Mincing Garlic and Cutting Onions: Am I Actually Saving Time Using A Meal Kit?

Meal kits have stormed into the culinary scene, promising to cut down cooking time to a mere fraction. While the prospect of gourmet meals in 15 to 20 minutes may sound enticing, the reality might not always align with the advertised convenience.

For those seeking a culinary adventure, meal kits provide an excellent starting point, akin to training wheels for cooking novices. However, the promise of time-saving can be deceptive. Numerous reviews suggest that many users find themselves exceeding the suggested cooking time by an additional 10 to 15 minutes, not accounting for prep and cleanup.

The owner of one heat-and-eat meal subscription service told the Washington Post he looks at meal kits as “work in a box.”

While meal kits advertise themselves as a great way to get your footing in the kitchen, the fact is you need to be an experienced chef already to really save time using meal kits. Instead of relying solely on meal kits, consider alternative strategies to streamline your cooking routine and save time:

Meal Planning:

“Start thinking about your meal plan at least three days before you want to give it a go so you have a few days to go through the full process of making a grocery list, shopping, and then prepping.”

The fact is, most of us barely have three minutes to plan meals, much less three days! It’s totally worth it to put this much time into what you put in your body, Prepping

Canadians spend between half an hour to sometimes well over an hourprepping an average weeknight dinner. Even if you try to cut that down with a meal kit, eliminating prep tasks entirely can return a massive amount of time to your day.

Grocery Shopping:

The Retail Council of Canada reported in 2019 that the average Canadian spends over half an hour shopping about once a week. Rather catch up with family, or relax with your favourite show? Of course you would.

Storing:

Finally, it can be tough to take the time to put groceries away when you’re already exhausted from hitting up the store. This can also lead to improper and disorganized storage, which can lead to ingredients going bad. Not only a waste of time but sometimes money as well.

While meal kits may serve as a helpful crutch for those beginning their culinary journey, the promise of time-saving should be approached with a critical eye. Alternative strategies, such as meticulous meal planning and efficient grocery shopping, can be equally effective in streamlining your cooking routine. When looking to improve your efficiency in the kitchen, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of meal kits and explore a variety of approaches that suit your lifestyle and preferences.

To learn more about alternative solutions for meal prepping, head to Easy Platter and start saving time today.