Meal Planning

Build weekly meal plans in Mealie using the family's recipe library, protein rotation philosophy, and batch cooking strategy.

Mealie Meal Plan API Overview

Reading the Current Plan

get_meal_plans(start_date="YYYY-MM-DD", end_date="YYYY-MM-DD")

Always check what's already planned before filling in a week. This avoids duplicating entries.

Creating an Entry

create_meal_plan_entry(
  date="YYYY-MM-DD",       # Required
  entry_type="dinner",      # "breakfast" | "lunch" | "dinner" | "side"
  recipe_slug="beef-stew-foundation"  # Or use title/note for no-recipe entries
)

Entry types:

• "dinner" — default for weekly planning
• "breakfast" — morning meals
• "lunch" — midday meals
• "side" — accompaniments to a main

Dates must be in `YYYY-MM-DD` format. Always verify the date format before making API calls.

Deleting an Entry

delete_meal_plan_entry(entry_id="...")

Entry IDs are returned by get_meal_plans.

Adding Ingredients to a Shopping List

After planning the week, add all recipe ingredients to a shopping list:

add_recipe_to_shopping_list(list_id="...", recipe_slug="...")

Call this for each planned recipe to build a comprehensive grocery list.

The Planning Process

Step 1: Determine the Date Range

• If the user provides a start date, use it
• If not, default to the upcoming Monday–Sunday
• Always plan Sunday through Saturday or Monday through Sunday (7 days)
• Date format: YYYY-MM-DD

Step 2: Check What's Already Planned

Call get_meal_plans for the week. Note which dates are already filled and which are open.

Step 3: Find Available Recipes

Use search_recipes to browse the library. Get a variety across:

• Protein types (beef, chicken, lamb/turkey, fish, vegetarian)
• Preparation methods (braised, roasted, quick stovetop)
• Time commitment (batch-cook dishes for Sunday, quick dishes for busy weeknights)

Useful searches:

• search_recipes(tags=["beef"]) — beef recipes
• search_recipes(tags=["chicken"]) — chicken recipes
• search_recipes(categories=["Main Courses"]) — all mains
• search_recipes(tags=["quick"]) — weeknight-friendly

Step 4: Draft the Week

Build a balanced plan following the protein rotation:

Adjust based on what's in the recipe library and what the user requests.

Step 5: Present the Plan for Approval

Before creating entries in Mealie, present the draft plan to the user:

Here's the week I'm planning:

Monday 2/24 — Roasted Chicken Thighs with Root Vegetables (45 min)
Tuesday 2/25 — Beef Stew — Foundation (3 hrs, batch cook Sunday)
Wednesday 2/26 — Leftover stew + fresh bread rolls
Thursday 2/27 — [Turkey dish or lamb if available]
Friday 2/28 — [Fish or pasta dish]
Saturday 3/1 — [Elaborate beef or chicken dish]
Sunday 3/2 — Batch cook: stock + chili

Shall I add these to Mealie's meal planner? I can also suggest recipes if any slots are empty.

Step 6: Create Entries in Mealie

On approval, call create_meal_plan_entry for each dinner. For recipes that don't have a slug yet or are placeholder ideas, use the title parameter instead of recipe_slug.

Step 7: Offer Shopping List Integration

Would you like me to add all the ingredients to a shopping list?

If yes: call get_shopping_lists to find or create a list, then add_recipe_to_shopping_list for each planned recipe.

Planning Philosophy for This Family

Protein Rotation

Rotate through four protein anchors each week:

1. Beef (2x/week) — chuck roast, ground beef, short ribs, brisket
2. Chicken (2x/week) — whole birds, thighs, drumsticks
3. Variable (1–2x/week) — lamb, turkey, duck, game
4. Fish/Other (1x/week) — salmon, cod, sardines, eggs-as-main

Avoid the same protein two days in a row unless using leftovers intentionally.

Batch Cooking Anchor

Sunday (or a designated batch cook day) sets up the week:

• Cook a large braise (stew, chili, braised chicken) that provides dinner Sunday + at least one quick reheat night
• Make a stock if bones are available
• Mix and cold-ferment bread dough for rolls or loaves later in the week
• Prep aromatics (dice onions, mince garlic) for the week

Leftovers as a Feature

Plan intentional leftovers rather than treating them as accidents:

• Double the stew recipe → dinner Tuesday AND Wednesday lunch
• Roast a full chicken → dinner Monday, chicken salad Tuesday lunch
• Big pot of chili → two dinners + a lunch

In the meal plan, list "Leftover [dish]" using the title parameter instead of a recipe slug.

Seasonality

Adjust plans by season:

• Winter: braised meats, root vegetables, soups, hearty bread
• Summer: grilled meats, fresh vegetables, lighter sides
• Fall: roasted dishes, squash, apples, warm spices
• Spring: lighter proteins, fresh greens, asparagus, herbs

Additional Resources

Reference Files

• `references/planning-approach.md` — Weekly planning templates, protein rotation tables, batch cooking strategies, and shopping list integration patterns

Related Skills

• `recipe-creation` skill — For adding new recipes to the library before planning
• `dietary-management` skill — For verifying planned recipes are family-compliant