Sticky Note Meal Planning Binder

You know those projects that you’ve been wanting to do forever, but put off because you think it will take too long–only to actually do it and it takes a fraction of that time? Creating a sticky note meal planning binder was that project for me! I’ve been dreaming of doing this for almost a year now and finally did it this weekend. Guess what? It took less than an hour from start to finish and I am SO happy with how it turned out!

Meal planning is something I do every single week. Having this binder organized full of our favorite recipes will make this task SO much easier. My favorite part is that it corresponds with my Weekly Menu board. Together they are an simple, effective system. In this post, I will be explaining how it all works as well as providing all of the free printables so that you can make your own!

How I use my sticky note meal planning binder:

Every week I use my weekly menu board to plan out dinners for my family. I write each meal on sticky notes and place them on the corresponding day. At the end of the week I remove the sticky notes from my menu board and put them in the corresponding section of my binder.

After adding the sticky note to my binder, I make sure to add the recipe behind the divider. I either handwrite them or print the recipe from the website. I use a three hole punch and add the recipe behind the corresponding category. You don’t have to have a physical copy of the recipes, but I personally hate having to look at my phone or computer constantly when cooking or meal planning- this makes it quick and easy to find.

I also make sure to only add our family’s favorite tried and true recipes. This means that when I go to meal plan for a new week, I have tons of recipes to choose from. I can then pull the sticky note off of the page and place it on the menu board for the new week.

Supplies to make your meal planning binder:

Required:

Binder (I used a 1.5″ binder with clear pockets)

Cardstock (or plain paper!) & a pen

Useful to have:

Small 2×2″ sticky notes (I like the ones that I linked because they are extra sticky and great for reusing!)

Post it tabs

3 hole punch

Page protectors: Use these if you don’t have a 3 hole punch!

8×10″ picture frame (they also have these at Dollar Tree!)

Meal planning printables (see below)

Free printables so you can make your own meal planning binder:

Binder cover:

This isn’t a necessary component, but if you have a binder with a clear cover pocket you can print one of these covers and add it! There are colorful options as well as more simple, minimalistic designs 😉

Click here to download the meal planning binder covers.

Meal categories:

Use these to separate your recipes and add your sticky notes to. I recommend printing them on cardstock. There are 30 different options. Make sure to only print the ones you need!

Click here to download the meal category pages.

Recipe cards:

Maybe you have family recipes that you want to transfer to your binder? These are perfect! Just print, three hole punch and add to the appropriate category.

Click here to download the recipe cards.

Weekly Menu Board

Want to use the sticky note weekly menu board with your binder? Visit this post, print it on paper of your choosing, and place in an 8×10″ picture frame.

Meal Planning Printables

Click here to read more about how I use these printables to shop our fridge/ pantry and meal plan for the week ahead!

Family Favorites Printable

This is another great way to keep track of recipes that your family loves! Just write down the name, your rating and the source! I love referring to our list when meal planning. Click here to visit the post and download the Family Favorites Printable.

What if I don’t have _______?

Don’t have sticky notes? Just handwrite the names of the recipes on each category!

Don’t have a printer? Handwrite the categories, lists and recipes! (Or use one at your library!)

Don’t have tabs? Use small post its or page flags!

Don’t have time? I promise it doesn’t take as long as you think! After you put it together initially you can add to it a little each week and in no time at all it will be jam packed full of recipes to feed your family!

Basically feel free to make the system work best for you! You can use any combination of printables to make this sticky note meal planning binder useful for your family! If you have any questions, leave them below or head over to Instagram where I have a highlight saved! Happy meal planning!

Tap or hover over any image to pin and save for later.