Want to know how to create a monthly meal plan your entire family will love? In this video, I’m walking you through the exact process I use to create a meal plan that not only satisfies my family’s taste buds, but also helps me save money on groceries, too. I don’t know about you, but I love any savings that can help me achieve my greater financial goals.
Links from this Video
Monthly Meal Planning Calendar
How to Create a Monthly Meal Plan You’ll Love
Note: The following is a summary of the points made in the video and not a full transcript of the video.
Step 1: Take Inventory
Before diving into meal planning, it’s important to know what you already have in your pantry, fridge, and freezer. Creating an inventory helps prevent food waste and ensures you utilize ingredients you already own.
Tip: Use this worksheet to help you categorize items and mark off what you plan to use for meals.
Step 2: Utilize Batch Cooking
One of the keys to efficient meal planning is batch cooking. By preparing larger quantities of meals and freezing portions for later use, you can save time and reduce the temptation to dine out on busy days. We love recipes like chicken stir fry, turkey taco stuffed sweet potatoes, and slow cooker cashew chicken as excellent options for batch cooking. Prep and cook them once, and you’ll have meals to use throughout the rest of the month.
Step 3: Plan Your Meals
With your inventory in hand and batch cooking recipes selected, it’s time to plan your meals for the upcoming weeks. I absolutely recommend involving your family in the decision-making process to ensure everyone’s preferences are taken into account. Also, you’ll want to consider factors such as busy schedules and designate days for crockpot meals or leftovers to simplify meal preparation.
Step 4: Consider Breakfast and Lunch
While focusing on dinner is essential, don’t overlook breakfast and lunch. Our preference is to keep breakfast options simple with items like granola bars, protein shakes, or oatmeal, tailored to individual preferences. For lunches, we prioritize leftovers from dinner or stock up on easy-to-make options like sandwiches and canned goods. Not only do these items allow for quick preparation, but they create minimal mess in the kitchen which saves time when it comes to cleaning and maintaining the home.
Step 5: Adjust and Adapt
Meal planning is not set in stone. It’s essential to remain flexible and adjust your plan as needed based on leftovers, schedule changes, or unexpected events. Utilize leftover days to minimize food waste and consider swapping meals around if necessary to accommodate fluctuations in your schedule or unavailable ingredients. Have unexpected visitors? Pull out one (or two) of those batched meals to simplify your time together.
Create a Monthly Meal Plan You’ll Love
By following these steps, you can streamline your meal planning process, save money on groceries, and ensure your family enjoys delicious and nutritious meals throughout the week. Remember to stay organized, involve your family in the planning process, and be flexible with your approach. With a well-thought-out meal plan, you can achieve your financial goals while nourishing your loved ones.
Whatever you choose, I’m here to support you. You can:
- Grab my FREE Weekly Meal Planning Template HERE for additional grocery budget savings.
- Submit your budgeting and home organization questions HERE.
…or jump into the Lemon Blessings’ Membership for an insider’s look at all of my personal meal plans, recipes, grocery lists, budget worksheets, and more.
Remember, if you don’t ask for the help you need, you’ll never get it!
Cheering you on!
Sarah
