The 5 Best Time-Saving Tips I Learned from Meal Prep TikTok

February 15, 2024

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Meal prep is a key skill in so many ways: It can save you time and money, it’s a stress reliever, it helps you avoid food waste. There are tons of tricks and techniques for making it easier, and one of the best sources is TikTok. Here are some of the smartest time- and money-saving tips I’ve learned from meal prep TikTok.

1. Buy in bulk

Not only is this a time-saving tip, but it can save serious cash, too. Buying food in bulk at large wholesale stores (like Costco) is often cheaper. Plus, purchasing larger amounts keeps you out of stores for a bit longer, saving you time and also money that might go into impulse buys.

If you need some inspo, there are lots of meal prep TikToks that are specific to Costco, Sam’s Club, and other bulk stores.

2. Prep outside the box

Meal prep usually involves choosing recipes and making them in advance, but prepping other foods is a gift you can give to future-you. For example, if you bought a pineapple and don’t plan on eating it soon, cut it up and stick it in the freezer. Or if you realized you didn’t need carrots for this week’s recipes and you bought a bunch, peel and chop them, then freeze half and refrigerate the rest for a quick side dish or salad. Cook some extra ground beef and freeze it, prepare a batch of quinoa or rice and freeze it. Be sure to label everything with what it is and the date, and factor what you have into meal prep in the weeks ahead.

3. Freeze meals

When you prep, divide meals into single-serve containers and freeze. Keeping meals in the freezer instead of the fridge means you don’t have to worry about anything going bad. Plus, having a stockpile of meals in the freezer makes your manic weekdays run smoother, and solves the nightly “what’s for dinner” dilemma. Pro tip: Instead of using up everything you prep for the week, set aside a meal or two in the freezer and keep it for a few weeks. That way, when it’s time to eat, you can choose from a few different batches and you won’t get bored.

4. Have the recipe at hand

It may seem obvious, but have a dedicated place where you gather your recipes, and when it’s time to cook, write them down or go to the place you’ve saved them on your phone or tablet. Personally, I prefer writing it down, because if it’s saved on my phone, the screen gets dark too quickly, and now I’m spending more time trying to unlock my phone again. If I have messy hands, then I need to wash them to open my phone. All that time and those extra steps add up. But whichever way works best for you, make sure the recipes are easily accessible. Having to search for them throughout your prep is a hassle and a time-waster.

5. Tune out the world

I get distracted easily. If I put on a Netflix show when meal prepping, thinking it’ll make the time go quicker, I end up stopping to watch the show instead. Or I’ll get a text and answer it mid-prep. When it’s time to meal prep, focus on the task so you can get it done quicker. Turn your phone on “do not disturb,” close the other tabs, and just cook (having music on in the background is ok).