Meal prep can feel like a huge chore when you’re juggling work, school, and everything else life throws your way. But what if you could make it easier with just a few smart purchases?
Walmart has tons of affordable products that take the stress out of planning, cooking, and storing your meals for the week. With the right tools and ingredients, you’ll spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying delicious, healthy food.
1. Pre-Washed Mixed Greens
Washing and drying lettuce might sound simple, but it eats up precious minutes you could spend doing literally anything else. Pre-washed mixed greens come ready to toss into salads, wraps, or grain bowls without any fuss.
You can grab a handful for lunch or dinner without worrying about grit or dirt. They stay fresh for days in the fridge, so you won’t waste money on wilted produce.
Keep a few containers on hand, and you’ll always have a healthy base for quick meals. Convenience like this makes eating more vegetables feel totally doable, even on your busiest days.
2. Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (Bulk Pack)
Buying chicken in bulk saves you money and gives you plenty of protein to work with all week long. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cook quickly and taste great with almost any seasoning or sauce you like.
Grill a bunch at once, then divide them into containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. You can also bake, sauté, or even poach them depending on your mood.
Chicken pairs well with rice, veggies, pasta, and salads, making it one of the most versatile meal prep staples. Stock your freezer with extra packs so you never run out of this kitchen workhorse.
3. Frozen Vegetable Medley
Fresh vegetables are wonderful, but frozen ones are just as nutritious and way more convenient. A bag of frozen vegetable medley means you always have broccoli, carrots, peppers, or green beans ready to steam or roast in minutes.
No chopping, no peeling, no waste. Just pour what you need into a pan or microwave-safe bowl and you’re set.
Frozen veggies last for months in your freezer, so you can buy several bags without worrying about spoilage. They’re perfect for stir-fries, soups, side dishes, or mixing into pasta and rice bowls for extra color and nutrients.
4. Microwavable Brown Rice Pouches
Cooking rice from scratch takes time and attention you might not have during a hectic week. Microwavable brown rice pouches heat up in just 90 seconds, giving you fluffy, perfectly cooked grains without any guesswork.
They’re portion-controlled, so you won’t accidentally make way too much or too little. Brown rice adds fiber and keeps you feeling full longer than white rice.
Toss it with veggies and protein for a balanced meal, or use it as a base for burrito bowls and stir-fries. Keep a few pouches in your pantry for those nights when you need dinner fast.
5. Meal Prep Containers (Plastic or Glass)
Good containers make all the difference when you’re trying to stay organized with your meals. Meal prep containers with divided sections help you portion out proteins, grains, and veggies without everything getting mixed together.
Glass containers are microwave and dishwasher safe, while plastic ones are lightweight and great for taking to school or work. Either way, you’ll have a neat, stackable system that keeps your fridge tidy.
Invest in a set of sturdy containers and you’ll use them over and over again. They make healthy eating feel manageable because everything is already measured and ready to heat up.
6. Frozen Wild-Caught Salmon Fillets
Salmon might sound fancy, but frozen fillets from Walmart make it totally affordable and easy to cook any night of the week. Wild-caught salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for your brain and heart.
You can bake, grill, or pan-sear these fillets straight from the freezer with just a little seasoning. They cook in about 15 minutes and taste delicious with lemon, garlic, or your favorite herbs.
Having salmon on hand adds variety to your meal rotation and impresses anyone who thinks you spent hours in the kitchen. It’s a simple way to level up your meal prep game.
7. Bulk Dry Lentils or Beans
Lentils and beans are budget-friendly powerhouses that fill you up without weighing you down. They’re loaded with protein, fiber, and iron, making them perfect for vegetarian meals or as a side dish.
Dry lentils cook faster than beans and don’t need soaking, so you can have them ready in about 20 minutes. Beans take longer but taste amazing in chili, tacos, soups, and salads.
Buy them in bulk and store them in airtight containers for months. A single bag can stretch across multiple meals, saving you money while keeping your diet healthy and satisfying.
8. Whole Grain Oats (Rolled)
Breakfast is the hardest meal to get right when you’re rushing out the door, but rolled oats make it ridiculously easy. You can cook them on the stove, in the microwave, or even soak them overnight for no-cook oatmeal.
Whole grain oats give you steady energy all morning and keep hunger at bay until lunch. Top them with fruit, nuts, honey, or peanut butter for endless flavor combinations.
A big container lasts for weeks and costs just a few dollars. Oats are also great in smoothies, homemade granola bars, and even savory dishes if you’re feeling adventurous.
9. Natural Peanut Butter (Just Peanuts and Salt)
Not all peanut butter is created equal, and natural versions with just peanuts and salt are way healthier than the sugary stuff. Natural peanut butter gives you protein, healthy fats, and a rich, nutty flavor without any unnecessary additives.
Spread it on toast, stir it into oatmeal, or eat it straight from the jar with apple slices. It’s also perfect for making sauces, smoothies, and energy bites.
The oil might separate at the top, but just give it a good stir and you’re ready to go. Keep a jar in your pantry for quick snacks and meal additions that actually fuel your body.
10. Ready-to-Heat Cooked Shredded Chicken
Some weeks you just don’t have time to cook chicken from scratch, and that’s where ready-to-heat shredded chicken comes in clutch. It’s already seasoned and cooked, so all you need to do is warm it up and add it to whatever you’re making.
Throw it into tacos, quesadillas, salads, or pasta in seconds. The flavor is surprisingly good, and it saves you at least 30 minutes of prep and cook time.
Keep a pack or two in your fridge for emergency dinners when you’re too tired to think. It’s one of those shortcuts that doesn’t sacrifice taste or nutrition.
11. Large-Capacity Freezer Bags for Portioning Meals
Freezer bags are the secret weapon of serious meal preppers who want to save time and reduce waste. Large-capacity bags let you portion out soups, stews, casseroles, and marinated proteins, then stack them neatly in your freezer.
Label each bag with the date and contents so you always know what you’re grabbing. When you’re ready to eat, just thaw and reheat for a homemade meal without any effort.
They’re also great for storing bulk ingredients like chopped veggies, cooked grains, or even smoothie packs. A box of quality freezer bags pays for itself by helping you avoid takeout and food waste.











