EN:Meal Prep
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Meal prep (short for meal preparation) is a way of cooking in which food is prepared all at once for several days ahead and divided into portions. It is stored in the refrigerator or freezer and simply reheated over the following days.
What to consider
Not every recipe is equally suitable for meal prep. Three factors make the difference:
- How well the food reheats. Braised meats and sauces are often better the next day because their flavors have had time to meld. Fried and baked dishes, on the other hand, lose their crispness, while egg dishes can become rubbery when reheated.
- How long it keeps. Most cooked dishes will keep in the refrigerator for three to four days. For fish, the limit is shorter—about two days. For longer storage, use the freezer.
- What happens to the side dish. Rice and pasta continue to absorb liquid in the refrigerator and become denser the next day. Adding a little water or milk when reheating helps. Potatoes fare worst when reheated and are best prepared fresh.
Storage
| Method | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 3–4 days | Allow the food to cool before sealing the container; otherwise, condensation will form inside |
| Refrigerator (fish) | 2 days | Shorter storage time than meat |
| Freezer | 2–3 months | It is often better to freeze the side dish separately from the sauce |
| Defrosting | Overnight in the refrigerator | Do not reheat repeatedly |
Recipes
This category contains recipes designed to make several portions in advance. Each recipe's Meal prep section gives specific storage times and a recommended reheating method.