Component cooking is a game-changer because it helps us moms prioritize home-cooked meals while making it a little easier at the same time! It’s similar to meal prep except you focus on one component at a time, or various components of a meal that you can mix and/or match together.
Juggling all the responsibilities, all the time, can be exhausting. Component cooking can offer numerous advantages for moms who love to meal prep and for moms who don’t as well! I went from using microwaveable rice packets to component cooking my rice and it not only saves money but the texture is much better.
I have known about this tactic for awhile, however, just recently started doing it more. I went to make a recipe that called for 1 cup of quinoa and thought to myself, “what the heck am I doing?”. Why not just make the entire package and use leftovers for future meals? There is just something about having these staples already prepared and at the ready that reduces so much stress!
What is Component Cooking?
Component cooking involves preparing various meal components separately. This could mean spending an hour on a Sunday roasting vegetables or cooking rice for future meals, or also just cooking more than you normally would when preparing dinner one night.
Each component is then stored individually either in the fridge or the freezer. You can mix and match these components to create a variety of dishes throughout the week or the following weeks! Think of it as having a collection of building blocks already assembled to then create a well-balanced meal with more ease and less stress.
These components can be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months to prevent foodborne illness.
Advantages of Component cooking
Here are just some of the benefits of component cooking:
Component Cooking Ideas to Try
Here are just some component cooking ideas to try. In my opinion, the protein and rice components are the best time-savers when it comes to meal preparation.
Grains
- Rice
- Quinoa
- Farro
- Barley
- Whole-grain pasta
- Farro
- Couscous
- Oatmeal
Proteins
- Grilled or baked chicken breast
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Roasted chickpeas
- Marinated and grilled steak
- Ground beef
- Shrimp
- Ground turkey
- Lentils
- Crockpot pulled pork
Vegetables
- Roasted sweet potatoes, onions, carrots and bell peppers
- Broccoli
- Could just be dicing vegetables like salad greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots
- Green beans
- Cauliflower
- Butternut squash
Sauces
Maybe it’s just making your favorite sauce or dip for the week for an easy, healthy snack or for a tasty meal you plan to make during the week.
- Homemade hummus
- Lemon tahini dressing
- Fresh salsa
- Bang bang sauce
- Creamy dill sauce
- Homemade salad dressing or vinaigrette
Putting It Together With Meals
Component cooking can be helpful for both throw together meals and if you’ve taken some time to meal plan for the week. Here are some of the easiest ways to put together a meal using components.
Grain bowl: Combine your preferred grain with roasted vegetables, a protein and a store-bought or homemade dressing or sauce. The best thing about grain bowls is they’re versatile and easy to throw together! It could be Mediterranean, Mexican-inspired, Asian flavors, or Italian- change them up to add variety.
Wraps, sandwiches or tacos: Fill a whole-grain tortilla with any of the already made components. This could be a homemade hummus, crockpot taco meat, or grilled chicken. You could also thaw some pulled pork from the freezer and make sandwiches on a busy night. Then, all you have to do is make some coleslaw or veggies as a side!
Salads: With salad greens or vegetables already chopped, or a protein source prepared, component cooking makes salad preparation a breeze!
Stir-fries: Sauté mixed vegetables and chickpeas with a sauce of your choice, and serve over some already prepared rice for a quick and easy meal!
Pasta: While I think that pasta is usually better when made fresh, it can be really convenient to have already cooked pasta in your fridge or freezer for the kids especially. I know my kids request buttered noodles or pasta a lot – and this really helps!
If you are making your favorite lasagna recipe, having the meat already prepped and ready to add will eliminate a step and one less dish.
Component Cooking Tips for Success
Storage: Invest in good quality storage containers. Clear containers make it easy to see what you have on hand. Label them with the date so you can keep track of freshness.
Prep Day: Dedicate a couple of hours on a weekend or a less busy day to prepare your components. Roast a batch of vegetables, cook a pot of quinoa or rice, grill chicken breasts, and whip up a couple of versatile sauces.
Or, my preferred method – just add more than you would normally cook when making dinner some nights and store.
Mix and Match: Throughout the week, combine your prepped components in different ways. A grain bowl one day, a wrap the next, and a hearty salad another—all using the same base ingredients.
Related Posts:
— Transform Your Salads Into Nutrient-Packed Meals {with Recipes}
— Protein Bowl Recipes
Let Me Know If You Try It!
Component cooking is not only a convenient alternative to meal prep but can also make meal prep a lot easier, too. There isn’t a right or wrong way to do it! Whatever works for you, to make prioritizing home-cooked and healthy meals a lot less stressful.
It’s all about efficiency, and can be an invaluable tool for busy moms! Give it a try, and let me know if it helps you streamline the meal preparation process.