Meal Prep Like a Pro This Summer
Summer is the season of sunshine, longer days, and less time spent in a hot kitchen. For restaurants, caterers, and busy households alike, meal prepping offers a simple way to save time, reduce waste, and keep meals consistent during the busiest months of the year. Whether you’re stocking up for weekly takeout orders, managing a summer camp menu, or prepping for your own family, having the right essentials makes all the difference.
Why Meal Prep Makes Sense in Summer
With vacations, events, and warmer weather routines, summer can be unpredictable. That’s why meal prepping is a smart solution. It helps streamline operations, prevent last-minute scrambles, and ensure you always have something ready to serve. And when the grill is hot and time is short, pre-prepped ingredients help you get food on the table faster.
Meal prepping also helps you control portions, minimize food waste, and stay ahead of fluctuating ingredient costs. For foodservice operators, that means more consistent margins. For families, it means less stress at dinner time.
Popular Meal Prep Items That Make It Easy
Whether you’re cooking in bulk or prepping for grab-and-go meals, these meal prep essentials will help you stay stocked and ready:
- Grains and starches: Rice, quinoa, couscous, and pasta are versatile, cost-effective, and hold well in storage.
- Proteins: Pre-cooked chicken breast, ground beef, chickpeas, and tofu are easy to portion and reheat.
- Pre-cut produce: Bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots, and salad greens are time-savers for cold dishes and wraps.
- Sauces and dressings: Keeping dips and spreads like hummus, tzatziki, vinaigrettes, and teriyaki sauce on hand adds variety without extra prep.
- Storage containers: Clear, stackable containers with tight-fitting lids are key for keeping ingredients fresh and organized.
Using wholesale shopping to stock up on these essentials can help you stretch your budget while maintaining quality. Larger pack sizes of frequently used items, like grains or proteins, reduce the need for multiple restocks and support high-volume prep.
Tips to Stay Efficient
- Set a schedule: Pick one or two days each week to batch cook and portion ingredients.
- Label everything: Date and name each container to stay organized and reduce spoilage.
- Think in components: Instead of making full meals, prep core ingredients that can be mixed and matched throughout the week.
- Use fresh, in-season ingredients: Summer produce like corn, tomatoes, and berries are affordable and at their peak flavour.
Get prepped for summer success with Wholesale Club.
Explore our selection of meal prep staples, from proteins to packaging, and find everything you need to meal prep like a pro.
