HOW LONG DOES MEAL PREP LAST
We’ve all had ready meals to vanish into the again of the fridge for much too lengthy.
Have you ever ever opened a meal prep container that’s been hanging out at the back of the fridge for who is aware of how lengthy and mentioned to your self, “I’m positive it’s nonetheless good.”
Or possibly you’re extra of a “higher protected than sorry” form of individual and toss every part after a day or two.
Whichever aspect of warning you fall on, in the event you crack open a container and the meals is slimy, pungent, or moldy, it’s positive to hit the trash. So whenever you wish to save money and time with meal prep meals, the considered throwing away spoiled meals generally is a main hang-up to getting began.
Meals security is essential – ain’t no one needs meals poisoning!
However there is a solution to meal prep that offers you the comfort of a fast balanced meal with the boldness that your meals remains to be suitable for eating.
Under you’ll discover a information for making meal prep that lasts per week or extra.
HOW LONG DO MEAL PREPS LAST IN THE FRIDGE
In line with the USDA, most meals lasts safely within the fridge for about 4 days. Some meals can last more relying on the substances and storage container. Meals saved within the freezer typically final three to 6 months.
MEAL PREP: IS IT SAFE TO MEAL PREP FOR FIVE DAYS?
Quick reply: it relies upon.
It is best to really feel pretty assured that your meal prep will last as long as 4 days, however after that meals security could be questionable.
Listed below are a number of elements that influence how lengthy you possibly can safely retailer meals within the fridge:
- Citric Acid. Sauces that comprise citric acid (suppose oranges, lemons, and limes) last more for the reason that citric acid works as a preservative.
- Temperature. Verify the thermostat of your fridge – meals lasts longer when saved nearer to 30 levels Fahrenheit as a substitute of 40 levels Fahrenheit.
- Components. Some meals entice micro organism quicker than others (rice and quinoa final a few day longer than cooked pasta dishes), so utilizing meals with an extended shelf life may help your meal prep last more all through the week.
- Storage container. A high quality, hermetic container protects your meals and helps it last more and style brisker.
- Fridge capability. Filling your fridge to the max will increase its general temperature, so keep away from overstuffing your fridge to ensure the meals stays cool sufficient to keep away from spoilage.
Most individuals will inform you to make a meal plan for 2 separate cooking days to cowl 7 days price of meals. We regularly suggest this as nicely. We normally prepare dinner half per week’s price of meals on Saturday and the opposite half on Wednesday. And that’s a good way to handle your meal prep.
However in the event you’re eager to expertise the magic of cooking solely someday per week, maintain studying – we’ve obtained an FMC meal prep hack for you! (And no… it doesn’t embrace consuming the thriller meal from the again of the fridge. )
CAN YOU TELL HOW LONG DO MEALS LAST
With regards to meals security, your first rule of thumb needs to be when doubtful, throw it out. In case you’re questioning whether or not or not one thing is suitable for eating, it’s greatest to keep away from the chance of meals poisoning.
For a extra detailed information on meals spoilage, the FDA presents useful tricks to maintain you protected. Listed below are a number of to remember in your meal prep.
How It Smells
Our nostril could be the very best information for detecting spoiled meals. In case your meals smells dangerous or if it smells “off” it’s almost definitely rising micro organism that may make you sick. The meals ought to scent the identical as whenever you first cooked it.
How It Appears to be like
Colour adjustments are an indication that your meals could also be spoiling. Produce (suppose lettuce and avocados) turns into brown and meat will get patches of grey as they go dangerous. Not all spoiled meals adjustments coloration, although. Meals filled with preservatives maintain their coloration nicely, even after they’ve spoiled. So search for coloration adjustments as a touch for recognizing spoiled meals, however don’t assume a meal is routinely suitable for eating simply because it’s held its coloration.
How It Feels
If it smells regular and appears good however feels slimy, it’s nonetheless on its manner out the door and needs to be tossed. Any main adjustments in texture are an indication that the meals has gone dangerous.
Mould
This one is the simplest to identify. In case your meal is growing mould, it’s time to throw it out. Consuming mould may cause allergic reactions and respiratory issues. Even in the event you spent some huge cash making a meal, if it has developed mould it’s not definitely worth the danger of great sickness to eat it.
A QUICK CHEAT SHEET FOR STORING MEAL PREP
All the time verify for mould or scent, coloration, or texture adjustments that can assist you decide if a meals is suitable for eating. However here’s a fast information on the shelf lifetime of your favourite meal preps that can assist you decide in case your wholesome meal is not wholesome.
Inexperienced Salads
Fridge: 3-4 days
Freezer: no
FMC Tip: maintain salad dressing separate till able to eat
In a single day Oats
Fridge: 4-5 days
Freezer: 3-4 months
FMC Tip: add chia seeds and dried fruit earlier than storage however add nuts, seeds, contemporary fruit, granola, and coconut flakes simply earlier than consuming
Rice and Grain Bowls
Fridge: 3-4 days
Freezer: 4-5 months
FMC Tip: batch prepare dinner rice and freeze particular person parts so that you at all times have a fast grain available
Sheet Pan Meals
Fridge: 3-4 days
Freezer: no
FMC Tip: when potential, reheat meals utilizing the oven or air fryer to get a crispier texture
Pasta Dishes
Fridge: 3-4 days
Freezer: 4-5 months
FMC Tip: barely undercook your pasta earlier than freezing to keep away from mushy pasta
Soup, Chili, and Stews
Fridge: 4-5 days
Freezer: 5-6 months
FMC Tip: lay freezer baggage on a sheet pan when freezing in order that they flatten out for simple stacking
Baked Items
Fridge: 7 days
Freezer: 5-6 months
FMC Tip: wrap every merchandise individually in plastic wrap after which retailer in a freezer bag
Meals to Keep away from for Meal Prep
If you would like longer-lasting meal prep concepts, keep away from these meals and also you’ll get an extended shelf life out of your meals.
- Lotions: bitter cream, mayonnaise, yogurt, creamy soups, and creamy sauces
- Crunchy or Fried: meals with a crunchy texture are inclined to get mushy and mushy in storage
- Salads: lettuce and different salad substances shouldn’t be frozen and sometimes solely final a number of days
A few of these substances can result in quicker spoilage and a few simply don’t style nearly as good after hanging out within the fridge or freezer. Whereas these meals could make nice short-term meal prep, select completely different meals for the meal plan you eat on the finish of every week.
Use the Proper Storage Container
Not all storage containers are created equally. A high-quality container will assist your meals keep contemporary for longer.
Suggestions for choosing a container:
- When storing your meals, make sure that your containers are hermetic.
- For freezer storage, use freezer-safe containers.
- Take into account how your meals shall be reheated and whether or not you want a microwave-safe container.
Suggestions for storage:
- All the time depart further house within the container when storing liquids – liquids increase when frozen.
- Totally cool meals earlier than inserting them within the fridge or freezer.
- Preserve the freezer door closed for a number of hours to make sure the brand new meals freezes utterly.
HOW MUCH TO MEAL PREP FOR A WEEK AND BE SURE NO MEALS GO BAD?
Are you prepared for an FMC hack that may get you 7 sorts of meals with someday of cooking?
We use a mix of fridge and freezer meals to assist our meal prep final.
Right here’s what that appears like:
Step 1: Batch prepare dinner a number of meals that freeze nicely and pop particular person parts into the freezer for long-term storage. You solely want to finish this step as soon as a month in the event you batch prepare dinner sufficient meals.
Step 2: Cook dinner your meal prep for the primary 4 days of your week and retailer it within the fridge.
Step 3: On the fourth day of the week, transfer your freezer meals for days 5-7 to the fridge to allow them to thaw.
BAM! You’ve obtained a full week of meal prep in 1 day of cooking.
Use the ability of the freezer to increase the lifetime of your meal prep. Take a look at completely different meal prep recipes to see which holds up greatest for freezer storage. A simple solution to inventory your freezer over time is to double a recipe and use half of it contemporary and retailer half within the freezer for later use. This helps add selection to your menu because you don’t have to eat the double batch unexpectedly and may pull out a mixture of meals out of your freezer later.
SUMMARY
How far forward are you able to retailer your meals? It relies upon. The kind of meals and placement of storage influence how lengthy meals will final. Make a meal plan of about 4 days of protected storage within the fridge and about 4 months of protected storage within the freezer. Look ahead to adjustments (scent, coloration, texture, and mould) to your meal prep meals as an indication that it’s gone dangerous. In case you’re uncertain if meals has spoiled: when doubtful, throw it out. A mix of fridge and freezer meal prep is the most secure solution to prep a complete week of cooking meals at one time.
For meal prep concepts to get you began, take a look at our meal prep recipes right here.
