Weekly Meal Planner Templates (Free Printables!)

Get organized with this collection of 3 free meal planner templates - including printable PDFs and editable Canva designs - to simplify weekly meal planning and grocery prep.

Today, as a follow-up to my popular Grocery List Printables, I thought I'd bring you a matching set of free meal planning printables!

How to Print or Edit Your Meal Planner Templates

There are two buttons under each template: one to download the PDF and one to open it in Canva for editing.

When you click the PDF button, you'll open a PDF document in a new tab. You can either press the printer icon to send to your printer or the downward-facing arrow to download the PDF to your device.

When you open the Canva template, simply click "Use template for new design;" from there, Canva will create a new file with a copy of the printable in your account. You can change around anything you'd like for your own personal use!

These pages are formatted to print on standard 8.5x11" printer paper. An at-home printer works just fine - this is the home inkjet printer I use! You might want to print the pages on cardstock to make them extra durable.

How to Use the Templates

Once your meal planner template is downloaded, it's easy to start using right away!

• Start with what you already have. Before planning new meals, check your fridge and freezer for ingredients that need to be used. Build a few meals around those items to reduce waste and save money.
• Choose a few reliable staple meals. Pick 1-2 go-to recipes that are quick and easy. (This Cheesy Chicken and Rice is a great one!) These are perfect for busy nights when you don't want to think too hard about dinner.
• Plan 4-5 meals for the week. You don't need to plan every single day. Leaving a few nights open allows flexibility for leftovers, takeout, or schedule changes.
• Decide which nights you'll cook. Many families prefer cooking a couple of nights in a row and using leftovers on the following day. Find a rhythm that works best for your household.
• Mark takeout or off-nights directly on your meal planner. If you know you'll be out or ordering in, add that to your weekly meal planner template so expectations are clear and planning stays realistic.

This approach keeps meal planning flexible and sustainable - especially when using a printable or editable weekly meal planner template.

Blank Simple Weekly Meal Planner

This blank boxed weekly meal planner template features open daily boxes, making it perfect for flexible meal planning, leftovers, or jotting down quick dinner ideas without a rigid structure.

Best for: Flexible planners, leftover nights, and anyone who prefers open space instead of strict meal categories.

Grid 3-Meal Weekly Template

This weekly meal planner template includes dedicated space for breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day, making it perfect for families who plan multiple meals or want a clear visual layout for the entire week.

Best for: Families planning breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day or households with multiple schedules to manage.

Meal Planner with Full Grocery List & Notes

This all-in-one meal planner template with grocery list allows you to plan meals for the week while keeping your shopping list and notes in one convenient, printable page.

Best for: Busy households that want their weekly meal plan and grocery list organized on one printable page.

Save All of the Printables at Once!

Download the complete set of meal planner templates in one file, including all layouts, so you can easily switch layouts without re-downloading files each week.

Which Meal Planner Template Should I Use?

Not sure which meal planner template is right for you? Use the quick comparison table below to choose the best option based on how you plan your meals each week.

How to Choose the Right Meal Planner Template

• Choose the Blank Simple Weekly Meal Planner if you like flexibility and don't plan every meal in advance.
• Use the Grid 3-Meal Weekly Template if you plan multiple meals per day and want a clear, structured layout.
• Pick the Meal Planner with Grocery List & Notes if you want to streamline meal planning and grocery shopping at the same time.
• Download all of the meal planner templates if your schedule changes week to week or you want every option available.

Bonus: My Original Printable Grocery List Template PDF

Finally, we have a little bit of a blast from the past! I originally published this set of budget grocery list/meal planner printables on the blog years ago, and thought I'd include it in this post in case anybody wanted to grab them. This grocery list pairs perfectly with any weekly meal planner template above.

After deciding on my weekly meal plan, I write down ingredients in each grocery category (meat, produce, canned & packaged, dairy, frozen, and bakery), quickly research the cost of each unit that week, and use that number to figure my overall grocery budget.

From there, you can cut and replace ingredients as needed to reduce your budget and make your final shopping list. Don't forget to add snacks, drinks, breakfast items, and other staples that aren't ingredients for your meals!

Meal Planning Tips for Using a Meal Planner Template

• Start small. If you are just starting meal planning, don't jump in all at once! Start with just 2-3 meals on your meal planning guide. As you get the hang of it, you can start to add more.
• Be flexible. It's rare that my family perfectly follows our meal plan. If you don't get to make a meal on your planned night, that's ok! Simply delay it until the next night or, if you're able to save ingredients in the fridge/freezer, delay it until the next week.
• Go with a theme. I like to take nights like "Taco Tuesday" into account when I'm meal planning. Some people also like to have a designated meal for each night of the week, like Spaghetti Mondays or Pizza Fridays.
• Try something new. I like to mix in at least one new recipe a week. It keeps dinnertime interesting and lets your family try new flavors!

A Digital Meal Planning Spreadsheet

Are you more of a digital person? I've got you covered there, too!

If meal planning feels like a chore, my Meal Planning Spreadsheets are about to become your new best friend! These easy-to-use, customizable spreadsheets help you organize your meals, streamline your grocery list, and save time every week. Whether you're feeding a crowd or just keeping track of family dinners, this tool makes meal planning simple and stress-free!

Find out more about my Digital Meal Planning Spreadsheets in the shop!

I'd love to see these printables in action! 📝 If you use them, drop a comment below. Or, you can tag me on social media (@lambertslately) with your great meal plans!