What is batch cooking? our expert guide.

Posted by Team Salter on 22nd Jul 2025

What is batch cooking?

By Team Salter • 2026-01-21 • 4 min read
Quick Answer

Batch cooking simplifies mealtime by preparing multiple portions in advance. Salter’s guide highlights how this method saves time, reduces stress, and promotes healthy eating. Key tips include using digital scales for accurate portioning, choosing freezer-safe storage, and labeling meals clearly. Perfect for busy households, batch cooking makes home-cooked food convenient and cost-effective every day of the week.

Introduction

Batch cooking is preparing multiple meals to be eaten over the course of a few days. Thanks to social media, new batch cooking recipe ideas are being invented everyday.

Why does batch cooking help people with busy lives?

Batch cooking is the most efficient way to prepare multiple meals and reduces time spent in the kitchen throughout the week. Once you have batch cooked your favourite recipes, it's easy to reheat in the microwave for a tasty midweek meal. Sunday is a popular day to batch cook recipes as most meals stay fresh in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Batch cooked meals can also be stored in the freezer, meaning you can defrost meals later and enjoy without the hassle of cooking everyday. If you’ve got a busy lifestyle, batch cooking removes the stress of daily dinner decisions and saves you time in the kitchen and it might just be the solution you need!

What can you batch cook?

Most recipes can be batch cooked, it’s as simple as increasing the quantities of ingredients to increase the number of servings. Popular batch cook recipes include chilli con carne, lasagne, and seasonal soups, but there's really no limit to what you can meal prep! From aromatic curries to hearty stews, batch cooking covers everything you need for easy midweek meals and beyond. If you are storing and reheating your meal prep correctly, you can batch cook pretty much anything.

Portioning and storing batch cooked recipes.

For efficient, consistent meal prep, good kitchen scales are essential because you need to weigh each ingredient carefully. Digital scales offer the best accuracy, helping you portion meals evenly every time. It's also important to store batch-cooked food correctly to avoid spoilage. Most meals will keep in the fridge for 2 to 3 days!

Pros and Cons of batch cooking

Pros

  • Saves Midweek Time: Spend one afternoon cooking so you don't have to cook every single night.
  • Reduces Decision Fatigue: No more "what's for dinner?" stress; your healthy meal is already waiting for you.
  • Portion Control: Weighing meals with a digital scale makes it easier to stick to health and fitness goals.
  • Easier Cleanup: You only have to wash the big pots, pans, and food processor once instead of every day.

Cons

  • Initial Time Investment: Requires a significant block of time (usually 2–3 hours) on a weekend or "prep day."
  • Storage Requirements: You need plenty of fridge/freezer space and a large collection of airtight containers.
  • Meal Repetition: Eating the same dish 2-3 days in a row can become boring for some people.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between batch cooking and meal prep?
While the terms are often used interchangeably, batch cooking specifically refers to preparing large quantities of a single recipe (like a big pot of chili) to divide into multiple servings. Meal prep is a broader term that can include washing vegetables, portioning snacks, or cooking different components to be assembled later. Both methods aim to save time and reduce midweek cooking stress.
How long can you store batch-cooked meals in the fridge?
Most batch-cooked recipes will stay fresh and safe to eat in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. For longer-term storage, it is best to use the freezer. Freezing your portions allows you to build a "library" of ready-to-reheat meals that can last for several weeks or months, depending on the ingredients.
Does batch cooking actually save money?
Yes, batch cooking is a highly effective way to lower grocery bills. By buying ingredients in larger quantities (which is often cheaper) and reducing the temptation to order expensive midweek takeout, you can significantly cut food costs. It also reduces food waste, as you use up entire packs of vegetables or meat in one cooking session.

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