Home cooking has transformed from a dull chore into a beloved activity, promoting better health and mindful living.

Let’s look at the top ten home cooking statistics before diving deeper.

Approximately 72% of Americans snacked at least once every day in 2022
On average, Americans spend 46 minutes grocery shopping on each trip
Only 13.7% of Americans that cook at home have a strong passion for cooking
Compared to 72% of women, only 33.2% of men engage in food preparation daily
Up to 30% of Americans tried new recipes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic
Microwaves are the most commonly used cooking appliances
Food waste in America is estimated to be up to 40% of the food supply
Data shows that cooking at home could be up to 5 times cheaper than eating out
40% of millennials do not have basic home cooking skills
The Grand Velas Taco is among the world’s most expensive dishes

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Snacking in the U.S.

Approximately 72% of Americans had a snack at least once daily in 2022. That is about 22% higher than in the previous year. The sharp rise is mainly attributed to the pandemic, but the figures have stagnated after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There is a Concerning Growth in the Use of Artificial Sweeteners in Food

Analysis shows that approximately 37% of Americans eat artificial sweeteners. These ingredients have been discouraged by several health departments, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, as they aggravate health conditions such as diabetes and are linked to obesity and high blood pressure.

Grocery Shopping in the U.S.

On average, Americans spend 46 minutes grocery shopping on each trip. Groceries are among the most sought-after ingredients for home cooking, and Americans make a point to visit groceries on almost every trip they take. The increased consumption of vegetables and fruits has already impacted the general population’s health in states nationwide.

Food Advertising Budget in the U.S

The food and beverages industry spends approximately $14 billion yearly on advertising.

Statistics on Cooking Habits

The most common homemade cuisine in America is Mexican cuisine.

Closely followed by American cuisine, Mexican cuisine is preferred for its flavour and ease of preparation.

Cooking Passion in America

Only 13.7% of Americans that cook at home have a strong passion for cooking. Most Americans cook to fill their bellies and those of their family, but rarely because they have the power for food preparation.

As such, budget and ease of preparation are top considerations for most meals prepared in most American homes. However, there has been an increase in the popularity of food-related media, including celebrity chefs, food magazines, and cooking blogs.

Home Cooking Trends

Approximately 70% of Americans prepare their meals at home daily. Though there is still room for improvement, this statistic represents 15% since the beginning of the pandemic.

America vs U.K. Home Cooking Statistics

About 42.6% of U.K. nationals cook and prepare food at home daily. Significantly higher than in the U.S., U.K. nationals rely less on food deliveries or takeaways.

Gender Comparison in American Home Cooking

Compared to 72% of women, only 33.2% of men prepare daily food. Unsurprisingly, most men prefer ordering ready food instead of preparing food, while most women typically prepare food for their husbands. Nevertheless, the percentage of college-educated men preparing food at home increased from 37.9% to 51.9% in 2016.

Meal Prepping

Approximately 44% of Americans say they meal prep regularly. Meal prepping is an essential part of food preparation as it helps in grocery budgeting and allows you to prepare your recipes ahead of time.

Family Dinner Attendance

51% of American parents reported attending more family dinners during and after the pandemic than pre-pandemic. Due to the in-door rule, most people had more time to prepare dinner at home and associate with family members.

Improvement in Home Cooking and Baking

Americans are cooking 54% more and baking 36% more since the pandemic. Of the short list of benefits, the pandemic encouraged the home cooking culture to blossom. As a result, Americans are now eating healthier foods and avoiding lifestyle diseases.

The Influence of Social Media on Cooking

Approximately 40% of Americans say social media has dramatically influenced their home cooking. Staying indoors meant a lot of time spent on the internet. People increased their reliance on the internet for food recipes and new flavouring.

Introduction of New Recipes to Home Cooking

Up to 30% of Americans tried new recipes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Americans tried new dishes, cuisines, and flavours during the extra indoor time brought on by the pandemic.

With plenty of time at home, most people tried new recipes and researched ways to improve their diets. Online cooking videos also hit record views during the pandemic, with people going online to get a guide for preparing healthy and delicious meals for their loved ones.

Adult Food Preparation Statistics

Compared to 36% of adults who prepared lunch at home before the pandemic, 60% of adults in the U.S. increased home cooking during the pandemic.

Adults were particularly vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus, accounting for most of the casualties. As a result, most adults preferred having their meals at home to avoid contact.

Most Used Cooking Appliances in America

Microwaves are the most commonly used cooking appliances. Being the most convenient and time-efficient cooking appliances, microwaves are used in almost every home in America.

Meat Consumption in the U.S.

Every American consumed an average of 264 pounds of meat in 2020. Americans love meat, whether in a burger or grilled, but with the rise in lifestyle diseases and environmental degradation, it is one of the most discouraging statistics.

Main Factors Affecting Home Cooking

The main factors affecting food preparation at home are time-saving, healthy eating, and saving money. Most Americans will prepare a dish simply because it takes less time, money, and effort, although a certain percentage still considers the nutrients they add to their meals.

Food Wastage in the U.S.

Food waste in America is estimated to be up to 40% of the food supply. About 119 pounds of food ends up in the United States’ trash.

This is often due to failure to understand the “best by” and “expiry” dates on packaged foods and ingredients. On average, every American loses $1,300 on waste food per year.

Longest Food Marathon Record

Chef Lata Tondon holds the record for the longest cooking marathon at 87 hours and 45 minutes. A fantastic feat; no one has come close to breaking his record since 2019.

The Cost of Home Cooking vs Eating Out

Statistics show that cooking at home could be up to 5 times cheaper than eating out. Eating out is significantly more expensive than cooking at home as most meals can be easily prepared in a pocket-friendly manner. However, some recipes require expensive ingredients, such as certain cheeses and spices, making them more expensive than out-of-home meals.

Cooking Skills Among Millennials

40% of millennials need to gain basic home cooking skills, such as turkey carving, cake preparation, and chicken roasting. Millennials are not the best home chefs, but they appreciate the importance of learning critical craft.

Environment Awareness in Generational Eating Habits

Baby boomers are 37% less likely to acknowledge that their eating habits affect the environment than millennials. Being the predecessor, baby boomers have had a less environment-conscious culture than millennials, which is clear from their eating habits.

Generation Z vs Millennials’ Recipe Preference

Generation Z is 7.8% less likely to prefer Mexican food than millennials but 5% more likely to prefer American dishes than millennials.

Growing Trend in Home Cooking

According to a recent study, as of 2023, approximately 65% of Americans report cooking at home at least five times per week, demonstrating a noticeable increase from the 58% reported in 2017.

Generational Home Cooking Statistics

Compared to baby boomers, Gen Z adults cook dinner from scratch at home 30% less. The home cooking culture has gradually been isolated with the rise of food deliveries. As a result, Gen Z adults are less likely to prefer preparing their food at home than eating out.

Generational Food Preparation

Baby boomers and Generation X often consider quick preparation and flavour as the main factors when cooking food at home.

Meals Prepared on Holidays Have a High-Calorie Count

Holiday meals often add up to 3,000 calories to your body, taking into account the beverages, desserts, main course, and appetisers. Snacks are often very high in calories, making them unhealthy, especially for people with a history of lifestyle diseases.

Analysis shows that holiday meals are likely to cause type 2 diabetes and obesity, and other diet-related complications.

World Food Staples

Grains, cereal, and root tubers are the most common foods in the world. Unsurprisingly, grains and cereals make up the most common food staple globally. Tubers such as potatoes and yams also comprise a significant portion of staple foods in America, Africa, and Europe.

The Most Expensive Dishes in the World

The Grand Velas Taco is among the world’s most expensive dishes, with a pound fetching up to $25,000. The dish is only available at the Grand Velas Los Cabos Resort in Mexico.

The Most Popular Grilling Holidays in the U.S.

The Fourth of July is America’s most popular grilling holiday. The second most popular holiday for grilling out is Labor Day, followed by Memorial Day.

Is cooking at home more sustainable?

Cooking at home is more sustainable compared to dining out or buying prepared food because it gives you the opportunity to make sustainable choices throughout the entire cooking process. From selecting the most sustainable ingredients while shopping to minimizing food waste during meal preparation, cooking at home allows for greater control and conscious decision-making in terms of sustainability.

Why is home cooking declining?

The decline in home cooking can be attributed to the fact that the shadow price of home-cooked food, which considers the time required for cooking, has increased compared to the price of ready-to-eat food.

What are the benefits of cooking at home?

The benefits of cooking at home include improved health, increased happiness, strengthened family bonds, expanded cultural knowledge, cost savings, enhanced time management skills, avoidance of food allergies, and a boost in confidence.

How much money do you save cooking at home vs eating out?

The amount of money saved by cooking at home compared to eating out varies. However, on average, the cost per serving of home cooked meals is $4.31, whereas the average expense of dining out is $20.37.

Is cooking at home better than eating outside?

Cooking at home is preferable to eating out because home cooked meals are generally healthier than fast food or takeout. When you prepare food at home, you can ensure that the nutritional value of the ingredients is preserved. On the other hand, takeout often contains excessive amounts of oil, butter, and spices, which may not be beneficial for your health, especially if consumed regularly.

When did people stop cooking at home?

People stopped cooking at home between the mid-1960s and late 2000s. During this period, there was a decline in the frequency of home-cooked meals across different income groups. Low-income households decreased their home-cooked meal consumption from 95 percent to 72 percent, middle-income households decreased from 92 percent to 69 percent, and high-income households decreased from 88 percent to…

Is cooking at home actually healthier?

Cooking at home is indeed healthier. Research indicates that individuals who cook more frequently, as opposed to relying on take-out options, tend to have a more nutritious eating pattern. Furthermore, these studies reveal that meals consumed at restaurants generally contain elevated levels of sodium, saturated fat, total fat, and overall calories compared to meals prepared at home.

Is cooking at home more environmentally friendly?

Cooking at home is more environmentally friendly compared to dining out or buying prepared food because it enables you to have control over sourcing, preparation, and packaging. At every stage of the cooking process, you can make sustainable choices, starting from selecting the most sustainable ingredients while shopping to minimizing food waste during cooking.

Is home cooked healthier and cheaper than ready meals?

Home-cooked food is indeed healthier and more cost-effective than ready meals. This is because when you cook at home, you have control over the ingredients and cooking methods used, ensuring a healthier meal. Moreover, the cost savings associated with preparing meals at home are undeniable compared to the expense of eating out.

How much cheaper is it to cook at home?

The cost savings of cooking at home can be significant. According to my calculations, preparing your own takeout staples at home can result in approximately a 50% reduction in expenses compared to ordering the same items for carryout. Moreover, if you frequently opt for delivery, the savings can be even more astonishing, reaching up to 75%.

What are the disadvantages of cooking at home?

The disadvantages of cooking at home include the time it takes, the need for more grocery shopping, the clean-up afterwards, a potential lack of enthusiasm for cooking, limited cooking skills, practical limitations, and the fact that restaurants can be better for your social life.

How many dishes can an average person make?

The average person can make approximately five dishes without needing to consult a recipe, according to the survey.

How often does the average family go out to dinner?

Americans eat out on average approximately 4.2 times per week.

Why are Americans cooking less?

Americans are cooking less due to the increase in households with adult roommates and the prevalence of eating alone or with a varied group of acquaintances, which makes cooking at home more challenging.

How much time do moms spend cooking?

Moms typically dedicate approximately 68 minutes per day to cooking, while dads only spend around 23 minutes on meal preparation.

How long does it take the average person to cook?

The average person takes approximately one hour to cook and prepare food each day, which is nearly half the amount of time their parents spent in the kitchen during their own adulthood. According to a survey of 2,000 individuals, modern adults spend an average of 61 minutes cooking their three daily meals, along with any additional snacks consumed between meals.

How much time does a family spend in the kitchen?

A family typically spends an average of 67 minutes per day in their kitchen, which amounts to over 400 hours annually, according to their findings.

How good is the average person at cooking?

The average person’s cooking skills are limited, as revealed by a recent survey. It indicates that most individuals can only prepare five or fewer meals without relying on a recipe. Additionally, approximately one-third of people admit to attempting a new recipe only once per year. Surprisingly, one out of every eight individuals lacks confidence in their cooking abilities to the extent that they wouldn’t even trust themselves to make a simple dish like an omelet, even with a recipe.

What percentage of meals are eaten at home?

The percentage of meals eaten at home has increased significantly in recent years. According to research from NPD Group Inc., today 82 percent of the meals Americans consume are prepared at home, which is a much higher percentage compared to a decade ago. This indicates that more people are cooking at home and reducing their visits to fast-food restaurants.

What is the current percentage of food consumed at home vs away from home?

The current percentage of food consumed at home versus away from home is 56 percent in 2022. This is based on the increase in food-at-home spending from $954.7 billion in 2021 to $1.05 trillion in 2022, and the increase in food-away-from-home spending from $1.16 trillion in 2021 to $1.34 trillion in 2022.

How much do you save eating at home vs eating out?

The amount of money saved by eating at home instead of eating out varies. However, by making just two meals at home instead of ordering out, you can save approximately $936 per year, which is almost $1,000.

What does the average American household spend on food at home?

The average American household spends $5,259 annually, or approximately $438 per month, on food at home, according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2021.

Is it cheaper to cook or eat out?

The cost of eating out is higher than cooking at home. In 2022, Americans spent nearly 21% more on restaurant meals compared to groceries, as indicated by a recent report. Furthermore, this gap increased to nearly 30% in early 2023.

What are the benefits of home-cooked meals?

The benefits of home-cooked meals include consuming fewer calories unknowingly, being more conscious of the food you consume, having the opportunity to socialize with loved ones, and stimulating your brain.

What percentage of the US food dollar is captured by away from home meals?

The percentage of the US food dollar captured by away from home meals in 2018 was 44 percent. In that year, the average consumer unit (similar to a household) allocated almost half of its food budget to food away from home.

What demographic eats out the most?

The youngest age groups (19-29 years) have the highest percentage of adults who eat meals out once per week or more, with 41.0% of participants in this group. This is significantly higher than the percentages observed in other age groups (20.1%-27.6%) when considering both unadjusted and mutually adjusted analyses.

How many meals are eaten outside the home?

The number of meals consumed outside the home is approximately 70 percent in the United States, with around 20 percent of meals being eaten in the car. According to The Family Dinner Project at Massachusetts General Hospital, nearly half of American families rarely have family dinner.

What is the value in eating meals as a family?

Eating meals as a family holds significant value as it fosters a sense of security and unity, contributing to the healthy development of children into well-rounded adults. Regular family dinners positively influence children’s values, motivation, personal identity, and self-esteem.

Wrap Up

Kitchens are dear to us; they bring us together with our loved ones and nourish our body systems. It is essential to accord them the respect they deserve and learn the basics of preparing healthy and tasty dishes. We hope we provided some fruitful insights to you about home cooking in our guide. Happy cooking!