While I still enjoy using the Trader Joe’s 3- or 5-Ingredient Method, sometimes I’m just not in the mood to cook what sounded good when I bought it.
So this is my less structured version — a simpler, more flexible approach that keeps my kitchen stocked without the pressure of sticking to recipes or planned meals.
I’ve tried meal planning, but it always ends up feeling overwhelming and leads to wasted food.
Lately, I’ve been focusing on having the right mix of things at home — enough to throw together meals I enjoy without overbuying or letting food go bad.
The 5-4-3-2-1 Method isn’t about recipes or specific meals.
It’s a way to keep my kitchen balanced and flexible so I can make what sounds good in the moment.
The Numbers
The numbers are just a guide for how I stock my fridge and pantry:
- 5 veggies
- 4 proteins
- 3 fruits
- 2 carbs
- 1 treat
Each week, I look at what’s already in the fridge or pantry and fill in the gaps.
If I already have eggs and bacon, I’ll purchase three proteins for lunch and dinner options.
If I’m low on veggies, I’ll grab a few that sound good that week.
My Current List of Options
Veggies
Salad
Coleslaw
Green beans
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Red onions
Baby spinach
Carrots
Asparagus
Spaghetti squash
Proteins
Chicken
Beef
Turkey
Seafood
Sausage
Eggs
Bacon
Cheese
Greek yogurt
Sliced ham
Fruits
Berries
Apple
Carbs
Potatoes
Sweet potato
Waffles
Brioche buns
Flour tortillas
Granola
Sourdough bread
French baguette
Sauces / Add-Ons
Pasta sauce
Bragg’s aminos
Honey
Avocado oil
Mayo
Salted French butter
Treats (all from Trader Joe’s)
Sea salt chocolate bars
Mini ice cream cones
Rainbow’s End Trail Mix Bars
Meal Ideas
Breakfast:
- Chicken and waffles with scrambled eggs or bacon
- Eggs with cheese, bacon, and baked sweet potato
- Ham and cheese omelet with hash browns
- Chick-fil-A–style breakfast bowl — scrambled eggs, tater tots, and southern-style chicken nuggets
Snack:
- Vanilla bean Greek yogurt with mixed berries and granola
- Granny Smith apple and a slice of turkey
- Trail mix bar
Lunch:
- Grilled turkey sandwich — sourdough with cheese, mayo or blackberry jam; avocado oil
- Jambon beurre — sliced ham, salted French butter, and a fresh French baguette
- Turkey burger with sweet potato fries and tomato cucumber salad
Dinner:
- Shrimp tacos with coleslaw
- Rotisserie chicken with Caesar salad
- Chicken meatballs with pasta sauce and spaghetti squash
I mix and match between Trader Joe’s, Costco, H-E-B, and sometimes Aldi — depending on what’s available and what I need that week.
The method stays the same no matter where I shop: simple, balanced, and flexible.