Batch Cooking for Beginners

Batch cooking means making several portions of a few dishes in one session so that most of the week's meals are already done. It saves time, washing up and money, and it takes the pressure off busy evenings.

Start with a simple plan

Pick two or three recipes rather than five. A good starting mix is one saucy main (a chilli, curry or stew), one grain or starch (rice, roasted potatoes, pasta) and one tray of roasted vegetables. These can be combined in different ways during the week so you are not eating the same plate every night.

Write a short shopping list from those recipes and check what you already have. Buying one large pack of onions, a big bag of rice or a family tray of chicken thighs is usually cheaper per portion than buying small amounts every day.

Choose dishes that keep well

• Stews, curries, chillies and soups often taste even better the next day and freeze well.
• Cooked grains and pulses such as rice, lentils and beans make quick bases for bowls and salads.
• Roasted vegetables can be eaten hot, added to pasta, or blended into soup.
• Fried or crisp foods rarely reheat well, so keep those for nights you cook fresh.

Cool, portion and store

Let food cool quickly rather than leaving a large pot on the hob for hours; spreading it into shallow containers helps. Refrigerate within a couple of hours of cooking, label each container with what it is and the date, and freeze anything you will not eat in the next few days. Most cooked leftovers are best eaten within about three days from the fridge. When in doubt, follow your local food safety guidance.

Reheat with care

Defrost frozen portions in the fridge overnight, then reheat until piping hot all the way through. Add a splash of water or stock to sauces and grains so they do not dry out, and finish with something fresh, such as herbs, a squeeze of lemon or a spoon of yoghurt, to make the dish taste just cooked.

Make it a habit

Choose one regular slot, such as Sunday afternoon, and keep it short at first. An hour and a half is enough for two mains and a tray of vegetables. Once the routine feels easy, add a breakfast option such as overnight oats or baked egg muffins.

Looking for dishes that suit a batch session? Browse the stews, curries and one-pot meals at Relish Realm for ideas you can scale up.