5 Trader Joe’s Meal Prep Shortcuts to Save Your Spring
I’ve been doing meal prep for a while now, and I’ve learned that having a few reliable shortcuts can make all the difference. Recently, I’ve been experimenting with some of the pre-made and pre-cut ingredients from Trader Joe’s to streamline my process. It’s been a game-changer for my spring meal prep, especially with Easter recipes and outdoor eating on the horizon.
Pre-Cut Veggies and Fruits
One of my favorite Trader Joe’s shortcuts is their pre-cut veggies and fruits. I know it sounds lazy, but hear me out – having pre-cut veggies like broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers saves me around 20-30 minutes of prep time per week. It’s also a great way to ensure I’m getting a variety of colors on my plate. The pre-cut fruits like pineapple and berries are perfect for adding to oatmeal or yogurt. The cost is roughly $2-$3 more per item compared to buying whole, but for me, the convenience is worth it.
- Pre-cut broccoli: $2.99 (saves 10-15 minutes of prep time)
- Pre-cut carrots: $1.99 (saves 5-10 minutes of prep time)
- Pre-cut pineapple: $3.99 (saves 10-15 minutes of prep time)
Pre-Made Salad Jars
Another Trader Joe’s shortcut I’ve been using is their pre-made salad jars. These jars are filled with a mix of greens, veggies, and sometimes even proteins like chicken or tofu. I like to add my own dressing and toppings to make it more interesting. The best part is that they’re already portioned out, so I can just grab and go. The cost is around $3-$4 per jar, which is roughly the same as making my own salad from scratch.
- Pre-made salad jar with chicken: $3.99
- Pre-made salad jar with tofu: $3.49
Pre-Cooked Proteins
I’ve also been using Trader Joe’s pre-cooked proteins like chicken, carnitas, and roasted turkey. These are great for adding to salads, wraps, or bowls. I like to cook a big batch of rice or quinoa on the weekends and then use these pre-cooked proteins to make my meals for the week. The cost is around $4-$5 per package, which is a bit more than cooking from scratch, but it saves me around 30-40 minutes of cooking time per week.
- Pre-cooked chicken: $4.99 (saves 20-30 minutes of cooking time)
- Pre-cooked carnitas: $4.49 (saves 30-40 minutes of cooking time)
Overall, these Trader Joe’s shortcuts have been a huge help in my spring meal prep. I can spend more time enjoying the outdoors and less time in the kitchen. What do you use for meal prep shortcuts?
Leave a comment