Gen Z swaps home-cooked meals for takeout as busy lives depart no supper time
Busy lifestyles mean young Brits are abandoning home-cooked meals for more convenient options
Nearly half have less than 30 minutes to cook in the evening(Image: Getty Images)
Time-poor Gen Z are turning their backs on home-cooked dinners in favour of pricey takeaways and supermarket meal deals. A poll of 2,000 adults found that as the evening ticks on, 35% of under-28s order in, while 29% grab pre-packaged snacks and sandwiches instead of cooking.
Six in ten (62%) say they have less time than ever to cook from scratch, with nearly half (47%) admitting they have less than half an hour to rustle up dinner on a typical weeknight. It is no surprise then that 31% of those short on time are reaching for quick and easy ready meals.
It’s not just laziness almost half (46%) blame being too knackered after a long day, 34% point to longer working hours, and 21% say their busy commute leaves them no time to cook.
The research, commissioned by Merchant Gourmet for its ‘Yes, Chef’ campaign, highlights the squeeze on young adults trying to juggle careers, relationships, and routines.
Richard Peake, managing director of the brand which sells ready-to-eat whole grains and pulses, said: “Younger adults are trying to build careers, relationships and routines in a period where time feels tighter than ever.
“We know that when you’re tired and cooking against the clock, convenience usually wins.”
Midweek cooking times have dropped by 20% in the last decade, with 38% now opting for simpler recipes to fit their busy schedules.
More than half (55%) feel stuck in a rut with weekday meals, and 31% say a lack of kitchen confidence stops them from trying something new.
Of those, 32% worry about wasting food if a new recipe flops, while 22% don’t have the right ingredients to experiment. Still, 29% say they’d give new dishes a go if the recipe was fool proof.
Merchant Gourmet’s campaign is calling on home cooks across the UK to share their best 30-minute recipes. Standout entries will be shortlisted by chef Helen Graham before a public vote decides the winner.
Richard Peake added: “We want to bring the joy back to the kitchen by providing the shortcuts and quality ingredients that make a 30-minute meal feel special, rather than a chore.”
