Meals in a Snap
These meal-planning and snack-prep ideas make caring for yourself and your loved ones as easy as 1-2-3 — snap!
Food. We need it to survive, of course. But it’s also a way to nourish your loved ones, care for yourself, build communities, and bring people together. Whatever your goal, we’re here to help. From creating a shopping list to maximizing leftovers, these tips, tricks and recipes — courtesy of food experts and local chefs — make mealtime less stressful, less expensive and a whole lot easier.
Fill Your Cart with Less Cost
Sounds impossible? Thanks to these tips, finding fresh, flavorful, good-for-you food while staying on budget is a snap.
- Check out the weekly ad to see what’s on sale, and start to build your grocery list from there.
- Clip digital coupons and add them to your rewards card. (Need a card? Click here!)
- Shopping online then opting for pickup or delivery helps you stick to your list and avoid impulse buys.
SNAP EBT is now accepted for pickup and delivery. You can use your preferred payments online or in the app. Click here to add your SNAP EBT card and learn more.
Fill Your Belly Without Boring It
From solo breakfast on the go to school night dinners to big weekend gatherings, here are a few ways to keep mealtime exciting.
Experiment
Keep recipes fresh by swapping ingredients. Sub canned black beans instead of pinto, add lime juice instead of lemon, or add new flavors by adding coconut milk in place of other dairy products. Bonus points for shopping your own kitchen and using what you have on hand!Add More Plants
Get an added dose of nutrients by substituting lentils for turkey or mushrooms for ground beef. Not ready to commit? Start by replacing just half the amount of meat. Or try to go meat-free one night a week to get comfortable.Get Creative
New shapes add excitement to any food. Rather than long fries, slice potatoes into ½-inch rounds. Cut vegetables into fun shapes with a knife or cookie cutter. Or opt for long chicken tenders rather than nuggets.Go Frozen
Frozen fruits are picked when at peak ripeness, and can be purchased on sale and are available all year long. Incorporate frozen fruits into smoothies, cereals or yogurt. Add a hint of honey or a sprinkle of granola for a deluxe breakfast.Buy Seasonal
Because seasonal produce is grown close to home, it can be sold at more affordable prices. Stock up on these seasonal deals and freeze — or can — your extra fruits and vegetables to add to soups or serve over rice all year long.1:1 Swap
Plain yogurt for sour cream. Decreases fat and increases protein.Experiment
Keep recipes fresh by swapping ingredients. Sub canned black beans instead of pinto, add lime juice instead of lemon, or add new flavors by adding coconut milk in place of other dairy products. Bonus points for shopping your own kitchen and using what you have on hand!Add More Plants
Get an added dose of nutrients by substituting lentils for turkey or mushrooms for ground beef. Not ready to commit? Start by replacing just half the amount of meat. Or try to go meat-free one night a week to get comfortable.Get Creative
New shapes add excitement to any food. Rather than long fries, slice potatoes into ½-inch rounds. Cut vegetables into fun shapes with a knife or cookie cutter. Or opt for long chicken tenders rather than nuggets.Go Frozen
Frozen fruits are picked when at peak ripeness, and can be purchased on sale and are available all year long. Incorporate frozen fruits into smoothies, cereals or yogurt. Add a hint of honey or a sprinkle of granola for a deluxe breakfast.Buy Seasonal
Because seasonal produce is grown close to home, it can be sold at more affordable prices. Stock up on these seasonal deals and freeze — or can — your extra fruits and vegetables to add to soups or serve over rice all year long.1:1 Swap
Plain yogurt for sour cream. Decreases fat and increases protein.Fill Your Plate, Not the Trash
Smart meal planning is not only better for your budget — because it creates less food waste, it’s better for the environment, too.
(Read about our Zero Hunger | Zero Waste social and environmental impact plan here.)
Here are a few ways to store food so you can turn that meal into delicious leftovers. Bonus? A meal of leftovers means less work for you.
Avoid Freezer Burn
Properly store frozen items to ensure they last as long as possible. Freeze items on a sheet pan in a single layer with space between. When it comes to packaged foods, remove as much air as possible and wrap tightly in multiple layers. If you freeze tomato sauce, add a small layer of olive oil on top to avoid the burn.Herb Storage
Getting the most out of herbs is as simple as storing them correctly. Cut the bottoms off of parsley, cilantro, dill and mint, and place in a large jar with an inch of water. Cover with an overturned plastic bag and seal with a rubber band. Wrap rosemary, thyme, sage and chives in a damp paper towel and place in a Ziploc bag.Use Clear Containers
When it comes to leftovers, it’s out of sight out of mind. Store foods in clear containers so you can always have a visual on what’s available so you don’t forget about it — and end up throwing it out later.
Avoid Freezer Burn
Properly store frozen items to ensure they last as long as possible. Freeze items on a sheet pan in a single layer with space between. When it comes to packaged foods, remove as much air as possible and wrap tightly in multiple layers. If you freeze tomato sauce, add a small layer of olive oil on top to avoid the burn.Herb Storage
Getting the most out of herbs is as simple as storing them correctly. Cut the bottoms off of parsley, cilantro, dill and mint, and place in a large jar with an inch of water. Cover with an overturned plastic bag and seal with a rubber band. Wrap rosemary, thyme, sage and chives in a damp paper towel and place in a Ziploc bag.Use Clear Containers
When it comes to leftovers, it’s out of sight out of mind. Store foods in clear containers so you can always have a visual on what’s available so you don’t forget about it — and end up throwing it out later.Here are a few simple leftovers ideas, so you can turn one meal into two — or even three.
Tacos, Burritos or Quesadillas
Mix the beans or meat with cooked rice, favorite veggies, cheese and salsa, then serve in your favorite tortilla style.Bean Dip
Add water to beans and smash with a fork and warm up. Add cheese, salsa, tomato, herbs and spices, and serve with chips or veggies.Meaty Meals
Toss leftover cooked meat into pasta, rice and grains and add vegetables for an instant bowl. Or, mix leftover meat with barbecue sauce and serve on a bun for a quick sandwich.Tacos, Burritos or Quesadillas
Mix the beans or meat with cooked rice, favorite veggies, cheese and salsa, then serve in your favorite tortilla style.Bean Dip
Add water to beans and smash with a fork and warm up. Add cheese, salsa, tomato, herbs and spices, and serve with chips or veggies.Meaty Meals
Toss leftover cooked meat into pasta, rice and grains and add vegetables for an instant bowl. Or, mix leftover meat with barbecue sauce and serve on a bun for a quick sandwich.Add to Anything
Toss leftover or frozen veggies into soups, or toss into rice or pasta dishes.Dip It
Make a fresh veggie plate with cut-up seasonal produce, then serve with a side of ranch dressing, hummus or other favorite dips.Serve it Differently
Squeeze a little citrus and sprinkle a little pepper on top of cooked vegetables to add new flavor to a new meal.
Add to Anything
Toss leftover or frozen veggies into soups, or toss into rice or pasta dishes.Dip It
Make a fresh veggie plate with cut-up seasonal produce, then serve with a side of ranch dressing, hummus or other favorite dips.Serve it Differently
Squeeze a little citrus and sprinkle a little pepper on top of cooked vegetables to add new flavor to a new meal.
Top Anything
Add fresh or frozen fruit to ice cream, oatmeal, yogurt, granola or cereal for a sweet, nutritious pop of flavor.Sweet Skewers
Cut up fruit and stack on a skewer then serve with yogurt for dipping.Fruit Water
Use up fruit by creating nutrient-filled water. Add fresh or frozen fruit to pitchers, glasses, even water bottles.Top Anything
Add fresh or frozen fruit to ice cream, oatmeal, yogurt, granola or cereal for a sweet, nutritious pop of flavor.Sweet Skewers
Cut up fruit and stack on a skewer then serve with yogurt for dipping.Fruit Water
Use up fruit by creating nutrient-filled water. Add fresh or frozen fruit to pitchers, glasses, even water bottles.Let's Get Cooking!
Wisconsin Resources:
- Learn More about FoodShare: https://www.getaquestcard.org/
- About and Eligible WIC Items: https://dhs.wisconsin.gov/wic/benefits.htm (please refer to your specific benefits)
- About and Eligible SNAP EBT Items: https://dhs.wisconsin.gov/foodshare/fsspending.htm
- End of Emergency COVID-19 Response: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/forwardhealth/index.htm
Special thank you to Common Threads, Food Right and Goode Foods for sharing some of their favorite recipes.