Share a compilation of meal preparation ideas that can be made with cheap ones.
Hello friends! how are you? I hope you’ve had a great day so far! I pack a morning full of morning bookings and look forward to family dinner tonight.
Today, I recently saved my bacon and wanted to chat a bit about preparing my meals.
Meal preparation is one of my favorite ways to keep going smoothly with healthy eating goals, but at the same time saves money. When life gets hectic (always like that), preparing a budget-friendly meal is a complete game changer. Whether you’re feeding your family, trying to eat healthier, or wanting to spend less time at the grocery store, you feel that meal preparation can make your daily life more serious.
Today I wanted to share some ideas about delicious, very easy, quick, and cheap meal preparation that doesn’t break the bank. I love how meal preparation helps eliminate “what is dinner?” It keeps us away from stress and expensive takeaway. Most of these meals use pantry staples or affordable ingredients, and are well made for leftovers.
Cheap meal preparation ideas
These recipes are great for planning weekly, batch cooking, and making sure your friendly meals are always ready.
Whether you’re a meal plan or a veteran pro, I hope this post will give you fresh inspiration (and save a few dollars! Let’s be authentic, groceries are now $1 million.)
What is meal preparation?
Preparing meals is a practice of preparing meals and ingredients in advance to save time and money throughout the week. It means chopping vegetables, cooking proteins, and assembling a complete meal in a container. The idea is to get ready to eat or cook a meal immediately. So grabs unhealthy or expensive things aren’t very appealing.
Meal preparation helps reduce food waste, streamline grocery shopping, and smooth out the entire week. Plus, you plan your meals in advance, which often leads to healthier choices.
Is the food cheap?
absolutely! Planning ahead and preparing meals will help you make the most of your grocery sales, buy lots of ingredients, and avoid impulse purchases and last-minute takeaways. Cooking in batches will allow you to use the ingredients more efficiently and waste your food.
Some people think healthy meals are expensive, but meal preparation shows you can eat well without using your property.
How to prepare on a budget
First I’ll shop the pantry
Before planning your meal, get an inventory of what you already have. It’s easy to overlook canned goods, grains, or frozen items that can create the perfect foundation for your diet.
Choose budget-friendly protein
Think of beans, lentils, eggs, canned tuna, organic germinated tofu, organic ground beef, chicken thighs. These are nutritious and are cheaper than other protein sources.
Buy seasonal produce
Seasonal fruits and vegetables are usually cheap and taste better. Bonus points if you can find them at your local farmers market! Also, don’t be afraid to go to frozen fruits and vegetables. They are often frozen at low prices and freshness.
Cook in batches
Make large batches of soup, stew, casserole, or roasted vegetables. These meals are extended far and can be easily divided into containers for a week. I like to freeze all of these supercubes Then store in the freezer and pop out.
Keeps recipes simple
Don’t feel like you need to cook an elaborate meal. Protein, vegetables and carbohydrates can go a long way in terms of nutrition and satisfaction.
I shop smartly
This is a bit inconvenient, but I’ve been shopping a little. I’m trying to get as much as I can with Trader Joe’s Trader Joe. Prosperity Market (< - This link will get 40% off your first purchase!), and the rest is from Whole Foods.
Inexpensive and healthy meal preparation ideas
Southwest Chicken Bowl
Sauteed chicken, black beans, rice, vegetables, + cheese, salsa.
These bowls are highly customizable and perfect for lunch or dinner. Make large batches and divide them into containers. You can also use the remaining chicken or rotisserie chicken to make it even easier.
Cost per meal: ~$2.50
Vegetarian chili
This hearty one-pot meal is packed with fiber and plant-based protein.
Cost per meal: ~$2.00
material:
1 can of black beans
1 can of green beans
One can make diced tomatoes
Diced, cooked sweet potatoes
1 Onion, diced
Chop one pepper
1 can of green chili pepper
1 tablespoon of chili powder
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp Cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
Manual:
Step 1: Place the onion, green onion and peppers in olive oil.
Step 2: Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes.
Step 3: Cool and split into containers. Squeeze the lime on top before eating.
Greek pasta salad with chickpeas
A cold salad packed with protein and fiber. Perfect for preparing meals!
Cost per meal: ~$2.25
material:
A box of regular or GF pasta
One Chickpea
1 Cucumber, chopped
1/2 red onion, slice thinly
Cherry tomato
Feta
Fresh mint
Olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, pepper, a little honey
Manual:
Step 1: Cook and chill the pasta.
Step 2: Throw with chopped vegetables, mint, chickpeas, feta and dressing.
Step 3: Parts and refrigerate.
* Sometimes, add sun-dried tomatoes, feta, basil, olives, and anything you have on hand.
Many of my favorites:
– Bake chicken thighs (slice them and put them in the fridge)
– Seasoned minced beef meat. Enjoy it while you’re cooking and storing it in the fridge
– Mediterranean egg bite
– Air Fryer Tofu (seasonal with Tamari, garlic, salt, pepper, small sriracha and air fries)
– Prepare healthy meals for the week
You may also like these high protein meal prep recipes and these meal prep salad recipes for more ideas.
Let me know in the comments: Do you prepare meals every week? What is your favorite?
xo
