🧠 The 3-Question Meal Filter: A Simple System to Stop ‘Food Near Me’ Searches
By Rossi Voss | August 18, 2025
You’re not alone if you’ve ever typed:
- “food near me”
- “what should I eat?”
- “easy meals near me”
But what you’re really asking is:
“What can I eat fast, cheap, and healthy — without thinking too hard?”
After teaching thousands of beginners how to cook, I created a simple system to answer that question: The 3-Question Meal Filter.
It’s not another recipe list. It’s a decision-making framework that helps you say “no” to takeout and “yes” to real food — in under 5 seconds.
🔍 The 3 Questions (And Why They Work)
1. “Is It in My Pantry?”
Before you open an app, check what you already have.
Pantry Staples That Make Meals Possible:
- Beans, lentils, rice, oats
- Canned tomatoes, broth, coconut milk
- Frozen veggies, eggs, spices (cumin, paprika, turmeric)
If you have 3+ of these, you’re 20 minutes from dinner.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep a list on your fridge: “Always Have These 10 Things”
2. “Can I Cook It in One Pot or Appliance?”
Less cleanup = more likely to cook.
Use what you own:
- Instant Pot → soups, stews, beans (set and forget)
- Air Fryer → chicken, turkey, roasted veggies (fast & crispy)
- Stockpot → one-pot wonders (see my Stockpot Cookbook: 139 Simple and Hearty Recipes)
No fancy tools needed. Just one pot and 25 minutes.
3. “Will It Freeze Well?”
Double it today, eat it tomorrow.
Freezer-Friendly Meals:
- Lentil & Sausage Stew
- Turkey & Rice Soup
- Black Bean Enchilada Bake
- Egg Muffins
Portion and freeze in glass containers. Label: “Use within 3 months”.
🧊 Future-you will thank present-you.
📅 How to Use the Filter: A Week of Real Examples
Monday: “I’m tired. What’s fast?”
- ✅ Is it in my pantry? Yes — red lentils, rice, spices
- ✅ One-pot? Yes — Instant Pot
- ✅ Freeze well? Yes — double and freeze half
- 👉 Make Creamy Red Lentil Dal
Tuesday: “I want something crispy.”
- ✅ Is it in my pantry? Yes — turkey breast, frozen carrots
- ✅ One-pot? Yes — Air Fryer
- ✅ Freeze well? Not this one — but leftovers work
- 👉 Air Fryer Turkey + Veggies
Wednesday: “I want breakfast for dinner.”
- ✅ Is it in my pantry? Yes — eggs, black beans, tortillas
- ✅ One-pot? Yes — one skillet
- ✅ Freeze well? Scramble doesn’t freeze, but beans do
- 👉 Egg & Black Bean Scramble
📥 Download the 3-Question Meal Filter Printable
I’ve created a free printable checklist you can keep on your fridge:
- The 3 questions (with examples)
- Pantry checklist
- Freezer labels
👉 Get the Free 3-Question Meal Filter Printable
No broken links. Just real help for real kitchens.
📚 More from Rossi Voss
- 100 Beginner’s Instant Pot Bean and Grain Cookbook – Fast, filling meals using pantry staples.
- 100 Beginner's Air Fryer Rotisserie Recipes – Crispy, juicy meals in minutes.
- 82 Essential Instant Pot Fermentation Recipes – Make yogurt, kefir, and more.
— Rossi Voss
Author of the $0.99 Cookbook Series
rossivoss.blogspot.com