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Life today is busy. Between work, family, and endless to-do lists, it’s tempting to reach for a ready meal, order a takeaway, or grab something quick like a ready meal from the freezer. But these days, more and more people are asking: What is scratch cooking, and why should I bother with it?
The truth is, cooking from scratch is one of the simplest ways to take control of your health, your budget, and your enjoyment of food. And it doesn’t have to be complicated.
Soon after moving from Africa to the UK, I began adding more and more ready-made meals and processed items when I went shopping. It was a hectic time setting up a home in a new country, and there were many systems we had to get into place after moving. The grocery shop meals were a quick way to get food on the table each day. However, I soon realised that it was not the healthiest option for my family and reverted to cooking in the way my mother had taught me as a child – from scratch using fresh ingredients.
What Is Scratch Cooking?
At its heart, scratch cooking simply means preparing meals from whole, fresh and basic ingredients such as meat, fruit, vegetables and whole grains instead of relying on pre-packaged, ready meals and other processed foods.
For example, think of:
- Making a tomato pasta sauce from fresh tomatoes, garlic, and herbs instead of opening a jar.
- Whisking up a salad dressing with olive oil, lemon, and mustard instead of buying a bottle.
- Baking a cake with flour, butter, and eggs instead of a boxed mix.
- Making up a spaghetti bolognese from fresh tomatoes, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, herbs and beef mince – instead of buying a ready meal in the supermarket.
It doesn’t mean you have to grind your own flour or spend all day in the kitchen. Scratch cooking is about choosing real ingredients and putting them together yourself. It is also all about avoiding ultra-processed foodstuffs when you are preparing a meal.
What are Ultra-processed Foods?
Ultra-processed foods are the kind of products you’ll find in brightly packaged boxes and bags on supermarket shelves. Think of sugary cereals, instant noodles, ready meals, and fizzy drinks.
They’ve been transformed in a factory with ingredients you wouldn’t normally use in your own kitchen, like artificial flavours, colourings, preservatives, and extra sugars or oils. Essentially, they’re designed to look, taste, and last longer than natural foods, but they often contain less nutrition and more additives.
While they’re convenient for busy days, relying on them too much can affect your health over time, contributing to things such as weight gain, blood sugar spikes, and lower overall nutrient intake. Knowing what ultra-processed foods are makes it easier to spot them.
How to Check for Ultra-processed Foods
Look at the ingredients. That list will be long. They will be preservatives, artificial flavourings, sweeteners and emulsifiers. You can then be sure it is ultra-processed. If those ingredients are not normally found in a home kitchen, then it is very likely they have been made in a factory ie they are ultra-processed.
To find out more about the harsh realities of ultra-processed food diet by the UK’s Dr Chris van Tulleken – watch his video HERE
Benefits of Cooking from Scratch
1. Healthier meals
When you cook from scratch, you know exactly what goes into your food. No hidden sugars, no mystery preservatives, no excess salt or unhealthy fats. Just real food that nourishes your body.
2. More affordable
A basket of whole ingredients often costs less than buying the equivalent ready-made meals. Cooking at home can stretch your budget further, especially if you plan or cook in batches.
3. Better taste
Freshly cooked meals have unbeatable flavour. Once you taste the difference between a homemade meal and a ready frozen one from the grocery shop, you’ll never look back.
4. A sense of satisfaction
There’s something deeply rewarding about saying, I made this. Cooking from scratch for your family and others gives you pride in the food you cook and a stronger connection to what you eat. You will know that you are helping improve the health of your family too.
5. Family and social connection
Sharing a meal you’ve made yourself creates memories. Kids who help cook from scratch learn valuable life skills, and mealtimes become moments of togetherness.
Common Barriers (and Easy Fixes)
- “I don’t have time.” → Start with quick scratch recipes like stir-fries or soups. Using a slow cooker or multi-cooker means dinner cooks itself while you do other things.
- “It’s too much effort.” → Invest in kitchen gear that makes food preparation simpler, like a sharp knife or a food processor.
- “I’m not a good cook.” → Scratch cooking is a skill you build. Start small with one dish and grow your confidence.
Scratch Cooking Tips: Gear That Makes It Easier
The right kitchen tools can turn scratch cooking from a chore into a pleasure. A few essentials:
- Good chef’s knife – faster, safer chopping.
- Digital kitchen scales – easy, accurate measuring.
- Food processor – saves time on slicing, grating, and mixing.
- Slow cooker or pressure cooker – set and forget for hearty meals.
These aren’t fancy extras; they’re investments that make everyday cooking faster and simpler.
How to Start Cooking from Scratch
Scratch cooking doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Try these easy steps:
- Cook one meal from scratch each week – then increase them as you gain confidence
- Swap one store-bought item for homemade – like salad dressing, granola, or bread.
- Batch cook – a big pot of slow-cooked chicken tikka masala or a big batch of spaghetti bolognese, and then freeze portions for those days when time is short.
Over time, these small changes build into a natural routine that makes scratch cooking second nature.
Final Thoughts: Why Cooking from Scratch Is Worth It
Cooking from scratch isn’t about perfection or gourmet meals. It’s about eating real food, made with love, that’s better for your body, your budget, and your taste buds.
Start small, keep it simple, and enjoy the process. Your future self will thank you every time you sit down to a meal you’ve created from the basics.
Here is an easy meal you can get started with – Chilli Con Carne or this one if you don’t fancy the beans – Honey Chicken Recipe