8 Quick Tips to Help Make Meal Prep Easier

Master meal prep with these time-saving, professionally approved tips.

Let’s face it — some tools will do things faster than we ever will. Kitchen appliances apply here. We’re talking about time-saving must-haves that prepare food or perform cooking steps while you do other things. Gadgets to look into: food processor (chops, dices, and blends), slow cooker (cooks and simmers), hand blender (purees), and mandoline (slices, dices, and cuts).

Take this as an opportunity to multitask. While your hard-boiled egg maker is boiling eggs for your breakfasts, pull out your hand blender and start making soup for your lunches or dinners. Play around with the tools enough, and you’ll fall into a natural rhythm. Just remember to keep your space organized, so you instantly know where to reach for everything.

This may seem trivial, but the right containers can be a godsend and really make meal prep easier. Being the right size, having enough sections, and being freezable and reheatable are paramount. Take your portion sizes and types of foods you’ll make into account. On that note, consider buying containers that come in a set. There’s nothing more frustrating than spending five minutes digging around for the right lid to that one bento box. One more quick tip: Use clear containers that showcase your colorful, good-looking meals, so you’ll see them and look forward to them all week.

Whether you’re sorting cut vegetables into containers during prep or cooking them on the spot, prepackaged is your friend (cue the collective gasp). “My favorite frozen veggie shortcut is cauliflower rice,” Muhlstein says. “I used to buy heads of cauliflower, then wash, cut, and prepare the ‘rice’ myself in a food processor. Buying it frozen has made meal prep so much easier for me! I now always have frozen bags of cauliflower rice in my freezer and whip up meals like cauliflower rice risotto, cauliflower fried rice, and more recipes you can find on 2B Mindset.” Purchasing frozen items prepared in this way is a major time saver.

To make meal prep easier and prevent midweek boredom, be prepared with an array of condiments and spices. “All-natural bottled condiments, dressings, and marinades are great,” Muhlstein says. “There are so many brands that offer delicious sauces and dips made from more wholesome ingredients that you can find in large grocers and health food stores.” Not having to make condiments yourself can cut your cooking time in half.

Sure, meal prep is largely about sticking to healthy meals and fueling your body. But at the same time, it’s about feeling free. After planning and preparing all your meals for the week, you’re left with more free time and less decision making. You don’t need to think about what you’ll make for dinner when you get home because it’s already been decided (not to mention, made). You have every meal you need to be taken care of, when and where you need it.

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