Meal Prepping: Steps to Follow for Meal Prepping

by Sarah Harper MS, RD, LDN | Sep 10, 2025 | Education, How-to, Nutrition

Meal Prepping: Steps to Follow For Meal Prepping with image of noodles
Learn the simple steps to follow for meal prepping, from planning and shopping to choosing the best prep method, for stress-free, healthy meals all week.
Hi, I’m Sarah Harper, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist passionate about cooking, eating, and sharing all things food! At The Addy Bean, you’ll find a variety of flexitarian recipes designed to inspire and empower you to explore the delicious world of plant-based eating. My mission is to make plant-forward meals approachable, enjoyable, and part of your everyday life!

Published: September 10, 2025

Simple Steps to Meal Prep

Meal prepping can feel overwhelming at first, but breaking it into simple steps makes the process so much easier.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the exact steps I follow, from planning meals to prepping ingredients, so you can find a routine that works for you.
  1. Plan Your Meals: Choose recipes for the week, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Keep meals balanced with protein, veggies, and grains.
  2. Make a Grocery List: Write down everything you need to avoid impulse purchases and stay on budget.
  3. Grocery Shopping: Stick to whole, fresh ingredients to get the most nutrition. In my article about what foods work best for meal prepping, I discuss foods that you can shop for!
grocery shopping infographic with image of mother and son shopping over a background grocery list
Steps 1-3 are further discussed in my article, all about my process for meal planning and meal prepping!
Once I’ve planned, checked what I already have, and picked up the rest at the store, I’m ready to start prepping.

The Actual Prep

Now that you have a plan, it’s time to prep. There are 4 different types of meal prepping.
Meal prepping isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. There are four main methods, and you can mix and match based on your schedule, cooking preferences, and how much variety you want.
  1. Ingredient Prep (Mix and Match Method): This method is perfect if you like variety and don’t want to eat the same thing every day.  Prep and cook ingredients separately so they can be combined into different meals throughout the week.Easy Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables Recipe
  2. Freezer Meal Prep: Prepare full meals or components in advance and store them in the freezer for later.
  3. Batch Cooking: Best when you want no-fuss grab and go meals. Cook a large batch of a single meal to eat throughout the week.
  4. Hybrid Meal Prep (How I Meal Prep!): A combination of different methods, allowing flexibility while still making homemade food in advance.

Most importantly, Stay Flexible

Swap meals or adjust portions as needed so you don’t get bored. Want to read more about these 4 main meal prepping methods? Check out my article on How to Make Meal Prepping Sustainable for YOU.

meal prep made simple inforgraphic

Your Stress-Free Meal Prep Routine Starts Here

Meal prepping doesn’t have to be complicated. With a little planning, you’ll set yourself up for stress-free, healthy meals all week long. Keep this a sustainable process for yourself by allowing yourself the flexibility to get takeout on nights when you just can’t, or if you feel like cooking something, go for it!

I have been meal prepping and planning for so long; I know which meals I will want to eat as leftovers. Sometimes, you make something and you just don’t want to eat it again, and that’s okay. So, think about foods that will bring you joy. Take note of those items and consider them when you are prepping and planning meals.

Allow yourself to change what works for you. I like my meal prepping routine, but maybe something else works better for you, like a meal planning binder or worksheet.

Meal prepping is about making your life easier, not harder. Find the method, or mix of methods, that brings you joy and fits your routine. That’s how you’ll stick with it long term.

Explore the Complete Meal Prepping Series

How to Meal Prep for a Healthy Diet (Beginner’s Guide)

Meal Planning: Meal Prep vs. Meal Planning, What’s the Difference?

Sarah Harper in her kitchen with a cutting board, broccoli, carrots, and a fruit bowl.
Sarah Harper, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian and flexitarian food blogger at The Addy Bean. She shares practical meal prep strategies and simple, delicious recipes to help you cook smarter, eat healthier, and enjoy food without the stress.
Sarah Harper in her kitchen with a cutting board, broccoli, carrots, and a fruit bowl.
Registered Dietitian at Addy Bean LLC | Website |  + posts

Hi, I’m Sarah Harper, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist passionate about cooking, eating, and sharing all things food! At The Addy Bean, you’ll find a variety of flexitarian recipes designed to inspire and empower you to explore the delicious world of plant-based eating. My mission is to make plant-forward meals approachable, enjoyable, and part of your everyday life!

0 Comments