march ingredient prep guide

how to get 12 meals for about $40 by ingredient prepping

Happy Friday and happy spring (finally!!!). I’m so excited for the change in seasons and love an excuse for a fresh start—it always gives my mood and productivity a much needed boost. Plus I love that my walks with Copley and Cashew are getting longer since we can tolerate being outside for more than 5 minutes!! If a fresh start for you includes cooking more at home, reducing food waste, or getting more practice in the kitchen, today’s Ingredient Prep Guide is for you 🫶 You’ll learn how to take a simple grocery list, turn it into 6 prepped components, and make 3 different recipes out of it.

This month’s ingredient prep is all about that in-between season balance. We’re leaning into hearty grains and warm roasted veggies but brightening things up with fresh citrus, crisp greens, and punchy sauces that make everything feel lighter and more vibrant. Overall, this is honestly one of my favorite ingredient preps yet!

You’ll see ingredients like juicy oranges, nutty lentils, crunchy lettuce, and fragrant sesame oil—all working together to keep meals exciting and full of flavor. I’ve also included two sauces this week, because they’re truly the easiest way to take any dish (especially a sheet pan meal!) to the next level with almost no effort. And while this is a fully plant-forward meal plan, I’ve added a section with optional protein pairings if that’s more your style! For my plant-based folks, no swaps needed this time, woohoo!

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All in, I spent about $43 on groceries and just 60 minutes on prep.

The ingredient prep guide strategically takes you step by step through prepping each component—starting with steaming the lentils and popping the tofu in the oven. Keep scrolling to get the full guide on how to utilize a simple ingredient prep to get ahead on lunches or dinners and have your components prepped for easy assembly during the week. Keep scrolling for the full rundown and an all-in-one ingredient prep guide with the grocery list, prep instructions, and full recipes for everything!

How it works:

1. Grab your groceries from the list.

2. Prep the six simple components using the ingredient prep guide.

3. Store the prepped components in your refrigerator.

4. Make each of the three recipes linked below using your prepped components during the week when you’re ready to assemble!

By the end, you’ll have the prep done to assemble and enjoy four servings each of these recipes:

🍊 Zesty Orange Tofu Lettuce Cups

🍜 Sesame Noodle Stir Fry with Veggies & Lentils

🍠 Spiced Sweet Potato, Chickpea, & Lentil Sheet Pan with Garlic Cashew Sauce

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If any of this doesn’t sound like your jam, don’t worry, I’ve got subs & swaps below, or ask me in the chat or comments 😊