Meal Planning: Your Secret Sauce to Sane Weeknights

Let’s face it: we’re all familiar with the dreaded 4 PM dinner dilemma. If not appropriately addressed, it’s one that could stretch into the frantic 5 PM aimless aisle wandering, where crowds of other shoppers are there looking to solve the same problem. But with a little meal planning, dinner stress can be a thing of the past—and healthy, balanced meals, extra free time, and maybe even a quiet moment to sip your tea before the chaos of weekday evenings begins, can be a reality.

At Market of Choice, we believe dinner should be a highlight of your day, not a juggling act. So whether you’re feeding a whole family, or just yourself (hi, single-pan heroes!), we’ve got the tools, recipes, and even fully prepped meals to make it easier. Let’s break it down.

Why Bother With Meal Planning?

Aside from feeling like a total mealtime boss? A little prep goes a long way:

• Save money (Seriously. Check out Savories Weekly. It’s a great tool for planning and saving on your weekly grocery haul).
• Eat better—balanced, satisfying meals without relying on emergency mac ‘n’ cheese.
• Gain time back for gym goals, unfinished puzzles, or that oddly compelling DIY project.
• Reduce stress (no more staring into your fridge like it owes you an explanation).

How to Start (Without Losing Your Mind)

The first rule of meal planning? Don’t overthink it. Just start. Gather the household—roommates, partners, tiny food critics—and toss around meal ideas everyone can agree on.

Got a picky eater? Initiate routines like Meatless Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, or Sheet Pan Sundays. These themes eliminate the guesswork and give you something to look forward to (besides Friday).

Tools That Actually Help

Planning is easier with the right gear:

• A monthly calendar or meal spreadsheet = your new best friend. See our example calendar below.
• Stasher Bags and reusable containers keep your prepped goods fresh and guilt-free.
• An air fryer or instant pressure cooker = weeknight lifesavers.

And don’t forget labels. Your future self will thank you when you’re not playing “Guess That Leftover” two weeks from now.

Pro Tip: Browse our Recipes Page for easy, healthy inspiration (some designed specifically for Instant Pot cooking). Whatever your diet—plant-based, gluten-free, flexitarian-with-a-side-of-chocolate—we’ve got something tasty for you.

Not Up for Cooking Tonight? Supper Club to the Rescue!

If you’re short on time (or motivation), let us do the heavy lifting. Our Market of Choice Supper Club offers chef-prepared, family-sized meals, soups, sides, and more—all ready to heat and eat. You can reserve online through MoC Reservations, pick up at your convenience, and serve with zero prep. Dinner: handled.

Make Leftovers Work for You

Cook once, eat twice (or more). Double those recipes and stash leftovers in the fridge or freezer for easy future meals. Just remember to label your containers—because “mystery stew” is only fun for about five seconds.

Bonus Tip: Avoid leftover fatigue (it’s real, folks). Rotate meals or freeze extra portions to reheat on a night when you just “can’t even.” Fewer groans. Fewer dishes. More chill.

Food Storage Cheat Sheet

Here’s how to keep things fresh—and safe:

In the fridge:

• Cooked fish: 2-3 days (like guests, fish starts to smell after day three)
• Ground meats, whole cooked meats, soups: 3-4 days
• Beans, hummus, hard-boiled eggs: 3-4 days
• Chopped veggies: 5-7 days (airtight is key!)

In the freezer:

• Soups, stews, cooked beans: 2-3 months
• Cooked meats: 3-6 months
• Berries and chopped fruit: 6-8 months

Let’s Wrap This Up (Like a Burrito)

Meal planning isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. A little foresight, a solid grocery list, and a few go-to recipes can completely change your weeknight game. Start small. Stay flexible. And when in doubt, Supper Club it.

Because around here, we don’t just sell groceries—we help you make meals worth remembering.