Accidental Meal Prep
Three delicious make-ahead snacks perfect for summer poolside afternoons
Welcome back to Accidental Meal Prep, a series of recipes that weren’t exactly made for meal prep but somehow taste even better by day three.
If you’re anything like me and don’t have a full day to spend prepping in the kitchen, this series is all about simple recipes that make it easier to keep things on track through the week without making lunch feel like a chore.
This week’s theme is poolside snacks. We’re making summer chicken salad, BLT chicken salad, and honey lime yogurt fruit dip — three staple recipes you can prep ahead, stash in the fridge, and pull out whenever everyone suddenly gets hungry after swimming.
They’re fresh, protein-packed, easy to throw together, and perfect for snacking all week long.
Favorite Tools for Meal Prep
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Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls: Lightweight, durable, and endlessly useful for weekly meal prep. These are perfect for everything from tossing pasta salads to mixing chicken salad or prepping ingredients ahead of time. They also nest neatly together, which helps keep the kitchen from feeling cluttered during busy weeks.
Glass Jars for Chicken Salad: Perfect for storing chicken salad, egg salad, dressings, or grab-and-go lunches throughout the week. I love how easy they make portioning meals ahead of time, and the clear glass helps you quickly see what’s already prepped in the fridge.
Glass Storage Containers: A total game changer for keeping meal prep fresh and organized all week long. They stack easily in the fridge, seal tightly, and don’t hold onto stains or odors like plastic containers tend to do.
Glass Spice and Dressing Jars: Great for homemade dressings, sauces, spice blends, or meal prep toppings. Keeping dressings separate until you’re ready to eat helps everything stay fresh and crisp, plus they make the fridge look much more organized.
Knife Set: A quality knife set makes cooking feel so much faster and less frustrating. Sharp, comfortable to use, and perfect for chopping vegetables, slicing chicken, or prepping ingredients for the week ahead.
Wooden Cutting Board: One of my most reached-for kitchen tools for everyday cooking and meal prep. It’s sturdy, spacious, and gives you plenty of room to prep multiple ingredients at once without crowding the counter.
Favorite Tools for Easy Fruit Cutting and Washing
Pineapple Corer: Makes cutting a fresh pineapple feel way less intimidating. Perfect for summer fruit bowls, snacking, or adding pineapple to salads.
Ceramic Fruit Baskets: Cute enough to leave on the counter and practical for keeping fruit visible. I love anything that makes the kitchen feel a little more charming.
Berry Swirling Bowl: Such a fun way to rinse and serve berries. Pretty, practical, and perfect for summer hosting.
Crinkle Fry Knife: Great for making crinkle-cut veggies, fries, or fruit. It makes simple snacks feel extra cute.
Fruit Slicer: Perfect for quick prep when you want everything evenly sliced without pulling out a big knife.
Crinkle Fry Press: A fun little gadget for homemade crinkle fries or veggie cuts. Great for adding texture and making everyday sides feel special.