Grab my tips for planning your weekly menu and download the free printable menu planner and grocery shopping list below.
15% off Jenni Kayne with code CHLOE15
Lately I have been menu planning on Sundays to get ready for the week. We’ve shifted to once-per-week grocery trips, which means more thought goes into each shopping list and meal plan.
In the past we might eat out once or twice or run to town more often. Now, planning meals helps me stay organized and makes grocery shopping more efficient.
By planning menus each week I maximize what I buy, reduce food waste, and make the most of ingredients on hand. Pairing this with a well-planned calendar makes everything easier.
Some of my favorite weeknight meals:
- Ground Turkey Salsa Verde Soup
- Detox Chicken & Kale Soup
- Blueberry Kale Smoothie
I follow a low-carb approach while my husband prefers a more traditional menu. Over time I’ve learned to adapt meals so both of us are happy: swapping sides, tweaking preparation, or serving different components on the same plate.
For example, I might roast chicken early in the week and use it across several meals—lunch one day, dinner the next, and then in a soup. He might enjoy potatoes or bread on the side while I keep mine centered on vegetables and a salad.
On weekdays I focus on vegetables and protein and sometimes add a simple side for him, such as roasted baby potatoes, sourdough, or tortillas. This balance lets me enjoy a little more on the weekend—wine or dessert—without undoing weekday efforts.
“This feels like a great balance for us. I’ve noticed my mind and body both feel better when I skip bread, pasta, and nightly wine.”
I used to drink wine nightly and it took time to change that habit. Now I reserve alcohol for weekends and special occasions and often make mocktails in a wine glass when I want the ritual without the drink.
Today I’m sharing a free printable menu planner, a grocery list template, and a weekly to-do sheet. These three simple pages have made planning easier and reduced stress during busy weeks—I hope you find them helpful too.
The Best Cookbooks for Menu Planning
The Clean Plate
The Clean Plate by Gwyneth Paltrow offers flavorful, health-focused recipes that are great for planning balanced meals.
My Father’s Daughter
Another cookbook by Gwyneth Paltrow featuring comforting family recipes—perfect for weeknight and weekend cooking.
It’s All Good
This book emphasizes clean eating while keeping bold flavors, helpful for healthier meal inspiration.
It’s All Easy
A follow-up with approachable, healthy recipes—useful when you need fast, reliable meals.
Cook Beautiful
Athena Calderone’s book focuses on beautiful, thoughtfully composed dishes and practical tips for entertaining and everyday cooking.
Half Baked Harvest Cookbook
Recipes from Half Baked Harvest are approachable and flavorful—great for finding new favorites to rotate into your weekly plan.
Plenty
Plenty focuses on vegetable-forward dishes that feel complete and satisfying, whether you add meat or keep them vegetarian.
Plenty More
If you love Plenty, Plenty More expands on those vegetable-based ideas with even more flavorful recipes.
How to Menu Plan
Pick a few proteins:
Choose 2–3 main proteins for the week—chicken, beef, pork, or sausage. Roasting a chicken early in the week is especially useful because it provides meat for multiple meals and homemade stock for later use.
Stock up on veggies:
Keep a variety of vegetables on hand so you can adapt if plans change. Extra veggies can be frozen for soups, stews, or smoothies if they go unused.
Make the most of your ingredients:
Stretch each protein across two or more meals to save money and reduce the number of unique ingredients you need. For example, turn a roast chicken into salads, sandwiches, soup, or grain bowls.
Stretch your pantry:
Plan a few pantry-based meals—eggs with vegetables, simple soups, or a legume stew—to fill gaps between bigger meals and keep the grocery bill in check.
I hope these menu planning tips help you get organized and make the most of your groceries. Enjoy the free printable menu planner and grocery list!
I’d love for you to follow along on Pinterest for more ideas.