Cooking from scratch—it’s a phrase you’ve probably heard tossed around a lot lately. But what does it really mean? With popular influencers like Nara Smith and Ballerina Farm making the “ingredient household” lifestyle look effortlessly beautiful, it’s natural to wonder: is a cooking-from-scratch lifestyle even doable for most of us? Especially when you throw kids into the mix—it can feel like a pipe dream!

At its heart, cooking from scratch is all about getting back to basics. It means preparing meals with raw, unprocessed ingredients—think fresh vegetables, meats, grains, and natural seasonings—rather than relying on pre-made shortcuts like boxed dinners, instant sauces, or pre-packaged spice mixes.

Of course, this is nothing new. Cooking from scratch was once the only way people cooked, long before food manufacturing made life “easier.”

What’s The Debate About The Meaning of Cooking From Scratch?

The debate about cooking from scratch often stems from differing interpretations of what the term truly means.

For some, it implies preparing meals entirely from raw, unprocessed ingredients, starting with the basics like chopping fresh vegetables or baking bread from flour.

For others, it allows for minimal shortcuts, such as using store-bought pasta or pre-ground spices, as long as the majority of the meal is homemade.

My take? If you’re cooking with single, unprocessed ingredients, it doesn’t matter if you’re crushing your tomatoes by hand or buying organic canned tomatoes. It’s all cooking from scratch.

Benefits of Cooking From Scratch

Cooking from scratch is such a game-changer! Not only does it let you take charge of your health—choosing fresh, wholesome ingredients packed with nutrients—but it can also save you money in the long run. Whole, unprocessed foods are often way cheaper than those pre-packaged meals that seem so convenient. Plus, there’s something magical about getting creative in the kitchen, turning simple ingredients into something delicious, and feeling that little spark of accomplishment when it all comes together. And let’s not forget—it’s a great way to cut down on waste by using up what you have!

But let’s be real—life moves at a million miles an hour these days. Convenience is pretty tempting, isn’t it? We grab pre-made meals, tear open those boxed mixes, and lean on quick fixes because, well, time is short. And yes, they do save time—but have you ever stopped to think about what we’re trading for that convenience? Something to chew on, for sure.

Modern Convenience vs. Cooking From Scratch

It’s almost impossible to talk about cooking from scratch without thinking about how convenience foods have shaped modern life, isn’t it? Just walk down any supermarket aisle—frozen meals, pre-chopped veggies, instant soups, and meal kits are everywhere! They’re designed for speed and simplicity, perfect for those of us juggling a whirlwind of responsibilities and barely finding the energy to make dinner after a long day.

But let’s be honest—when you tell someone you cook from scratch, the reactions can be… interesting. It’s either wide-eyed admiration or a bit of defensiveness. “What do you mean you don’t want maltodextrin in your taco seasoning? Isn’t that normal?!”

Take frozen lasagna, for example. It’s the ultimate zero-effort meal—pop it in the oven, set a timer, and voilà! Dinner is served. But as convenient as it is, we all know a homemade lasagna tells a very different story. Imagine layering fresh marinara, whole-grain pasta, and high-quality cheese—not to mention the pride of serving something you created with your own hands! It’s not just healthier; it’s an experience, and the taste? Unbeatable.

Even meal kits, which try to balance scratch cooking and convenience, sometimes feel like they miss the mark. Sure, they include fresh ingredients—but when half the work is done for you (pre-made sauces, spice blends, or prepped components), you lose the chance to season and tweak flavors to make the dish truly yours. There’s something magical about starting from bare-bones basics and creating a dish that’s 100% a reflection of your taste and care.

Of course, cooking from scratch means making trade-offs with convenience—I won’t sugarcoat it. But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to mean spending hours chained to the stove! You can find ways to simplify the process without sacrificing the joy of homemade meals. As you start your self-sufficient journey, there’s so much to discover, from the satisfaction of creating something entirely your own to the discovery of flavors and ingredients you might have overlooked before.

So go ahead, roll up your sleeves, and dive in! You’ll be amazed at what you can create—and you might just fall in love with the process along the way.

The Fulfillment of Making Something Your Own

Cooking from scratch isn’t just about the practical perks—it’s a deeply rewarding experience! There’s something magical about creating a dish with your own two hands, especially one that nourishes the people you care about most. That moment when you take raw ingredients and transform them into something delicious and wholesome? It’s pure joy! No store-bought meal can compare to the pride and satisfaction of knowing you made it yourself.

And let’s not forget the traditions. Cooking from scratch is like opening a time capsule of family memories. Think about those recipes passed down through generations—the ones that start with fresh ingredients and end with full hearts around the dinner table. Recreating those dishes keeps family stories alive and strengthens cultural bonds. It’s more than just food; it’s a legacy, a way to connect with loved ones and create lasting memories.

Conclusion

While the benefits of cooking from scratch are undeniable, it’s important to be realistic. Not every meal has to be a masterpiece created from raw ingredients. Sometimes, life demands shortcuts, and there’s nothing wrong with occasionally relying on convenience. The key is finding a balance that works for you, incorporating scratch cooking as much as possible without making it feel like a chore.

Spend time developing your self-sufficient pantry and stock it full of essentials that are easy to access and made of the ingredients you want your family to live on. It’s well worth the investment in your home.