Meal Prep - Making Batches!
Feel like you're cooking all the time? Check out this list of food that we make in batches - and then freeze or store in the fridge! Here are a few great recipes that you can make in batches - to eat for lunch all week, prep ahead and freeze, or invite the whole family over!
We’ve got all the food prep tips and recipes below… need some kitchen hacks to go along with it? Check out this article! Kitchen Hacks: Expert Tips for an Organized and Functional Kitchen
A few tips:
We like to have a variety of prepared options in the fridge or freezer - meal prep isn’t just for dinner! Muffins, salads, casseroles, soups - there are so many options!
Some people always meal prep on the same day. Sunday afternoon for example. We don’t have a meal prep “day” because our schedules are always changing. When bananas are ripe, we make banana muffins. When I have an hour to let granola bake in the kitchen, I’ll make that. If I’m making one lasagna for dinner, I’ll make two. I fit these “batch” items in as I have time!
So here are some of our favorites…
Keto Granola:
Recipe: www.simplefunketo.com/blog/ketogranola
Main Ingredients: Nuts and seeds, egg whites
Why we like this recipe: This recipe is super versatile and works as breakfast or a snack. We make a big batch and store it in the freezer! Perfect for low carb yogurt, or keep it Keto by eating like cereal with almond milk! Check out the list of nuts and seeds on the recipe… but be flexible! Sometimes we add in sunflower seeds, sometimes we don’t. No pepitas? Just add in extra pecans! Just keep the macros in mind as you sub things in and out. Generally nuts are higher carb and seeds are lower carb/higher fat!
Keto Beanless Chili:
Recipe: www.simplefunketo.com/blog/ketochili
Main Ingredients: Stew meat, ground beef, onion, zucchini, green pepper, red pepper, garlic, canned tomatoes, broth
Why we like this recipe: Ok, so this seems like a lot of ingredients, but trust me - it makes a huge batch and it’s delicious! Make it go even further by serving it over pork rinds, riced cauliflower or palmini noodles! We’ll often make it for dinner and then portion out the rest for freezer meals. It reheats great in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Another great way to pair this meal prep activity with another meal is to buy extra peppers and onions for fajitas! We skip tortillas and eat fajitas with just a fork and knife off our plates!
Low Carb Banana Muffins:
Recipe: www.simplefunketo.com/blog/bananamuffins
Main Ingredients: Bananas, almond flour, egg, butter, baking soda
Why we like this recipe: LOW CARB! Yes - this recipe uses real bananas and NO, bananas aren’t Keto. However, we know so many people who eat Keto… but the rest of their family may not. If you have kids at home, they’ll love this! This recipe avoids Keto sweeteners - which often turn away our non-keto family members! They come out to around 5 net carbs per muffin. Our daughters LOVE these as a snack (they freeze great and we reheat in the toaster) or even for lunch!
Chicken Salad:
Recipe: Keto Chicken Salad
Main Ingredients: Chicken, Avocado Mayo, Celery, Green Onions, Pecans, Mustard
Why we like this recipe: This recipe is for Chicken salad, but you could honestly do Tuna Salad, Egg salad, Broccoli Salad… so many options that are hearty enough for lunch! Pack it with a fork for lunch, roll it in a lettuce wrap or serve it on a chaffle bun! What goes in your chicken salad??
(Keep it nut free by omitting the pecans!)
Keto Oatmeal:
Recipe: Keto Oatmeal
Main Ingredients: Coconut or almond milk, cinnamon, shredded coconut, chia seeds, flaxseed meal, almond, pecan, hemp hearts, sweetener
Why we like this recipe: Breakfast with no eggs! And it’s a “dump” recipe that literally takes minutes. This Keto oatmeal is warm, nutty, with a hint of cinnamon … and better than the real thing! We make a batch for the week (you can even make a double or triple batch just as easy!) and portion it into 8oz mason jars. Keep in the fridge and enjoy for breakfast - or any time of the day!
Chia Seed Pudding:
Recipe: Chia Seed Pudding
Main Ingredients: Heavy Cream, Coconut and/or Almond milk, cinnamon, vanilla chia seeds, sweetener
Why we like this recipe: Similar to the oatmeal, this recipe is great to pre-portion in mini mason jars. It’s also a dump recipe plus the added benefit of no baking! We use the 8oz size and it works perfect for half cup servings. Store them in the fridge and you’ve got breakfast or a snack on the go!
