Want meals that work for busy mornings, school baon, and family dinners — without the stress midweek? These 5 Filipino dishes can be prepped ahead, stored, and warmed up so you always have something delicious ready!
Life as a mom means being pulled in a million directions. Between errands, school, work, and perhaps your side hustle, finding time to cook fresh every day feels like a luxury. But what if you didn’t have to? What if you could prep a few dishes over the weekend, stash them in the fridge or freezer, and just reheat during crazy weekdays?
That’s why I’m sharing these 5 Filipino recipes that are perfect for batch cooking and make-ahead prep. They’re hearty, family-friendly, and full of flavor — so even when you reheat them, they still taste like you cooked them with love that very day.
1. Beef Mechado (Make-Ahead Version)
Rich tomato-based stew with potatoes, carrots, and tender beef. On the weekend, sauté the beef and simmer it with sauce and veggies. Portion into containers; on weekday night, just reheat (cover to avoid drying out). Serve with garlic rice.
2. Chicken Afritada Casserole
Chicken, bell peppers, potatoes, and tomato sauce — a classic. I like to bake it in a big dish, then divide into smaller portions. Bonus: you can even freeze some trays and pull them out when needed.
3. Pork Nilaga Kits
Boil pork ribs or kasim with corn, pechay, cabbage, and potatoes. For make-ahead: cook broth + meat over the weekend, leave veggies unpacked; add veggies fresh when reheating so they stay crisp.
4. Baked Chicken Teriyaki Tray Bake
Marinate chicken thighs in teriyaki sauce, arrange on a baking sheet with veggies (carrots, broccoli, bell peppers), bake, then divide. Great for both dinner and for baon the next day.
5. Ginataang Monggo with Bilangbilang
Sweet potatoes, gabi, sunkist squash, mung beans, and coconut milk cooked together. This one actually tastes even better after a day or two, when flavors have melded. Just reheat gently so coconut milk doesn’t split.
Tips to Make Batch Cooking Work for You
- Use airtight containers or freezer-safe bags — label them with names & dates.
- Freeze portions in flat layers (so they stack well).
- Reheat with a splash of water or broth to preserve moisture.
- Plan your menu so flavors don’t repeat too much; variety keeps things exciting.
Wrapping It Up 💛
Prepping ahead isn’t cheating — it’s smart. It gives you more peace in the hectic parts of the week, more time to play with Twinkle and Ykaie, more moments to breathe.
If you try these, share a photo or tell me which dish saved you the most time this week. I love hearing how your kitchen journey goes!
