Cooking vs. Ordering Out: The Cost of Cooking at Home

Cooking at home is often seen as a more cost-effective way to feed yourself and your family. But is it really worth the time and effort?

The answer to that question depends on several factors, including your income, your cooking skills, and the cost of food in your area.

If you’re on a tight budget, cooking at home is almost always going to be cheaper than ordering out. Even simple meals can cost $10-$15 per person at a restaurant, while you can make the same meal at home for a fraction of the cost.

Of course, cooking at home does take time and effort. You have to plan your meals, go shopping for ingredients, and actually cook the food. If you’re short on time or don’t enjoy cooking, then ordering out may be a better option for you.

Health Benefits of Cooking at Home

In addition to being more cost-effective, cooking at home can also be healthier than ordering out. When you cook at home, you have control over the ingredients that go into your food. You can choose to use healthy ingredients, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, and you can avoid processed foods and unhealthy fats.

Cooking at home can also help you to manage your weight. When you order out, it’s easy to overeat. Restaurants often serve large portions, and the food is often high in calories and fat. When you cook at home, you can control the portion size and the ingredients, so you’re less likely to overeat.

Time-Saving Tips for Cooking at Home

If you’re short on time, there are several things you can do to make cooking at home easier and faster.

Plan your meals ahead of time. This will help you to avoid impulse purchases at the grocery store and make it more likely that you’ll have the ingredients you need on hand.
Cook in bulk. Cooking a large batch of food on the weekend can save you time during the week. You can reheat leftovers for lunch or dinner, or you can freeze them for later.
Use a slow cooker. Slow cookers are a great way to cook meals without having to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Simply add your ingredients to the slow cooker in the morning, and dinner will be ready when you get home from work.
Use a meal delivery service. Meal delivery services can save you time and effort by delivering pre-portioned ingredients and recipes to your door. This can be a great option if you’re short on time or don’t enjoy cooking.