Sprouts ready meals are a convenient and healthy option for busy people who want to eat well without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Sprouts is a grocery store chain that offers a variety of pre-made entrees, sides, and salads that just need to be heated up before enjoying. With minimal preparation required, Sprouts ready meals allow you to get a home-cooked meal on the table in under 30 minutes.
While Sprouts ready meals are pre-cooked and just need reheating, following the instructions properly is important to ensure the food comes out hot, delicious, and safe to eat. Here is a guide to cooking Sprouts ready meals so you can enjoy tasty, nutritious meals with no hassle.
Read the packaging instructions carefully
The first step when cooking any Sprouts ready meal is to carefully read the instructions on the packaging. Different meals may require different cooking methods, temperatures, and times. Key things to look for include:
Oven vs microwave
– Most Sprouts meals can be cooked in either the oven or microwave, but some specify one method only. This is important to get right.
Cook time and temperature
– The package will tell you how long to cook the meal for and at what temperature. This ensures the food is heated through properly.
Venting requirements
– Some meals require you to vent the packaging either before or partway through cooking. Proper venting is important for thorough, even heating.
Standing or rest time
– Some meals require you to let them stand or rest for a few minutes after cooking. This finishes the cooking process and allows flavors to develop.
Following the listed instructions precisely results in the best taste and texture. Be sure to pay close attention to the fine print on the back of the package.
Allow refrigerated items to thaw
Many Sprouts ready meals need to be stored refrigerated. Check the package to see if the meal needs to be fully thawed before cooking. If so, take the meal out of the fridge when you start prepping and allow it to thaw on the counter for 20-30 minutes. Thawing first allows the meal to heat evenly throughout cooking.
If the meal can go straight from fridge to oven, you’ll see instructions indicating that. In this case, no thawing is needed. Simply start preheating your oven and cook once it’s up to temperature.
Preheat the oven or microwave
If cooking your Sprouts meal in the oven, preheat to the listed temperature before putting the meal in. This ensures the oven is hot enough to quickly get the chill off refrigerated or frozen foods.
If using the microwave, no preheating is required. Simply cook the meal using the microwave settings and times specified on the package. Check in intervals to prevent overcooking.
Use the recommended cookware
Sprouts ready meal packaging often recommends what type of dish to cook it in. This usually includes instructions like:
On a sheet pan or baking dish
– Meals like enchiladas, lasagnas, and bakes often do best cooked directly on a sheet pan or shallow oven-safe baking dish.
In a microwave-safe dish
– Foods meant for the microwave should be transferred to a microwave-safe bowl or container before heating. Cover the dish if instructed.
Directly on oven rack
– Certain items like chicken or fish may be wrapped in parchment or foil and can cook directly on the oven rack without a dish.
Following cookware recommendations prevents spillovers and helps the meal cook correctly. Have the cookware ready to go before starting.
Vent packaging if required
Some Sprouts meals come in protective packaging that needs to be vented or pierced before cooking. This is important, as heating expands the food and trapped steam can lead to explosions or uneven cooking.
Refer to the package instructions to see if and when venting is required. Use a sharp knife to cut vents or small slits in the plastic film or aluminum tray lid. Be sure vents are large enough for steam to escape.
Cook for the full recommended time
It can be tempting to pull food out early, but cooking Sprouts meals for the full recommended time ensures:
– Food safety – Meals need to reach safe internal temperatures.
– Even heating – Cooking fully heats all elements of the meal.
– Proper texture – Going the full time allows flavors to develop and foods to reach their ideal tenderness.
Test for doneness using a food thermometer when possible. If not, rely on the timing and check for visual cues like bubbling cheese or a crisped top. Allow to rest or stand if instructed before serving.
Double check temperatures
In addition to following package cooking times, use a food thermometer to verify Sprouts meals reach the proper internal temperature after cooking. This ensures any meat, poultry, fish, or other elements are fully cooked for safety.
Target safe minimum temperatures include:
| Chicken breasts | 165°F |
| Ground meats | 160°F |
| Beef, pork, lamb | 145°F |
| Fish | 145°F |
Checking temperatures is an important final safety step when reheating any pre-cooked foods.
Allow standing time
Some Sprouts ready meals instruct you to let them stand for 3-5 minutes after cooking. This standing time finishes the cooking process, allowing the temperature to evenly distribute.
Proper standing gives cheese time to fully melt and meats time to firm up. It also allows excess moisture to absorb back into the food instead of pooling in the bottom of the package.
Let meals stand the recommended time for best texture and flavor. Tenting with foil can help retain heat if needed.
Check for doneness
Once cooked and rested, use visual cues to check that your Sprouts meal is fully done before eating:
Bubbling or browned cheese
– Cheesy dishes should have melted, bubbly cheese coating other ingredients.
Sizzling or crispy tops
– Meals with crispy crusts or toppings should reheat to be crispy and sizzling.
Steaming sauces or gravies
– Sauces and gravies should be hot with steam visibly rising.
Metallic sheen on proteins
– Fully cooked meats should have an opaque, metallic sheen when sliced into.
Hot with filled-out shape
– Foods should be steaming hot all the way through with a filled-out appearance.
Double check doneness to ensure even thorough heating before enjoying your meal.
Conclusion
With these tips, you can easily cook Sprouts ready meals to be as tasty and satisfying as home-cooked food. Read packages closely, use recommended tools and temps, and allow proper resting. In just minutes, you’ll have a wholesome convenient meal the whole family will love. Sprouts ready meals take the stress out of weeknight dinners with minimal effort required.