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How To Implement Cooking From Scratch

Ready to ditch the ‘convenience tax’ and eat better for less? Our guide on How to Implement Cooking from Scratch breaks down the process into easy, manageable steps. Discover the joy and savings of creating wholesome meals in your own kitchen.

Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes

Tom the Chef Tom the Chef Founder
5.21.2025

Summary

  • Meal Planning is Essential: The most crucial first step to successfully implement cooking from scratch is creating a weekly meal plan based on an inventory of what you already have.
  • Stock a Smart Pantry: Build a collection of versatile, long-lasting staples like grains, beans, pasta, canned goods, and spices to make homemade meals accessible and easy.
  • Start Small and Simple: Avoid overwhelm by replacing one processed item at a time (like salad dressing) or mastering one new, simple recipe per week.
  • Learn Basic Techniques: Focus on foundational skills like chopping, sautéing, and roasting, which are the building blocks for countless from-scratch recipes.
  • Embrace Batch Cooking: Save significant time during the week by cooking components like rice or beans in bulk, chopping vegetables in advance, or freezing entire meals.

Introduction

In a world of pre-packaged convenience, the idea of cooking from scratch might seem daunting. However, with continuously rising prices making it increasingly challenging to get enough nutritious food for your family, embracing home cooking with basic ingredients is a powerful strategy. It is not just about saving money; it is about taking control of what you eat, reducing waste, and gaining a rewarding skill. This guide will walk you through how to implement cooking from scratch effectively.

The ‘Why’: Compelling Reasons To Cook From Scratch

Before diving into the “how,” let’s reinforce the “why.” Cooking from scratch provides several clear benefits:

Significant Cost Savings Per Serving

  • This is a major draw.
  • Buying basic, whole ingredients like grains, legumes, vegetables, and proteins is almost always cheaper than purchasing pre-packaged meals, takeout, or dining out.
  • You are not paying for processing, packaging, and marketing.
  • Learning how to implement cooking from scratch is a direct path to savings.

Stretch Your Ingredients Further

  • Cooking from scratch allows you to be resourceful.
  • A whole chicken can yield multiple meals – roasted one night, leftovers for sandwiches, and the carcass for a nutritious stock.

Smart Use Of Sales And Bulk Buying

  • When you cook from scratch, you can strategically purchase ingredients when they are on sale or buy staples like rice, beans, and flour in bulk, further reducing costs.

Reduced Food Waste

  • Planning meals and cooking with whole ingredients means you buy only what you need for your recipes.
  • This, coupled with the ability to creatively use leftovers, significantly cuts down on food waste.

Avoid The “Convenience Tax”

  • Processed foods come with a markup for convenience.
  • By investing a little time in your kitchen, you bypass this “tax” and keep more money in your pocket.

Complete Control Over Ingredients

  • This is a huge nutritional win.
  • Cooking meals from scratch generally costs less and gives you complete control over ingredients and portion sizes.
  • You decide the amount of salt, sugar, fats, and additives, which often results in less sodium and other unwanted components in your diet.

Healthier Eating

  • When you plan and cook your meals, you have more control over the nutritional content of your food.
  • You are less likely to resort to quick, unhealthy options when you have a pre-determined menu.
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Getting Started: Practical Steps To Implement Scratch Cooking

Transitioning to more scratch cooking is a journey, not an overnight switch. Here is how to implement cooking from scratch without feeling overwhelmed.

Master Meal Planning – Your Secret Weapon

This is non-negotiable. Meal planning stands as your most powerful ally.

  • Inventory Your Kitchen: Before you create your meal plan, take stock of what you already have.
  • Create a Balanced Plan: Aim for a variety of meals that include protein, fiber, carbohydrates, and vegetables.
  • Write a Detailed Shopping List: This will help you stay focused and avoid impulse purchases.

Stock Your Pantry Strategically

A well-stocked pantry makes scratch cooking much easier. Focus on having a good supply of pantry staples, including:

  • Dried Beans and Lentils
  • Rice and Grains (Quinoa, Oats)
  • Canned Tomatoes and Vegetables
  • Pasta
  • Spices and Herbs (essential for adding flavor)
  • Frozen Vegetables (affordable and nutritious)

Start Small And Simple

Do not try to make everything from scratch immediately.

  • Pick one or two simple recipes a week that use whole ingredients. Think roasted chicken and vegetables, a simple pasta dish with homemade sauce, or a hearty lentil soup.
  • Focus on replacing one type of processed food at a time (e.g., make your own salad dressing instead of buying bottled).

Learn Basic Cooking Techniques

  • Essential skills include chopping vegetables, sautéing, roasting, and simmering. Numerous free online resources can teach you these basics.
  • Mastering a few simple sauces can elevate many dishes.

Embrace “One-Pot” Or Sheet Pan Meals

These often involve minimal prep and easy cleanup, making scratch cooking less intimidating.

Batch Cook Components Or Full Meals

  • Cook a large batch of rice, quinoa, or beans at the beginning of the week to use in various meals.
  • Chop vegetables for several meals at once.
  • Double a recipe and freeze half for a busy night.

Make Your Own Basics Gradually

As you get more comfortable, try making items you usually buy, like:

  • Salad dressings (often just oil, vinegar, and seasonings)
  • Broth (from vegetable scraps or chicken bones)
  • Simple bread or muffins

Utilize Sales And Seasonal Produce

Check sales flyers and seasonal offers to plan your meals around what’s fresh, affordable, and at its peak flavor.

Overcoming Common Hurdles

Time Constraints

  • Effective meal planning, batch cooking, and choosing simple recipes are key to managing time.
  • Even 30 minutes of prep can lead to a wholesome scratch-cooked meal.

Skill Gaps

  • Everyone starts somewhere.
  • Be patient with yourself and focus on learning one new skill or recipe at a time.

Initial Effort

  • It might feel like more work initially, but as you develop routines and skills, it becomes easier and faster.

The Rewarding Journey Of Scratch Cooking

  • A Worthwhile Investment

    • Cooking from scratch is a valuable investment in your health, your finances, and your culinary skills.
  • A Skill to Develop

    • Just like meal planning, it is a skill that improves the more you practice.
  • Start Small and Be Patient

    • It’s best to start small and be patient with the process.
  • Key Benefits

    • The main benefits include saving money, reducing food waste, and eating well.
  • The Ultimate Reward

    • A little planning and effort can turn your kitchen into a source of delicious, healthy, and affordable meals.
A person's hands chopping colorful, fresh vegetables

Every chop is a step towards a healthier, more delicious meal. You’ve got this!

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Final Takeaway

The transition to cooking from scratch is a gradual, rewarding process. By focusing on meal planning, stocking a basic pantry, and starting with simple recipes, you can overcome common hurdles like time and skill gaps. The effort pays dividends in significant cost savings, improved health, and greater control over your family’s nutrition, making it one of the most valuable kitchen skills you can develop.

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