Can you sell home-cooked meals from home?

5 of 51 jurisdictions (50 states plus DC) allow home-cooked meals to be made in a home kitchen under cottage food rules, often with conditions, and 5 more allow it with a special home license or program. 36 require a commercial kitchen. Here's why, and where each state lands.

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The food science

Prepared meals are TCS foods, which need temperature control to stay safe. Most states don't allow them from a home kitchen, and many don't address meals directly in their cottage food rules. A few have created separate paths, such as California's MEHKO program in counties that have opted in, or food freedom laws that allow certain refrigerated foods sold in person.

Where home-cooked meals can be made at home

Allowed from a home kitchenHome kitchen, with a special license or programNeeds a commercial kitchen or another agencyNot clearly addressed: ask first

Select a state to open its guide. Every state's conditions are listed below the map.

Allowed from a home kitchen (5)

Arizona. Prepared TCS foods are allowed. Meat and poultry must come from inspected sources, and you must sell and deliver in person.
Montana. Homemade meals can be sold directly for home consumption or at community events. Meat follows Department of Livestock rules.
North Dakota. Homemade meals without uninspected meat can be sold directly.
Utah. Prepared foods are allowed under the Homemade Food Act, sold directly. Meat is excluded except small-scale poultry or rabbit. Utah also offers microenterprise home kitchen permits through local health departments.
Wyoming. Prepared foods without excluded meats can be sold directly or through a designated agent.

Home kitchen, with a special license or program (5)

California. Prepared meals are TCS foods. MEHKO lets you cook and sell meals from home, but only where your city or county has opted in.
Indiana. Prepared foods may be sold under the new homestead vendor law if made primarily from your own property. Home based vendors can't sell them.
Iowa. Made-to-order and TCS foods can be sold from a licensed home food processing establishment.
Maine. Prepared meals need a commercial license, unless your town has a food sovereignty ordinance that covers them.
Vermont. Prepared meals need a home caterer license.

Needs a commercial kitchen (36)

Alabama. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Alaska. Food for immediate consumption falls under food service rules.
Arkansas. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Colorado. From January 2027, one type of prepared TCS food is allowed per producer. Until then, meals need a commercial kitchen.
Connecticut. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Delaware. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
District of Columbia. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Florida. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Georgia. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Hawaii. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Illinois. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Kansas. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Kentucky. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Louisiana. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Maryland. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Massachusetts. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Michigan. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Minnesota. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Mississippi. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Missouri. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Nevada. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
New Hampshire. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
New Jersey. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
New Mexico. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
New York. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
North Carolina. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Ohio. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Oregon. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Pennsylvania. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Rhode Island. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
South Carolina. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
South Dakota. Prepared foods like casseroles and sandwiches need a license.
Virginia. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Washington. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
West Virginia. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Wisconsin. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Prepared meals need refrigeration, so they're made in a permitted commercial kitchen.

Not clearly addressed: ask the agency first (5)

Idaho. Prepackaged foods are covered; made-to-order meals still need a permit.
Nebraska. Meatless TCS foods are allowed with in-person delivery; meat and animal products are excluded.
Oklahoma. Meatless TCS meals can qualify with training and direct sale; meat is excluded.
Tennessee. Meals without meat or seafood can qualify as TCS food sold in person. Poultry is allowed only from inspected sources or small exempt flocks.
Texas. Meals without meat, poultry, or seafood can qualify as TCS cottage food. Dishes with meat need a permitted kitchen.

Developing home-cooked meals?

Mendocino Food Consulting helps food entrepreneurs with formulation, pH, and shelf-stability questions. We are food scientists, not attorneys, and we don't provide legal advice.

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Rules summarized from the sources listed in each state's guide, reviewed October 2026. Each state's conditions and exceptions are described in its guide; confirm with the agency before selling.