3 Meal Prep Tips From the Pros

Let’s face it: We don’t all have time to plan the perfect dinners, put together all the ingredients and create five-star meals for our families. Sometimes hot dogs or cold cereal are on the dinner menu… and that’s perfectly normal. (If you need help, either for yourself or a loved one, Mack Maids offers cooking services as well as house cleaning services that can help relieve some of the pressure you’re under.)

But there are a few things you can do to make planning, preparing and serving meals a lot easier – and they don’t take much extra time at all.

3 Meal Prep Tips From the Pros

You can lighten your workload by following these three simple meal prep tips.

#1: Cook Once for Multiple Meals

Professional chefs know that planning ahead is the key to successful, simplified meal prep, so that’s your first step. Think about whether you can cook more of what you’re already cooking so it’s easier later in the week (or next week, provided there’s room in your freezer). This works especially well for proteins, like beef, chicken, turkey and pork, as well as soups, lasagna and more.

You can even cook extra with the express purpose of packing lunches the next day.

#2: Make Easy Snacks Once a Week

Put a dozen eggs in to boil early in the week so you have ready-made snacks that last. Portion out strawberries, grapes or veggies in bags, and stick them in the fridge where anyone can grab what they need. Cube cheese, pour bite-sized crackers into bags or set aside other snackables where they’re easy to access and won’t cost you time by making a trip into the kitchen every time someone wants something.

#3: Establish a Better Relationship With Your Slow-Cooker

Slow-cooker recipes are some of the easiest to work with and often require minimal prep time. (Want to make chili? Use one can each of pinto beans, black beans and kidney beans, not drained, and add browned beef or turkey. Pour in a jar of your favorite salsa and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours and you’re all set.) You can get more easy slow-cooker recipes from Food Network, too.

Do You Need Help?

Sometimes, no matter how many tips and tricks we try, we just can’t get ahead of the game.

That’s where Mack Maids comes in.

We can help prepare meals to keep your family fed when you’re too busy, and our rates are exceptional. Call us at 910-725-3226 (North Carolina), 706-256-8770 (Georgia), or 843-491-5526 (South Carolina). If it’s easier, simply get in touch with us online for your free quote on our cooking services and housekeeping services.