Meal planning often conjures images of meticulously prepping salad ingredients, stir-fry components, or portioning out snacks. However, a surprisingly efficient and flavorful approach, especially during grilling season, is to leverage your grill for meal preparation. Grilling extra food, even without a concrete plan, sets you up for delicious and easy meals throughout the week.
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This strategy clicked for me while visiting family. My brother, while grilling burgers for dinner, casually added extra chicken breasts to the grill. He explained this simple act was meal prepping in action, providing chicken for sandwiches and salads later in the week. This effortless approach highlighted the brilliance of using residual grill heat for future meals.
This meal prep grilling method is especially advantageous if you own a charcoal or kamado grill like a Big Green Egg. Lighting charcoal and waiting for the coals to reach the perfect temperature is an investment of time and effort. Maximizing this heat for more than just one meal is smart cooking. Kamado grills, known for exceptional heat retention, are particularly well-suited for extended grilling sessions, making them ideal for cooking food for the week ahead.
Now, whenever I fire up my grill, I ensure I have extra vegetables ready to go. Sometimes, I have a specific dish in mind, like slow-grilled eggplant for a smoky baba ghanoush or charred eggplant salad. Other times, I grill onions, bell peppers, and zucchini knowing these versatile grilled vegetables will be invaluable when I need a quick and flavorful meal component. Grilled vegetables can be incorporated into countless dishes: layered in sandwiches and wraps, chopped into vibrant salads, tossed with pasta, baked in frittatas, or tucked into tacos. The smoky char from the grill elevates the flavor of these simple vegetables, making them a delicious addition to any meal.
Beyond vegetables, grilling extends to nuts, meats, seafood, and even fruits, offering a wide range of meal prep options. Here’s how to make the most of your grill for efficient and delicious meal planning:
Grilled Vegetables: Your Meal Prep Powerhouse
Grilled vegetables are incredibly versatile for meal prepping. Adding extra sliced onions to the grill is always a smart move. These grilled onions can be stored in the refrigerator and added to everything from tacos and quesadillas to pasta dishes and pizzas. For a flavor boost, lightly grill red onions before pickling them; the smoky note adds a unique depth to homemade pickles.
Beyond onions, consider grilling a variety of vegetables like fennel, eggplant, bell peppers, and zucchini. These grilled vegetables create a fantastic base for a summery antipasto platter or can be easily incorporated into salads and side dishes throughout the week. Grilled corn on the cob is another excellent option. Grilled corn kernels can be used in corn salads, vibrant salsas, cornbread muffins, and tacos, bringing a touch of summer sweetness to your meals.
Grilled vegetables also shine in salads. Explore options like charred cabbage salad, grilled asparagus salad, creamy grilled potato salad, or grilled okra salad for satisfying and flavorful meal options. Even simple cherry tomatoes, quickly charred on skewers and stored in olive oil, transform into a delightful appetizer served over toasted bread.
Eggplant is another star for grilling. Grilled eggplant slices are perfect for a lighter grilled eggplant Parmesan or a refreshing grilled eggplant salad. For baba ghanoush, charring whole eggplants on the grill imparts a deep smoky flavor that elevates this classic dip. Similarly, poblano and Hatch chile peppers can be charred whole on the grill, then frozen for use in green chile enchiladas, burritos, and comforting winter soups. Don’t forget scallions! Charred scallions are fantastic for making a smoky charred Green Goddess dressing, adding a unique twist to salads and grilled dishes.
Smoked Meats and Seafood: Flavorful Proteins Ready When You Are
Grilling meats and seafood low and slow is an excellent strategy for meal prepping proteins. Consider grilling a pork shoulder (pork butt), South American-style beef short ribs, or a leg of lamb. These flavorful grilled meats can be enjoyed throughout the week in sandwiches, hearty salads, and flavorful tacos. The smoky depth achieved through grilling enhances the taste and texture of these proteins, making them far more exciting than simply roasting or baking.
Seafood also benefits greatly from grilling for meal prep. Smoking a side of salmon on the grill creates incredibly flavorful salmon perfect for next-level bagel sandwiches or sophisticated salads. Smoked trout can be transformed into a delicious dip or added to chowders for a smoky depth. Grilling shrimp allows you to have perfectly cooked shrimp ready for a quick grilled shrimp cocktail or to add to pasta dishes and salads throughout the week.
Grilled Fruit: Dessert and Beyond, Prepped on the Grill
Don’t limit grilling to savory dishes; grilled fruit opens up a world of dessert possibilities and even adds a unique twist to breakfast and cocktails. As your grill cools down after cooking dinner, it’s the perfect time to grill some fruit.
Grilled peaches are a classic for a reason. Enjoy them in salads like grilled peach and bacon salad or as a dessert with grilled lemon pound cake and cream. Grilled peaches are also delicious on their own or served warm over a scoop of ice cream. Figs, pears, and pineapple also grill beautifully, transforming into delicious desserts or breakfast toppings served with yogurt or toast.
Grilled fruit can even venture into savory territory. Grilled strawberries add a surprising sweetness and smoky char to avocado toast. And don’t overlook grilled fruit for cocktails. Grilled lemon slices add a smoky citrus note to drinks, while grilled pineapple elevates tequila punch with a caramelized sweetness.
Grilling extra food while you’re already firing up the grill is a smart and efficient way to approach meal prep. It saves time during busy weeknights and infuses your meals with delicious smoky flavors that only grilling can provide. Embrace Grilled Food meal prep and unlock a week of flavorful and effortless meals.
