[PERSONAL PHOTO: Replace with your own photo of meal prep containers or a batch prep session]
I spent a month watching meal prep videos on YouTube. The promise was irresistible: spend a few hours on Sunday, and you’ll have meals for the entire week. No more daily cooking. No more decision fatigue. No more 6 PM panic.
So I tried it. For a month, I experimented with different batch prep methods. Some were genius. Most were garbage.
Here’s what actually worked—and what was a complete waste of time.
Why I Tried Batch Prepping
I was overwhelmed. Every day, I was making dinner from scratch. Planning, shopping, prepping, cooking, cleaning. It felt like a never-ending cycle.
I thought batch prepping would solve everything. I’d prep on Sunday, and the week would be smooth. I’d have meals ready. I’d have ingredients prepped. I’d have my life back.
It didn’t quite work out that way.
Week 1: Full Freezer Meals
The Method: Prep complete meals, freeze them, thaw and cook during the week.
What I Did:
- Sunday: 4 hours of prep
- Made 12 freezer meals
- Froze everything in bags and containers
- Thawed one meal each morning
What Worked:
- Having meals ready was great
- No daily cooking decisions
- Reduced weeknight stress
What Didn’t Work:
- 4 hours on Sunday was exhausting
- Freezer meals took forever to thaw
- Some meals didn’t freeze well (texture issues)
- We got tired of freezer meals after 2 weeks
- Defrosting was a daily chore I forgot about
Verdict: Too much work upfront, and the results weren’t great.
PERSONAL QUOTE PLACEHOLDER: “[Insert your own quote here, something like: ‘I thought freezer meals would solve everything. Turns out, spending 4 hours on Sunday just to have mediocre meals all week wasn’t the solution I was looking for.’]”
Week 2: Ingredient Prep Only
The Method: Prep ingredients (chopped vegetables, cooked proteins), assemble meals during the week.
What I Did:
- Sunday: 2 hours of prep
- Chopped all vegetables
- Cooked ground beef and chicken
- Portioned everything into containers
- Assembled meals each night
What Worked:
- Faster weeknight cooking
- Pre-chopped vegetables saved time
- Pre-cooked proteins were convenient
- Less prep work during the week
What Didn’t Work:
- Vegetables got soggy after a few days
- Some vegetables (like lettuce) can’t be prepped ahead
- Still had to cook and assemble each night
- Containers took up a lot of fridge space
Verdict: Better than freezer meals, but still had issues.
[PERSONAL PHOTO: Replace with your own photo of prepped ingredients in containers]
Week 3: Half-Done Meals
The Method: Prep components (marinated meats, pre-made sauces), finish cooking during the week.
What I Did:
- Sunday: 90 minutes of prep
- Marinated meats
- Made sauces and dressings
- Prepped some side dishes
- Finished meals during the week
What Worked:
- Marinated meats were more flavorful
- Pre-made sauces saved time
- Less work than full meal prep
- More flexibility than freezer meals
What Didn’t Work:
- Still required daily cooking
- Some components didn’t hold up well
- Marinated meats took up fridge space
Verdict: Better balance, but still felt like work.
Week 4: Hybrid Approach (My Final System)
The Method: Prep only what actually saves time, skip what doesn’t.
What I Do:
- Sunday: 30-45 minutes
- Cook ground beef in bulk (freeze in portions)
- Cook chicken in bulk (freeze in portions)
- Chop onions (store in fridge, use within 3 days)
- Wash and dry lettuce (store in paper towels)
- Make one batch item (like rice or pasta) if needed
What I Don’t Prep:
- Full meals (too much work, not flexible)
- Most vegetables (they get soggy)
- Everything (some things are better fresh)
Why It Works:
- Minimal time investment
- Actually saves time during the week
- Flexible and adaptable
- Realistic and sustainable
Verdict: This is what I still do. It’s the sweet spot.
PERSONAL QUOTE PLACEHOLDER: “[Insert your own quote here, something like: ‘When I stopped trying to prep everything and just focused on what actually saves time, meal prep became manageable. Now I prep for 30 minutes and save hours during the week.’]”
The Verdict: What’s Worth It
After a month of experimenting, here’s what actually saves time:
Cooked Ground Beef (Worth It)
Why: Ground beef takes time to cook and cool. Pre-cooking it saves 15-20 minutes per meal.
How: Cook 3-4 pounds at once, portion into freezer bags, freeze. Thaw as needed.
Time saved: 15-20 minutes per meal
Cooked Chicken (Worth It)
Why: Chicken takes time to cook. Pre-cooking it saves 20-30 minutes per meal.
How: Cook 3-4 pounds at once (roast or crockpot), shred or dice, portion into freezer bags, freeze. Thaw as needed.
Time saved: 20-30 minutes per meal
Chopped Onions (Worth It)
Why: Onions are used in almost everything. Pre-chopping saves 5 minutes per meal.
How: Chop 2-3 onions, store in airtight container in fridge, use within 3 days.
Time saved: 5 minutes per meal
Washed Lettuce (Worth It)
Why: Washing and drying lettuce is time-consuming. Pre-washing saves 10 minutes per meal.
How: Wash and dry lettuce, store in paper towels in a container, use within 3-4 days.
Time saved: 10 minutes per meal
[PERSONAL PHOTO: Replace with your own photo of pre-cooked proteins in freezer bags]
What’s Not Worth It
Here’s what I learned not to prep:
Most Full Freezer Meals (Not Worth It)
Why: Too much work upfront, texture issues, limited flexibility.
Exception: Casseroles and soups freeze well, but still require planning.
Pre-Portioned Everything (Not Worth It)
Why: Takes more time than it saves, creates more dishes, limits flexibility.
Exception: Snack portions for kids can be helpful.
Most Vegetables (Not Worth It)
Why: They get soggy, lose flavor, and don’t save much time.
Exception: Onions and peppers can be prepped, but use within 2-3 days.
Complete Meal Components (Not Worth It)
Why: Takes too much time, limits flexibility, some components don’t hold up well.
Exception: Rice and pasta can be prepped, but they’re quick to make fresh.
PERSONAL QUOTE PLACEHOLDER: “[Insert your own quote here, something like: ‘I wasted so much time prepping things that didn’t actually save time. Now I only prep what makes a real difference: cooked proteins and a few key ingredients.’]”
My Final Batch Prep System
Here’s what I actually do now:
Sunday (30-45 minutes):
- Cook 3-4 pounds of ground beef, portion, freeze
- Cook 3-4 pounds of chicken, portion, freeze
- Chop 2-3 onions, store in fridge
- Wash lettuce if needed
During the Week:
- Use pre-cooked proteins for quick meals
- Use pre-chopped onions for faster prep
- Use pre-washed lettuce for salads
- Cook everything else fresh
Time Investment: 30-45 minutes on Sunday Time Saved: 2-3 hours during the week
That’s it. Simple. Realistic. Sustainable.
The Real Lesson
After a month of experimenting, here’s what I learned:
Batch prepping isn’t about prepping everything. It’s about prepping what actually saves time and makes your life easier.
Not every prep method works for everyone. What works for Instagram influencers might not work for busy families.
Simple is better than complicated. A 30-minute prep session that saves 2 hours is better than a 4-hour prep session that saves 3 hours but leaves you exhausted.
Sustainability matters. If you can’t maintain it, it’s not a good system.
Making It Work for You
If you want to try batch prepping, here’s my advice:
-
Start small: Don’t try to prep everything. Pick 2-3 items that would actually save you time.
-
Track your time: How long does prep take? How much time does it save? Is it worth it?
-
Experiment: Try different methods. See what works for your family.
-
Be realistic: Don’t prep things that don’t actually save time or improve your life.
-
Adjust as needed: What works this week might not work next week. Be flexible.
The Bottom Line
Batch prepping can save time—but only if you prep the right things. Don’t try to prep everything. Don’t follow Instagram trends blindly. Just prep what actually makes your life easier.
For me, that’s cooked proteins and a few key ingredients. For you, it might be different.
Find what works for you. Keep it simple. Make it sustainable.
Want a realistic batch prep guide? Download our Realistic Batch Prep Guide—a simple system for prepping what actually saves time, without the Instagram hype.
[Download the Batch Prep Guide →]
Do you batch prep? What works (or doesn’t work) for you? Share your experience in the comments!
