If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I take healthy meal prep very seriously. It has been a game changer for me when it comes to sticking to a healthy eating plan and maintaining my weight loss. But let’s be honest, meal prep can be a lot of work, and it sometimes feels like we don’t even know where to start.
Don’t worry honey, I found you! If you’re feeling overwhelmed with meal planning and prep, I’ve rounded up the top meal prep tools for healthy meal prep. With these gadgets, meal prep will be a breeze!
Trust me, it’s like trying to fix a car without a wrench – you need the right tool to get the job done right.
So if you’re ready to take your meal prep game to the next level, read on. I have all the tips and tools you need to make meal prep hassle-free. Let’s start cooking!
11 Must-Have Meal Prep Tools That Save Time and Effort
Let’s talk meal prep tools. What exactly are meal prep tools, you ask? Well, when you’re meal prepping, anything that makes your life easier will do. It could be your trusty oven or your go-to cooking spatula. Basically, anything that helps you save time and get the job done is a meal prep tool.
These days, there are a ton of different tools and gadgets out there, which can make it difficult to figure out which ones are worth investing in. But don’t stress. With my help, you’ll be able to navigate the sea of mediocre tools and find the ones that actually work.
So whether you’re new to meal prep or a seasoned pro, find your new favorite kitchen tool from my list of must-have tools.
instant pot
If you’re looking for a kitchen gadget that will save you time and effort while preparing meals, look no further than the Instant Pot. This multi-cooker can do everything from pressure cooking to steaming to slow cooking. It’s great for making staples like rice and quinoa. It also makes delicious soups, stews, and chilis. Plus, thanks to its ability to batch cook foods like beans and shredded chicken, you can prepare a week’s worth of meals in no time. Don’t just take my word for it—there are over 100,000 5-star reviews on Amazon for this gadget. Try it for yourself and see why it’s been such a hit in the health world lately. If you need a meal prep recipe to get started with your pressure cooker, try one of these:
Instant Pot Bottom Fruit Protein Oatmeal Meal Prep
Instant Pot Green Chile Chicken Tortilla Soup
Instant Pot Impossible Vegan Chili
BBQ Pulled Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes (Instant Pot)
slow cooker
One of the best things about a slow cooker is that it allows you to prepare meals ahead of time without having to watch over the cooking process. So whether you’re prepping food for the night in the morning, or making a week’s worth of food on the weekend, the slow cooker can have it ready in a few hours when you’re unattended. Get ready to cook up a big pot of soup or chili, make a batch of pulled pork, or make a delicious stew. Remember, you can set it and forget it and let it do all the work while you focus on other things. Try some of these recipes to get your slow cooker started:
Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga Tacos
Slow Cooker Italian Vegetable and Chicken Soup
Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice Casserole
a good set of knives
A good, sharp knife is one of my kitchen must-haves. Slicing vegetables and preparing meat is a breeze when you have quality knives. If you haven’t already, get yourself a set of knives that are up to the task. Put your knife and knife skills to the test with these recipes:
Sweet Pecan Chopped Salad – Fall Salad Recipe
Mediterranean Greek Chopped Salad (Rolls)
High Protein Rich Bowls for Meal Prep
Shiraz – Cucumber, Tomato and Herb Salad
cutting board
A cutting board is a must-have for meal prep. Not only will they protect your counters and knives from damage, but they will also make chopping vegetables and fruit a breeze. Plus, the flexible cutting board bends to easily transfer ingredients to pots and pans. It’s also important to have separate cutting boards for meat and produce to avoid cross-contamination. Investing in some quality cutting boards will make your meal prep experience a lot smoother. Here are some tips for getting your board to work:
Thai Coconut Peanut Crumble Salad
Red Curry Chicken Tacos, Salad, and Peanut Dressing
Post Workout Plantains with Maple Syrup
Spicy Wasabi Salmon Salad Wraps
Silicone gasket
As someone who loves to prepare meals, I’m always on the lookout for kitchen tools that make my life easier. Some of my favorite kitchen gadgets for meal prep are silicone muffin cups and silicone baking liners. Not only are they super easy to clean (which is a huge plus in my opinion), but they’re also reusable and eco-friendly, so I reduce my waste footprint while also saving money. Another bonus is that they’re non-stick, so my egg cups, oatmeal cups, and protein muffins pop out effortlessly. Say goodbye to the frustration of scrubbing muffin tins and pans and hello to easy, hassle-free meal prep with silicone muffin cups and pan liners. Enjoy these recipes without worrying about cleanup:
Oatmeal, Turkey and Cheese Breakfast Muffins
Apple Cinnamon Ginger Coffee Cake Muffins
Double Chocolate Meringue Muffins
Herb Roasted Chicken with Vegetables
Measuring Cups and Spoons
As a chef, you know the importance of measuring ingredients accurately. This is where measuring cups and spoons come in handy. You can easily dispense everything from flour to spices, ensuring consistent results every time you cook. I personally like to use magnetic measuring cups and spoons, they stick together and are super easy to clean. Don’t forget the liquid measuring cup! They make it easier to precisely measure and pour liquids like oil and water, helping you nail recipes every time. If you’re serious about cooking, investing in these measuring tools is a must-have for your kitchen. Although I definitely don’t measure…all of it when I cook. this. time. (a little bit of this, a bit of that…) Baking is a different story. To make sure you’re getting the right baking recipe, use your measuring tools:
Thin Keto Cookies
Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Brownie Waffles
Oatmeal, Turkey and Cheese Breakfast Muffins
Gluten-Free Walnut Zucchini Bread
food kitchen scale
At first, you might think that food scales are only for people who really like to bake, but hear me out. Digital food kitchen scales are actually very helpful for general cooking. You can weigh the ingredients for your recipes so everything is just right. But, beyond that, one of the biggest benefits of a food scale for healthy eating is portion control. If you want to eat healthy and maintain a balanced diet, having a food scale can be of great help. You can weigh your protein, carb, and vegetable servings to make sure you’re getting the right amount of each. It takes the guesswork out of the assignment process and helps you stay on track with your goals. Here are some recipes that would benefit from a food scale, but be sure to try portioning too!
Cheesecake Factory Chocolate Cheesecake
4 Ingredient Low Carb Butter Cookies
blender
A high-quality blender is an essential kitchen tool for meal prep, especially for those who love smoothies. Investing in a high-performance blender is important because it can make a huge difference in the texture and consistency of your mixture. A cheap blender may leave your smoothie chunky or full of pieces, but with a high-quality blender, you’ll get a creamy smooth texture every time. It’s not just for making smoothies, the blender is also great for pureeing soup, making homemade nut butters, and even mixing pancake batter. So whether you’re blending your favorite smoothie recipe for breakfast or making a batch of creamy tomato soup for dinner, a high-quality blender will make meal prep a breeze. Try these recipes with a blender:
Cashew Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells
Sesame Ginger Mango Dressing and Noodle Salad
Savory Creamy Banana Pudding
Low Carb Salmon Chunks and Cauliflower Bisque
Screw machine
The spiral vegetable slicer is a great tool for gluten-free or low-carb diets. Not only can you make delicious veggie noodles as a healthy alternative to traditional pasta dishes, but you can also spiralize other vegetables like zucchini, sweet potatoes, and cucumbers for salads or as a crunchy topping for wraps and sandwiches. Spiralizing the vegetables also allows them to cook faster, making meal prep a breeze. Plus, it’s a fun way to get creative with your cooking and try out new recipes. Whether you’re trying to cut back on carbs or just want to add more vegetables to your diet, the auger is a game-changer. Try these recipes for your spiralizer:
Zucchini Pasta with Shrimp Sauce
5 Ingredient Salmon Alfredo Keto Recipe
Soup Cube Silicone Freezer Tray
Silicone freezer trays are total lifesavers when it comes to meal prep, especially for those of us who like to make smoothies or juices. These trays are so versatile, you can use them to freeze just about anything you want – from pureed fruit and vegetables to homemade bone broth or broth. The best part is, the flexible silicone material makes it easy to pop out the sections after freezing solid. Plus, they’re super easy to clean and take up very little space in your fridge. Use these trays to prepare the perfect smoothie meal:
How to Prepare Meal Smoothies
storage container
Storage containers are a meal prep person’s best friend. They keep your meals fresh and are easy to take on the go. Glass containers are great because they won’t absorb food odors or stains and are microwave safe. Steel containers are durable and will keep food hot or cold for longer. Glass jars are a stylish option for serving salads or layering meals and are easy to clean. Reusable grocery bags are also a great option for snacks or portioned meals, plus they’re lightweight and easy to pack. No matter what type of container you prefer, make sure they are leak-proof and easy to clean. You’ll thank yourself when your freezer is full of food prep containers ready to use.
If you are looking for a great quality steel meal prep container try mine!
food processor
A food processor can help you save a lot of time and energy in the kitchen. Using a food processor, you can chop vegetables, shred cheese, make hummus, pesto or nut butter, and even make your own energy balls or granola bars. It’s much faster than doing all of these things by hand, and the results are often smoother and more consistent. If you’re looking to simplify your meal prep process, investing in a food processor is definitely worth considering. I use my food processor for the following recipes:
Superfood Cocoa Energy Bars
Easy Chickpea Blondies with Macadamia Nuts
Low Carb Zucchini Latte Waffles
Keto Avocado Hummus Recipe
Finally, there are a number of important kitchen items to consider if you want to make healthy meal prep a part of your everyday life. But this list is a great place to start!
A sharp chef’s knife and a reliable cutting board are essentials for ingredient prep, while measuring cups and spoons and a food scale will ensure accurate portion sizes. Food processors and blenders quickly chop and mash ingredients for sauces and dips, and silicone freezer trays and storage containers will keep your prepared meals and ingredients fresh and organized.
With these essential tools, you can easily prepare healthy meals for yourself and your family, even on busy days.
