Cooking Made Easy: 9 Time-Saving Tips & Strategies
We recognize that cooking can sometimes feel overwhelming and exhausting. We are here to help you make cooking easier, quicker, and more enjoyable so that you can stay focused on reaching your goals without getting burnt out by the process. In this article, we will provide you with tips and strategies to streamline your meal planning and preparation, saving you time and energy.
1. PLAN YOUR MEALS IN ADVANCE
Take a few minutes each week to plan your meals ahead of time. Consider your schedule, dietary preferences, and nutritional needs. By having a clear meal plan, you can avoid last-minute decisions and reduce the stress of figuring out what to cook each day.
Helpful tips:
Set aside a specific time each week for meal planning. This dedicated time will help you stay consistent and organized.
Use a meal planning template or app to jot down your meal ideas and create a grocery list based on your plan.
>>> Check out this blog post for more grocery shopping tips: Painless Grocery Shopping Strategies
2. BATCH COOKING
Spend a dedicated block of time on a specific day to prepare larger quantities of food. Cook multiple servings of your favorite recipes and staple foods and store them in the fridge or freezer. This way, you'll have ready-made meals or prepped ingredients that can be quickly assembled when you're short on time.
Helpful tips:
Choose recipes that can easily be scaled up and freeze well. Soups, stews, and casseroles are great options.
Invest in high-quality food storage containers or freezer bags to ensure your batch-cooked meals stay fresh and organized.
Label and date your stored meals for easy identification and to keep track of their freshness.
One of our favorite ways to “meal prep” is to cook a few different foods in bulk (ex. chicken and beef, rice and potatoes, brussels sprouts and bell peppers) and build meals with those individual pre-cooked ingredients throughout the week.
>>> Check out this blog post for a detailed explanation on how to bulk prep for your meal prep: The Easy Way to “Meal Prep”
3. PREPARE SOME OF YOUR MEALS AHEAD OF TIME
Prepare meals such as breakfast or lunch in advance and store them in small containers in the fridge so you can grab them on your way out of the house.
Helpful tips:
Choose meals that can be easily packed in individual portions and can withstand being refrigerated for a few days without compromising taste or texture.
Consider preparing overnight oats, egg muffins, mason jar salads, or pre-portioned smoothie ingredients to make your mornings hassle-free.
Experiment with make-ahead freezer-friendly meals like breakfast burritos or baked oatmeal cups for longer-term meal prep.
4. TIME-SAVING GADGETS & COOKING METHODS
Invest in kitchen gadgets that can simplify your cooking process. Tools like slow cookers, pressure cookers, food processors, or multi cookers can help you prepare meals with minimal effort and time. Opt for quick cooking methods like broiling, microwaving, stir-frying, and pressure cooking.
Helpful tips:
Identify the cooking tasks that take up the most time and research gadgets that can streamline those processes. For example, a food processor can quickly chop vegetables, while a pressure cooker can reduce cooking times for beans and grains.
Explore versatile cooking methods like stir-frying, which allows you to cook a variety of ingredients quickly in a single pan while preserving their flavors and textures.
Experiment with time-saving cooking techniques like meal prepping in the slow cooker, where you can set it and forget it, allowing the flavors to develop while you’re away from home or focused on other tasks.
5. ONE-POT MEALS & SHEET PAN DINNERS
Opt for recipes that can be cooked in a single pot or on a sheet pan. These dishes minimize the number of dishes you need to clean and often require less preparation and cooking time. Stir-fries, casseroles, and sheet pan roasted vegetables with protein are excellent options.
Helpful tips:
Look for one-pot or one-pan recipes that combine protein, vegetables, and grains or starches. These recipes simplify your cooking process and reduce the cleanup afterward.
Experiment with flavor profiles and ingredients to keep your one-pot meals interesting and varied. Explore different herbs, spices, and sauces to add depth and excitement to your dishes.
When preparing sheet pan dinners, ensure that the ingredients are cut into similar sizes to ensure even cooking. Consider using parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
Pinterest is a great resource when looking for specific types of recipes!
6. PREP INGREDIENTS IN ADVANCE
Spend some time on the weekend or during downtime to prep ingredients for meals in advance. For example, chop vegetables or marinate meat so that they are ready to use during the week.
Helpful tips:
Dedicate a specific time each week for ingredient prep. Wash, peel, and chop vegetables, slice fruits, or marinate proteins in advance.
Store prepped ingredients in airtight containers or resealable bags to maintain their freshness and prevent cross-contamination.
Consider using specialized kitchen tools like vegetable choppers or mandolines to speed up the prep process and achieve consistent results.
7. CHOOSE CONVENIENCE PRODUCTS
You can also utilize convenience products like pre-cut vegetables, pre-washed greens, or pre-portioned protein sources. While they may be slightly more expensive, they can significantly cut down on prep time and make cooking feel less daunting.
Helpful tips:
Keep a variety of convenience products in your fridge and pantry to use as shortcuts for meal preparation. This can include pre-cut fruits and vegetables, pre-washed salad greens, or pre-cooked grains.
Read ingredient labels and choose convenience products that align with your nutrition goals and specific dietary needs.
Balance convenience with cost. While convenience products can save time, they may not always align with your budget.
>>> Check out this blog post for a list of convenience products that can help you cut down on time: No Prep Food Prep
8. PRE-PACKAGED MEAL KITS
Consider utilizing pre-packaged meal kits that provide pre-measured ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes. While they may be more expensive than cooking from scratch, they can be a helpful alternative when you're short on time or lack inspiration.
Helpful tips:
Research different meal kit services and choose one that aligns with your dietary preferences and offers a variety of recipes.
Consider the number of servings and frequency of deliveries that suit your lifestyle. Some services offer flexibility in terms of meal selection and delivery schedules.
Customize the pre-packaged meal kits by adding your own twist, such as additional vegetables or spices, to make them more personalized and suited to your taste.
9. CLEAN AS YOU GO
While cooking, try to clean up as you go. Wash utensils, cutting boards, and bowls as soon as you're finished with them, and wipe down counters and stovetops regularly. This time-saving habit reduces the amount of cleaning required at the end of your cooking session and makes the overall process more efficient.
Helpful tips:
Utilize downtime while waiting for ingredients to cook to wash dishes and utensils, keeping your workspace clutter-free.
Cooking doesn't have to be a tiresome chore that drains your energy. By implementing these tips and strategies, you can make the process of meal planning and preparation easier and quicker. Remember, the goal is to simplify your cooking routine so that it aligns with your health and wellness goals without causing burnout. Experiment with different approaches, find what works best for you, and don't hesitate to seek support from a coach. We’re here to help you make cooking a more enjoyable and sustainable part of your lifestyle.