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Southwestern Minnesota | I do regular meal planning. There are many variables, so it's hard to say that what works for me and what I like, will work for you. It depends on how much time you have to prepare meals, what you like, how many people you're cooking for, if you are on a special diet, etc. However, if you have a freezer and have your own meat and fairly good variety, then that is the first step.
I would take that a step further and have a good variety of things to go with those cuts of meat on hand. I have a grocery list that I put on a spreadsheet of about 150 or so items (not all food, some supplies) and it is organized by the sections of the grocery store I usually shop at. When it's grocery shopping day, then I go through my list to see if I have enough of that basic item on hand and mark what I need to get. I try to keep the basics on hand so that I can put together a meal with what I have in my refrigerator, pantry or freezer.
Most Americans seem to cycle through 10-12 basic menus, so having those items on hand is easy for a go-to meal with the ingredients you have. If you have a whole chicken in your freezer, then you can add sides that you like ( example- potatoes, vegetables) and have a chicken dinner. Then with the leftover chicken, you can make soup if you have chicken broth/stock and vegetables (maybe some noodles) to go with it. If you aren't in the mood for soup and need something quicker, then you can make sandwiches and a salad to go with it.
I think the key is to have a good supply of the basics on hand, so that you have what you need ready to go.
There are many meal planning books and guides out there if you are interested. There are also apps, like Mealime that can give you different ideas for recipes and meals with the ingredients you choose and like. It will also generate a list of foods to buy for the menus you choose if you do it that way.
Edited by RDinMN 10/30/2024 20:29
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Meal planning?
