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7 Meal Prep Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday Feast

October 01, 2017

Ziploc® brand seal top bags and containers help great hosts send great leftovers home with guests, but the hosts with the most keep ingredients organized before the cooking even begins. Imagine pulling off the perfect holiday meal, without all the last minute stress. Start ahead of time with these prepping tips and take a fresh look at your recipes to see what can be done in advance.

Use the tips below to spark your imagination. There are a million ways to stay organized with Ziploc® brand bags and containers. Recruit family to join in on the fun and get cooking!

1. Make a menu

Before heading to the store or picking up a knife, start by making a menu for your magnificent meal and gathering recipes for each dish.

1. Make a menu
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They’re not just for keeping food fresh – put all your holiday meal recipe cards in a Ziploc® brand snack bag to protect them from spills and stains. Use the Easy Open Tab to reach in and move a new recipe to the front when it’s time to move on to the next dish.

2. Create a cooking timeline

Make a list of which recipes and ingredients can be prepped ahead of time, whether it’s the day before everyone arrives or getting things in the freezer weeks early.

2. Create a cooking timeline
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Avoid sticky spills as you fill up your fridge and freezer – Ziploc® brand Twist ‘n Loc® containers have a leak-resistant seal.

3. Prep foods for freezing

The freezer helps food last longer, so prep can be started even earlier. To prep pie crust, mix the dough, roll it out, press into a pie plate, gently slide into a Ziploc® brand freezer bag and store in the freezer.

3. Prep foods for freezing
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Ziploc® brand freezer bags lock out freezer burn and preserve your signature homemade flavor.

4. Wash and prep fresh produce

Even though every dish can’t be cooked early, you can save time on the big day by prepping produce early.

4. Wash and prep fresh produce
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Wash, dry and trim veggies like green beans and Brussels sprouts and store in a Ziploc® brand storage bag to block out air and lock in freshness.

5. Save refrigerator space

Getting the little things done can make a big difference, but it shouldn’t take up a lot of space. Use small Ziploc® brand containers to stash chopped herbs and aromatics.

5. Save refrigerator space
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Ziploc® brand containers are designed for stacking and nesting. The space-saving design is essential when the fridge starts getting crowded.

6. Take it one step at a time

Every little bit helps. Get started on longer, multi-step recipes early to save time later.

6. Take it one step at a time
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Peeled and quartered potatoes can be covered in water and refrigerated in a Ziploc® brand large rectangle container. Stopping spills is easy – the One Press Seal snaps closed with a single push on the lid.

7. Save Food Scraps

Finding uses for food scraps isn’t just good for the environment (and your wallet), it might save you a trip to the store for forgotten ingredients. Stale bread can be transformed into yummy stuffing and onion trimmings can help make a stellar soup the day after your big meal.

7. Save Food Scraps
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Keep your scraps and lose the freezer burn with Ziploc® brand freezer bags. Label each bag and stash your scraps in the freezer – adding more as you prep is a breeze, even with slippery hands, using the Easy Open Tabs.

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