January Monthly Meal Plan

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Another month (and year), another meal plan. I like to create a monthly meal plan for our family. I won’t get into the step-by-step process now, but if you’d like to read up on this (simple and quick) routine, check this post out. So, each month I spend 30ish minutes figuring out our meals for the next 30 days and I use that as my guide all month long. My January Monthly Meal Plan isn’t as exciting as I’d like (see below), but it’s food and I’m grateful for it.

Why I like Meal Planning

Another benefit of monthly meal planning is that it saves my family money. I go grocery shopping with a list in my hand and that’s all I buy… usually. Things got a little dicey with the whole pandemic going on. For a while I couldn’t find meat, then when I did I grabbed some extra (a reasonable amount, I swear) and now I seem to have accumulated an abundance of meat in my freezer, which I haven’t been taking into consideration in my meal plans. This month, with my No Spend January, I’m taking a thorough analysis into my pantry and freezer, taking inventory, and planning all my January meals based on what we have until we have nothing left.

Honestly, it’s kind of bumming me out because I was just getting into a good recipe groove and I know I have A LOT of ground beef to eat, but I guess that’s what grownups do. I need to face the consequences of my panic shopping.

Monthly Meal Plan Basics

For my January meals, you’ll notice I’ve kept up certain themes

• Taco Tuesdays (alternating between Taco Salads and traditional Tacos. Check out my taco seasoning recipe)
• Pizza (& a Movie) Fridays
• Meals that warm the bones
• More veggies in the form of at least one salad a week
• 2 take out dinners a month (yes, even during a no spend because it’s budgeted for and planned, not an impulsive swing through the drive thru)

Concessions based on our Inventory

Every month, I strive to select two new recipes each month to try, however I won’t be doing that this month since it’s all about survival instead of creativity (kidding, kidding… but not really).

Our Freezer Inventory

• 4 lbs of ground turkey (hey there, tacos!)
• 5 lbs of ground beef (shepherd’s pie?)
• 3 ready to eat lbs of meatballs (my husband makes extra and freezes some)
• 2 chuck roasts
• A rack of ribs
• Pork Chops
• 4 boxes of breakfast sausage (Breakfast for Dinner, aka BFD, anyone?)
• 1 package of hot dogs
• 0 chicken, which is my go-to meat. Bummer.

I know we’re very fortunate to have such a bounty, however I prefer (and feel more confident cooking) lighter foods, which is probably why those heavy meats sit in the freezer for so long.

January Meal Plan

So here’s what I’m making this month:

1. Pizza (homemade)
2. BFD–Eggs and sausage
3. Spaghetti and Meatballs
4. Pot roast
5. Turkey Taco Salad
6. Shepherd’s Pie
7. Ham Chowder
8. Pizza (homemade)
9. Order Out
10. Pulled Pork Sandwiches
11. Salad Kit & Chicken
12. Turkey Tacos
13. Fajita Bowls
14. Potato Soup
15. Pizza (homemade)
16. Hot Dogs and Mac and Cheese
17. Spaghetti and Meatballs
18. Sweet Potato Turkey Burgers (find the recipe here)
19. Taco Salad
20. Pork Chops
21. Beef Stew (Chuck Roast)
22. Pizza (homemade)
23. BFD (eggs & sausage)
24. Meatloaf
25. Baked ziti
26. Turkey Tacos
27. Order Out
28. Salad Kit & Chicken
29. Pizza
30. Ribs
31. Spaghetti & Meatballs

Download and print my January Monthly Meal Plan below. Use mine as it is, tweak it to your likes, or follow the included guide to make your own. Write it down and keep it handy so you can refer to it often. Need more help sticking to a meal plan? Check this post.

January Meal Plan

And that’s what we’ll be eating in January—assuming that I will remember to defrost all that meat! Luckily, I have a plan for that. When I sit down to plan out our weekly events, I also plan out my daily to do lists. As I write our weekly meals in my planner, I’ll also jot down which meat I have to defrost the evening before.

Did you create a January Monthly Meal Plan? I’d love to hear more about it! Leave a comment below and let me know!

Want the guide? You can read all the blogs OR purchase the ebook and meal planning printable here!