Ever put potato chips on a sandwich, or grill pineapple and chicken together just to spice things up? You’re not alone.
According to a recent poll of 2,004 people, 60 percent have experimented with a recipe of a frequently prepared dish out of sheer boredom.
Forty-two percent say they add new spices to the mix, making it the most popular option for potential recipe remixes.
Other well-liked methods include adding fruits and vegetables in subtle ways (41 percent), and combining opposite or contrasting flavors, such as salty and sweet (40 percent).
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Jennie-O, the poll also asked respondents where they get their inspiration for meals. Some 37 percent cite their friends and family as a prime source.
One-third also turn to Google for creative ideas, and another third create the ideas themselves.
When it goes right, these home cooks frequently get requests to cook the meal again (45 percent) and end up passing the recipe on to others (39 percent).
Unsuccessful attempts, however, lead many respondents to give up entirely, with 42 percent saying they will never make the recipe again.
“During the last few years, as more people worked from home, more have been cooking at home, as well,” said Nicole Behne, vice president of marketing at Jennie-O. “Through experimentation, home chefs have discovered useful cooking hacks and recipe additions. Even something as simple as swapping out the protein you use can make a dish seem new and interesting.”
Six in 10 respondents admitted feeling “burnt out” by cooking, and 7 in 10 say they get bored cooking the same meals over and over again.
For those who feel stuck in a cooking rut, 26 percent cited a lack of variety in their meals.
Over half (52 percent) say they have cooked more at home during the pandemic — and 21 percent admit they cook “more than they’d like.”
Still, for those who have overcome their cooking boredom, the results can end up great.
On average, respondents think they make about four social media-worthy meals — meaning food that’s visually pleasing enough to post online – in a given week.
And half (51 percent) have considered creating a social-media account just for their culinary creations.
“Cooking tasty and nutritious meals at home can sometimes feel challenging, but the easiest ways to stay engaged and excited about meal preps are by trying out new ingredients, testing out different recipe options, and being open to new flavor combinations,” said Behne.
Edited by Fern Siegel and Kristen Butler
