Six in 10 adults have swapped nights out in bars and clubs for evenings at home cooking. A study of 2,000 adults found 73% look forward to spending their weekends at home, with 56% doing so more now than they did previously.
Why Home Cooking Is on the Rise
But it's not just down to saving money; four in ten of those opting to stay home feel happier there. Whilst they're at home, 32% choose to spend their weekends cooking. Four in ten will use the extra time to try new or more complex recipes, with 34% feeling they have more energy to devote to cooking.
The slower pace can turn cooking into valuable downtime, with 22% claiming it helps them slow down and be more present, while 18% feel it allows them to switch off from screens and digital distractions.
Expert Insight on Weekend Cooking
The study was commissioned by Hotpoint, which has partnered with Fuschia Sirois, professor of social and health psychology at Durham University, to explore how our weekends have shifted towards resting and recharging at home.
Prof. Sirois said: “A night out can feel like the best way to unwind after a long week, but, psychologically, it often isn’t.
“Studies on how we recover from work look at switching off, relaxing, learning something new and feeling in control of our time. A night in cooking can cover all of those, which a night out rarely does.
“At home we get to choose how we use our time and who we share it with. People talk about the joy of missing out, and I think that’s exactly what we’re seeing.”
Cooking as a Social and Self-Care Activity
The study also found that making meals is a sociable affair, with one in four cooking for friends and family over the weekend. Nearly half (47%) prioritise time with loved ones at the weekend, and 14% said cooking for others is their love language.
For many though, time in the kitchen has also become an act of self-care, with 33% enjoying treating themselves – and others – with nice food. And 22% even get a sense of achievement from their culinary masterpieces, with 19% embracing having a ‘special’ weekend ritual.
But despite having more time to experiment, those polled, via OnePoll, are sticking with familiar favourites on Saturdays, with Spaghetti Bolognese topping the weekend menu, followed by curry and stir-fry.
Adam Norris, senior product manager at Hotpoint, said: “As autumn sets in, the weekend gives people permission to slow the pace, spend more time at home and enjoy cooking without the pressure of the working week.
“What's interesting is how cooking transforms from a midweek chore into a weekend pleasure.
“For those trying a new recipe, it can be daunting, but with the right appliances on hand and the time to enjoy the process, cooking can be a great way to build confidence, switch off from digital distractions, and share the feeling of home.”
The Top 10 Dishes Brits Cook on a Saturday
The top dishes cooked on a Saturday include Spaghetti Bolognese, curry, stir-fry, stews/casseroles, steak and chips, pasta bake, lasagne, homemade pizza, roast dinner, and fish and chips.
