Meal Planning 101 – The How
Part two of our meal planning 101 series – the how! Including a detailed look into my meal planning system, featuring plenty of tips and tricks to keep you on track, save time and money, and reduce food waste.
So now that we’ve covered the why part of meal planning, let’s move on to the really good stuff.
The making it happen part – which means I can tell you all about my crazy organizational tendencies. I’m going to walk you through exactly how I meal plan (and share some tips along the way!).
Now. Keep in mind that this is what works for me. My obsessive self absolutely loves my system and I personally think it’s totally awesome.
But! Do what works for you. Adjust it or maybe just take away a few little tidbits. Go with whatever is going to make it happen for you.
Because you definitely want to make meal planning happen. It’s fun – so fun! I promise, cross my heart.
So let’s do this. Grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair and let’s talk about my meal planning system.
1. Pick your day for meal planning
Decide what day of the week is going to be your meal planning day of fun (it won’t take a whole day, don’t worry). And then stick to it. The only time I ever change the day is if we are out of town.
I even put it on my calendar every week – “make meal plan / grocery list.” Not kidding. This way there is no forgetting. No excuses.
I also always plan to shop the day after I make my grocery list. That also goes on my calendar (I completely love my planner, what can I say).
2. Assess your week
Take a good look at your calendar, with a few things in mind:
- How many meals will you be making at home? Do you have plans to meet friends on Friday for dinner? Take that day off your list of needed meals. Or just build in one free day each week. Whatever works for you.
- How busy are you this week? Is it a week where you definitely need lots of easy, super fast meals? Or do you have time to make something a little more involved?
- Are you being realistic? This one is big for me. I have a little problem with being overly ambitious. Psssh, so I have a jam packed day and won’t be home till 8pm. I can soooo make that trillion step dinner and dessert. Um, no. I try to save those types of meals for the weekend. But need to remind myself of this often. Very often.
3. Pick your recipes
I start with dinner first. I pick recipes and then assign them to specific days of the week.
If I know there will be leftovers from each of those dinners, that automatically takes care of lunch for the next day (or more, depending). If there won’t be leftovers, I pick something to make for lunch (usually just one recipe that I make for the week).
Lastly, I think about breakfast, snacks and sometimes dessert. I decide what we’ll have that week and write it down as well.
And with that I give you…. drum roll please…
Meal Planning Tips & Tricks
Use a template for each week.
For example:
- Monday = taco or mexican night
- Tuesday = pasta or italian food night
- Wednesday = big salad night
- Thursday = soup night
- Friday = pizza night
- Saturday = asian night
- Sunday = crockpot meal night
This makes it so easy to just plug in recipes and helps give you a variety of dishes. It also gives you a good place to start if you feel stuck one week.
And change it up! You don’t need to stick to that exact schedule but it helps get the ideas flowing! If you really want soup twice that week, I say go for it.
Keep a running list of recipes during the week.
Write down anything that sounds good or that randomly pops into your head (if you’re always thinking about food like me).
I actually keep a draft in my gmail that I use to jot things down as they come to mind.
That way, come meal planning day, I usually have at least something I already want to make. This is especially true if you read tons and tons of food blogs and everything constantly makes you drool.
Check out your pantry / fridge / freezer.
Is there anything that needs to be used up? Find recipes that will put those items to use.
What produce and other items will go bad first?
When you are assigning meals to specific days, think about any ingredients that will expire quickly.
Schedule those meals toward the beginning of the week so they don’t go to waste.
Make reminders to yourself as you go.
As you are assigning meals to days, make notes if there’s anything that will need to be defrosted. Or if you need to start something in the crockpot before work one day.
Put those in your calendar now so you don’t forget.
Check out any sales or coupons from your local stores.
Work them into your menu for the week. Since I’m always testing recipes for the blog, this one isn’t as helpful for me.
But, I still make sure I bring any coupons for items I’m planning to buy!
Is your week balanced?
Make sure your week is balanced.
Too many dishes with loads of cheese? Switch out a recipe for something a bit more healthy. Making pulled pork? Make sure you also include a side dish for that night!
And now getting back to my meal planning system…
4. Make your shopping list
Gather / pull up all your recipes for the week.
Take your time and go through them all slowlyyyyy, writing down exactly what you need.
If you think you already have enough honey or flour or whatever, just go double check to be sure. You’ll thank me later.
Add any random items that you need. For us – I always add coffee and milk. They are just staples that aren’t necessarily for a recipe but that I know I need in the house.
5. Shop and stick to the list
Bring your list with you.
Stick to it. Cross things off as you go.
And if you’re completely anal like me – right before you check out, pull over the cart so you’re out of the way and double check to make sure you have everything on the list. Then run back down an aisle to get what you forgot.
6. Unpack and organize that fridge
As soon as I get home, I freeze anything that may go bad before I use it (like meats).
I also try to wash any fruits so they can just be pulled out for snacking during the week. This doesn’t always happen.
I ALWAYS put everything in the correct “place.” Yes, I have a system for organizing my fridge. It makes life so easy friends!
7. Smile because you are awesome
And because meal planning is fun. So fun.
And go ahead and write your weekly menu up on your chalkboard (that may just be me). But really, the chalkboard holds me accountable. Something about it makes me want to stick to my plan.
It also alleviates questions from the husband about what’s for dinner.
Also, please clean your chalkboard better than I do. It’s a little streaky.
I do promise that if you stick with it, over time meal planning really will become routine. You’ll barely even think twice about it anymore. It just happens.
Seriously, without meal planning, I’d be a giant mess. I’d be that lady wandering around the grocery store for hours trying to decide what on earth to buy. And no, I’m not kidding. Okay, maybe a little.
I have one more post for you on Friday on this awesome topic … are you excited??
Cheers to meal planning! And a super long post. I clearly talk too much.
Great tips!!! Thank you so much! I love your chalk board, may I ask where you got it or how you made it?
Thanks so much Stacy! Of course! Here’s the link: http://www.ballarddesigns.com/beadboard-message-boards/272172 (I have the size small but they have lots of other sizes too. Mine is the rubbed black finish (and the chalkboard style, obviously!). I wish I was more crafty and made it myself 🙂
…perfect! Just what I was looking for. This is what comes of mostly only ever reading your site through my reader – I miss/overlook extra/older resources like these – doh!
Thank you, and bon appetit!
haha I’m so glad you found it! And hope it is helpful! Have a great rest of the weekend!
found your blog through browneyedbaker, and i must say, these meal planning posts are genius! i’m such a sucker for organizing. 🙂
Thanks Elin! Oh gosh me too. I love organizing (and talking about organizing!) lol
I like that idea of picking themes for each night. That’s a great way too add more variety into your meals, and make sure you’re not having the same things over and over again.
Can you do a post on how you organize your fridge? It looks lovely.
That’s a great idea Julie! I’ve been thinking about doing something on pantry organization so that would be perfect combined!
OMG, you and I share that rare OCD gene that expresses itself via meal planning. Obsessive meal planning. Everything you do, I do. And I have a note in my phone with recipes I want to make that is like 25 deep, ha! I have NO IDEA how people function without meal planning! When I ask someone, ‘so, what are you doing for dinner tonight?’ and their answer is something like ‘I am not sure yet…’ and it’s 6 pm… my brain wants to explode for them. SO glad I am not the only one who does this! Some of my friends make me feel like a freak… but then again, I’m having homemade ceviche for dinner and they’re in the Chick-fil-A drive thru so… I think I win 🙂 Thanks for this series! I should do something on my blog!
haha I love it! Oh I know – I am constantly trying to get family / friends (my mom in particular) to start meal planning! And see how awesome it is 🙂
What a great post! I need to get better about meal planning because I go to the store far far too often! My produce always ends up going bad by the end of the week so I like the thought of strategizing meals to utilize the more spoil-prone veggies first!
I looove meal planning and all this organization! Now to just do it more than once every 3 months…LOVE this post, Ashley, you’ve re-inspired me!
Pleassseeee come over and help me with my meal planning! Heehee. Though I am sort of on the same track as you, I should definitely look into those “theme” nights for dinner ideas! I am loving this little series, Ashley!
haha I’d love to come help with meal planning!!
Time to go do some meal planning. . . 😉 Love how practical this post is Ashley!
Ashley, these meal planning posts are amazing. Like, I needed to read them so badly! We’ve been discussing meal planning at my house, but have never really started it. I love all of your tips and all the organization! I’m definitely going to have to get a planner. Can’t wait to read more! 🙂
Yesss the planner is so helpful!
This is AWESOME!!! You are totally my idol!
haha 🙂
I want to live at your house, Ashley! ; ) It looks like such a calm, organized haven. I love your tips and I’m trying to digest all the great info. you gave. I have lots to think about. I’m just curious – are you able to essentially stick to your plan for the week? I find myself changing my meal plans and moving dates around all the time. I guess I’m not sitting down and really nailing it down…it’s more like jotting when I have a moment. Your methods are so methodical and just great! I love it!
haha well thank you! I am! Once I plan everything for the week I just sort of stop thinking about it (and then any new things I want to try, etc. just go on my list of ideas for the following week! which in a weird way gets me even more excited to make them! lol). Occasionally I will change days of meals if something comes up, but for the most part I just leave it alone once it goes on the chalkboard! 🙂
I guess I am the only one who doesn’t do the menu planning. I cook whatsoever I have in the fridge and pantry. You have some really great tips, Ashley.
Can I please just hire you to come over and do all the planning for me?! I’m halfway joking… It is funny because I feel like I don’t have any time to be organized like this, but I’m sure it would actually end up saving me a ton of time! It would also save me a few Chipotle dinner runs when I’m too lazy to cook and don’t have anything in the cupboard. I think it would be really helpful and save me some money if I did some more meal planning, hopefully one of these days! I love reading these posts, they are really motivational 🙂
haha I would totally love to come plan your meals!
First of all, how do you keep your fridge so clean? I’m embarrassed by mine how looks! 😉 Also I’m amazed by how organized you are here. I’ve been wanting to meal plan forever!
I love this because I am such a fan of meal planning and love hearing how other people do it! I have never thought if having consistent themes for each night of the week, but it is such a great idea for when I can’t think of meals to make!
I have been doing this for years. It saves money and time. I moved out of the city and I can’t run to the grocery store easily. Great post!
I use one that I found on Etsy! This is the shop that I bought it from but it looks like it’s closed for a bit… https://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetTeaPaperie
Awesome awesome post! Loved reading these tips. Yes to washing the fruit before hand – my lil guy is a fruit monster and I can’t tell you how many times a day I’m cutting him some fruit so that definitely helps haha. Now all I need to do is just pick a day to plan my meals and narrow down the list of recipes I want to make because I can be overly ambitious too 😉 Haha and my absolute favorite tip is #7 – I’ve already mastered that part so now I’m excited for Friday’s post 🙂
Thanks friend! haha I love it 🙂
Wow Ashley that was super helpful! I need to start meal planning now because I’m helping someone adjust to a new eating plan and this couldn’t have come at a better time! By the way that is SO me running back to the aisle to pick up what I forgot haha.
Ha! I hate when I have to do it! But yet it seems to happen fairly often… lol
Wow, what a great post! I have always meal planned and I can’t imagine it any other way. I meal plan on Thursdays, shop on Fridays and then have the whole week planned ahead. Your tips are great!
I truly loved this run-down, Ashley….you are WAAAAAYYY more organized than I am. HOWEVER, I’m going to make it my mission to do better with meal planning and I know that will make for a happier me! 🙂
Yeaaaaa I’m a crazy organized type of person … to the point where it may be a tad bit excessive 🙂
Girl, I truly love this post! I even have a super cute recipe planner, but just haven’t gotten into the swing of things to sit down and do it yet, I don’t know why…it would clearly make life A LOT EASIER! Definitely going to use your super helpful tips and tricks, fantastic post!
I’m loving these posts! I also organize my fridge so that everything has a place. Brandon is not allowed to unload the groceries because he always puts stuff in the wrong spot which drives me nuts, ha!
When it comes to cooking during the week, I usually pick really quick and easy things which makes it hard for me to recipe test for the blog but what can I say, I really like my exercise and my sleep. But I never thought to designate each day for a certain kind of meal- that’s brilliant! Takes the guess work right out of it!
haha oh man, when my husband tries to put things away I can never find anything!
AWESOME tips Ashley – Gah – now I know what I am doing wrong – I think about breakfast and snacks first! And I think I need to print these words “Are you being realistic?” out and stick ’em to my refrigerator!
haha I should probably do the same thing!
I found this super helpful! Thanks for the tips and information!
I love these meal planning posts, Ashley! I am a lot like you when it comes to the planning part. I always make my lists on Saturdays and plan from there. And whenever I go grocery shopping, I immediately come home and organize the fridge, because I’m such a neat freak! Thanks for sharing these tips!
I love these posts Ashley! We do a ton of things similarly, but lots of new tips and tricks for me to try 🙂 I love that you wash your produce after the store – that’s the one thing that would make the week go so much easier but I never seem to do it! And love that last tip 🙂
Thanks friend! haha I couldn’t help myself with that one 🙂
All great tips Ashley. I love organizing in the kitchen too, saves time, money and frustration as you carefully outline!
I especially loved the point of washing fresh fruits and veggies as soon as they come home, so when I’m getting the kids plates ready, I don’t have to wash and stop. Blah. Plus, they always complain about wet fruit! Great point about assessing what’s going bad first fruit or veggies wise first- and using it up! I hate to waste food and know you do to. It’s just too darn expensive to waste!
Great point too about freezing meats right away, it’s easy enough to defrost but you don’t want to run the risk of letting it sit in the fridge too long before using and potentially getting sick. Awesome post!
Thanks Laura! The immediate washing really helps whenever I make myself do it! Makes it so much easier for snacking! And the freezing – I sooo learned the hard way when I bought meat and it went bad by the end of the week (and the wasting it killssss me!!)