Meal PrepMeal Prep for Broke College Students
You don't need a full kitchen, a stand mixer, or a grocery budget to meal prep in college — this one comes together with a single pot (or a hot plate and a microwave), ingredients that don't need a car to get to, and a total cost that undercuts a single fast-food meal.
- for the pot
- 2 cups white rice, uncooked
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 bag (12 oz) frozen mixed vegetables
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp hot sauce, optional
five containers, about $1.50 a meal at most grocery stores.
- Cook the rice according to package directions (a rice cooker or even a covered pot on a hot plate both work).
- While the rice cooks, microwave the frozen vegetables according to package directions, about 5 minutes.
- Stir the black beans, cooked vegetables, and soy sauce (plus hot sauce, if using) into the rice once it's done.
- Divide between 5 containers. Cool before sealing if you have fridge access; otherwise this keeps fine for a few hours at room temp before eating.
No rice cooker or stove? Instant microwaveable rice pouches work — just stir everything together in a bowl instead of a pot.
No black beans? Any canned bean works the same way — whatever's cheapest that week.
Want more protein? A can of tuna or a couple of scrambled eggs stretches this further for very little added cost.
No soy sauce? Any bottled sauce works — teriyaki, salsa, or even ketchup and hot sauce in a pinch.
Kantan tip — buy rice and beans in the biggest bag/can your budget allows — the per-serving cost drops fast at bulk sizes, and both keep for months in a dorm closet.