for 2- 3 minutes, then immediately PLACE in an ice bath to stop the cooking. (If your asparagus is thin, you can skips the blanching process).

HEAT the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-low heat. COOK the salmon until golden brown, flipping halfway through. Once cooked, REMOVE the salmon and set aside.

In the same skillet over medium heat, ADD the minced garlic and deglaze the pan with your vegetable broth or wine, and bring to a simmer. ADD the butter, lemon juice, hot sauce (if using), and the cilantro or parsley. STIR to combine.

ADD in the asparagus and toss for about 2 minutes and then PLACE the salmon back in to reheat for another minute.

DIVIDE the dish into 4 airtight containers and REFRIGERATE for up to 5 days.

Tex Mex Chicken Burrito Bowls

The Best Meal Prep Tips + Easy Recipe Ideas - Atlanta Lifestyle Blogger | Karisma Ray (10)

And, you have to try these Tex Mex Chicken Burrito Bowls adapted from Clean & Delicious:

INGREDIENTS

The Best Meal Prep Tips + Easy Recipe Ideas - Atlanta Lifestyle Blogger | Karisma Ray (2024)

FAQs

How do I prepare for all week food? ›

HOW TO COOK MEALS FOR A WEEK?
  1. Step 1: Meal Plan. Make a menu. ...
  2. Step 2: Shop. Before you head out to the grocery store, check your fridge, freezer, and pantry for items you already have. ...
  3. Step 3: Cook. Prepare meals according to the recipe. ...
  4. Step 4: Store. Package up your food for the fridge and freezer.
Dec 5, 2022

What is the best food to prep? ›

On your meal prep day, focus first on foods that take the longest to cook: proteins like chicken and fish; whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and farro; dried beans and legumes; and, roasted vegetables.

What are 3 keys to successful meal prepping? ›

Follow these three steps and you'll be planning and prepping nutritious and delicious meals that fit your preferences and lifestyle!
  • Step 1: Make a Menu. First, think about your approach to meal planning — do you: ...
  • Step 2: Stock Your Pantry and Freezer with the Five Food Groups. ...
  • Step 3: Keep a Running Grocery List.
Jul 18, 2019

What not to do when meal prepping? ›

How to meal prep: 6 mistakes to avoid
  1. USING CHEAP PLASTIC CONTAINERS. ...
  2. YOU PREP WAY TOO MUCH. ...
  3. YOU'RE MAKING THINGS TOO COMPLICATED. ...
  4. BATCH COOKING ONE THING FOR A WHOLE WEEK. ...
  5. NEGLECTING TO SEASON. ...
  6. OVER OILING.
Sep 11, 2023

How to survive on 20 for a week food? ›

Your Shopping List
  1. 1 bag of dried beans: $1.49.
  2. 2 pounds of chicken breast: $3.76.
  3. 1 jar of peanut butter: $1.98.
  4. 1 jar of jelly: $1.79.
  5. 1 loaf of whole wheat bread: $1.63.
  6. 1 dozen eggs: $1.26.
  7. 1 container of oatmeal: $1.35.
  8. 1 bag of dried lentils: $1.39.

What meat is best for meal prep? ›

When you're prepping, focus on choosing easy-to-cook, bulk-packaged foods that store well. My recommendation is to mix and match from these categories and go to town: Protein: Chicken breast, lean ground beef, pork tenderloin, flank steak, lean lunch meat (turkey breast, ham, or roast beef) and low-fat beef jerky.

What are the top 10 survival foods? ›

  • Meats & Beans. Canned meat, chicken, turkey, seafood. and other protein-rich foods, such as. ...
  • Vegetables. Canned vegetables and vegetable juices. ...
  • Fruits. Canned fruits and fruit juices. ...
  • Milk. Canned, boxed or dried milk and shelf- ...
  • Grains. Ready-to-eat cereal, crackers, pretzels, ...
  • Water. Enough for 1 gallon per day.

What is the riskiest step in food prep? ›

Thermometers must read 32oF when placed in ice water. Cooling is usually the riskiest step in food preparation. It involves a two-step process: 135˚F - 70˚F in 2 hours and then 70˚F - 41˚F in 4 hours.

What are the top 5 food prep steps? ›

Here are five steps to turn a once dreaded task, into a doable and enjoyable one.
  1. Step 1: Know the Components of a Balanced Meal. ...
  2. Step 2: Search for Recipe Inspiration. ...
  3. Step 3: Map Your Meals for the Week. ...
  4. Step 4: Choose a Day to Shop and Meal Prep. ...
  5. Step 5: Dedicate One Hour per Week to Meal Prep. ...
  6. Key Takeaway.

What day of the week should you meal prep? ›

Choose just one mealtime you'd like to prepare for — Either quick breakfasts, healthy lunches or dinners. Keep it simple by starting with one you usually eat out or skip altogether. Pick a day to do your meal prepping. Sunday and Wednesday are two common choices.

How to keep meal prep exciting? ›

Find the Best Recipes

Try out lots of different things and save the recipes that delight you and make you excited for your next meal. You don't need anything fancy, even just a list on your phone's notes app works. Remember, if the food you meal prep isn't tasty, you might as well quit now.

How can I make my meal plan more fun? ›

7 Ways to Make Meal Planning Easy and Fun
  1. Write It Out. It may seem obvious but so many of us don't do it! ...
  2. Love Your List. Check what you have so you're not buying extra — and stick to it! ...
  3. Plan a Theme Day. Match meals to days of the week. ...
  4. Prep Ahead. ...
  5. Consider the Season. ...
  6. Scope the Sales.

How do I make meal prep less boring? ›

So today, let's talk about one of the key strategies we employ to prevent meal prep boredom: meal prep remixing. Remixing is cooking a recipe, eating it one way the first day you made it, then turning it into something completely different the second (and maybe third!)

How can I spice up my meal prep? ›

9 Smart Cooking Tricks That Make Meal Prep So Much More More Delicious
  1. Instead of cooking grains in plain water, use broth—or, use jarred sauces like salsa or tomato sauce. ...
  2. Make pickles and marinated vegetable salads. ...
  3. Roast your sweet potatoes whole, wrapped in foil.
Mar 15, 2018

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