• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Recipes
    • Easy Dinners
    • Dessert
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Thai
    • Gluten-free
    • Vegetarian

Inquiring Chef

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Easy Dinners
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home > Recipes > Other

    The 30 Dinner Challenge

    Published: Jan 1, 2020 · Modified: Mar 15, 2022 · by Jess Smith · · 5 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    30 Dinner Challenge

    30 Dinner Challenge

    We’re trying something different here in January and hope you’ll join us! 

    It’s called the 30 Dinner Challenge. 

    Nothing complicated. Just eating dinner at home for 30 days in January. Our hope is that the 30 Dinner Challenge brings some inspiration back to the dinner routine. (While also saving $$ and helping us to eat healthier...since who doesn't need those things in January too?) 

    Committing to eating dinner at home is how I end up creating so many of the meals you see here. Instant Pot Chickpea Curry only happened because I wanted to make my favorite curry with pantry staples instead of spending $40 on Indian takeout.

    Instant Pot Chickpea Curry with Basmati Rice

    Frank and I also think the challenge will bring some coziness into cold, dark January. Put on some music, light a candle, make cooking dinner something to look forward to at the end of a busy day.

    Here’s everything you need to know about the challenge:

    Who: Anyone who wants to cook delicious food at home in January. (Any diet needs work great here. Healthy dinners start at home!)

    What: Cooking dinner at home for 30 days in a row

    When: Start whenever you want! (We kicked ours off on January 2)

    Where: At home in your own kitchen, of course! We’ll be cheering you on virtually with lots of new recipes here on the site and over on Instagram where we’ll share our own home cooked dinners in stories.

    Why: For fun. To eat healthier. To save money. To get inspired in the kitchen.

    simple beef ragu

    Got questions? Need ideas? Here are a few more details about the challenge:

    Need Ideas? 

    Check out all of our weeknight-friendly recipes. As for us - on any given weeknight, there’s a good chance we’re making Slow Cooker Taco Meat (Taco Casserole with the leftovers), 20-Minute Chicken Ramen Stir-Fry, or Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup. 

    Slow cooker beef and barley soup

    What if….

    Let’s just agree that the 30 Dinner Challenge is not an all-or-nothing situation. Life throws us all curveballs, so we’re going to give ourselves some grace and hope you will too. Take the challenge with us, but don’t worry if something goes wrong. If you fall off the dinner-at-home bandwagon, just jump right back on!

    chicken noodle soup with miso

    Share your Creations!

    It doesn’t matter if it’s bagel pizzas, a freezer meal, or chicken you tossed in the slow cooker with a jar of salsa, share what you’re eating at home this month on Instagram with #30dinnerchallenge! Seeing what you make is the best part of my day. And, since I'll be right here with you, scrambling to get dinner on the table, your inspiration might just turn into our dinner!

    We’re thrilled to have you in this community of home cooks and can’t wait to get cooking right along with you. Leave a comment and tell us what you’re looking forward to cooking in January. Or join the conversation on Facebook or Instagram. 

    adding vinaigrette to salad

    Happy cooking!

    Related

    « Top Recipes of 2019 (and Happy New Year!)
    Simple Chicken Noodle Soup with Miso »

    About Jess

    Hi! I'm Jess. I am the recipe creator and photographer behind the 900+ recipes you’ll find on Inquiring Chef. As a mom to three young kids and professional cook, my mission is to make every moment in the kitchen and around the table count. If you’re looking for easy, flavorful, family-approved recipes, you’ve come to the right place! Learn more about me here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jean Olson

      January 01, 2020 at 10:05 am

      I would love to take this challenge!

      Reply
      • Jess

        January 01, 2020 at 10:46 am

        Yay! Thanks Jean!! So glad you're going to join us!

        Reply
    2. Robert Clark

      January 01, 2020 at 10:03 pm

      I make quite about 4 meals a month in my inherited Schlemertopf clay cooker. I've never posted to Instagram but will give it a try.

      Reply
      • Jess

        January 02, 2020 at 1:48 pm

        I had to google that clay cooker, but now I'm intrigued! I bet you can make all kinds of great dishes in that!

        Reply
    3. Cheddie

      May 21, 2020 at 3:19 pm

      Hello Jess and Frank!
      thank you for your post! I quite agree with you eating out is very expensive! Preparing dinner at home is much healthy! It's always good to eating at home more!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Welcome! We're Jess and Frank. Since 2010, we have been serving up easy, original recipes here on Inquiring Chef.

    More about us →

    Latest Recipes

    • Shrimp and Chive Dumplings
    • Dumpling and Potsticker Dipping Sauce
    • Crispy Chickpeas {Stovetop, Oven, or Air Fryer}
    • Fourth of July Cookie Bars

    Trending Recipes

    • Crispy and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
    • Honey Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry
    • Mason Jar Overnight Oats
    • Beef and Broccoli Ramen Stir-Fry

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Follow us on Instagram and Pinterest

    Contact

    • Email Us

    Copyright © 2022 Inquiring Chef

    • Pin
    • Share
    • Yum
    • Tweet
    • Email