Meal prep recipes for busy days
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Ramadan always has a way of speeding everything up. The first days arrive with so much intention and then reality settles in. Not everyone has the privilege to work from home or to take time off. It doesn't slow down. And cooking daily, often starting from zero, while fasting and while you're tired, isn't always what you want to be doing. Meal prep feels like something you should have "done", not something you still can do. And this guide is exactly for that moment.
Because the truth it: you don't need a full weekend of prep before Ramadan starts. You can start now. You can cook once and eat for the next two or three days. You can fill your freezer slowly, one dish at a time and your future self will be grateful.
These dishes are dishes that I personally rely on during Ramadan. Dishes that hold beautifully AND reheat well. Dishes that somehow also taste even better the next day. Some can live in your fridge for a few days and others can be frozen and enjoyed days/weeks later (even months). Just start with one. That's enough.
Freezer-safe dishes that feel like real meals
These are the kind of foods that don't feel like "meal prep food". They feel like a proper iftar. If you can make these together with your family, that would be even better to bond over this. Everyone can take a part home and freeze it to enjoy for weeks!
Sarma (stuffed vine grape leaves)
Sarma freezes incredibly well. Once cooked and cooled, you can portion them and freeze them in airtight containers. When you reheat them gently, they taste almost identical to the day you made them. They're perfect because you can make a large batch ones and then pull out just enough for a few evenings.
Gözleme (Savoury stuffed flatbread)
Gözleme might be one of the most practical freezer foods EVER. You can cook them, let them cool and then freeze them stacked. When you need them, reheat them in a dry pan or in an oven for a few minutes.
It will taste as if it was freshly made! They work for iftar, suhoor or are even perfect as a quick snack. Serve it with some soup on the side and you've got yourself a full meal that's iftar-worthy.
Lahana sarma (stuffed cabbage rolls)
Stuffed cabbage rolls are one of the most rewarding dishes to have in your freezer. They have pretty much the same filling as the regular sarma, but are a lot faster to make as well. They reheat beautifully, especially if you warm them slowly with a bit of extra sauce.
When making the lahana sarma, cook the leaves to wrap it around the uncooked filling and then freeze it like that. Don't cook this one before freezing.
I love making a big batch of these and freeze them. I've tried them both cooked and uncooked in the freezer & they both hold their shape and flavour well.
Make a batch, freeze and enjoy all Ramadan long. (We even eat them after 3 months in the freezer!) It's one of my favourite 'quick fixes' on busy days.
If you'd ask me what I'd like to eat every day, it's this dish. They reheat beautifully and taste like my childhood in a bowl. I like them especially super chunky!!
More freezer heroes: bakery edition
Bread and dough recipes are one of my favourite types of foods to freeze. They freeze so well after baking (and cooling). During Ramadan or during super busy days, all you need is to take them out, warm them up for a few minutes in the oven (or airfryer) and your house will smell like a bakery (and they will taste as if you bought them fresh!!)
Freeze them once baked. When needed, warm them in the oven and they come back to life. Pairs perfectly with tea, soup, cheese or olives!
This one freezes like a dream. Freeze them baked and reheat directly in the oven. Add fresh parsley, onion or lemon & it tastes brand new!
These are ideal for both suhoor and iftar. A perfect little starter or perfectly paired with soup. Freeze them baked and reheat gently.
Soups, soups and more soups!
Soup is the backbone of Ramadan. It's nourishing and exactly what your body needs after a day of fasting. But not soups all behave the same, so here's how I divide them:
Soups you can keep in the fridge (2-3 days)
These soups are best enjoyed fresh but can easily last a few days days refrigerated.
This soup actually improves overnight as the flavours deepen! Perfect to cook once and enjoy multiple days.
Because of the yoghurt, this soup is best kept in the fridge & enjoyed within a few days. Reheat gently & avoid boiling.
This soup is a super hearty 'dumpling' (manti) soup and incredibly filling. It stores well in the fridge and reheats well.
Soups that freeze perfectly
I've tested and approved these in the freezer! I've been enjoying these soups even 3 months later!
Simple red lentil soup
This is one of the best soups you can freeze. It thaws perfectly and reheats without losing its texture.
Filling lentil & veggie soup
Exactly the same as the red lentil soup. Pro tip: freeze soups in portions. I like to freeze them into portions of one and take out as many as I need!
Extra sides that make everything better
Sometimes you don't need a full meal. Just a few really good sides.
These keep well for several days and make your table feel complete! :)
Çiğ Köfte
Keeps well in the fridge and is perfect for lighter iftars. Make sure to not make it too spicy though, as that can be a bit hard on an empty stomach
Mücver
These stay delicious for days. You can eat them cold, at room temperature of even reheated. This pairs perfectly with Turkish or Greek yogurt
Kisir
This might be one of the best Ramadan foods in my opinion. It keeps beautifully in the fridge, tastes even better the next day &pairs well with soup
Start small. Start now.
You don't need to transform your kitchen overnight.
Make one soup. Freeze it.
Make one tray of lahmacun. Freeze it.
Make one batch of sarma. Freeze it.
Ramadan doesn't have to mean cooking from zero every single day.
Sometimes you should just cook once.. and rest tomorrow.
And during busy days, especially during the month of Ramadan, rest is everything.
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