Here's your FREE Weekly Meal Plan 18 for May 1 - May 7. Don't let dinner time be a daily crazy event! It's hard, right? I hope these menus are helping you to stay on budget and save time in the kitchen!
If you have any suggestions or needs, let me know. I'd love your input. Together we can enjoy delicious affordable meals!
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Meal planning and prepping tips
If you're new here...
Every week, I share a free meal plan for you to use the following week. You'll have seven main dish recipes, along with a few extras and of course dessert.
Typically the weekly meal plans are named by number of the week and date. For example, if the plan is for the first week of January, I'll name it Weekly Meal Plan 1 - Jan 2-8. Next year the plans will be updated for the corresponding dates and tasty new recipes!
Don't forget - if you have a busy day and plan on eating out, just drop a day off the menu and adjust the meal plan to fit YOUR busy life!
Shortcuts and tips for Weekly Meal Plan 18
- Make the marinade for the kabobs ahead of time to save time!
- Leftover of chili and pozole freeze great!
- The Santa Fe Chicken is perfect for tacos, quesadillas or a burrito bowl. Super yummy!
Stretch your budget - Produce
Do you realize that over 72 billion pounds of food is thrown out every year? The average American household throws out over 30% of it's food. That's unbelievable! {Source Forbes}
That's pretty shocking!
An easy way to cut down on your waste is to store items correctly. Here are some tips to help you waste as little as possible.
A great way to stretch your produce; here is what to do now to ensure your herbs and vegetables stay fresh even longer.
Herbs - parsley, cilantro, basil - slice off the end of the stems, fill a glass with water and put the stems in the water and keep them in the refrigerator.
Green Onions can also be placed in a glass of water with the root submerged and refrigerated.
Another way to increase the "shelf life" for herbs and green onions is to immediately wash them. Shake off the majority of the water and wrap them in a paper towel and place in a plastic bag. Store in the crisper.
Either of these methods will significantly increase their shelf life. When they become, soft, brown or squishy, it's time to say goodbye!
Asparagus - trim off the ends and place the trimmed end in water. This will keep them plump and fresh when you're ready to enjoy them. They should be used within 2-3 days.
Spinach - I've been craving fresh vegetables and I picked up some spinach at the store last week. My friend Michelle shared her best tip which is to rinse, shake off as much water as you can. Lay it flat on a paper towel and roll up cigar-style and place in a plastic bag.
Fresh spinach will last even longer that way. Properly stored it will last 3-5 days, so plan your meals accordingly.
Expert Tip: Also for both herbs and spinach removing the wire twisty will help it to last longer.
Cauliflower - They will last up to two weeks in the refrigerator and are so delicious roasted! (I forgot to include this veg earlier this week!!)
Most vegetables, like carrots, potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and celery should be stored in the crisper drawer in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Mushrooms are best stored in a paper bag. Do not wash vegetables until you're ready to use them.
Vegetables should be stored in a different part of the fridge than fruit. This will prevent them from ripening too fast.
Radishes, Beets - any root vegetable will last longer if you trim off the greens. I keep radishes in a bowl of water after trimming the tops off, they will last a week or longer.
Cheese - Best stored in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator, where the temperature is cold and stable. Although you can use a plastic bag, it's best wrapped in aluminum foil or parchment paper, then in plastic wrap to seal. The harder the cheese, the longer it will last.
Butter - lasts 1-2 months in the refrigerator, up to six months in the freezer.
Weekly Meal Plan
May 1
BBQ Chicken Recipe
BBQ Korean Chicken - Tender marinade chicken grilled to perfection, the homemade BBQ sauce is so simple and absolutely delicious! Serve with a bright, crunchy Citrus Salad - great combination!!!
May 2
Stuffed Bell Pepper Soup
This easy to make bell pepper soup is a great meal. Super flavorful, easy to make and freezes great. Serve with these easy yeast rolls, the perfect side!
May 3
Chicken Casserole with Stuffing
Best ever simple casserole dish! This recipe for Chicken Casserole with stuffing is a complete meal. If you're looking to add something, grab a bag salad to serve with this meal - enjoy!
May 4
Pigs in Blanket
I love me a great hotdog, how about you? Hot dogs wrapped in Crescent Rolls take about 15 minutes start to finish. Grab some chips or make a Deviled Potato Salad and you'll be set!
May 5 - Cinco de Mayo!
Green Chili Chicken Pozole
This stew is amazing! It's easy to make and so flavorful! Really a big bowl of Chicken Pozole, chips and salsa and you'll be set!
For more recipes, click here for 50+ great Mexican Food Recipes.
May 6
Vegetable Orzo Soup
You're going to love this recipe for Vegetable Orzo Soup. Packed with tons of veggies and pasta, it's light but filling. Enjoy!
May 7
Santa Fe Chicken Bowl
Made in the slow cooker this simple pulled chicken is perfect for a burrito bowl, tacos or enchiladas. Crockpot Santa Fe Chicken is easy to make and delicious!
Dessert
White Texas Sheet Cake
Oh my this is a tasty dessert! You'll love how easy this White Texas Sheet Cake is to make. It's a dessert that will have everyone looking for seconds!
Meal Planning Worksheet
Click on the link below to download a PDF of the meal planning worksheet so you can easily make notes and your grocery list for Weekly Meal Plan 18 recipes!
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