When playing Stardew Valley, you find that it is easy to deplete your energy and health. To combat this, most players consume various cooked meals to improve productivity and game progress. Unfortunately, purchasing each meal can become costly. Luckily there is a way to get your meals, while simultaneously saving money.
In this guide, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about cooking in Stardew Valley! From recipes to how to use a cookout kit. Let’s start with the basics!
What is Cooking?
Cooking is a game mechanic that gets unlocked once you have a Cookout Kit or Kitchen from your first Farmhouse upgrade. It helps produce cooked dishes that rejuvenate your Health and Energy as well as offer buffs to enhance your skills.
Later on in the game, after meeting Mr. Qi, you can purchase Qi Seasoning. Adding Qi Seasoning to each product boosts their value by 50% and their restoration effects by 80%. It increases your buff by one and its duration by 50%, but this doesn’t apply to Speed.
#1 Get a Kitchen or Cookout Kit
Before gathering any ingredients, you’ll need something or somewhere to prepare these meals. You have two choices: Cookout Kit or Kitchen. The Cookout kit is cost-effective and great for early game meal making but also has its limitations.
Cookout Kit
The cookout kit is a great item that you can build in a pinch with easy to gather resources always surrounding you while exploring. To remove it, use a pickaxe, axe, or hoe. If you forget to do this, your kit will disappear the next day. Keep in mind that if you remove the cookout kit, it will be destroyed. To place a new one, you will have to make it again.
Moreover, its crafting recipe becomes available once you reach Foraging Level 9. You’ll also need to gather some Wood (15), Fiber (10), and Coal (3). But you can also get two of them for free upon accomplishing the Wild Medicine Bundle in the Craftsroom of the Community Center.
Kitchen
It’s a more stable cooking place compared to the latter. However, you’ll only get it in your first Farmhouse Upgrade from Robin. It costs 10,000g and Wood (450). After obtaining this advancement, you won’t just find a Kitchen with a countertop, but you’ll also get a fridge to store your excess ingredients.
#2 Get Recipes
Despite having the first necessity, you’d also need to know the recipe of your desired Cooked Dish. You may obtain them from the following:
- The Queen of Sauce: You may watch this show on your television every Wednesday. It offers free, but random, recipes that you may like.
- Stardrop Saloon: If you missed an episode last Wednesday, you might sometimes find some of the recipes from Gus’ store. Its price ranges from 50g to 5,000g, depending on the Recipe you’re purchasing.
- Villagers: Aside from gifts from your generous townsmen, they may occasionally send you the recipe for their most adored meals.
- The Island Trader.
- Dwarf Shop in Volcano on Ginger Island.
- First Farmhouse Upgrade.
- Ginger Island Resort.
- Skill Enhancement.
#3 Gather the Ingredients.
Collecting ingredients for a platter can be done in several ways. You may incorporate your Farming and Foraging skills or use your Farm buildings. Some items are also purchasable from shops in Stardew Valley. Here are some stores you can visit:
Cooked Dishes
After getting all the necessities, you’ll find your Kitchen or Cookout Kit’s inventory showing the available dish you can make. Here are some meals that you could consider making:
| Image | Name | Ingredients | Health | Buffs | Buff Duration | Recipe Source | Price |
 | Algae Soup |  Green Algae (4) |  75 33 | __ | __ | Clint (Mail 3+  ) |  100g |
 | Artichoke Dip |  Artichoke (1) Milk (1) | 100 45 | __ | __ | The Queen of Sauce | 210g |
 | Autumn’s Bounty |  Yam (1) Pumpkin (1) | 220 99 | Foraging (+2) Defense (+2) | 7m 41s | Demetrius (Mail 7+ ) | 350g |
 | Baked Fish |  Sunfish (1)Bream (1)  Wheat Flour (1) | 75 33 | __ | __ | The Queen of Sauce | 100g |
 | Banana Pudding |  Banana (1) Milk (1) Sugar (1) | 125 56 | Mining (+1) Luck (+1) Defense (+1) | 5m 1s | Island Trader for Bone Fragment (30) | 260g |
 | Bean Hotpot |  Green Bean (2) | 12556 | Max Energy (+30) Magnetism (+32) | 7m | Clint (Mail 7+ ) | 100g |
 | Blackberry Cobbler |  Blackberry (2) Sugar (1) Wheat Flour (1) | 175 78 | __ | __ | The Queen of Sauce | 260g |
 | Blueberry Tart |  Blueberry (1) Wheat Flour (1) Sugar (1) Egg (1) | 125 56 | __ | __ | Pierre (Mail 3+ ) | 150 |
 | Bread | Wheat Flour (1) | 50 22 | __ | __ | The Queen of Sauce Stardrop Saloon for 100g | 60g |
 | Bruschetta | Bread (1) Oil (1) Tomato (1) | 113 50 | __ | __ | The Queen of Sauce | 210g |
 | Carp Surprise |  Carp (4) | 90 40 | __ | __ | The Queen of Sauce |  150g |
 | Cheese Cauliflower |  Cauliflower (1) Cheese (1) | 138 62 | __ | __ | Pam (Mail 3+ ) | 300g |
 | Chocolate Cake | Wheat Flour (1) Sugar (1) Egg (1) | 150 67 | __ | __ | The Queen of Sauce | 200g |
 | Chowder |  Clam (1) Milk (1) | 225 101 | Fishing (+1) | 16m 47s | Willy (Mail 3+ ) | 135g |
 | Coleslaw |  Red Cabbage (1) Vinegar (1) Mayonnaise (1) | 213 95 | __ | __ | The Queen of Sauce | 345g |
 | Complete Breakfast |  Fried Egg (1) Milk (1) Hashbrowns (1) Pancakes (1) | 200 90 | Farming (+2) Max Energy (+50) | 7m | The Queen of Sauce | 350g |
 | Cookie | Wheat Flour (1) Sugar (1) Egg (1) | 90 40 | __ | __ | Evelyn (4-heart event) | 140g |
 | Crab Cakes | Crab (1) Wheat Flour (1) Egg (1) Oil (1) | 225 101 | Speed (+1) Defense (+1) | 16m 47s | The Queen of Sauce | 275g |
 | Cranberry Candy |  Cranberries (1) Apple (1) Sugar (1) | 125 56 | __ | __ | The Queen of Sauce | 175g |
 | Cranberry Sauce | Cranberries (1) Sugar (1) | 125 56 | Mining (+2) | 3m 30s | Gus (Mail 7+ ) | 120g |
 | Crispy Bass |  Largemouth Bass (1) Wheat Flour (1) Oil (1) | 90 40 | Magnetism (+64) | 7m | Kent (Mail 3+ ) | 150g |
 | Dish O’ The Sea |  Sardine (2) Hashbrowns (1) | 125 56 | Fishing (+3) | 5m 35s | Fishing Level 3 | 220g |
 | Eggplant Parmesan |  Eggplant (1) Tomato (1) | 175 78 | Mining (1) Defense (+3) | 4m 39s | Lewis (Mail 7+ ) | 200g |
 | Escargot |  Snail (1) Garlic (1) | 225 101 | Fishing (+2) | 16m 47s | Willy (Mail 5+ ) | 125g |
 | Farmer’s Lunch |  Omelet (1) Parsnip (1) | 200 90 | Farming (+3) | 5m 35s | Farming Level 3 | 150g |
 | Fiddlehead Risotto | Oil (1) Fiddlehead Fern (1) Garlic (1) | 225 101 | __ | __ | The Queen of Sauce | 350g |
 | Fish Stew |  Crayfish (1) Mussel (1) Periwinkle (1) Tomato (1) | 225 101 | Fishing (+3) | 16m 47s | Willy (Mail 7+ ) | 175g |
 | Fish Taco |  Tuna (1) Tortilla (1) Red Cabbage (1) Mayonnaise (1) | 165 74 | Fishing (+2) | 7m | Linus (Mail 7+ ) | 500g |
 | Fried Calamari |  Squid (1) Wheat Flour (1) Oil (1) | 80 36 | __ | __ | Jodi (Mail 3+ ) | 150g |
 | Fried Eel |  Eel (1) Oil (1) | 75 33 | Luck (+1) | 7m | George (Mail 3+ ) | 120g |
| Fried Egg | Egg (1) | 50 22 | __ | __ | Starter Dish | 35g |
 | Fried Mushroom |  Common Mushroom (1) Morel (1) Oil (1) | 135 60 | Attack (+2) | 7m | Demetrius (Mail 3+ ) | 200g |
 | Fruit Salad | Blueberry (1) Melon (1) Apricot (1) | 263 118 | __ | __ | The Queen of Sauce | 450g |
 | Ginger Ale |  Ginger (3) Sugar (1) | 63 28 | Luck (+1) | 5m | Dwarf Shop in Volcano Dungeon for 1,000g | 200g |
 | Glazed Yams | Yam (1) Sugar (1) | 200 90 | __ | __ | The Queen of Sauce | 200g |
| Hashbrowns |  Potato (1) Oil (1) | 90 40 | Farming (+1) | 5m 35s | The Queen of Sauce Stardrop Saloon For 100g | 120g |
 | Ice Cream | Milk (1) Sugar (1) | 100 45 | __ | __ | Jodi (Mail 7+ ) | 120 |
 | Lobster Bisque |  Lobster (1) Milk (1) | 225 101 | Fishing (+3) Max Energy (+50) | 16m 47s | The Queen of Sauce Willy (Mail 9+ ) | 205g |
 | Lucky Lunch |  Sea Cucumber (1) Tortilla (1) Blue Jazz (1) | 100 45 | Luck (+3) | 11m 11s | The Queen of Sauce | 225g |
 | Maki Roll | Any Fish (1) Seaweed (1) Rice (1) | 100 45 | __ | __ | The Queen of Sauce Stardrop Saloon for 300g | 220g |
 | Mango Sticky Rice |  Mango (1) Coconut (1) Rice (1) | 113 50 | Defense (+3) | 5m 1s | Leo (Mail 7+) | 250g |
 | Maple Bar |  Maple Syrup (1) Sugar (1) Wheat Flour (1) | 225 101 | Farming (+1) Fishing (+1) Mining (+1) | 16m 47s | The Queen of Sauce | 300g |
 | Miner’s Treat |  Cave Carrot (2) Sugar (1) Milk (1) | 125 56 | Mining (+3) Magnetism (+32) | 5m 35s | Mining Level 3 | 200g |
| Omelet | Egg (1) Milk (1) | 100 45 | __ | __ | The Queen of Sauce Stardrop Saloon for 100g | 125g |
 | Pale Broth |  White Algae (2) | 125 56 | __ | __ | Marnie (Mail 3+ ) | 150g |
| Pancakes | Wheat Flour (1) Egg (1) | 90 40 | Foraging (+2) | 11m 11s | The Queen of Sauce Stardrop Saloon for 100g | 80g |
 | Parsnip Soup | Parsnip (1) Milk (1) Vinegar (1) | 8538 | __ | __ | Caroline (Mail 3+ ) | 120g |
 | Pepper Poppers |  Hot Pepper (1) Cheese (1) | 130 58 | Farming (+2) Speed (+1) | 7m | Shane (Mail 3+ ) | 200g |
 | Pink Cake | Melon (1) Wheat Flour (1) Sugar (1) Egg (1) | 250 112 | __ | __ | The Queen of Sauce | 480g |
 | Pizza | Wheat Flour (1) Tomato (1) Cheese (1) | 150 67 | __ | __ | The Queen of Sauce Stardrop Saloon for 150g | 80g |
 | Plum Pudding |  Wild Plum (2) Wheat Flour (1) Sugar (1) | 175 78 | __ | __ | The Queen of Sauce | 260g |
 | Poi |  Taro Root (4) | 75 33 | __ | __ | Leo (Mail 3+ ) | 400g |
 | Poppyseed Muffin |  Poppy (1) Wheat Flour (1) Sugar (1) | 150 67 | __ | __ | The Queen of Sauce | 250g |
 | Pumpkin Pie | Pumpkin (1) Wheat Flour (1) Milk (1) Sugar (1) | 225 101 | __ | __ | The Queen of Sauce | 385g |
 | Pumpkin Soup | Pumpkin (1) Milk (1) | 200 90 | Defense (+2) Luck (+2) | 7m 41s | Robin (Mail 7+ ) | 300g |
 | Radish Salad | Oil (1) Vinegar (1) Radish (1) | 200 90 | __ | __ | The Queen of Sauce | 300g |
 | Red Plate | Red Cabbage (1) Radish (1) | 240 108 | Max Energy (+50) | 3m30s | Emily (Mail 7+ ) | 400g |
 | Rhubarb Pie |  Rhubarb (1) Wheat Flour (1) Sugar (1) | 215 96 | __ | __ | Marnie (Mail 7+ ) | 400g |
 | Rice Pudding | Milk (1) Sugar (1) Rice (1) | 115 51 | __ | __ | Evelyn (Mail 7+ ) | 260 |
 | Roasted Hazelnuts |  Hazelnut (3) | 175 78 | __ | __ | The Queen of Sauce | 270 |
 | Roots Platter | Cave Carrot (1) Winter Root (1) | 125 56 | Attack (+3) | 5m 35s | Combat Level 3 | 100g |
 | Salad |  Leek (1) Dandelion (1) Vinegar (1) | 11320 | __ | __ | Emily (Mail 3+ ) | 110g |
 | Salmon Dinner |  Salmon (1) Amaranth (1) Kale (1) | 125 56 | __ | __ | Gus (Mail 3+ ) | 300g |
 | Sashimi | Any Fish (1) | 75 33 | __ | __ | Linus (Mail 3+) | 75g |
 | Seafoam Pudding |  Flounder (1) Midnight Carp (1) Squid Ink (1) | 175 78 | Fishing (+4) | 3m 30s | Fishing Level 9 | 300g |
 | Shrimp Cocktail | Tomato (1) Shrimp (1) Wild Horseradish (1) | 225 101 | Fishing (+1) Luck (+1) | 10m 2s | The Queen of Sauce | 160g |
 | Spaghetti | Wheat Flour (1) Tomato (1) | 75 33 | __ | __ | Lewis (Mail 3+ ) | 120g |
 | Spicy Eel | Eel (1) Hot Pepper (1) | 115 51 | Luck (+1) Speed (+1) | 7m | George (Mail 7+ ) | 175g |
 | Squid Ink Ravioli | Squid Ink (1) Wheat Flour (1) Tomato (1) | 125 56 | Mining (+1) Squid Ink Ravioli Buff | 4m 39s (Mining) 2m59s (Squid Ink Ravioli Buff) | Combat Level 9 | 150 |
 | Stir Fry | Cave Carrot (1) Common Mushroom (1) Kale (1) Oil (1) | 200 90 | __ | __ | The Queen of Sauce | 335 |
 | Strange Bun | Wheat Flour (1) Periwinkle (1) Void Mayonnaise (1) | 100 45 | __ | __ | Shane (Mail 7+ ) | 225g |
 | Stuffing | Bread (1) Cranberries (1) Hazelnut (1) | 170 76 | Defense (+2) | 5m 35s | Pam (Mail 7+ ) | 165 |
 | Super Meal |  Bok Choy (1) Cranberries (1) Artichoke (1) | 160 72 | Max Energy (+40) Speed (+1) | 3m 30s | Kent (Mail 7+ ) | 220g |
 | Survival Burger | Bread (1) Cave Carrot (1) Eggplant (1) | 125 56 | Foraging (+3) | 5m 35s | Foraging Level 2 | 180g |
 | Tom Kha Soup | Coconut (1) Shrimp (1) Common Mushroom (1) | 175 78 | Farming (+2) Max Energy (+30) | 7m | Sandy (Mail 7+ ) | 250g |
| Tortilla |  Corn (1) | 50 22 | __ | __ | The Queen of Sauce Stardrop Saloon for 100g | 50g |
 | Triple Shot Espresso |  Coffee (3) | 8 3 | Speed (+1) | 4m 12s | Stardrop Saloon for 5,000g | 450g |
 | Tropical Curry | Coconut (1) Pineapple (1) Hot Pepper (1) | 150 67 | Foraging (+4) | 5m 1s | Ginger Island Resort for 2,000g | 500g |
 | Trout Soup |  Rainbow Trout (1) Green Algae (1) | 100 45 | Fishing (+1) | 4m 39s | The Queen of Sauce | 100g |
 | Vegetable Medley | Tomato (1) Beet (1) | 165 74 | __ | __ | Caroline (Mail 7+ ) | 120g |
