Plan ahead for simpler Ramadan meals
Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, self-discipline, and reconnecting with Allah. It’s a month of fasting, not feasting, but so often, many Muslims find themselves spending more time in the kitchen preparing intricate meals than dedicating time to acts of worship.
If you’ve been yearning to shift your focus from meal preparation to your spiritual practice, these practical, time-saving tips can help you reclaim your time and energy.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, holds immense significance for Muslims around the world. It is believed to be the month on the Muslim calendar when Islam’s holy book was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad. Muslims observe this sacred time every year with fasting, prayer, and reflection.
Fasting during this holy month is one of the five pillars of Islam. During this month, adult Muslims abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset as an act of worship and obedience to Allah. But Ramadan is more than just a period of restraint — it is an opportunity to strengthen faith, seek forgiveness, and become closer to Allah through acts of devotion like reciting the Qur’an, performing extra nightly prayers, and giving to charity.
Muslim communities come together during this month on the lunar calendar to spend time together and to help those in need even more than usual. Friends and neighbors often will meet to break their fast together in the evening, and then many Muslims will go to the local mosque to participate in a special night prayer.
Ramadan fasting strengthens participants’ discipline, self-restraint, gratitude, and compassion for those who are less fortunate, all while purifying the soul and elevating one’s spiritual state. As a side benefit, fasting also offers health benefits to Ramadan observers.
The end of Ramadan is followed by the celebration of Eid al-Fitr when the next new moon is sighted. This joyous holiday brings families and communities together in unity and gratitude. They wear new clothes, attend a special prayer, and celebrate together.
Why Simplifying Meals Matters in Ramadan
The essence of Ramadan lies in worship, self-control, and gratitude. While breaking the fast is an important occasion, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea of preparing lavish meals, leaving little time for Qur’an recitation, extra prayers, or family bonding.
By simplifying your approach to meal preparation, you free up precious time for ibadah (worship) and ensure you align your daily activities with the spiritual priorities of Ramadan.
Less Time at the Stove, More Time in Salat
Here are some tips for minimizing food preparation time, maximizing worship time, and making the fasting hours easier and more productive.
1. Cook in Advance
Prepare meals in bulk before the holy month of Ramadan begins. Cooking large portions of soups, stews, or casserole dishes and freezing them can save you countless hours later.
Use portioned storage containers to freeze meals that can easily be thawed and reheated. Opt for nutrient-dense dishes that provide energy for fasting, such as lentil soup, vegetable dishes, or grilled proteins.
Not only does this cut down on time spent over the stove, but it also reduces daily decision-making stress.
Make It Work:
Label frozen meals clearly to avoid confusion.
Invest in quality freezer bags or containers to lock in freshness.
2. Plan Your Meals
Meal planning is key for efficient Ramadan cooking. Sit down with your family before the month of Ramadan begins and decide on meals for suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and iftar (fast-breaking meal). Choose a rotation of simple, healthy dishes that everyone enjoys to streamline the process. Keep cultural favorites, but ensure meals aren’t overburdened with excessive variety or complexity.
Tips:
Create a weekly meal calendar and display it in the kitchen.
Focus on high-energy meals that sustain you throughout the fast.
3. Stock Up on Staples
No one wants to go grocery shopping toward the end of a long day of fasting. Before Ramadan begins, stock your pantry, fridge, and freezer with essentials.
Check that you have the spices you use, along with rice, pasta, lentils, canned goods, and condiments. If you like baking, ensure you have items like flour and yeast on hand.
With your pantry stocked, you can cut down on grocery runs during Ramadan.
Essentials to Stock:
Dried dates (a traditional iftar food)
Cooking oils and ghee
Nuts and seeds for snacks or smoothies
4. Organize Your Kitchen
An organized kitchen equals an efficient workspace.
Before the month of Ramadan begins, clear any unnecessary clutter and rearrange frequently used appliances, such as blenders or food processors, to easily accessible spots. Store spices and cooking utensils within arm’s reach of your stove to reduce preparation time.
Ensuring your kitchen is well-ordered improves the smoothness of meal prep, helping you finish faster.
Ideas for Organization:
Use drawer-style storage for spices.
Dedicate a corner for Ramadan essentials like dates.
Declutter countertops to maximize prep space.
5. Keep It Simple
Food in Islamic tradition is simple and wholesome. During the month of Ramadan, resist the pressure to create elaborate iftar spreads. Instead, focus on balanced meals that are nutritious and easy to prepare. Aim for dishes that meet your basic needs — a soup, a salad, a protein, and a side.
By simplifying iftar, you also make cleanup less demanding, providing more time for worship.
Examples of Simple Meals:
A pot of lentil soup with fresh bread
Grilled chicken with a side of greens and rice
Stuffed vegetables cooked in tomato sauce
6. Share Cooking Duties
Cooking doesn’t have to be a one-person responsibility. Get your family involved to make preparation more manageable and enjoyable. Assign tasks according to age and ability, such as chopping vegetables, setting the table, or mixing dough.
Not only does this lighten the load, but it also creates an opportunity for bonding and family connection.
Quick Collaboration Tips:
Meal prep together.
Teach children simple Ramadan recipes using age-appropriate tasks.
Rotate cooking responsibilities among family members.
7. Use Time-Saving Gadgets
Modern kitchen gadgets can be a game-changer for busy Ramadan schedules, making the fasting period easier on the cook. Slow cookers, instant pots, and air fryers enable you to prepare flavorful dishes with minimal active work.
With a slow cooker, for instance, you can set a stew to cook while you read your Qur’an. Similarly, blenders and food processors make prepping sauces or smoothies far easier.
Gadgets Worth Considering:
A blender for suhoor (breakfast) smoothies
A slow cooker for soups or meat dishes
An air fryer for quick, healthier frying
8. Repurpose Leftovers
Leftovers are a hidden blessing during Ramadan — they minimize waste and save significant time. Instead of cooking entirely new meals every day, consider repurposing leftovers creatively.
For example, transform roasted vegetables into soups, use rice for quick fried rice dishes, or shred leftover chicken for wraps or salads.
Helpful Practices:
Label leftover containers with dates for easy tracking.
Reimagine simple meals using different spices or condiments.
Store small portions for quick suhoor options.
9. Break Fasts Together as a Community
If you have family, friends, or community members you regularly share your Ramadan meals with, consider potluck-style iftars. Each household can contribute one dish, significantly reducing the overall effort required to lay out a feast.
This brings the joy of togetherness while enabling more time to focus on acts of worship.
Etiquette for Shared Meals:
Coordinate in advance to avoid duplicate dishes.
Provide to-go containers for leftovers.
Remember to keep meal contributions modest and balanced.
10. Focus on Nourishing the Soul
Most importantly, remind yourself of the purpose behind fasting. Food is secondary to strengthening your connection with Allah and growing in piety. Use the time you save with these tips to pray Taraweeh, recite Qur’an, or reflect on the blessings in your life.
In many cultures Ramadan meals tend to be elaborate and exhausting. But food in Islamic tradition is simple. Free yourself from unnecessary expectations and burdens, so you can focus on feeding the soul.
Final Thoughts
Ramadan is a time for spiritual growth, and simplifying the way you approach meals can help you direct your focus toward what truly matters — your connection with Allah.
By planning ahead, organizing your home, and involving loved ones, you can spend less time at the stove and more time in salat. Remember, the true reward of this holy month is in what you give to your soul, not what you put on your plate.
Ramadan is a fleeting guest. At Guidance Residential, we wish you a blessed Ramadan.
Ramadan wishes from Guidance Residential
Every Ramadan we’re reminded of the blessings of home. Since 2002, Guidance Residential has helped over 40,000 families celebrate this holy month in their new home. We are so thankful to be part of their celebration, and we wish you a joyful and meaningful Ramadan. Ramadan Kareem!
Guidance Residential remains the #1 U.S. Islamic home financing provider, with more than 40,000 families assisted over more than 20 years. Learn more about our co-ownership model of Islamic home financing, and get started on your home finance journey today.
The team at Guidance Residential is here for you, from the first step of pre-qualification or pre-approval, on through to finding the right real estate professional for you and your family — or refinancing a home you already own. We invite you to explore the home buying process with Guidance Residential today. You can also instantly calculate an estimate specific to your personal situation with our finance calculators online.
Your Guidance Residential Account Executive is here to help with any questions. Looking to refinance or purchase? Have a friend or family member who is looking for a home? Call 1.866.Guidance, or start an application today.
Originally published in May 2019, updated January 2025.
