Australians bulk cook year-round to save money & stress

Samsung Australia has released consumer research suggesting Australians are continuing to bulk cook beyond winter. The survey found that 72% of respondents said meal preparation helps reduce weekly stress.

The figures point to a mix of financial, health and time-saving motives. Samsung commissioned the research through PureProfile, which surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,008 Australians aged 18 to 95.

Almost two in three respondents, or 62%, said they had bulk cooked specifically to save money. A larger share, 69%, said the practice helps reduce their weekly grocery bill.

The findings also suggest batch cooking is linked to efforts to improve diet. Some 59% said bulk cooking helps them meet health and nutrition goals, while 62% said they intend to start the new year eating more healthily.

Stress relief and convenience were also prominent. Nearly half of respondents, or 46%, said they bulk cook breakfast, lunch and dinner to save time and reduce daily mental load.

That sense of relief appeared strongest among younger adults. The share of people saying bulk cooking reduces weekly stress rose to 87% among those aged 25 to 29.

Storage pressure

The survey also highlighted a practical limit to the trend: kitchen storage. More than a third of respondents, or 34%, said they wanted to bulk cook more often but their fridge was not big enough.

About 24% said they stack containers dangerously to make prepared meals fit. That share rose to 45% among 18- to 24-year-olds and 43% among 25- to 29-year-olds.

Those figures provide a consumer backdrop for the white goods market, where large-capacity fridges have become a competitive focus. Samsung is using the survey to highlight demand for larger refrigerators and screen-equipped models with food tracking, shopping lists and meal-planning tools.

Phil Gaut, Director of Consumer Electronics at Samsung Australia, linked the shift in cooking habits to refrigeration buying patterns.

"In 2026, larger capacities and energy efficient performance rank as the two most sought-after features among Australians shopping for a new fridge. This shows that bulk cooking and meal prep isn't just a winter ritual anymore, it's a genuine strategy for Australians to save money, eat better and feel less stressed as we head towards the end of the year," Gaut said.

Separate data from WorldPanel ComTech showed larger capacity and energy efficiency were the top two features sought by Australians considering a new Samsung refrigerator. Samsung also pointed to continued demand for French-door models, which are often marketed around internal volume and flexible storage.

Retail angle

The research offers insight into how household budget pressure is shaping appliance purchasing decisions. Consumers who increasingly cook in batches, store meals across several days and plan shopping more carefully may be more likely to weigh fridge size and layout alongside energy use.

Samsung also used the findings to frame interest in connected appliances. Its Family Hub range includes tools designed to help households track food in the fridge, create shopping lists and organise meal plans.

Gaut said artificial intelligence and design changes are the main drivers of change in premium refrigeration.

"AI paired with new design approaches have been the biggest drivers of change in the premium refrigeration category, with smart features working to address some of Australians' biggest pain points every day," Gaut said.

He also outlined why the company believes larger French-door models appeal to households that batch cook regularly.

"French-door refrigerators are incredibly popular amongst Australians who rely on bulk cooking to stay on top of bills and schedules because they benefit from large internal capacities, flexible shelving, and in-built beverage centres that gives easy access to ice and water - all while fitting into most standard refrigerator kitchen cavities.

"Large capacity screen-enabled refrigerators like Samsung's Family Hub go further by using AI to directly address common Australian concerns like reducing food wastage and saving time and energy every day. The Family Hub does this by automatically tracking what goes into the fridge to create shopping lists and bulk-cooking menus based on nutrition goals, while tracking and managing energy use via SmartThings.

"Refrigerators like this are made for Australian lifestyles and are designed to offer long-term value by evolving with families and personalising to their unique routines over time," Gaut said.

Beyond immediate storage needs, the survey suggests meal preparation is becoming a settled routine rather than a seasonal response. Some 56% of respondents said they planned to use weekends to bulk cook, while 37% said they would continue to place healthy food at the front of the fridge as a reminder to eat better.