Why should I meal prep?

Meal prepping makes life easier! It helps cut down on food waste, saves time, and reduces the temptation to eat out, helping you save money. Plus, you get to enjoy homemade meals every day without the hassle of preparing food daily.

Plan Your Meals

Start by planning out your meals for the week. This ensures you only buy what you need and makes budgeting easier.

Think about meals that are easy to prepare, like pasta and stir-fries. Try to pick recipes that use similar ingredients to reduce food waste. For example, rice can be used in chilli's, curries, and stir fries. Check out our recipes page for inspiration.

Choose nutrient dense foods that keep you energised and full, such as carbohydrates, lean proteins, fruits, and veggies.

Once you’ve chosen your meals, make a list of all the ingredients you need and check your kitchen to see what you already have. Read our blog on Food Shopping on a Budget to help you with your shopping list.

Need more inspiration?

Check out @beatthebudget in Instagram

Check out @beatthebudget in Instagram for balanced budget recipes such as this £20 weekly prep and a recipe that makes 5 lunches for a fiver.

Meal Prep containers

Freezer with lunch boxes of food prep.

Get batch cooking

Prep large batches to make your meals last a few days. If following a recipe that serves 2, double the amount of ingredients.

Store your food correctly

Divide your meals into microwave-safe, airtight containers that are the right size for your meals.

If you’re planning to freeze portions, make sure use freezer-friendly containers and defrost safely when it’s time to eat.