Holiday Ready: Simplify Holiday Meal Prep and Grocery Organization

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Now that Thanksgiving is here, it’s time to get the kitchen ready for Christmas Season and all the baking and cooking that is about to happen. Let’s be real, the holidays are filled with delicious meals, festive treats and endless opportunities to gather around the table. But all that cooking and entertaining can easily lead to an unorganized pantry, messy fridge and freezer. Don’t worry, I’ve got some good news. With a little planning and organization, you can simplify your meal prep and grocery storage, making the holidays more enjoyable and less stressful.

Here’s how to get your kitchen holiday-ready:

1. Clear Out Old or Expired Items

The first step in preparing your kitchen for holiday meals is creating space. A cluttered fridge, freezer or pantry makes it harder to find what you need and can lead to food waste.

  • Check Expiration Dates: Stop right now and go through your pantry, fridge and freezer and toss anything that’s expired or spoiled. Be honest about what you’ll really  use—if you haven’t touched it all year, it’s time to let it go. I get some things like spices or oils you use but not often. Keep them if you need to. Like I have truffle and sesame oil, i use them only a couple times a year. 
  • Organize by Category: Group similar items together (e.g., baking supplies, canned goods, pasta, rice) so you can quickly see what you have. Make sure to keep kids snacks in a place that is easy for them to get to. That way they can grab their own snack and you don’t have to stop what you are doing to grab them a snack.
  • Wipe Down Shelves: After clearing out the clutter, give your shelves a good wipe-down. This creates a fresh, clean space for your holiday ingredients. You can grab these little shelves or containers for storage. 

Decluttering the pantry, fridge and freezer ensures that you’re only keeping what’s fresh and useful for your holiday cooking.

2. Organize for Easy Access to Holiday Ingredients

Once you’ve cleared the clutter, it’s time to set up your kitchen for efficient holiday cooking.

  • Designate a Holiday Section: Dedicate a shelf in your pantry, fridge and/or freezer for holiday-specific ingredients. This makes it easy to grab what you need without digging through everything else. I especially do this all things baking for the Holidays. We make a lot of cookies, muffins, breads and donuts. We like to give these items to others as gifts.
  • Use Clear Containers: Store items like flours, sugars, and spices in clear, labeled containers. Not only does this keep things organized, but it also helps you see when you’re running low. I have been using these containers for years, even when I had my bakery. 
  • Clean Countertops: Having clean counters makes the kitchen look cleaner. Having a section of your counter that is clear will make meal prepping easier. We use the same section every time we meal prep. 
  • Take Inventory: Before heading to the store, take stock of what you already have. This prevents overbuying and ensures you only purchase what you need. Get those recipes out of what you want to make and make a list of the ingredients you will need for them. 

A well-organized kitchen makes holiday meal prep faster, easier, and much more enjoyable.

3. Tips for Managing Holiday Leftovers Efficiently

The holidays often bring an abundance of leftovers and managing them well is key to avoiding food waste and keeping your fridge organized.

  • Use Stackable Containers: Invest in stackable, airtight containers to save space in your fridge. Label each container with the contents and the date it was prepared. We love these containers. 
  • Create a Leftover Shelf: Dedicate a specific shelf in your fridge to leftovers so they don’t get lost or forgotten. We use the bottom shelf in our fridge for this along with our meal prep items.
  • Freeze What You Won’t Eat Soon: If you know you won’t eat certain leftovers within a few days, freeze them for later. Use freezer-safe bags or containers and label them with the date. If you make a big casserole of baked ziti, eat some and freeze the leftovers for a busy night. Having a few things tucked in the freezer for meals closer to Christmas, can save you stress. 
  • Plan Leftover Meals: Incorporate leftovers into new meals. We eat leftovers at least three times a week. For example, roasted turkey can become turkey soup and mashed potatoes can turn into shepherds pie. .
  • Share with Guests: If you’ve prepared a large meal, send leftovers home with your guests. Use disposable containers to make it easy for everyone. If you eat at our house, most likely you leave with some food. 

By managing leftovers effectively, you’ll keep your fridge organized and make the most of your holiday meals.

Final Thoughts

Simplifying your holiday meal prep and grocery organization doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By clearing out the clutter, organizing your ingredients and food and managing leftovers efficiently, you can create a kitchen that’s ready for festive cooking and stress-free entertaining.

Start preparing your fridge, freezer and pantry now and enjoy a holiday season filled with good food, great company and the joy of a well-organized kitchen! A lot of these things are routines and systems that we have in place year round. 

Love,

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