How Long Can Vegetables Be Sautéed In Advance?
Making and prepping food in advance is a great way to save time during busy weekdays. We recommend trying delicious make-ahead meal recipes like classic ragù alla bolognese, cheesy broccoli rice casserole, and sausage-ricotta lasagna. Of course, there are also healthy options like salads and soups. Everyday Health explained that making food in advance can even help to improve your diet quality.
"I definitely think meal prepping helps us with just living well in general," said Basheerah Enahora, RDN, owner of BE Nutrition. "When we put some thought into it, we're more likely to pick up really nutrient-rich foods from the grocery store. We have a list that's decided in advance."
With this in mind, another great way to save time in the kitchen is to prep heart-healthy vegetables ahead of time. Whether you're adding them to a stir fry or they're simply a side dish, they can thankfully be cooked well before you're ready to use them. However, not all vegetables are created equal when it comes to being a good fit for making them in advance.
Vegetables can be cooked the day before, but not every type
Certain types of food lend themselves better to cooking ahead of time than others. Food52 suggests picking varieties that are soft like mushrooms, kale, root vegetables, or cabbage. Test Kitchen Director Josh Cohen explained to the outlet that "even the best chef in the world can't cook everything at the last minute," which makes prepping food ahead of time crucial for even high-end restaurants.
However, you'll want to steer clear of cooking ingredients in advance like Brussels sprouts or cauliflower if you're looking for a chewier consistency or worried about it having a bright hue because they need to be made right before you serve them. Today notes that other veggies that can be sautéed ahead of time — like carrots and green beans — can be put into a casserole or cooked the day before and then refrigerated. Making them easy to grab when it's time for dinner and throwing them into a frittata or reheating them in a saucepan or microwave. With these food hacks in your arsenal, busy night weeknights could be a lot less stressful.