I Hate Cooking: Quick Tips and Healthy Alternatives You’ll Love

Recipes Can Be Complicated

Let’s be honest. Even the recipes that claim to be ‘simple’ on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram aren’t so simple or quick at all. I’ve seen endless memes about that, and they’re on point. 

True simplicity isn’t in the number of ingredients but rather the availability and the time it takes to make a recipe. If a recipe only calls for three ingredients, but one of those ingredients is only available at a specialty grocery store, it’s not easy, in my opinion. 

Such complicated recipes can sometimes turn people off and prompt them to open a food delivery app and order instead. We’ve all been there. 

Don’t Like Cleaning Up Afterward

Cooking can be quite messy. Even people who enjoy cooking don’t like the cleanup afterward. Even simple recipes can lead to a sink full of plates and bowls waiting to be washed. And if you’re using powdery ingredients like flour, good luck cleaning that mess. 

Honestly, I’ve ordered takeout plenty of times just to avoid the cleanup.

Kitchen Isn’t Optimized for Cooking

A cluttered or under-equipped kitchen can kill your cooking mood instantly. If your kitchen lacks basic tools, dishes, and space, frustration comes fast. There’s only so much you can do without proper gear.

And when you don’t have the right setup, even simple dishes can flop. You put in the effort, and the food doesn’t taste great. This leaves you wondering, what’s the point?

I Hate Cooking: What Should I Do?

If you hate cooking, it doesn’t mean you have to rely on others to cook for you, order in, or eat out every time you need to feed yourself. There are ways you can teach yourself to love (or at least not hate) cooking. 

Plus, there are easy hacks and alternatives to fill in the gaps, so you get the nutrition you need without spending hours in the kitchen. 

First, accept that you dislike cooking and figure out the real reasons behind it. 

I’ve already mentioned several above. And then tell yourself that you’re going to work to change that. 

With that in mind, let me share some ways I was able to reignite my passion for cooking. 

Tips to Make Cooking Easy and Lovable

Home cooking shouldn’t be something you dread.  It’s a basic skill, everyone should know. I’m not saying you have to be a chef and need to make the fanciest dishes. But you should be able to cook basic things for yourself, so you can eat healthy, save money, and keep yourself out of the “I hate cooking” crowd.

Change the Mindset

The shift doesn’t start in the kitchen. It starts in your head. 

For many, the problem is that they see cooking as a responsibility rather than something enjoyable. Others think it’s a special talent that only trained chefs have.

But cooking is just a life skill, simple and flexible. And it doesn’t have to mean standing over the stove for hours. Fixing a salad or making a sandwich counts as cooking, too. 

You don’t have to be great at it, just comfortable enough to feed yourself well.

Simplify Recipes 

Recipes aren’t written in stone. If a recipe calls for an ingredient you don’t have, try replacing it with something you do have or skip it altogether if it’s not essential. 

Of course, that depends on the recipe and ingredient in question. But the point is that you’re allowed to simplify things and even experiment.

Many times, I don’t have a spice or herb that goes into a recipe, and I just make it without it. Nine out of ten times, the result is still smashing. 

More importantly, as you cook more, you’ll start understanding flavors better. You’ll know what can be replaced and what can’t.  

Go for recipes that are actually simple with few ingredients, minimal cleanup, and a cooking time under 30 minutes. I’m talking about things like one-pan meals, one-pot pasta, or one-pot chicken and rice. Fewer ingredients and fewer dishes mean less cleanup after.

Embrace Meal Prep

If you’re not big on cooking because of time constraints, meal prepping will be your best friend. It basically lets you prepare your meals in advance during your free time and stay organized for the entire week.

Start by creating a meal plan or meal calendar. You can cook two or more dishes in bulk and portion them for lunch/dinner throughout the week. For effective meal planning, consider investing in high-quality meal prep containers to keep food fresh and make storage easier.

Batch prepping is also a great way to target any specific health and fitness goals. For example, you could prep high-protein meals for muscle gains or small portions to stay in a calorie deficit for weight loss. 

Pro Tip: Use a digital meal planner to make things smooth, especially if you want to combine meal prep with calorie tracking. 

Stock Up on Things You’ll Actually Need and Use

Be smart with your grocery shopping. Given the rising prices of groceries, it’s the best way to save money and avoid food waste. 

Don’t buy that specialty sauce that you’ll only use once. Instead, buy things you will need frequently. I’m talking about staples like flour, rice, chicken, vegetables, grains, legumes, pasta, yogurt, olive oil, and spices/condiments (whatever your diet allows). 

If you always have the basic essentials available at home, you’ll be able to put something together in no time. 

Cook for More Times (Lunch and Dinner)

This hack is a big time saver. Just cook a larger quantity of your meal and eat it twice, either the same day or the next. I know that sounds repetitive, but if the dish is healthy and tastes good, I personally don’t mind eating it consecutively twice or thrice. 

And if you want new flavors in every meal, you can just freeze the extra portion for next week. This works best with soups, curries, and meats. 

Reduce Cleaning Effort

Some people make a bigger mess than necessary while cooking, but you don’t have to. Try these quick cleanup hacks:

• Invest in a quality chopping board or slab and prep all your veggies and even meats on that.

• Keep a bowl or trash bag handy to collect all the trash. 

• Rinse dishes as you go and clean the counter in between cooking (for example, when waiting for rice or pasta to cook). 

• Keep all the ingredients handy, especially spices and condiments, so you’re not scrambling to find them and creating a mess on the counter. 

• Soak pans and pots in soapy water or at least rinse them to remove stuck bits as soon as you’re done using them while cooking. It will require less scrubbing later. 

A little organization while cooking can save you a ton of scrubbing afterward.

Choose Healthy Ingredients and Recipes

Eating healthy can naturally help you enjoy cooking more. As you begin to notice positive changes in your energy and body, the effort starts to feel worthwhile. Cooking stops feeling like a chore and starts becoming genuinely rewarding.

Be mindful of the ingredients you’re using, as well as their calorie and macronutrient content. Choose fresh ingredients over processed foods. Use veggies and fruits for vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. And don’t forget quality protein sources, be it animal-based or vegan. 

Schedule Things Around Cooking

Treat cooking meals as a planned part of your schedule. Make it one of the main tasks for the day. Don’t try to squeeze it in between tasks. When you rush it, you’ll do it half-heartedly and end up frustrated.

Instead, set aside some time for it specifically and schedule less important things around it, not the other way around. 

Are There Alternatives to Cooking (Besides Ordering In)?

Yes. If you hate cooking or don’t have time for it, there are healthy alternatives like juicing, salads, and quick-assembly meals. These options require little prep or cleanup and still provide balanced nutrition to help you stay healthy without relying on takeout.

Now, let’s talk about these alternatives in detail. 

Proper nutrition doesn’t have to involve intense prep, long waits, and elaborate recipes that require boiling, frying, or baking. You can easily try a few simple options when you’re too tired or busy to cook.

Juicing

Juicing can’t replace meals (unless you’re on a specific juice cleanse). However, it can definitely complement a healthy diet. More importantly, it can bridge any nutritional gaps, so you get the nutrients you need. 

Late for work and can’t cook yourself a proper breakfast? Quickly pressing out a fresh glass of juice with a juicer that requires little prep and no pushing can be a game-changer.  Instead of heading out on an empty stomach, you’ll have a quick glass of energy to start your day.

And, if the dishes you like to cook aren’t big on veggies and fruits,  juicing is an easy way to balance things out. Fresh juices pack antioxidants, fiber, and nutrients that help you feel refreshed and energized.

Looking for some easy juice recipes to get started? We’ve compiled a few refreshing, nutrient-packed options you’ll actually enjoy. Check out healthy juice recipes.

Salads

Salads are another healthy alternative to cooking. Although they do require some preparation, they take far less time than making something like pasta, pie, and rotisserie chicken. 

Just stock your refrigerator with leafy greens (salad mixes), lettuce, tomatoes, onions, lemons, and some dressings. You can buy salad dressings from the market or whip up your own with olive oil, vinegar, and herbs. 

How to Make the Best of Your Juicer When You Hate Cooking

If you have a versatile juicer like the Hurom Slow Juicer, you’d be surprised at how much it can do. If you dislike cooking, your Hurom juicer can help you easily and quickly prepare simple meals. 

For instance, you can make a refreshing sorbet with the Hurom H400 juicer using frozen fruits and berries. It’s a healthy dessert that requires no cooking or baking. 

You can also make soups by processing steamed ingredients in your juicer. You can even reuse the pulp from the juicer to make different dishes. 

Beyond juices and soups, your Hurom juicer can also make baby food, nut milks, ice creams, and more. 

Basically, it’s not just a juicer, it’s a compact kitchen companion for anyone who wants to eat better without spending hours cooking.

Cooking Doesn’t Have to Be a Chore

In my opinion, cooking doesn’t need to be something you ‘have to do’ but what you ‘want to do.’ It’s a mix of mindset shift and smart choices that make cooking easy and fun. 

That's how I was able to turn my hate into ‘ok, I can do this.’ Now, I’m not a chef, and there are days when I do order in. But I’ve managed to make cooking more manageable in my busy routine with the tips I shared with you. 

FAQ

Why do I hate my own cooking?

People typically hate their own cooking because of sensory adaptation and lack of novelty. Cooking and eating the same thing over and over dulls taste perception. Also, some people might not be good at cooking, particularly with more complex recipes. 

Do I really need to be a good cook?

You do not need to be a good cook to eat well or live healthily. Similarly, you don’t need to have great knife skills or a divine sense of flavors. Planning meals, choosing simple recipes, and using fresh ingredients can support a healthy lifestyle without advanced cooking skills.

What percentage of people hate cooking?

Around 50% of Americans dislike cooking, according to surveys by food research groups. Dislike stems from time constraints, lack of skills, or kitchen fatigue. 

Can I eat healthy without cooking?

You can eat healthy without cooking by choosing pre-washed salads, raw fruits, nuts, and healthy prepared meals. Focus on minimally processed foods with clear nutrition labels. There are also healthy meal delivery services, but that’s obviously more expensive than home meals. 

What can I do with Hurom juicers?

Besides juicing fruits and vegetables, you can use Hurom juicers to make sorbet, ice cream, baby food, and nut milks. Hurom’s slow juicers are versatile machines, with some models not even requiring any special strainers to make those things. 

Can juice and smoothies replace meals?

Juice and smoothies can replace meals if they include protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Balanced blends with vegetables, fruits, and supplements can meet nutritional needs in the short term. Don’t make it part of your regular nutrition habits, though.