50 Effortless Kitchen Hacks to Save You Time and Effort
After a long, tiring day, most of us don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. But here’s some good news — there are lots of easy kitchen hacks that can help save you time on prep while still allowing you to prepare delicious meals. No matter if you’re an expert home cook or a new one, these tips will take your time on the stovetop into consideration and make it fun.
Nowadays , many of us cook more, whether out of fun or necessity. This can be a great way to unwind, but it can also feel like a never-ending chore—especially if you have kids or a busy schedule. But don’t worry! Use these time-saving kitchen tips to streamline your cooking process, so meal prep is a breeze.
Time to explore some brilliant kitchen hacks that will not just save time but also might pump some fun into your cooking method!
Store Tomatoes Stem-Side Down
Did you know that tomatoes stay fresh longer if they’re stored stem-side down? This no-fuss trick keeps moisture in and ripening at bay. Store them at room temperature, not in the fridge, for their fresh, juicy flavor.
Cook an Omelet in a Panini Press
No need to flip your omelet — just cook it in a panini press! It makes for a perfectly fluffy omelet, all with very little work. It’s ideal for busy mornings on the go or when you need a breakfast that doesn’t require all that much energy.
Grate the Cold Butter for Easier Mixing
Theme: Cold butter Ice cold butter is very hard to work with, especially in baking. Skip the struggle to grind it into flour and grate it with a cheese grater instead. This helps to distribute it evenly and makes your dough super flaky and tender.
Scoop Out Broken Pieces with Eggshells
Ever put little shards of eggshell in your bowl? Don’t go chasing them around with your fingertips, just use half of the eggshell to scoop them all out. It makes cleaning up much easier because the little bits naturally stick to the shell.
Use a Ketchup Bottle for Pancakes
Looking to whip up perfectly round pancakes without the mess? Put your batter in a clean, empty ketchup bottle and use that to squeeze out even portions. This also works for batter for cupcakes and sauces!
A honey wash keeps fruit fresh
Soak cut fruit in one part honey to three parts water to keep it from browning. This helps slow oxidation while giving you a bit of natural sweetness — great alongside fruit salads and party platters.
It may take time to bring eggs to room temperature.
Need room-temperature eggs for baking and didn’t think to take them out ahead of time? Simply soak them in a bowl of warm water for three minutes or so, and they’re good to go.
Help Prevent Your Pie Crust from Burning
Concerned your pie crust will brown too quickly? When you begin to see it browning, cover the edges with strips of aluminum foil or an extra pie tin that’s been poked with holes. This lets steam out without letting the crust overbake.
Use a Potato Masher to Smoosh Avocados Quicker
Have you ever struggled with fork-to-mash avocados? Use a potato masher instead! It gives you a creamy texture in seconds — just the thing for guacamole, avocado toast, or dips.
Cook Bacon in a Waffle or Panini Maker
Dying for perfectly crispy bacon without the mess? Then make it in a waffle or panini maker, rather than a stovetop pan! This technique crisps the bacon evenly and frees up space on your stove. Plus, it’s a non-messy way to savor a beloved breakfast staple.
Test Egg Freshness with Water
Unsure whether your eggs are still fresh? Fill a glass with water and carefully drop the egg into it:
- Sinks and lays flat? Super fresh!
- Stand upright at the bottom? Still good, but use it soon.
- Floats? Time to toss it!
This simple test will help you steer clear of hidden surprises in your cooking.
The Easiest Way to Eat a Mandarin Orange
Are you having a hard time peeling mandarins? Try this:
- Let the orange sit on the counter, rolling it gently to loosen the skin.
- Make an opening slit at the top so there is a starting point.
- Easily peel in sections!
This technique preserves the fruit and keeps it juicy and intact, making snack time much easier.
Freeze Leftover Sauce for Later
Got leftover pasta sauce? Don’t waste it! Freeze it by pouring it into an ice cube tray. After freezing, move the cubes into a freezer bag. The next time you need a quick sauce, simply pop out a cube, warm it up, and dig in!
Peel Garlic in Seconds
Harried, busy, pressed for time: That’s how we often find ourselves in our kitchens, and peeling garlic shouldn’t be a battle. Separate the cloves, then tap each lightly with the flat side of a knife or the back of a spoon. The skin encompasses the sucker, so you can slide it right off—no more sticky fingers!
DIY Steamer for Dumplings and Veggies
Don’t have a bamboo steamer? No problem! Make one with an aluminum pie plate:
- Punch some holes in the bottom.
- Set it over a pot of steaming water.
- Place your dumplings or veggies on top and cover.
Steaming food without all this equipment is as simple as pinching the meat!
Peel Hard-Boiled Eggs the Easy Way
Tired of battling difficult-to-peel eggs? Boil, coat the eggs in a container with a lid, shake, and see the shells crack and fall off easily. If you have several eggs to prep at once, this trick is ideal!
Ways to Use Cookie Cutters (Besides Cookies)
Cookie cutters are not just for baking! Use them to:
- Make fun pancakes and eggs in different shapes for breakfast
- Use powdered sugar to create decorative designs on cakes.
- Make sandwiches for kids in fun shapes.
- Be imaginative and brighten up your food!
Lace for Beautiful Cake Decorations
Looking for a simple way to make your cake look professionally decorated? Place a piece of lace over top and dust powdered sugar or cocoa. Pick up the lace and you’ll unveil an elegant, complex design. Ideal for giving the company the wow factor without fuss!
Keep Fruit Submerged in Sangria
Is there a reason the fruit floats to the top when marinating in wine? Here’s an easy cure — sprinkle a few ice cubes on top! The ice keeps the fruit weighted down, ensuring it soaks evenly in the wine, so you get a perfectly balanced flavor.
The Easiest Way to Remove Corn Kernels
King of the mess, with corn kernels flying everywhere? Stand the cob on the center of a bundt pan and cut it down. The kernels will fall cleanly into the pan, keeping your counter clean and saving you time.
Keep Cookies Fresh Longer
Store homemade cookies in an airtight container with a piece of bread to keep them soft and fresh. The bread seals in some moisture, keeping your cookies from drying out too fast.
Homemade Fondant Using a Simple Recipe
Forget store-bought fondant; make your own with just three ingredients!
Microwave 10 oz. mini marshmallows with 2 tbsp. water until melted.
Gradually mix in 4 cups powdered sugar until dough forms.
Knead, smoothing it out, adding more sugar if it’s sticky.
Want a pop of color? Knead in a few drops of gel food dye!
How to Microwave Pasta So It Heats Evenly
No cold spots when you want reheated pasta! Don’t mound it in a bowl, either — arrange the pasta with a hole in the middle, like a donut. This ensures heat distribution, resulting in perfectly heated pasta each time.
Make Ice Cream Easy to Scoop and Soft
Tired of rock-hard ice cream? Keep your tub inside a ziplock freezer bag, squeezing excess air out before sealing. This trick stops ice crystals from forming, so your ice cream remains soft and easy to scoop.
Stop Your Cutting Board from Sliding
Put a wet paper towel underneath your cutting board to keep it from sliding around. This straightforward hack stabilizes it and makes cutting safer and easier.
Use Dental Floss to Get Clean Slices
To avoid squishing: Use unscented dental floss to cut through cakes, cookie dough, or soft cheeses with perfect lines. Simply keep it taut and slide right through for a clean, professional cut!
Open Stubborn Jars with Ease
Struggling with a tight lid? Wrap a rubber band around that jar lid to give your fingers a better grip, then twist—it’ll pop open with ease!
DIY Sippy Cup in Seconds
Looking for a no-fuss, spill-free cup for a toddler? Just stretch Press’n Seal wrap over a cup and stab a straw through the middle. The no-mess all-in-one solution is especially nice when you don’t have a sippy in hand.
Cut Pancakes the Easy Way
Sick of slicing your kids’ pancakes with a fork and knife? Use a pizza cutter instead! It passes through without issue, making breakfast prep speedier and tidier. This tip works for waffles, sandwiches, and quesadillas, too!
Make Frozen Yogurt at Home
Craving a cool, creamy treat? Just freeze small portions of yogurt in silicone molds or ice cube trays. Pop one out when you’re in the mood for a healthful, refreshing, no-churn treat!
DIY Cake Pop Holder
Does no cake pop stand? Turn a colander upside down and insert the cake pop sticks into the holes. It helps keep them upright while they set — no fancy equipment necessary!
Prevent Messes While Mixing
Whisking up a storm? Cover the bowl with a paper plate and poke your beaters through it. This prevents batter and powdered sugar from getting all over the place, and makes clean-up a snap!
Use Mason Jars to Store Your Cupcake Liners
Sick of loose cupcake liners taking up space in your cabinets? Store them in a mason jar! It keeps them organized, easy to grab, and adds an adorable touch to your kitchen.
How To Make Guacamole Last (and Keep It Green)
Press a piece of plastic wrap directly into the surface of the guacamole to store it and keep it from browning. This keeps it vibrant and delicious longer by preventing exposure to air.
Eggs in a Mug, Scrambled in the Microwave
Looking for a one-pan scrambled eggs deal with easy cleanup? Break eggs in a mug, whisk, and microwave, in 30-second bursts, stirring in between. Within a couple of minutes, fluffy, no-mess eggs!
How to Make a Heart-Shaped Cake Without a Special Pan
No heart-shaped pan? No problem! Use both a square and a round pan:
Slice the round cake in half and set the halves on adjacent sides of the square cake.
Groom the edges and frost it all together.
You have a perfectly heart-shaped cake for special occasions!
Tip for Preventing Berries and Chocolate Chips from Sinking in Muffins
Planning to bake muffins? Toss your berries or chocolate chips in an un poco di farina before they go into the batter. This dust helps absorb excess moisture and keeps them evenly distributed in the jar (so they don’t settle at the bottom).
Use a Potato Peeler to Create Fancy Chocolate Shavings
Looking to up your cake and dessert game? Use a potato peeler to shave curls off of a chocolate bar. These thin shavings are a beautiful garnish for cakes, cupcakes, or ice cream.
Use Applesauce Instead of Butter in Baking
For a lighter cake, substitute butter with an equal-weight portion of applesauce. It makes your cake moister and reduces fat and calories. And it contributes a gentle natural sweetness!
The Right Tools To Pit Cherries With A Bottle And A Chopstick
No cherry pitter? No problem! Stick a cherry on the opening of an empty bottle and shove the pit out using a chopstick. It goes straight into the bottle — quick clean and easy!
Get More Juice from Lemons
First, roll your lemon before cutting it on the countertop with some pressure. This ruptures the membranes inside, which makes it easier for every last drop of juice to be squeezed out.
How to Melt Chocolate Without Making a Mess with Mason Jars
To avoid burnt chocolate, chop up chocolate, put it in mason jars, and melt them in a slow cooker half-filled with water. Stir occasionally for perfectly smooth melted chocolate — perfect for dipping or drizzling over desserts!
Multi-Colored Swirled Icing
For a nice-looking swirl effect, fill separate piping bags with contrasting icing colors, then nest them in the same bag before piping. The colors are beautiful as they blend into each other as you pipe for a two-tone or rainbow effect!
Frozen Grapes As Ice Cubes In Wine
Stop ice water from ruining your wine! Freeze grapes of your choice and use them as ice cubes to prevent dilution of flavor in your drink. They also look beautiful on the plate!
How to Soften Hardened Brown Sugar in Seconds
Your brown sugar has hardened into a lump? Put it in a microwave-safe container, cover it with a damp paper towel, and microwave for 20 seconds. The moisture will cause it to soften and become easy to scoop once more.
How to Line Your Baking Pan with Parchment Paper for No Mess
Do you hate scrubbing pans after you bake? If baking a brownie or a cake, you can line the pan with parchment paper, and then pour in the batter. When baked, simply lift out the dessert — no sticky messes!
How to Peel Ginger with a Spoon
Forget wrestling with a knife—peel ginger with the edge of a spoon! It scraped off the skin easily and left the flavorful flesh intact. It’s fast and secure, and there is no waste!
No-Mess Measuring for Sticky Ingredients
Honey, syrup, or peanut butter is sticky to measure. *Before pouring, spritz your measuring cup with non-stick spray! It lets that sticky ingredient slide right out, super simple cleanup.
Freeze Fresh Herbs in Olive Oil
Make herbs last and be ready for use by freezing them in olive oil. Just mince them, put them in an ice cube tray covered with olive oil, and freeze. When you need herbs, just pop out a cube and add it to your dish for instant flavor!
These hacks will make your cooking life less stressful
Cooking shouldn’t feel like an ordeal at the end of a long day. Check out these 50 time-saving kitchen hacks to make meal prep easier, keep your kitchen organized, and cook more efficiently.
From ingenious chopping methods to efficient storage solutions, these tips will lead to a smoother, more pleasurable cooking experience. So, say goodbye to kitchen chaos and say hello to effortless and delicious meals!
