The Ultimate Guide to Batch Cooking at Home

Batching, also known to some as meal prepping or batch cooking, is one of the best ways to streamline your kitchen routine. A form of meal planning, you & your family can eat healthy meals in less time than usual. In fact, you can enjoy home-cooked meals all the time without spending a lot of time everyday making it happen. It’s an easy way to prepare large quantities of food in advance so you save time & energy throughout the week. And I’m going to take you through the steps of batch cooking at home so you can do this too. One of the most powerful food preparation methods by far.

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Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, lemme explain how I think of batch cooking at home. It’s a tactic to enjoy tasty meals in many different ways whether that’s using freezer meals or big batch recipes. It’s also prepping wholesome individual ingredients too.

Like roasting sweet potatoes or any other root vegetables or making an extra pot of white rice. These may be staples in several of your meals. So then all you do is take the base recipe & jazz things up based on what you have.  Imagine having soul-filling, comforting meals at every midweek meal. And all it took you was maybe an hour or two once a week (or month!). That’s the power of dedicating a bit of time to batch cooking. This method not only saves so much time but it also helps you avoid the temptation of eating out, fast food & offers a healthier alternative that’s just as convenient.

With batch cooking at home, you take nutritious food & create make-ahead meals that are ready to heat & eat any day of the week. No more decision fatigue means less stress & more good eating!

Benefits of Batch Cooking at Home

There are so many reasons why you should be batch cooking at home. But less just be real. Do you always want to be cooking meals when it’s time to eat? Like 100% of the time?

• Cost-effective: Buying ingredients in bulk is generally cheaper than purchasing small amounts on a regular. Additionally, prepping meals in advance can reduce food waste since you can plan your portions more accurately & store leftovers properly. This way, nothing goes to waste & you get the most value out of your grocery store trips. That translates to more money in your wallet too!
• Stress reduction: Knowing that you have a week or month’s worth of meals ready to go can significantly reduce the stress associated with daily cooking. Girl, especially if you don’t like being in the kitchen anyway. You won’t have to worry about what to cook each night or whether you have the necessary ingredients. Come midweek when your energy is lower, you’ll be thanking yourself. Everything’s better when batched – from the menu planning to the dishes. This adds to your ability to actually enjoy the food at mealtime too.
• Healthier eating: When you batch cook at home, you have complete control over the ingredients you use. Power in your pocket. And that allows you to make healthier choices. So, you can incorporate a variety of different ingredients whenever/wherever & no one necessarily has to know! Whether it’s different vegetables, ancient whole grains or even organ meats into your meals – it’s all possible! It’s like taking wholesome comfort food to another level entirely. But it’s also your chance to make sure your family is eating balanced meals throughout the whole week.
• Consistency: Batching means you are more likely to stick to healthy eating habits & regular home-cooked meals. Even if they aren’t all made from scratch yet. Being able to fall back on your previous work will keep you from falling into the fast-food rut when you’re mentally drained or just uninspired on what to make. Not only are nutritious meals always within reach. Those meals you love in the depths of your heart are always available.
• Convenience: This method can provide individual meals or whole meals that can be easily cooked or reheated. Whether you need a quick lunch or a complete dinner, your pre-prepped meals are ready in minutes. How much more convenient can you get?
• Better portion control: So this ties in with the health aspect, but batch cooking also means you control your portion sizes more effectively. Here’s to actually beating overeating. So if you have certain dietary needs or goals, portioning out your meals helps you stick to ‘em.
• Versatility: The variety of meals that can be enjoyed throughout the week is infinite when you batch prep or cook. You can cook large batches of staple foods like rice in a rice cooker & use them in different meals, such as stir-fries, salads, or bowls. This variety keeps your meals interesting & prevents monotony. The number of meal prep ideas is almost infinite.
• Reduced food waste: By planning & preparing meals in advance, you can better manage your ingredients & minimize waste. Leftovers from one meal can be repurposed into another dish, ensuring that nothing goes to waste. Proper storage methods, such as using airtight containers & keeping food at the right room temperature, help maintain freshness & prevent spoilage.
• Flexibility: Batch cooking is a method of meal prep that allows you to cater to different tastes & dietary preferences within your household. You can prepare a range of dishes that suit everyone’s needs, ensuring that each family member enjoys their meals. This flexibility makes it easier to accommodate various food preferences & dietary restrictions.

By incorporating these benefits into your routine, you can make the most of batch cooking & enjoy a more organized, stress-free approach to meal preparation.

Types of Batching Cooking at Home

1. Make-Ahead Meals: Preparing make-ahead meals involves assembling complete meals in advance & storing them for future use. The meals themselves might be fully cooked & just need reheating before you use them. Like my breakfast waffles I like to batch. Or, they could be partially cooked & will finish off in the oven when ready. Like a casserole that has par-cooked rice & needs to be topped with cheese. The last type could just be assembled/uncooked altogether & made to order so to speak. Crock-pot meals are a great example of this. These are some of my favorite because they’re so dump & go. Meal time rolls around & we’re ready to eat!

This style of batching is a good idea because you want to enjoy home-cooked dinners without the hassle of daily cooking. And girl, I completely understand this feeling hello. During weekend meal prep, you can cook large batches of your favorite recipes, portion them out & store them in the refrigerator or freezer. This is probably the most common method of having ready-to-eat meals that just need to be reheated. For example, cook a large batch of tomato sauce & use it in different meals like pasta, pizza, or as a base for soups.

2. Ingredient Prep: Another super effective method that’s a great time-saver is ingredient batch prepping. In this scenario, you prepare individual ingredients in bulk rather than complete meals. And while you still would need to cook/reheat the full meal, it offers more flexibility for those who want to keep things a lil more spontaneous day-to-day. Or who want fresh, never frozen type meals. 

This style of batch cooking at home might start at the beginning of the week with washing & chopping vegetables. Cooking grains like rice or quinoa & pre-cooking proteins such as chicken or tofu. Having these components ready, you’ll be able to knock it out the park when you get in the kitchen. Quickly assemble meals throughout the week in a fun combination of this & that. Whatever fits your mood & time that day. For instance, batch cook brown rice, wild rice, or roast chicken to use over salad greens, in meal bowls or stir-fries.

3. Freezer Cooking: Freezer cooking is the style of batch cooking at home where we prepare meals (or meal components) & freeze them for future use. It’s the first step usually to batching on larger scales & eventually preserving food. Now if this is sounding like a make-ahead meal, it’s similar. But these meals are distinctly frozen versus the make-ahead meals which don’t necessarily have to be frozen. This method extends the shelf life of your food if you freeze things properly. And so it’s another excellent way to have meals on hand for busy nights. When using this method, it’s important to follow the best tips for freezing anything like allowing food to cool before freezing. And of course using airtight containers to prevent too much air which causes freezer burn! Gahhh! Freezer cooking can include full casseroles, soups, stews & even pre-marinated meats ready to be cooked. (A great tip here is to freeze your food/storage bags in a single layer so they freeze over evenly & stack better.)
4. Big Batch Cooking: Big batch cooking is all about making large quantities of a single recipe that you enjoy over several meals. For instance, you might prepare a big pot of chili, a large batch of soup, or a significant amount of pasta sauce. These dishes are portioned out & stored for later use. I love this method for creating more than a month’s worth of a meal at a time. But it doesn’t have to just be meals; you can batch desserts too! Like peanut butter cookie dough or fruit crumble oat topping. The only drawback is that you need the storage space. It’s not fun having a freezer full of lasagnas you despise after two weeks!
5. Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Meals: This is where batch cooking at home turns to using specific appliances to make life easier & save even more time/dishes. A slow cooker or Instant Pot can simplify batch cooking. You can make delicious meals with minimal effort, girl! And that means having time to focus on other important steps (or conversations) while your food cooks. Slow cooker recipes are especially beneficial for tenderizing meats & developing rich flavors over a long time. The Instant Pot can quickly prepare dishes that would typically take longer. Both are perfect for making meals in bulk without spending a lot of time on the floor actively cooking.

Try several of these different types of batch cooking to see which you prefer. That’s how you’ll really grasp the art of batch cooking. Home cooked food is right on the other end of all these, so you truly have nothing to lose.

Essential Tools for Batching at Home

To start batching, you need a few essential kitchen tools. You probably have a lot of these already.

• Food Storage Containers: Airtight containers, individual containers & freezer-safe containers are crucial for storing prepped meals & ingredients.
• Special Equipment: Tools like a slow cooker, pressure cooker, instant pot & food processor can significantly reduce prep time & cooking time.
• Labeling Materials: Markers & labels or sticky notes to keep track of the contents & dates of your prepped meals. I also recommend keeping a kitchen logbook where you can track all the data too. Like what meals you make & when, how many batches, etc.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Large mixing bowls are helpful for combining ingredients, marinating proteins & mixing large batches of dough or batter. Having a few in different sizes can come in handy for various stages of food prep but don’t fret if you don’t have that! I’ve used a variety of bowls from legit stainless steel bowls, to the mixing bowl of my stand mixer to my largest Pyrex dishes (which are still small) & everything in between.
• Baking Sheets & Casserole Dishes: Baking sheets are essential for roasting vegetables, baking chicken, or prepping sheet pan meals. Casserole dishes are perfect for assembling & baking lasagnas, casseroles of course ahahaha & other baked dishes like meatloaf that can be portioned out for future meals. (Yes, I bake our meatloaf in a casserole dish instead of in a loaf pan or loaf shape like Mom does. Just easier for me that way)
• Freezer-Safe Containers: Investing in high-quality, freezer-safe containers is key to storing your batch-cooked meals. Look for containers that are airtight to prevent freezer burn & keep your food fresh for longer. Various sizes are helpful for storing both individual portions & family-sized meals. And don’t forget circular ones (or glass jars) which are great for stews, soups, and other liquids.

Planning Your Batching Session

Effective planning is the cornerstone of successful batching. If you don’t have a game plan, this is going to be more chaotic & discouraging than you can imagine. 

So here’s how to plan your batching sessions:

1. Choose Your Recipes: Select the recipes you want to make. Aim for a mix of dishes that share common ingredients to streamline your preparation process. Choose different meals for lunch/dinner & include a decent range of proteins, vegetables or grains for the most contrast. Keep your food interesting & you’ll keep cooking. Look for batch cooking recipes that are tried & tested for best results. And choose batch cooking recipes that your whole family will enjoy, not just the few. You’ll also need to consider dietary needs & preferences. But this is just the beauty of batch cooking at home because you can cater to everyone’s needs. Whether it’s vegetarian options, gluten-free dishes, or meals tailored for specific allergies, customizing meals is easy.
2. Create a Grocery List: Once you’ve chosen your recipes, list all the ingredients you’ll need. You also need to keep a tally of the amount of each item – specifically things like spices, seasonings, herbs or oils. It’s easy to disregard how much garlic salt you need til you’re batching & realize you don’t actually have ½ cup. Hmmm. We’re not in tsp territory anymore girl. Group similar items together (e.g., all vegetables, all dairy products) to make your grocery shopping more efficient. But don’t forget to check your pantry, fridge & freezer first for items you already have. And once you’ve got a truncated list, examine your spaces again for any substitutes you could make. A very specific shopping list means you can avoid multiple trips to the grocery store. Plus it ensures you have everything you need for your batch cooking session.
3. Schedule Your Cooking Time: Plan a specific day & time for your batch cooking. An hour or two might work best on a weekend but if you have more free time during the week go for it! You need to allocate enough time to prep, cook/assemble & clean up without feeling rushed. Depending on the number of meals you’re preparing, this could take anywhere from a few hours to an entire day. It’s always time well spent no matter how much you do.
4. Prep Ingredients in Advance: Prepping ingredients ahead of time can make your cooking session run smoothly. Wash, peel & chop vegetables, marinate meats & measure out spices & dry ingredients. This reduces the amount of work you need to do on the actual cooking day & helps keep your kitchen organized.
5. Organize Your Workspace: Set up your kitchen for efficiency. Clear your countertops & pull out any small appliances you’ll use. Organize your ingredients (by recipe if that helps!) Empty your dishwasher or sink/table, compost container & trashcan so they’re all ready to receive as you work. Be sure to have water nearby & a great playlist (or podcast) on deck. And have your most comfortable shoes, apron or anti-fatigue mat ready to go. Having a clean & organized workspace that’s inviting & comfortable reduces stress & makes the cooking process more enjoyable.
6. Cook in Stages: Plan to cook your dishes in stages to make the best use of your time & equipment. For example, start with recipes that require longer cooking times, like slow cooker or oven dishes & work on quicker stovetop meals while those are cooking. Use your food processor to quickly prep large quantities of ingredients & make the most of your cooking time. Assemble any uncooked/par-cooked meals during the downtimes. And always clear dishes too to keep them from piling up.
7. Label & Store Meals Properly: Once your meals are cooked, divide them into individual portions & store them in freezer-safe containers or plastic bags. Label each container with the name of the dish & the date it was prepared. Proper labeling helps you keep track of what you have & ensures you consume meals before they lose their freshness. Start tracking this data in your kitchen logbook too so you can refine the batch cooking process next time.
8. Make It a Family Activity: Involve your family in the batch cooking process. Assign tasks to each family member based on their age & skill level. Kids can help with simple tasks like washing vegetables or mixing ingredients, cleaning dishes or keeping company. It will take longer, but making it a family activity not only lightens the workload but an amazing bonding experience too. And what’s better, as you repeat the same batches year after year, your children will soon learn/memorize how to make it themselves.

Tips for Successful Batching

• Variety of Meals: Avoid monotony by compiling a really delicious list of meals/ingredients that keep you coming back for more.Just because it might be simple (like Shepherd’s Pie) doesn’t mean it’s not comforting. As you test new recipes & they gain family approval, add them to your batching recipe list.
• Tested Recipes ONLY: Do not batch a recipe 2x, 4x or more if you have never tried it before & gotten your family’s blessing. Just because a recipe sounds nice to read or looks beautiful in the pictures doesn’t mean you’ll like it. Things like consistency, textures & reheating can alter your perception. These factors won’t come through simply by reading a recipe or even watching a video. It’s best to not have 3 casserole pans of something in your freezer that you end up despising.
• Seasonal Produce: Use seasonal produce to keep meals fresh & nutritious.
• Food Safety: Store meals at the right temperature to prevent spoilage & ensure food safety. And please, always label your containers with at least the date it was made & the contents. If you’re in your hospitality era too, it’s helpful to label any common allergens so you can tell your guests.
• Efficiency: Prep time can be reduced by using small appliances like food processors & slow cookers. Even rice cookers come in handy. Group (then perform) similar tasks together by pre-reading your recipes ahead of time.

Conclusion

Batch cooking at home is an efficient & cost-effective way to keep home cooked meals on your kitchen table without you having to be in the kitchen cooking it every day. Now, don’t get me wrong. There are women who love cooking & times where the slow process is incredibly enjoyable. But when time is short, or you just can’t think what to make – having these in your arsenal are so rewarding. And all it takes is some intentional thinking & a few hours once a month (or quarter!). Get ready to eat more home cooked meals & enjoy the stress-free part of really good food.