9 Easy Meal Prep Hacks To Save Time And Money

9 Easy Meal Prep Hacks to Save Time and Money

February 19, 2025

Meal prepping is one of the best ways to save time, reduce stress, and cut grocery costs. Whether you’re busy with work, school, or family life, planning meals in advance helps you eat healthier and avoid the temptation of fast food. Here are nine easy meal prep hacks that will help you stay organized while keeping your food fresh and delicious!

1. Plan Your Meals Before Grocery Shopping

One of the biggest mistakes people make is shopping without a plan. Without a grocery list, you’re more likely to buy unnecessary ingredients and waste food.

✅ Hack:

Create a weekly meal plan before heading to the store.
Stick to a shopping list to stay on budget.
Choose versatile ingredients that work for multiple meals (e.g., chicken, rice, and veggies).

2. Batch Cook Staples to Save Time

Batch cooking means preparing large portions of certain foods that can be used in multiple meals. This technique helps cut down on daily cooking time.

✅ Hack:

Cook a large batch of rice, quinoa, or pasta at the start of the week.

Grill or bake chicken breasts to use in salads, wraps, and stir-fries.
Make a big pot of soup or chili and portion it out for quick lunches.

3. Pre-Chop Vegetables for Easy Cooking

Prepping your veggies in advance makes cooking meals much faster, especially when you’re short on time.

✅ Hack:

Chop onions, peppers, and carrots ahead of time and store them in airtight containers.
Use mason jars to keep salad ingredients fresh for grab-and-go meals.

Freeze chopped veggies like bell peppers or spinach for future use.

4. Use Freezer-Friendly Containers

Proper storage is key to keeping food fresh and preventing waste. Freezer meals are perfect for busy days when you don’t have time to cook.

✅ Hack:

Invest in BPA-free, freezer-safe containers to keep food fresh.
Store individual portions to avoid reheating large amounts at once.
Freeze soups, stews, and sauces in ziplock bags laid flat for space-saving storage.

5. Invest in a Slow Cooker or Instant Pot

A slow cooker (Crockpot) or Instant Pot can save you hours of time in the kitchen. These appliances allow you to set it and forget it, making meal prep super convenient.

✅ Hack:

Make overnight oats in a slow cooker for easy breakfast.

Cook large amounts of shredded chicken or beef for multiple meals.
Use an Instant Pot to cut cooking time in half for rice, beans, and meats.

6. Label & Date Your Prepped Foods

Ever find an old container in your fridge and wonder if it’s still good? Avoid food waste by properly labeling your prepped meals.

✅ Hack:

Use masking tape or a whiteboard marker to write the date on food containers.
Store meals based on expiration date (first in, first out).

Use color-coded containers to separate breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

7. Make Breakfast Grab-and-Go

Mornings can be hectic, so having quick, healthy breakfast options ready to go will help you avoid skipping meals or grabbing fast food.

✅ Hack:

Prep overnight oats in jars for a quick, nutritious breakfast.
Make egg muffins with veggies and cheese for a protein-packed meal.
Blend smoothie packs (frozen fruit + greens) and store them in the freezer for easy blending.

8. Use Ice Cube Trays for Sauces & Herbs

Instead of letting fresh herbs or sauces go bad, freeze them in ice cube trays for later use.

✅ Hack:

Chop fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley, or basil, mix with olive oil, and freeze in ice cube trays.

Freeze homemade pesto, tomato sauce, or lemon juice in cubes for easy portioning.
Use frozen broth cubes to quickly add flavor to soups and stews.

9. Portion Snacks in Advance

Instead of reaching for unhealthy junk food, have pre-portioned healthy snacks ready to grab and go.

✅ Hack:

Portion nuts, dried fruit, or granola into small snack bags.
Store hummus, yogurt, or peanut butter in small reusable containers.

Cut up fruits and veggies ahead of time for easy snacking.

Final Thoughts

Meal prepping doesn’t have to be complicated! With these nine easy hacks, you can save time, reduce food waste, and eat healthier. Start small by choosing one or two strategies, and soon you’ll have a streamlined meal prep system that works for you.

What’s your favorite meal prep hack? Share it in the comments below!

FAQs About Meal Prep

1. How long do meal-prepped meals last in the fridge?

Most cooked meals last 3-5 days in the refrigerator when stored properly in airtight containers. If you need meals to last longer, consider freezing them for up to 3 months.

2. What are the best foods for meal prepping?

Some of the best meal prep-friendly foods include:
✔️ Grains – Rice, quinoa, oats
✔️ Proteins – Chicken, tofu, beans, eggs
✔️ Veggies – Broccoli, carrots, bell peppers
✔️ Snacks – Nuts, yogurt, hummus, hard-boiled eggs

3. How do you keep meal-prepped food from getting soggy?

To avoid sogginess:

Store sauces and dressings separately.

Keep crunchy ingredients (nuts, croutons) in a separate container.
Layer salads in a mason jar, placing wet ingredients at the bottom and leafy greens at the top.

4. Can you meal prep without a fridge?

If you don’t have access to a fridge, focus on non-perishable foods like:

Canned tuna or salmon
Nuts and seeds
Dried fruit and granola

Peanut butter and whole grain crackers

5. How do I start meal prepping as a beginner?

If you’re new to meal prep, start with these simple steps:
1️⃣ Pick 2-3 easy meals to prep (e.g., breakfast & lunch).
2️⃣ Choose simple, versatile ingredients.
3️⃣ Cook in batches to save time.
4️⃣ Store food in clear containers so you can see what’s inside.
5️⃣ Stick to your weekly meal plan to avoid unnecessary grocery trips.

6. Is meal prepping worth it?

Yes! Meal prepping helps you:
✔️ Save money by reducing food waste.
✔️ Eat healthier by controlling ingredients.
✔️ Save time by cooking less frequently.
✔️ Reduce stress by having meals ready when you need them.

7. What’s the best way to reheat meal-prepped food?

For best results:
🔥 Microwave: Reheat in short bursts, stirring between intervals.
🔥 Stovetop: Use a little water or broth to revive texture.
🔥 Oven: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes for an even heat.