This tip comes to you courtesy of my weekly quick tip newsletter. Sign up here if you’d like tips like these delivered to your email in box each week.
Creating a seasonal recipe binder is a project that’s on my own personal to-do list right now. My main recipe binder is a life-saver, but when the seasons change, so do my eating habits. For me, the summer months mean more grilling, more main dish salads, and the desire to experiment with new recipes and farm-fresh ingredients.
Here’s my plan to simplify my summer meal prep (and yours, I hope!) by creating a seasonal recipe binder.
Collect necessary supplies
A three-ring binder, some empty sheet protectors, a binder pocket folder, and some post-it notes are all you need to get started.
Collect new recipes
Use your binder pocket folder for recipes you want to try. When you get new magazines tear out the recipes that sound yummy. If you find an interesting recipe on a website, print it out and place it in your recipe binder pocket.
Make a list of tried-and-true seasonal favorites
Include ideas for simple dinners, lunches, snacks and potluck dishes you enjoy serving this time of year. Add to your list throughout the season as you recall and make your seasonal favorites.
Plan weekly meals
Once a week, pull out your seasonal recipe binder and pick a few recipes to try. Mix in a few tried-and-true favorites, and add the ingredients to your shopping list.
Transfer “keepers” to sheet protectors
As you try new recipes throughout the season, transfer the keepers—those recipes you and your family enjoyed and want to have again—to the sheet protectors in your binder. When the season is over, remove any “to-try” recipe from your pocket pages so you can start fresh again next year.
Do you change your menu seasonally, too? If so, what are your favorite things to cook this time of year?
I love this idea! I have a file where I’ve been keeping my printed/cut out recipes that have become favorites. I have a binder that will be perfect for this. Thank you so much for sharing, Aby!
I do this exact thing. And when I am using recipes from the binder for a weeks menu. I use post it notes that say the day of the week on them and just stick them to the sheet protector of the recipe I’m using, and then I can reuse them for quite some time.
@ Peggy, I love the Post It note idea! Thank you so much for sharing!!
Aby
Aby, if you go to Zazzle.com, you can order a special binder for your seasonal recipes. They had a number of patterns to choose from when I made mine in January, and I was able to personalize it so it would say “Connair Family Favorites.” Turned out super cute, and I think there was even a coupon code floating around when I made mine, so be sure to Google for a coupon if you decide to get a special binder done.
@ Jan C.
Thanks for the idea!
Aby
This is the great idea really helpful. I really like the plan weekly meals tip. Thanks for this great post.