I partnered with Ontario Apple Growers to create this 5-day apple meal plan. Although I received monetary compensation for this post, reviews and opinions expressed are my own.
There’s nothing simpler than eating a fresh crisp apple. They’re sweet, crunchy and nutritious. They’re also great for baking and cooking and are available year round in Ontario.
I took on the fun challenge of creating a 5-day apple meal plan where every meal includes local Ontario apples! Meal planning provides a variety of good-for-you food and creates an opportunity for your family to sit down and eat a meal together.
Here are a few recipe highlights:
Two Bite Apple Cranberry Tarts
Sweet pastry dough filled with a homemade apple cranberry jam and topped with a heart motif makes the perfect dessert. See the recipe.
Apple Fritter Oat Muffins
Easy and healthy muffins loaded with good-for-you-ingredients including oat bran and apples make an ideal breakfast or snack. See the recipe.
Butternut Squash Soup with Apples & Coconut Milk
Creamy soup with butternut squash, apples, coconut milk and roasted pumpkin seeds makes a heart-warming lunch on a winter day. See the recipe.
Sheet Pan Maple Dijon Apples & Pork
Super easy and healthy sheet pan dinner with apples, sweet potatoes and pork means a family meal will be on the table quick. See the recipe.
About this meal plan
The meal plan includes breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner recipes for five days for a family of four. It also includes recipes for appetizers and desserts and meal prep tips.
The recipes include varieties of Ontario apples, plus other fruits and vegetables. Most recipes are from Ontario Apple Growers and some from my own library. You’ll find each recipe is family friendly, quick and easy!
Here are more examples of recipes from this meal plan:
- Puffy Baked Apple Pancake
- Apple & Spinach Salad
- Apple Bacon Cheese Ball
- Apple Fennel & Italian Sausage Stuffing
- Apple Turkey & Rice Biryani
How the meal plan works
This meal plan is designed to last five days, from Sunday to Thursday. It tells you what to prep ahead for each meal so the cooking process is easy and efficient.
A grocery list is included and only one grocery trip is needed to fulfill this plan! If you grocery shop on Saturday you will be prepared to start the plan on Sunday morning. You’ll need a lot of apples for this meal plan, so check out these apple handling tips.
Most of the meal prep is done on Sunday, when you will prepare some of the base ingredients for the week ahead and make a turkey dinner.
I also provide tips on how to use up leftover ingredients which can help you extend this meal plan to a sixth or seventh day. This makes the most efficient use of your time and substantially reduces food waste which in turn benefits budget.
Why try this meal plan
Everything is planned out for you. Just download the meal plan and grocery list and you’ll be prepared to feed your family multiple healthy meals for the week.
Here are some benefits to following a meal plan:
- Helps you make healthier choices
- Controlled portions
- Eliminates multiple grocery store trips during the week
- Keeps you on a budget
- Reduces stress
- Creates less food waste
- Try new recipes and ingredients
Why local apples
Ontario apples are available everywhere year-round. Apples have vitamins, minerals and fiber that are the foundation of a healthy diet. You’ve heard the saying ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’! Learn more about apples’ nutrition information.
How apples are stored
Last fall, I went on a tour at an Ontario apple packing and storage facility. I learned how apples are stored in large bins in a temperature-controlled environment that stops the ripening process. This makes the apples stay fresh and crisp just like the day they were picked from the orchard. The apples can then be packaged and delivered to grocery stores so you can buy them fresh year-round.
To learn more about local Ontario apples and for more apple recipes, visit Ontario Apple Growers. You can also follow Ontario Apple Growers on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Post your apple photos and tag them with #OnAppleADay.
Download the meal plan
I hope you’ll try this fun meal plan challenge full of delicious apple variety! Below are PDF versions of the meal plan, grocery list and how to use leftovers.
More apple recipes
Some of the recipes you’ll find in this meal plan are:
Wow, what a great meal plan! So organized and well thought out.
Thank you Lily! Meal plans work well for our family and this one in particular full of apples was lots of fun. Keeps everyone well fed, organized and on track for the week.