As an at-home mom — balancing the roles of work-at-home mom and stay-at-home mom — I’ve come to appreciate anything that makes family life more manageable, especially in the kitchen. Between helping with homework, managing blog posts, creating content for my readers, and making sure dinner is on the table every evening, cooking every single day can sometimes feel like a never-ending job.
That’s why batch cooking has been a total game-changer for me. It’s not just a trendy kitchen habit — it’s a real-time solution for busy moms like you and me who want to feed our families healthy meals without the daily stress of “what’s for dinner?” Let me walk you through my top tips and experiences with batch cooking so you can make dinnertime smoother and healthier too.
What Is Batch Cooking?
Batch cooking simply means preparing large portions of meals at once, then storing them in the fridge or freezer for later. Instead of cooking from scratch every day, you set aside a couple of hours once or twice a week to prep, cook, and store meals — so all you need to do during the week is reheat and serve.
Why I Batch Cook as an At-Home Mom
Like many moms, I wear multiple hats every day. I homeschool part-time, run two blogs, manage social media, and still prioritize family dinners. Batch cooking allows me to:
- Reduce weekday kitchen stress
- Stick to our healthy eating goals
- Save money by buying in bulk
- Minimize food waste
- Have more time for my family (and myself!)
My Tried-and-True Batch Cooking Tips
1. Plan Before You Shop
Before hitting the grocery store, I create a weekly meal plan and a shopping list. I include 3–4 batch-cooked dinners that can be stretched across the week or frozen for later.
Bonus Tip: I keep a printed meal planner and grocery checklist on the fridge — this helps me stick to the plan and avoid overbuying.
2. Start Simple
You don’t need to cook seven gourmet meals at once. I usually batch-cook one pot meals like chili, vegetable stew, or baked pasta. These reheat well and taste even better the next day.
Try:
- Chicken and vegetable stir-fry (freeze sauce separately)
- Lentil curry (freezes beautifully)
- Baked meatballs (perfect for subs, pasta, or wraps)
3. Invest in Quality Storage
Storing batch-cooked meals properly is key. I use:
- Glass containers for fridge storage (easier to reheat)
- Freezer-safe bags laid flat for stacking
- Label everything with the date and contents
4. Use Freezer-Friendly Ingredients
Not everything freezes well. Avoid freezing meals with high water content like raw lettuce or dairy-heavy sauces (they separate). Instead, freeze:
- Cooked grains (rice, quinoa)
- Cooked meats
- Soups, stews, and casseroles
- Chopped, blanched vegetables
5. Double When You Cook
Even if you’re not batch cooking on purpose, just make double the portion when you’re making dinner. Eat half tonight, and freeze the rest for a busy day.
6. Theme Your Cooking Sessions
To stay organized and focused, I pick a theme:
- Grain Bowl Week: Prep quinoa, grilled veggies, roasted chickpeas, and hummus.
- Pasta Week: Prep meat sauce, pesto, baked ziti, and garlic bread.
A Peek into My Real-Life Batch Cooking Routine
On Sundays, after church and a little family rest time, I spend about two hours in the kitchen. The kids help wash veggies, and I put on a podcast or playlist while I cook. I prep 2–3 dinners and some breakfast options like muffins or overnight oats. By the end of Sunday evening, I already feel lighter knowing weekday dinners are under control.
Favorite Batch-Cooking Tools I Use
- Large baking sheets & roasting pans
- Slow cooker or Instant Pot (great for stews and shredded meats)
- Freezer-safe containers & labels
- A printable batch cooking checklist (to track what’s cooked, frozen, and scheduled)
I’ve created a free printable batch cooking checklist and weekly meal planner just for moms — grab it at the end of this post!
Final Thoughts: Give Yourself Grace
Batch cooking isn’t about perfection — it’s about preparation. Some weeks I batch-cook like a pro; others I barely manage a double batch of soup. That’s okay. The goal is to give yourself breathing space during busy weekdays while still serving nourishing meals to your family.
Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or juggling remote work and homeschool like me, I encourage you to try batch cooking even once. I promise, your future self (and your family) will thank you.
Free Download: Healthy Batch Cooking Checklist + Weekly Meal Planner
[Click here to download your printable PDF]
