5 Simple Menu Planning Tips

By Kylie Malcolm | September 15, 2016

Menu planning saves time because first, you know “what’s for dinner” and you won’t have to run to the grocery store as frequently.

It saves money because eating out is so much more expensive than preparing meals at home.  It also means less food waste because you’ve only bought the items you need to prepare your meals.

    

   Here are 5 Simple Menu Planning Ideas:

  1. Cook once, eat twice: Plan to make double or triple what you would normally make for dinner so you have leftovers for lunches (for adults as well as kids) and/or another dinner. You also have the option to freeze some of the leftovers to use the following week if you prefer.
  2. Cook grains, like rice, ahead of time: for the week, then refrigerate and use them later in the week (add a little water when reheating). Most grains will keep for 3-5 days in the fridge.
  3. Be sure to have food defrosted: if you’re using any frozen items like meat, chicken, fish, etc. Check what you need for the next day, the night before.
  4. Chop your veggies: on the weekend or the night before to prep ahead of time and place in storage containers in the fridge.  Also, decide which frozen veggies you can use instead of fresh (especially for stews, soups and some crock pot meals).
  5. Make any marinades: dressings, spice mixes or sauces in advance to save time on those busier nights.    

Tip: When washing your fruits and veggies add a little apple cider vinegar to the water. The apple cider vinegar has a natural antibacterial agent that helps clean your produce, but make sure to dry them completely, moisture will make your fresh fruits and veggies go bad quicker. Store them in the jars or in airtight containers and keep refrigerated. 

   

MENU PLANNING EXPERIMENT:

For this coming week, take a look at the calendar and see which nights you’ll be cooking. Decide which nights you’ll need a quick, easy meal and which nights you’ll have more time to prepare dinner.  Then start your menu planning.

What new recipes have you been meaning to try? 

  • Write out the menu for each day’s meals.
  • Make a list of the ingredients you need to purchase, double-checking your pantry to ensure you have the spices or staples needed.
  • Decide which day you’ll go grocery shopping.   

 

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