A 14 category degree‐of‐readiness classification scheme was developed for foods used in at‐home consumption. The codes were further aggregated to three categories: no preparation, some preparation and considerable preparation. The classification system was tested with two groups of consumers and was found to be acceptable both by experienced and inexperienced food preparers. When nationwide household food consumption data were categorized by this system, the majority of most frequently reported foods required no preparation in the home prior to consumption.