Power Hour Meal Prep

The 10 Most Popular Weekly Meal Prep Plans of 2019

updated Jan 9, 2020
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Credit: Joe Lingeman

If your 2019 resolution was to become more confident at prepping meals ahead, perhaps you leaned on our weekly Power Hour series to help get you there. Each week we provided a different meal prep plan — including a shopping list, and a one- to two-hour weekend prep session that would help cover three meals a day for a variety of needs (whether you needed a week of extra-cheap meals or food that fit into a keto lifestyle).

These were your favorites. They’re versatile, approachable plans that are well-worth carrying over into 2020, too.

1. How I Prep a Week of High-Protein Meals in 2 Hours

If you’re trying to eat a high-protein diet, this meal plan effortlessly gives you about 100 grams of protein a day, thanks to egg cups, chicken grain bowls, and bean salads.

Get the Power Hour: How I Prep a Week of High-Protein Meals in 2 Hours

Credit: Joe Lingeman

2. How I Prep a Week of Easy Mediterranean Diet Meals

Since the Mediterranean diet is so flexible, centering your meal plan around it couldn’t be easier. This one contains plenty of colorful, veggie-heavy, feel-good choices.

Get the Power Hour: How I Prep a Week of Easy Mediterranean Diet Meals

Credit: Joe Lingeman

3. A Week of Meals for Two from Trader Joe’s for $50

Yes, really, you can eat a full week of breakfast, lunches, and dinners for two adults for just $50. Convenient, budget-friendly groceries from Trader Joe’s make it possible and everything comes together in under two hours.

Get the Power Hour: A Week of Meals for Two from Trader Joe’s for $50

Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman/Kitchn; Food Stylist: CC Buckley/Kitchn

4. How I Prep a Week of Instant Pot Meals for Two

If you’re still not sure of your Instant Pot’s potential, work it into your weekly meal prep. This Power Hour churns out things like steel-cut oatmeal, pulled pork, and turkey chili, giving you plenty to dig into all week.

Get the Power Hour: How I Prep a Week of Instant Pot Meals for Two

Credit: Joe Lingeman

5. How to Bulk-Prep 2 Weeks of Costco Meals in 3 Hours

This Costco-centric Power Hour takes a little longer than most, but you’ll be rewarded with not one but two weeks of hearty, affordable meals to feed a family of four.

Get the Power Hour: How to Bulk-Prep 2 Weeks of Costco Meals in 3 Hours

Credit: Joe Lingeman/Kitchn; Food Stylist: CC Buckley/Kitchn

6. How I Prep a Week of Low-Carb Meals in Just 2 Hours

This low-carb meal plan leans on store-bought conveniences like rotisserie chicken and cauliflower rice to streamline your time in the kitchen and still leave you with satisfying breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.

Get the Power Hour: How I Prep a Week of Low-Carb Meals in Just 2 Hours

Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Cyd McDowell

7. How I Prep a Week of Easy Low-Carb Meals in Just 2 Hours

Each breakfast, lunch, and dinner clocks in at under 15 grams of carbohydrates in this meal plan, so if that’s something that’s a goal for you, this Power Hour is a perfect choice.

Get the Power Hour: How I Prep a Week of Easy Low Carb Meals in Just 2 Hours

Credit: Joe Lingeman

8. A Week of Ina Garten-Inspired Meals

Or if channeling your inner Ina Garten is more of a priority, let this meal plan guide you. Really, though, how can you really say no to food like Italian wedding soup and balsamic-roasted Brussels sprouts?

Get the Power Hour: A Week of Ina Garten-Inspired Meals

Credit: Joe Lingeman

9. A Week of Family Meals from Aldi

Aldi is packed with great, affordable food. But navigating the aisles can sometimes be a little overwhelming. This plan lays out exactly what you need to buy to prepare a full week of budget-friendly meals from the store.

Get the Power Hour: A Week of Family Meals from Aldi

Credit: Joe Lingeman

10. How I Prep a Week of Instant Pot Dinners

This meal prep plan gets you set up to use your Instant Pot all week for dinner while also leaving you with easy, ready-to-go breakfasts and lunches.

Get the Power Hour: How I Prep a Week of Instant Pot Dinners