Are you a beginner just starting out in the kitchen? Or are you simply looking for new ways to cut time while you're cooking? Either way, this list of 30 cooking hacks is for everyone - because who doesn't love a good hack? Prepare to be amazed!
1. Pre-Chop Vegetables for the Week
Spend some time on Sunday chopping vegetables and storing them in the fridge. This cuts down on daily prep time and makes it easier to throw together a healthy meal.
Use Airtight Containers: Store your pre-chopped veggies in airtight containers to keep them fresh longer.
Photo by Sean Bernstein on Unsplash
2. Freeze Herbs in Olive Oil
Chop fresh herbs and freeze them in an ice cube tray with olive oil. This preserves their flavor and makes it easy to add them to recipes.
Instant Flavor Boost: Use these herb-infused oil cubes to quickly add flavor to soups, stews, or sautéed dishes.
Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash
3. Use a Grater for Butter
Grate cold butter for easy spreading on bread or dough. This prevents tearing and evenly distributes butter.
Perfect for Baking: Grated butter also blends more easily into flour for pastries and pie crusts.
Photo by Jaye Haych on Unsplash
4. Microwave Lemons for More Juice
Microwave lemons for 20 seconds before juicing. This softens the lemon and helps extract more juice.
Effortless Squeezing: Microwaving makes lemons easier to squeeze, perfect for recipes requiring fresh lemon juice.
5. Peel Ginger with a Spoon
Use the edge of a spoon to peel ginger. It removes the skin effortlessly without wasting any of the ginger.
Safer than a Knife: This method is safer and more precise than using a knife.
Photo by Faran Raufi on Unsplash
6. Cook Pasta in a Frying Pan
Use a large frying pan to cook pasta. The wider surface area allows water to boil faster and pasta cooks more evenly.
Better Flavor Absorption: This method helps pasta absorb sauce better, enhancing the flavor of your dish.
Photo by Olesya Yemets on Unsplash
7. Use Dental Floss to Cut Soft Foods
Unflavored dental floss is perfect for slicing soft foods like cheese or cakes. It creates clean, even cuts without sticking.
Versatile Tool: It's especially useful for cutting delicate desserts like cheesecakes or layered cakes.
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
8. Freeze Meat to Slice Thinly
Partially freeze meat for about 30 minutes before slicing. This firms it up, making it easier to cut thin, even slices.
Perfect for Stir-fries: Ideal for recipes that require thinly sliced meat, such as stir-fries or sandwiches.
Photo by Victoria Shes on Unsplash
9. Use a Potato Peeler for Thin Slices
Use a potato peeler to create thin, elegant slices of vegetables like cucumbers or carrots for salads or garnishing.
Uniform Slices: Ensures uniform thickness, enhancing the presentation and even cooking of dishes.
Photo by Sandie Clarke on Unsplash
10. Store Ice Cream in a Ziplock Bag
Keep ice cream soft and scoopable by storing the container in a Ziplock bag. This prevents freezer burn and keeps the texture smooth.
Easy Serving: Makes it easier to serve and enjoy your favorite ice cream anytime.
Photo by Leighann Blackwood on Unsplash
11. Cook Fish on a Bed of Citrus Slices
Place fish on a bed of lemon or orange slices when baking. This infuses the fish with a subtle citrus flavor and prevents sticking.
Moist and Tender: Keeps the fish moist and tender during cooking.
Photo by Keesha's Kitchen on Unsplash
12. Roll Citrus Fruits Before Juicing
Roll lemons, limes, or oranges on the countertop before cutting and juicing. This breaks down some of the inner fibers.
Efficient Juicing: Makes the process of juicing more efficient, yielding more liquid.
Photo by Jessica Lewis on Unsplash
13. Use a Pizza Cutter for Chopping Herbs
A pizza cutter can quickly chop fresh herbs. It's faster and more efficient than using a knife, especially for large quantities.
Uniform Chopping: Ensures evenly chopped herbs, which is great for garnishes and adding fresh flavors to dishes.
Image by Engin Akyurt from Pixabay
14. Peel Boiled Eggs with a Spoon
Crack the shell and then use a spoon to slide between the egg and the shell. This makes peeling boiled eggs much easier.
Perfectly Peeled Eggs: Results in a smooth, clean peel, ideal for making deviled eggs or egg salads.
Photo by Mustafa Bashari on Unsplash
15. Use a Wet Paper Towel for Easier Eggshell Removal
Place a wet paper towel under your egg cracking bowl. When small bits of shell fall in, they stick to the towel instead of your bowl.
Photo by Brandon Cormier on Unsplash
16. Use Rice to Sharpen Blender Blades
Fill the blender with a cup of rice and blend on high for a few minutes. The rice helps to sharpen the blades, keeping them efficient.
Regular Maintenance: Doing this once a month can prolong the life of your blender.
Photo by Pierre Bamin on Unsplash
17. Cook Eggs in Onion Rings for Perfect Shape
Use onion rings as molds on a skillet. Crack an egg into each ring for a perfectly round shape, ideal for sandwiches.
Flavorful Twist: Adds a subtle onion flavor to the eggs, enhancing their taste.
Photo by Gabriel Gurrola on Unsplash
18. Store Avocados with Onion Chunks
Store cut avocados with large chunks of onion. The sulfur compounds in onions help keep the avocados green longer.
Airtight Container: Place both in an airtight container in the fridge for extended freshness.
Photo by Hitoshi Namura on Unsplash
19. Soak Garlic Cloves in Warm Water for Easy Peeling
Soak garlic cloves in warm water for 15 minutes. This loosens the skin, making them much easier to peel.
Time Saver: Great for recipes that require a lot of garlic, saving time and effort.
Photo by Mike Kenneally on Unsplash
20. Use a Thermos to Keep Food Warm
Use a thermos to keep foods like soups, stews, or mashed potatoes warm until serving time.
Convenient for Potlucks: This is particularly useful for transporting hot dishes to potlucks or gatherings.
Photo by Bluewater Sweden on Unsplash
21. Reheat Pizza in a Skillet
Reheat pizza in a non-stick skillet on low heat. This keeps the crust crispy, unlike microwaving which can make it soggy.
Melty Cheese: Cover the skillet for a minute to melt the cheese without overcooking the base.
Photo by veda kiran on Unsplash
22. Soak Pasta in Water to Speed Up Cooking
Soak pasta in a bowl of water for a couple of hours before cooking. It significantly reduces the cooking time.
Energy Efficient: Ideal for saving time and energy, especially on busy days.
Image by Jan Vašek from Pixabay
23. Use Vinegar to Test Egg Freshness
Place eggs in a bowl of water with a splash of vinegar. Fresh eggs will sink, while older ones will float.
Safety First: This hack ensures you're using fresh eggs, especially important in recipes where eggs are undercooked.
Image by Loyloy Thal from Pixabay
24. Use a Mason Jar for Instant Whipped Cream
Pour heavy cream into a mason jar, tighten the lid, and shake vigorously for a few minutes for instant whipped cream.
Convenience: Perfect when you need whipped cream quickly and don't have a mixer handy.
Photo by Kier in Sight Archives on Unsplash
25. Cook Bacon in the Oven
Lay bacon strips on a baking sheet and bake in the oven. This cooks the bacon evenly and reduces splattering.
Easy Cleanup: Line the baking sheet with foil for quick and easy cleanup.
Photo by Wright Brand Bacon on Unsplash
26. Freeze Bananas for Creamier Smoothies
Freeze overripe bananas to add a creamy texture to smoothies without the need for dairy.
Natural Sweetness: They also add natural sweetness, reducing the need for added sugars.
Photo by Amanda Vick on Unsplash
27. Use Muffin Tins for Portion Control
Use muffin tins to cook and freeze individual portions of dishes like meatloaf, egg bites, or mini quiches.
Convenient Meal Prep: Great for meal prep and ensures consistent portion sizes.
Photo by Diane Alkier on Unsplash
28. Stabilize a Cutting Board with a Damp Cloth
Place a damp cloth or paper towel under your cutting board. This prevents it from sliding around and ensures safer chopping.
Increased Safety: Essential for maintaining control while cutting, especially with sharp knives.
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash
29. Regrow Green Onions in Water
Place the white roots of green onions in a jar of water. They will regrow, providing a continuous supply.
Sunlight Exposure: Keep the jar on a windowsill for adequate sunlight and change the water every few days.
30. Use a Cookie Scoop for Evenly Sized Items
Use a cookie scoop to ensure uniform sizes for items like meatballs, cookies, or muffin batter.
Consistent Cooking: Helps in even cooking and presents a professional look to your dishes.
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