Right about now your thoughts might be drifting off to how you will enjoy your carefree summer days. Then smack! The reality of your kids being out of school for the summer slams you right back to reality.

How is it that your days are more hectic than ever? There’s camp, playdates, trips to the park or the beach, sport practices and evening games. Schlepping, not sun salutation is the name of the game.

By the end of a jam packed active day, summer dinners can be an impossible and unwelcome task perpetually stuck on your to do list. The last thing you want to do is spend time in the kitchen preparing healthy and delicious meals from scratch every night while the sun still is out or when there are fireflies to catch with your kids. 

I have a secret to share that will get your dinner done,  get you out of the kitchen quickly and get you on your way to your summer fun zone in no time at all.

What is Batch Cooking?

The key to putting together tasty and nutritious meals when you’re short on time is Batch Cooking. 

Batch cooking is your secret weapon for preparing multiple meals or meal components all at once. Instead of scrambling every evening, you set aside some time either in advance, or when you are cooking a meal to cook up larger portions of some or all of the proteins, grains, veggies, and/or sauces in any given meal. These  extra prepared ingredients become building blocks for a variety of dishes throughout the week.

By dedicating some focused cooking time upfront, you can eliminate the stress of preparing meals on busy weeknights and ensure that healthy and homemade options are readily available.

It’s like having your own homemade meal stash ready to go whenever you need it!

The Benefits of Batch Cooking

Let’s be honest. Batch cooking requires a little planning. Not a lot, but definitely some thought needs to go in to it. And even if you don’t do elaborate meal planning, once you have an idea of what you’ll be batch cooking for the week and how you’ll use it or repurpose it, you’ll already be ahead of the game.

You will not just know what you want to cook, you will also know when you are going to eat it. In other words, you won’t be eating mindlessly anymore. You won’t need to hit the drive thru because you are starving and exhausted and don’t know what you will fix, there will be no more grabbing snacks because there doesn’t seem to be anything else in the house, and most importantly you won’t be wandering aimlessly around the grocery store for hours – allowing foods that aren’t healthy to sneak into your cart. When you know what you are going to make, you know what you will be shopping for, allowing you to get in and out of the store quickly.

Here are some other benefits to batch cooking:

1. Time and Effort Savings: Batch cooking is all about maximizing your time. By cooking in larger batches, you’ll spend less time overall in the kitchen during the week. Say goodbye to slaving over a hot stove every night, and hello to more “me” time!

       2. Stress Reduction: No more head-scratching moments when you’re trying to decide what’s for dinner. With batch cooking, you’ve got meals or components at the ready. It takes the stress out of the equation and lets you unwind after a long day, knowing a delicious meal is just a reheating step away.

        3. Health and Nutrition: Take control of your diet with batch cooking. Whip up nutritious meals using quality ingredients and avoid relying on processed options. With batch cooking, you have the power to create balanced, homemade meals bursting with flavor and nourishment. 

       4. Cost-Effective: Batch cooking can also save you some hard-earned cash. Buying ingredients in bulk and using them efficiently means less wasted food and more money in your pocket. Plus, having tasty homemade meals on hand reduces the temptation to order takeout or dine out frequently.

Batch Cooking Recipes and Ideas

So what kinds of foods can you make in advance? Believe it or not there are plenty. Here are some ideas.

1. Recipe: Grilled Chicken, Roasted Vegetables, and Quinoa Batch Cook:

 Grill a batch of chicken breasts, roast a tray of seasonal vegetables, and cook a pot of quinoa. 

Meal Ideas: Assemble a hearty chicken and vegetable grain bowl with quinoa as the base. Use the grilled chicken as a protein topping for salads, wraps, or sandwiches. Combine the roasted vegetables with the quinoa for a satisfying side dish or stuff them into pita pockets for a portable lunch.

      2. Recipe: Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Batch Cook: 

Slow cook a large pork shoulder with flavorful spices and a tangy barbecue sauce.

Meal Ideas: Enjoy pulled pork sandwiches on crusty rolls, paired with coleslaw and pickles. Use the pulled pork as a filling for tacos or enchiladas. Incorporate it into a nourishing grain bowl with brown rice, black beans, and fresh toppings like avocado and cilantro.

3.   Recipe: Teriyaki Glazed Salmon, Steamed Broccoli, and Quinoa Batch Cook: 

           Prepare a batch of teriyaki-glazed salmon fillets, steam a large batch of broccoli florets,     and cook a pot of quinoa.

Meal Ideas: Serve the teriyaki-glazed salmon over a bed of quinoa with steamed broccoli on the side. Transform the leftovers into a salmon and broccoli stir-fry by quickly sautéing them with soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. Use the cooked quinoa as a base for a vibrant grain salad with added vegetables, herbs, and a zesty lemon dressing.

      4. Recipe: Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili Batch Cook: 

Make a large pot of black bean and sweet potato chili, seasoned with aromatic spices and rich tomato sauce.

 Meal Ideas: Enjoy a comforting bowl of chili with your favorite toppings, such as avocado, cilantro, and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt. Use the chili as a filling for loaded sweet potatoes, stuffing the cooked sweet potatoes with the flavorful bean mixture. Repurpose the chili by incorporating it into quesadillas or enchiladas, combining it with shredded cheese and wrapping it in tortillas before baking.

Get ready to level up your meal prep game with batch cooking! It’s the ultimate time-saver, stress-reducer, and wallet-friendly approach to meal planning. Embrace these recipes and ideas, and you’ll find yourself breezing through the week with homemade meals at your fingertips.

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Looking for some quick and easy food prep hacks to get you out of the kitchen faster? You’ll find them HERE

Tired Of Being Bored With Your  Weeknight Dinner Routine?

🤔 We all know how hard it is to constantly come up with healthy meal ideas …  and then find the time to actually cook them!

That’s exactly why I put together this ridiculously easy- Tasty Sauces, Marinades and Salad Dressings Recipe Guide. It will help you add oomph and variety to  your dinner routine in no time flat.

These recipes will work with almost every type of diet … all you have to do is choose the ingredients based on your tastes and preferences!

Want a copy? Just click below and tell me where to send it. Grab your free digital copy now!  ⬇️⬇️