Some work routines can get so busy that it feels like there’s barely any time to breathe. For many people with routines like that, even basic tasks like cooking feel challenging. A recent online post touched on this exact struggle, and it quickly drew in hundreds of people sharing how they manage to enjoy decent meals without spending much time in the kitchen.
The story
The original poster shared on Reddit that they work full-time and get home after 7 PM, at which point they have to cook for themselves. Theoretically, their refrigerator has plenty of ingredients to cook from, but the poster is so exhausted from work that they can barely think about possible dishes and feel too burned out.
Before turning to other Redditors, the poster also shared how they’ve tried tips like meal preps, but they can’t dedicate half their weekend to cooking. Additionally, they can’t plan meals properly because they either forget an ingredient or turn to other options, causing their plan to fall apart mid-week. Ultimately, they rely on takeout or something basic like pasta.
The poster turned to other Redditors in hopes of finding a practical solution. Since this post resonated with hundreds of people, it received varied responses, most of which offered helpful tips.
The reactions
The thread was filled with survival habits people swear by when they are too tired to make dinner. One person shared, “Freeze burritos, some homemade. You can make anything you want. Ordering out is such a waste of money. They air fry easily.”
If you make and freeze a few burritos with your choice of filling on a weekend while you’re already in the kitchen, you’ll have dinner ready on busy weeknights. Whenever you are hungry, you can add one to the air fryer or microwave and heat it for 2 to 3 minutes.
Another commenter mentioned a routine that a lot of exhausted people rely on: “I have done a lot of ramen, but with random ingredients thrown in there for nutrition. It’s ready in five minutes.” Ramen is a quick and easy meal for tired evenings. You can add in other ingredients you’ve on hand, such as protein, veggies, or even seasonings, to make it more flavorful.
Convenience foods were mentioned by another user who said, “Have a couple frozen pizzas on hand.”
Others agreed, noting that keeping something ready to bake helps avoid last-minute takeout. You can either buy frozen pizzas from the store or batch assemble and freeze them with your favorite toppings.
Some users pointed to slow cookers as a reliable option for busy weeks. One comment said, “A slow cooker is a lifesaver! I prepped everything on the weekend, then it went in the slow cooker on Monday morning before I left for work. Just walking into the house after work was an energizer! The aromas were to die for!”
A slow cooker works for people who know they’ll be tired before the week even starts. You can make multiple meals in it during the weekend or even before going to work. And you’ll return to a hot meal ready.
People also talked about planning meals ahead. One shared, “I plan my meals every Friday for the following week, and plan for leftovers on the days I know I won’t have time or energy (or either).”
Spending a few hours on Friday can save you from stressing about dinner all week. You can cook something that lasts, like a batch of fried rice, some chicken, or a couple of basic veggies you can grab when you’re tired.
One Redditor shared tips from their culture and cuisine, “To be honest, it’s hard. I’m Indian, so I keep a basic spice mix (cumin, red chilli, rock salt, turmeric), chop up random veggies, saute them with the mix in some ghee, and I’m done. The second thing that can be done is getting a good source of protein (precooked, like grilled chicken) and making salad jars that you can add rice noodles to.”
Every cuisine has meals that are easy to cook and don’t take too much time. People who feel too exhausted or burned out at the end of their workday can take inspiration from different cuisines and look for short and quick recipes that don’t consume too much energy.
In response to this, one person even shared their go-to recipe, “Yes! I grill chicken and can mix and match very easily. Lentils or refried beans mix well with ground turkey. Fresh salad and I’m done. Minimal thought and work.”
Many people agreed with a comment that suggested a familiar yet favorite quick meal: “Cheese sandwich, which I love regardless.”
Making something as easy as a cheese sandwich is the perfect solution to the problem. Combining it with a low-effort soup, roasted veggies, or even salads could make a whole meal.
One commentator suggested, “Look into oven meals. Buy some veggies pre-prepped.” Oven meals require little attention and reduce the amount of work needed on weeknights. You can also buy pre-cut veggies and add them to your oven dishes for a fulfilling meal after a long, tiring day.
Other tips that make weeknight dinners easier
These ideas take the pressure off on the days when you don’t feel like cooking after a long working day.
- Keep your go-to ingredients in one spot
When the basics are always together, you can grab what you need without digging around or thinking too hard. - Use shortcuts when you can
Things like pre-washed greens, microwavable grains, or chopped onions help you get food ready faster instead of preparing it from scratch. - Prep a few “starter items” when you have the energy
Having cooked rice, boiled eggs, or cut vegetables in the fridge gives you a head start on nights when you’re running on low energy. - Save a list of easy meals in your phone
Save easy recipes in your phone so you don’t waste time deciding what to eat. - Portion leftovers into single meals right away
Once the containers are packed, you can reheat them in seconds and enjoy dinner without spending much time in the kitchen.
At the end of the day, most people want something that doesn’t drain their energy anymore. It can be something already cooked, or anything you can heat up and fill your stomach. There is no perfect approach. People use whatever gets dinner done with the least amount of effort.
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