Best Cooking Money Making Methods in OSRS for 2025

Best Cooking Money Making Methods in OSRS for 2025

Cooking in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is more than just a way to whip up food for healing—it’s a surprisingly lucrative skill for players looking to stack gold pieces (GP) without breaking a sweat. Whether you’re a free-to-play (F2P) newbie or a seasoned member, cooking offers low-effort, semi-AFK money-making methods that can fund your adventures in Gielinor. In this guide, we’ll dive into the best cooking strategies for 2025, breaking down profitable methods, requirements, and tips to maximize your profits. Let’s fire up the range!

Cooking stands out as one of the most beginner-friendly skills in OSRS. It requires minimal investment, has a gentle learning curve, and can be done while multitasking. With high trade volumes for cooked foods and consistent demand on the Grand Exchange, cooking is a reliable way to earn GP, especially for players who prefer skilling over combat or flipping. Plus, many methods are semi-AFK, meaning you can profit while studying, working, or chilling.

Low Requirements, High Accessibility

Unlike skills like Runecrafting or Slayer, cooking doesn’t demand high levels or expensive gear to start making money. You can begin with basic foods like trout or salmon and scale up as your skill improves. Even F2P players can jump in with minimal barriers, making it ideal for new accounts.

Scalable Profits

As your cooking level rises, so do your profit margins. Higher-tier foods like sharks and karambwans offer better GP per hour, and advanced techniques like tick manipulation can boost both experience and earnings. The progression feels rewarding without requiring intense focus.

Top Cooking Money Making Methods

OSRS Moneymaking Guide OSRS Guide

Here are the most effective cooking methods for making money in OSRS, tailored for different playstyles and account types. Each method balances profit, accessibility, and effort.

Cooking Sharks (Members)

Cooking sharks is a classic money maker that remains profitable in 2025 due to their high demand for PvM and skilling. Sharks heal 20 hitpoints, making them a staple for bossing and Slayer.

  • Requirements: 80 Cooking (89 recommended to stop burning with Cooking Gauntlets in Hosidius Kitchen; 94 for Rogue’s Den fire)
  • Profit: ~300k–400k GP/hour
  • XP: ~250k–325k XP/hour
  • Method: Buy raw sharks from the Grand Exchange, cook them at Hosidius Kitchen (5% burn rate reduction) or Rogue’s Den (bank next to fire), and sell the cooked sharks.

Tip: Use Cooking Gauntlets to reduce burn rates earlier. At 94 Cooking, switch to Rogue’s Den for zero walking time between bank and fire, maximizing efficiency.

Cooking Karambwans (Members)

Karambwans are the go-to for players chasing high XP and decent profits. Their unique cooking mechanic allows for tick manipulation, which speeds up the process significantly.

  • Requirements: 30 Cooking (90+ recommended to stop burning)
  • Profit: ~500k–800k GP/hour with tick manipulation
  • XP: ~800k–1M XP/hour with tick manipulation
  • Method: Purchase raw karambwans, cook them at a range (Mor Ul Rek is ideal for members), and sell the cooked versions. Tick manipulation involves timing actions to cook faster.

Tip: If tick manipulation feels too click-intensive, cook normally for ~200k–300k GP/hour and 400k XP/hour. Check Grand Exchange prices regularly, as karambwan margins can fluctuate.

Cooking Pizzas (Members)

Pizza cooking is a niche but profitable method, especially for mid-level players. It involves combining ingredients, which adds a layer of complexity but yields good returns.

  • Requirements: 35 Cooking (plain pizza), 45 Cooking (anchovy pizza)
  • Profit: ~100k–200k GP/hour
  • XP: ~150k–200k XP/hour
  • Method: Buy pizza bases, tomatoes, cheese, and optional toppings (like anchovies). Combine to make uncooked pizzas, cook them, and sell on the Grand Exchange.

Tip: Anchovy pizzas are more profitable but require higher Cooking. Use a bank with a nearby range (e.g., Lumbridge Castle) to streamline the process.

Cooking Tuna (F2P)

For F2P players, cooking tuna is a solid starting point. It’s simple, requires low levels, and has steady demand for healing in F2P PvP and training.

  • Requirements: 30 Cooking (68 recommended to stop burning)
  • Profit: ~50k–100k GP/hour
  • XP: ~100k–150k XP/hour
  • Method: Buy raw tuna, cook at a range (Edgeville is great for F2P), and sell cooked tuna on the Grand Exchange.

Tip: Cook in bulk during low-traffic hours to avoid competition for ranges. Check margins, as tuna prices can be volatile.

Comparing Cooking Methods

Not sure which method suits you? Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide based on your account type, Cooking level, and time commitment.

Method Cooking Level Profit/Hour XP/Hour F2P/P2P Effort
Sharks 80 (89+ recommended) 300k–400k 250k–325k P2P Low (AFK)
Karambwans 30 (90+ for max profit) 500k–800k 800k–1M P2P High (tick manipulation) / Low (normal)
Pizzas 35–45 100k–200k 150k–200k P2P Medium
Tuna 30 (68+ recommended) 50k–100k 100k–150k F2P Low (AFK)

Note: Profits are estimates based on 2025 Grand Exchange prices and may vary. Always double-check margins before investing heavily.

Tips to Maximize Cooking Profits

To squeeze every last GP out of your cooking sessions, follow these strategies to boost efficiency and minimize losses.

Optimize Your Setup

Location matters. For members, Hosidius Kitchen and Rogue’s Den are top choices due to burn rate reductions and proximity to banks. F2P players should stick to Edgeville or Lumbridge Castle. Use a permanent fire or range to avoid relighting logs, saving time.

Monitor Grand Exchange Prices

OSRS markets are volatile. Use tools like GE Tracker or the in-game price checker to ensure raw materials are cheaper than cooked products. Avoid cooking during price dips to prevent losses.

Reduce Burn Rates

Burnt food is wasted GP. Equip Cooking Gauntlets, cook in Hosidius, or wait until you hit the “no-burn” level for your chosen food. For example, 94 Cooking ensures zero burnt sharks in Rogue’s Den, preserving your investment.

Batch Cooking for AFK Gains

Cooking is semi-AFK, so process large batches (e.g., 10k sharks) to minimize banking trips. This lets you profit while focusing on other tasks, like watching a movie or studying.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even simple skills like cooking have pitfalls. Steer clear of these errors to keep your profits flowing.

Overbuying Without Checking Margins

Buying thousands of raw fish without confirming profit margins can lead to losses if prices shift. Test with small batches (100–200 items) before committing millions of GP.

Ignoring Burn Rates

Cooking below the recommended level for a food (e.g., sharks at 80 without gauntlets) results in burnt items, slashing profits. Level up on cheaper foods like trout first if needed.

Using Inefficient Locations

Cooking far from a bank wastes time. Avoid places like Al Kharid’s range unless you’re roleplaying a desert chef. Stick to high-efficiency spots like Rogue’s Den or Edgeville.

Final Thoughts on Cooking for Profit

Cooking in OSRS is a low-stress, accessible way to make money, whether you’re a F2P beginner or a P2P veteran. From humble tuna to high-end karambwans, there’s a method for every skill level and playstyle. By choosing the right food, optimizing your setup, and staying mindful of market trends, you can turn your range into a gold-making machine. Start small, scale up, and watch your bank grow—Gielinor’s adventurers will always need their next meal!

Ready to start cooking? Pick a method from this guide, check the Grand Exchange, and get those fires going. Have a favorite cooking money maker or a tip we missed? Share it in the comments below!