How to Meal Plan for Moms: Carnivore Heavy Meals for a Big Fam

Meal planning is the ultimate time-saver for busy moms, myself included, especially when you’re juggling four kids, a packed schedule, and ensuring everyone is well-fed. We also try to avoid lost of processed foods (even if it is “better for you” processed foods). With three days of packed lunches, two nights dedicated to leftovers and takeout, and a carnivore-focused meal plan for a family of six, this blog post will guide you through every step of the process. Full disclosure, we do have a full cow worth of meat in our freezer, so we eat a LOT of beef to 1) help on our weekly budget and 2) know exactly where our meat is coming from.

Why Meal Planning Works

Meal planning takes the guesswork out of daily meals, helps control your grocery budget, reduces food waste, and makes sure your family gets nourishing, home-cooked food without unnecessary stress. Is it easy? No. But it’s completely worth it. I am a mom with ADHD and I can definitely get in the mode where I plan tons of meals, but then never cook them because I was overwhelmed. This simple meal plan for moms is so easy and uses simple ingredients so it doesn’t over complicate anything!

Carnivore-Heavy Weekly Meal Plan

This meal plan is tailored for busy families, focusing on protein-packed dinners and easy-to-pack lunches. It includes six dinners, three days of packed lunches, and snack ideas for your kids and yourself.

Dinner Plan

Monday: Grilled Ribeye Steaks with Sautéed Asparagus and Baby Potatoes (my kids call these “ball potatoes”)
Tuesday: Pan-Seared Hamburgers with a fried egg, Garlic Butter Broccoli, and Wild Rice
Wednesday: Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Bell Peppers and Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Thursday: (Leftovers Night)
Friday: Carryout Night
Saturday: Meatballs with Spinach Salad
Sunday: BBQ Beef Brisket sandwiches with sliced cheddar cheese

Juggling Homeschool and Packed Lunches

Packed Lunches (3 Days Per Week)

“Meal planning became a game-changer for me when my kids and I started spending more time out of the house during our homeschool days. As a mom of four, packing lunches isn’t just about convenience—it’s about keeping the kids happy and fueled while we’re on the go. I remember one time I forgot to pack lunches for a busy day out, and the meltdown that ensued was… unforgettable. We had to stop at Starbucks for a breakfast sandwich, which the kids loved so don’t get me wrong. But now, I always have our ‘go-to lunch box staples,’ like ham roll-ups and hard-boiled eggs, ready to grab and pack in the mornings. It’s made such a difference for our outings, and honestly, it keeps me sane!”

These lunches are quick, protein-rich, and easy to assemble:

Day 1: Ham and cheese roll-ups, cherry tomatoes, and a hard-boiled egg
Day 2: Meat sticks, cucumber sticks, yogurt pouch, and cheddar cubes
Day 3: Beef jerky, boiled eggs, orange slices and sliced bell peppers

Snacks for Kids and Mom

String cheese
Greek yogurt cups
Apple slices with almond butter
Trail mix (nuts, seeds, dried fruits)
Deviled eggs
Electrolyte Powder drinks (I pre-mix at home when we go out)

Grocery Shopping List

Here’s everything you need for the week’s meals, snacks, and lunches:

Proteins

Ribeye steaks (6)
Ground beef (4 lbs)
Chicken thighs (10 pieces)
Bacon (1 lb)
Beef brisket (2–3 lbs)
Ham slices (1 lb)
Eggs (hard boiled and fried) (2 doz)
Beef jerky (1 pack)
Kids Yogurt Pouches (8)

Produce

Asparagus (1 bunch)
Bag of baby potatoes (1 bag)
Broccoli (2 heads)
Bell peppers (6)
Sweet potatoes (3 large)
Spinach (1 bunch)
Cherry tomatoes (1 pint)
Cucumber (2)
Apple slices (pre-packaged or fresh apples)
Mandarin Oranges (peel on)

Pantry Staples

Olive oil (50% off the best EVOO)
Butter
Garlic
BBQ sauce (sugar-free option if desired)
Almond butter
Trail mix
Meat sticks (50% off my fave beef sticks)

Dairy

Cheddar cheese (block or pre-cut cubes)
String cheese
Greek yogurt cups

Grains and Sides

Wild rice (1 lb)

How to Stay Organized

Dedicate a Meal Prep Day: Pick one day to prepare lunches and pre-chop veggies for dinners. You can see my meal prep day in a full Youtube video below.
Use Containers Wisely: Invest in quality lunch containers to keep packed meals fresh and organized. And remember, we don’t want to store food in plastic to avoid micro-plastics leeching into our food, so I always recommend glass storage containers like these.
Freeze Extras: Double your dinner recipes and freeze half for weeks when you’re especially busy. One thing I’ve learned as a busy mom is that not every meal needs to be cooked from scratch. Leftovers night has become a lifesaver, especially after a day when homeschooling has run long, and the kids are in full energy-burst mode. Last week, I watched my 6-year-old reheating his favorite BBQ brisket and telling his younger sisters how to eat it ‘like a real cowboy.’ Moments like these make me appreciate the simplicity of meal planning—and how a little leftover magic can make dinnertime easier and even a bit more fun.
Keep It Flexible: While this plan is made to give you a plan for every single meal, I know kids get hungry more often than you plan for and they will randomly not like something you’ve made for dinner that evening. To avoid being annoyed by these things, I keep a bag of Perdue gluten-free, organic chicken nuggets on hand at all times, as well as some snack staples that are my kids’ favorites but didn’t make the list.

By taking an hour or two to plan and prep, you can save time during the week and ensure your family eats delicious, healthy meals. Share your meal-planning tips or challenges in the comments below—I’d love to hear how your week goes!