Readytocook

Readytocook is a term used in the food industry and consumer retail to describe products that are designed to be cooked from raw or minimally preprocessed ingredients. Such items are typically sold with pre-portioned ingredients, accompanying recipe instructions, and any necessary seasonings, sauces, or garnishes, enabling customers to complete a meal with modest preparation and cooking time.

Readytocook products come in several formats. Meal kits can include meat, seafood, vegetables, and starch along with a recipe card, while other offerings provide semi-prepared components that require final cooking steps such as sautéing, simmering, or baking. Packaging ranges from per-serving pouches to larger trays, often designed for refrigeration or freezing.

History and market: The readytocook concept gained traction with the growth of meal-kit services and supermarket private-label lines in the 2010s, though variations existed earlier. The term is used variably; some brands label products as readytocook to emphasize that cooking is required, differentiating them from fully ready-to-eat meals.

Benefits and drawbacks: Benefits include time savings, portion control, and reduced grocery waste, as well as exposure to diverse recipes. Drawbacks commonly cited are higher cost relative to cooking from scratch, dependence on packaging, and the need for basic cooking equipment and some culinary skill.

Readytocook occupies a middle ground between traditional home cooking and fully prepared foods, appealing to consumers seeking convenience without sacrificing the experience of cooking.