Component Cooking: A Convenient Alternative to Meal Prep

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.

A large pot of quinoa on a counter next to peppers, broccoli, a bag of rice and a bag of lentils.

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!

An infographic listing the advantages of component cooking, with grain, vegetable, protein and sauce ideas.

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:

  • Saves time and energy on busy nights. If you’re making a power bowl, already prepared rice is one less pan you have to dirty!
  • Efficient use of time. If you’re already cooking rice for your meal, why not cook more?
  • You might be more likely eat healthier foods, like quinoa, if they are already cooked. It increases the likelihood you’ll eat a well-balanced meal. You might also be more inclined to cook on a busy day because some components are already done!
  • Easy to throw a meal prep recipe together. Component cooking might inspire you to then meal prep lunches more often because one or two components can be pulled right out of the fridge or freezer!
  • Flexibility. With a variety of components at your disposal, you can easily accommodate different tastes and dietary needs within your family. Whether someone wants a salad, a stir-fry, or a sandwich, you’ll have the ingredients ready to go.
  • Reduced Food Waste. Prepping components in advance helps in managing portions and using up ingredients before they spoil. This not only saves money but also reduces food waste.
  • Stress Reduction. Maybe you’re tired of meal planning all the time. Component cooking saves time in the future without having to always be doing the whole meal prep and plan process. Plus, knowing that you have a fridge stocked with ready-to-use ingredients can alleviate some daily stress.

Component Cooking Ideas to Try

A large pot of quinoa on a counter next to a bag of uncooked rice and a bag of uncooked lentils.

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

A bowl of hummus on a counter next to bowls of various sauces for component cooking.

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!

A taco salad with lettuce, ground beef, black beans, shredded cheese, and sliced avocado in a bowl on a table.

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.

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