Cooking at home can be joyful, but juggling daily meals with a busy schedule isn’t always easy. That’s where meal prepping comes in — a simple way to save time, reduce food waste, and enjoy stress-free cooking throughout the week.

Why Meal Prep?

Meal prepping isn’t just about saving time. It helps you:

  • Plan balanced meals and reduce last-minute stress.
  • Cut down on food waste by buying only what you need.
  • Save money by avoiding takeaways and impulse buys.
  • Enjoy healthier meals, even on your busiest days.
Meal Prep Chinese Garlic Chicken Salad Recipe by Thiskidlovesink
I’ve started gyming again a few times a week so I prepare my lunches in advance so that I have something to look forward to after working out at lunch time 🙂these are quick and easy meals!
CookpadThiskidlovesink
Meal Prep: Beef Stroganoff Recipe by debbyactuallycooks
#mycookbook
Cookpaddebbyactuallycooks

How to Start Meal Prepping

Getting started doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Follow these steps to ease into the habit:

1. Choose Your Recipes

Think about the meals you enjoy most, and which ones reheat or store well. Soups, stews, pasta sauces, and grain bowls are all great choices.

2. Shop Smart

Write a shopping list based on your plan. Buying in bulk or focusing on seasonal ingredients can save money and add variety.

3. Cook in Batches

Set aside a couple of hours to prepare multiple dishes at once. Cooking proteins, grains, and roasted vegetables in advance makes weekday meals much quicker.

4. Store Safely

Use airtight containers and label them clearly. Divide portions for easy grab-and-go lunches or quick dinners.

Breakfast Wraps (Meal Prep) Recipe by Sean McBride
Breakfast has never been so easy! Easy breakfast wrap recipe. Ideal to batch make in advance, freeze and reheat in the morning!
CookpadSean McBride
🍣🍫Granola Bars🍫🍣 Recipe by Irum Zaidi Home Cooking
Everything in one bowl and that’s it. You can use my “extras” or invent your own. Some suggestions: chopped almonds, walnuts, pecans or peanuts, dried blueberries, cherries, cranberries or raisins & chocolate chips.
CookpadIrum Zaidi Home Cooking

Make Meal Prep Easier with Cookpad Premium

If you’d like a little extra help in the kitchen, Cookpad Premium makes meal planning and cooking feel simpler. With Premium you can quickly find the community’s most popular recipes, save unlimited favorites, and use advanced filters to narrow your search. It’s a great way to discover trusted ideas and save time while keeping your weekly meal prep inspiring and stress-free.

Boiled Broccoli With Shio Konbu And Mayonnaise 🥦 Batch Cooking Idea 💡 Recipe by Kanaaneko
If you can find Japanese “Shio konbu(塩こんぶ)”, salted kelp seaweed seasoned with soy sauce, mirin and sugar, then please try this recipe! I added a bit of mayonnaise too. It’s a simple and delicious way to enjoy broccoli 🥦
CookpadKanaaneko

Tips for Keeping It Flexible

Meal prepping doesn’t mean eating the same dish every day. Mix and match ingredients, freeze portions for later, and allow space for spontaneous cooking. The goal is to support your lifestyle, not restrict it.

Healthy Beginner Meal Prep Chicken Recipe by Tuan A. Pham
One of my very first meal-prep attempt
CookpadTuan A. Pham
Overnight Oats 4 Ways Recipe by Kiron Ahsan
Overnight oats have been popular for few years, but it has been around for a century. Its actually more of a rediscovery of Swiss physician and nutritionist Maximilian Oskar Bircher-Brenner developed in 1902 as Apfeldiätspeise – as a dietary meal based on apples (actually it was meant as dinner) for…
CookpadKiron Ahsan

Get Inspired to Cook Every Day

Meal prep helps you feel organised and motivated, but inspiration is key to keeping the habit alive. With Cookpad, you’ll always find new recipes to try, whether you’re cooking ahead for the week or preparing something fresh tonight.

We hope you enjoy it! Don’t forget to send us your meal prep Cooksnap photos, we’d love to see how you get on 📸