Wave farewell to the hassle of excessive cleanup and the guilt of using disposable plastic baggies. This post isn’t just another recipe; it’s a game-changing kitchen hack designed to streamline your meal prep process. The technique I’m about to share simplifies dinner preparation, sparing you from the tedious task of cleaning bulky appliances like food processors or blenders. More importantly, it offers an eco-friendly alternative to single-use ziplock bags, significantly reducing your kitchen waste.
Introducing a smarter, cleaner way to prepare your meals: utilizing an immersion blender and a mason jar. This method is not only incredibly efficient but also incredibly simple, making cleanup a breeze. Forget about scrubbing a food processor or disposing of plastic bags. Here, the focus is on minimal mess and maximum flavor.
What You’ll Need:
- A quart-sized wide-mouth mason jar: The wide mouth is crucial to accommodate the immersion blender.
- A BPA-free lid for your mason jar, for those who prefer a safer, plastic-free option.
- An immersion blender: A versatile tool I find indispensable in my kitchen.
- A citrus reamer, for effortlessly juicing fruits like limes and oranges, which I frequently use in my recipes.
The Method:
- Begin by coarsely chopping any larger ingredients, such as onions, to fit them into your jar. If your recipe calls for citrus juice, simply juice the fruit directly into the jar.
- Next, place all the ingredients you’d typically blend or process into the mason jar.
- Insert the immersion blender into the jar and pulse until you achieve a smooth, even consistency in your marinade or mixture.
- Add your choice of meat to the jar – it can usually accommodate one to one and a half pounds. Secure the lid tightly, give it a good shake to evenly coat the meat, and refrigerate until you’re ready to cook.
This method has revolutionized my meal prep, allowing me to cook delicious meals at least twice a week without the hassle of cleanup or environmental waste.
Easy Mason Jar Marinade Method and Recipe
For those curious, here’s the quick marinade recipe I used to prepare a pound and a half of chicken tenderloins for grilling:
- Juice of one small lime
- Juice of half a medium orange
- A generous handful of cilantro, including leaves and stems
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/3 cup of olive oil
I’m excited to share this approach with you and hope it makes your meal prep as enjoyable as it has made mine. Are you interested in exploring more mason jar marinades? Let me know if you’d like to see additional recipes featured here.