Why America Is Returning To Home Cooking (Again)

As food prices keep rising, Americans are adjusting how they cook, shop, and dine. Food at a Price is an ongoing series exploring how inflation is shaping home cooking habits, grocery trends, and restaurant spending.

Food is more than just a meal—it’s a reflection of how people are adapting to uncertain times. With rising costs and shifting spending habits, home cooking has become more than a choice; it’s a strategy. What we eat and how we prepare it tell a bigger story about resilience, resourcefulness, and changing consumer priorities.

The Economic Backdrop—Why People Are Changing the Way They Eat

With food prices still high and economic uncertainty shaping spending habits, Americans are rethinking how and where they spend their food dollars. A recent report found that 89% of U.S. consumers report eating at home more frequently to save money, according to a Harris Poll survey conducted for Flashfood. While dining out hasn’t disappeared entirely, spending habits have shifted—people are cutting back on non-essentials, and restaurants that don’t offer clear value propositions are struggling.

Beyond the financial squeeze, food choices reflect something deeper—what people crave, what feels comforting, and what still feels like a splurge even when budgets are tight. Here’s how food culture is evolving in response.

Home Cooking Isn’t a Trend—It’s About Survival

The idea that home cooking is making a comeback isn’t new, and it’s not truly a comeback. What has changed in 2025 is that it’s less about curiosity (and sourdough starters) and more about getting dinner on the table without breaking the bank. According to Fidelity, 79% of respondents plan to build up their emergency savings.

At the same time, not everyone is feeling the squeeze in the same way. Some consumers are still dining out, while others are leaning on staples like rice, beans, and frozen meals to stretch their budgets. This divide is shaping how different communities navigate food choices in an economy where prices remain unpredictable.

Inflation Fatigue Means a Return to Basics

Sticker shock at the grocery store has forced people to rethink how they shop and cook. More consumers are buying in bulk, opting for store brands, and cutting food waste to stretch their grocery budgets further.

With food prices still high and budgets tighter, home cooking isn’t just about saving money—it’s a strategy. Cooking at home cuts costs while giving people more control over ingredients, portion sizes, and overall spending. More shoppers are trading premium grocery items for practical staples, focusing on meals that are affordable, efficient, and easy to stretch without sacrificing flavor.

More shoppers are favoring simple, familiar meals over pricier specialty items. But this shift isn’t about eating food that’s boring—it’s about getting creative with ingredients, reducing waste and meal-prepping smarter, and swapping premium purchases for practical ones.

Eggs Are Everywhere—But Not Because They’re Cheap

Eggs have become a symbol of food inflation, with prices fluctuating due to supply chain disruptions and avian flu outbreaks. While consumers may be frustrated by the rising cost of a carton, demand hasn’t gone anywhere.

In 2025, Americans are projected to consume an average of 270.7 eggs per person, according to the USDA’s Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook report. Despite challenges in egg production, eggs remain a staple that is relied on in many households, reflecting their enduring demand for them as versatile and essential food items.

People Are Eating Out—But Only If There’s a Deal

Dining out isn’t disappearing—it’s just becoming way more calculated. According to the National Restaurant Association’s 2025 State of the Industry Report, 80% of consumers are inclined to utilize discounts for dining during less busy times or for discounted add-ons. While there isn’t a specific percentage attached to the number of consumers looking for discounts, restaurant value perception is driving where and how often people eat out.

This explains why fast food chains offering value meal bundles are thriving while mid-tier casual dining spots struggle. If a restaurant doesn’t offer clear value, consumers are skipping it.

Cooking Smarter, Not Just More Often

According to a recent Home Chef report, technology is playing a bigger role in how Americans approach home cooking. With rising food costs and busy schedules, people are looking for smarter, more efficient ways to plan and prepare meals.

Yes, people are cooking more—but they’re also leaning on technology to make it easier.

Whether it’s reducing food waste, managing grocery budgets, or making meal prep more efficient, tech-driven solutions are changing how people approach home cooking.

Consumer research shows a rise in:

• AI-powered grocery lists & meal planning apps that help home cooks plan meals based on budget, nutrition, and ingredient availability.
• Automated budgeting tools for food spending, giving consumers better control over their grocery bills and meal costs.
• Social media-fueled recipe trends focused on low-cost meals, with influencers showcasing creative, affordable cooking strategies.

Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are packed with viral trends like “$5 dinners,” bulk-batch meal prep, and recession-core cooking hacks. Even high-end chefs are jumping in, showing how to make restaurant-level meals on a budget.

The result? People aren’t just cooking more often—they’re maximizing time and technology to get it all done. From relying on AI-powered meal planners to viral hacks that turn leftovers into something new, home cooks are finding ways to make their money, and their meals go further than ever before.

So, What’s Next?

This home cooking resurgence isn’t only about saving money—it’s about how people are navigating an uncertain economic climate through food. Some of these shifts—like budget-conscious meal planning—will probably stick around, while others—like extreme spending caution—could ease as the economy shifts.

The USDA predicts a 3.4% increase in food prices this year, so cost-conscious habits aren’t going anywhere.

What’s clear? Food isn’t just about sustenance—it’s about comfort, strategy, and a reflection of how people make sense of uncertain times. And right now, home cooking is at the center of it all.