Tired of eating the same meal prepped dish? Do this instead: Video

Meal prepping is great – if you enjoy eating the same thing multiple times a week. If that sounds boring to you, consider meal prepping ingredients instead. This gives you more variety and freedom to choose your own eating adventure. 

Ingredient prep can still be time consuming, so take advantage of all the tools your kitchen has to offer. Dice vegetables in seconds using a chopper, hard boil eggs in the air fryer, while potatoes bake in the oven. For an even more coordinated meal plan, find your favorite recipes and look for some that use a lot of the same ingredients. 

Watch this video for 6 alternatives to meal prepping.

Three categories of ingredient prep

The key to prepping ingredients is variety. Focus on prepping foods in each of these three categories: protein, carbohydrates and vegetables. This mix of items allows you the freedom to piece different combinations together throughout the week, saving your tastebuds from the monotony of repeat meals or leftovers.  

Slice, dice, chop, grate and cook the foods of your choosing. Season everything neutrally with salt and pepper, and slightly undercook it, since it will finish cooking when you heat it to eat it. Once everything is prepped and cooled, store, label and date the foods in airtight containers. 

Piece together your ingredients and pair it with fresh fruits, sauces and other seasonings for a full plate and happy tummy all week. 

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Frozen mirepoix 

A lot of dishes call for a classic mirepoix, or a slowly cooked base of onions, carrots and celery. Save some time and have it prepped and ready whenever you need it. A little bit of prep now will help make a delicious meal later. 

Evenly dice the onion, carrot and celery. The exact amount depends on how much you want. Spread the chopped vegetables onto a lined baking sheet and freeze. Once it’s frozen, transfer the mixture to bags or other freezer safe containers. 

Watch this video to see how to prep and freeze mirepoix

You can also freeze a sautéed mirepoix. Throw the chopped vegetables in a pan and add your favorite seasonings and herbs. Let it all cool completely before packing and freezing. 

Straight-from-the-freezer frozen mirepoix can be used in: 

• Soups.
• Stews.
• Gravy.
• Stuffing. 

For even easier use, portion the mirepoix out into different sizes.