Batch Cooking

Cook once, eat all week. Smart strategies for efficient meal prep that saves time and reduces stress.

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Batch cooking

Smart Batch Cooking Strategies

🔥 What is Batch Cooking?

Batch cooking means preparing larger quantities of food at once and storing portions for later. It's different from meal prep—you're cooking complete meals or versatile components that can be used in multiple ways.

Best Foods for Batch Cooking

  • Grains: Rice, quinoa, pasta—cook a big batch and use throughout the week
  • Proteins: Roasted chicken, ground beef, beans—versatile building blocks
  • Soups & Stews: Actually taste better after a day or two
  • Casseroles: Freeze half for an easy future meal
  • Sauces: Tomato sauce, pesto, curry bases—freeze in portions
  • Roasted Vegetables: Reheat easily and add to any meal

⏰ Time-Saving Tips

  • Use your oven efficiently—roast multiple things at once
  • While one thing cooks, prep the next
  • Cook similar items together (all grains, all proteins)
  • Clean as you go to avoid overwhelm

Sample Batch Cooking Session (2 hours)

Prep Phase (15 min):

  • Wash and chop all vegetables
  • Gather all ingredients
  • Preheat oven to 200°C

Cook Phase (90 min):

  • Roast 2 whole chickens + mixed vegetables (60 min)
  • Cook 2 pots: brown rice + pasta (20 min)
  • Make tomato sauce on stovetop (30 min)
  • Prepare soup or chili (can simmer while other things cook)

Storage Phase (15 min):

  • Portion everything into containers
  • Label with contents and date
  • Refrigerate for this week, freeze for later

📦 Storage Guidelines

  • Refrigerator: Most cooked foods last 3-4 days
  • Freezer: Soups, casseroles, sauces last 2-3 months
  • Portioning: Store in single-serving or family-size portions for flexibility
  • Labeling: Always label with date and contents

Start Small

Don't try to cook everything at once. Start by doubling one favorite recipe, then gradually add more batch cooking to your routine as you get comfortable.