20 tips to help you master cooking for one

Meal planning can be a chore, but it’ll make cooking for one much easier. Plan what you’re going to eat for the week so you don’t buy a bunch of food you won't use, and so you can buy items you’ll use for more than one meal. 

An unfortunate reality for people cooking for one is that most grocery items are sold in bulk, and those sold in individual sizes are very expensive. Learn to portion bulk items so you’re using only what you need now and saving the rest for later. 

Produce can be tricky when it comes to cooking for one. To avoid food waste, don’t buy too much fresh produce at once, and become familiar with canned and frozen produce options. You’ll still get to eat fruits and veggies without throwing a bunch out. 

When it comes to cooking for one, the freezer is your friend. If you buy meat in bulk, freeze half of it. If you make a giant batch of soup you don’t want to finish this week, freeze the leftovers. If you want produce on hand, keep some in the freezer. 

Meat can be a major hassle to cook, and that goes for any number of people you’re cooking for. But when you’re cooking for one, cook whatever meat you plan to use for the week in bulk, then repurpose it for different meals. Shredded chicken can be used in tacos, in salads, on sandwiches, and more. 

An easy way to add variety to your meals when cooking for one is to mix and match produce. If you’ve made your meat in bulk, have three or four fruit and vegetable options that you can swap in and out throughout the week. 

Spices make everything more interesting. You can eat the exact same meat-and-vegetable combination five nights in a row without getting tired of it if you use different spices each meal.  

The same goes for condiments. Keep ketchup, mustard, ranch dressing, hot sauce, soy sauce, and more on hand to add flavor to your meals and to make sauces of your own. 

Carbs are the real MVP of cooking for one. They’re inexpensive, shelf-stable, and versatile, and they can easily be cooked for just one meal. 

If you’re a fan of leftovers, make large batches and eat leftovers throughout the week. And if you’re not a fan of leftovers, freeze the rest of your recipe for later. 

Repurposing leftovers is a great way to make good use of the meal you made in bulk. If you made tacos for supper, for example, you can repurpose those ingredients to make a rice bowl, taco salad, and nachos, yielding three more delicious meals from one cooking session.  

Small appliances are ideal if you’re cooking for one. Small crockpots, toaster ovens, and air fryers make having delicious meals as just one person achievable. Investing in these items will help you master cooking for one. 

If there’s someone else in your life who’s only cooking for one or two people, split groceries with them. This way, you can still buy in bulk without worrying that you’re going to waste money or food. 

Make sure your pantry is full of staple items that you know you like and will use in a variety of meals. When cooking for just one person, it’s easy to get to the end of the week and have bits and pieces left to cook with. Having staple items to anchor a meal will help eliminate food waste and keep your meals interesting. 

It’s easy to over-buy at the grocery store. When you’re just one person, you don’t go through groceries as quickly as a family or even a couple. To avoid buying ingredients you already have or stocking up on something you only use a few times a year, be very aware of what’s in your pantry. 

Most recipes yield at least four servings, which means four meals if you’re just one person. If you don’t like leftovers or don’t want to risk having three more meals of a dish you don’t like, adjust the recipes to make just one serving. It can be difficult at first, but it’s a useful skill once you get the hang of it. 

If you’re cooking for one, you’re the person who’s responsible for making sure you get fed. Memorize some go-to low-maintenance recipes for the nights when leftovers don’t sound good, and you’re not in the mood to cook. 

One-pot meals are great for solo cooks. They’re often versatile and usually freeze well. Plus, they’re almost always delicious and typically make for great comfort food. 

Budgeting, unfortunately, is a part of life, but it actually makes a positive difference when cooking for one. Sticking to your food budget will keep you from buying unnecessary food items that’ll just go to waste, and it’ll force you to eat what’s at home. 

Creativity in the kitchen is always a good thing. Cooking for one can be tricky, but being creative in the kitchen can solve some of your solo cooking woes and lead to really great recipes you wouldn’t otherwise have.