How can I batch cook inexpensive basics like rice or beans to use all week?

Between hurried schedules and daily dinner fatigue, getting healthy affordable meals to the table every night can feel downright impossible. However, batch cooking basics like whole grains and beans makes putting together quick, satisfying meals simple when you’ve already tackled some of the prep work.

Choose a day when you have more spare time like a weekend to do an extended cooking session focusing on versatile base ingredients used across multiple recipes. Good candidates for batch cooking include whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, barley or whole wheat pasta along with beans like chickpeas or lentils.

Cook at least a couple cups of whole grains so you have a hearty starting base ready to mix and match into bowls, salads, veggie sides, stuffed peppers and more all week long. Grains keep well refrigerated for several days for grab and go convenience. Reheat single portion amounts right in the microwave or skillet as needed for fast meal assembly.

With beans, soak and simmer a full bag dried or simply dump canned beans into a pot with aromatic ingredients like garlic, onion, peppers and spices to infuse loads of extra flavor beyond plain out of the can. Portion out batches into freezer bags lying flat for easy thawing. Beans transform into quick dips, toppings, taco fillings, soups and more.

While you have the oven going, roast sheet pans filled with affordable vegetables too like carrots, broccoli, cauliflower or Brussels sprouts. Roast different veggies separately, then store portions in fridge to add as ready made sides or toppers to grain bowls and more throughout the week.

Similarly, use extra time to cook a larger batch of chicken pieces or ground turkey. Shred or chop cooked chicken into instant sandwich filling, casserole ingredient or homemade chicken salad without needing a separate cook session later.

Tackle steps like cooking grains, beans, proteins and vegetables in bulk during less hectic pockets of time so that no matter the night, assembling healthy and affordable dinners becomes simply a matter of combining ready batch cooked ingredients. Reduce daily dinner headaches with some weekend warrior meal prep!