7 Kitchen Shortcuts That Save Time
Streamline your meal prep with these seven kitchen shortcuts designed to save you time and hassle. You’ll discover how to make your cooking experience smoother and more enjoyable.
7 Kitchen Shortcuts That Save Time
No one wants to spend a lot of time in the kitchen cooking. Our kitchens can often feel like the last thing standing between us and a delicious meal.
With a few simple techniques and tricks, however, you can slice cooking time in half without sacrificing flavor.
Whether you’re an experienced chef or just starting, these seven kitchen shortcuts will help you navigate meal prep more efficiently, allowing you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your food.
Pre-Chop Your Vegetables
One of the biggest time-wasters in the kitchen is chopping vegetables every time you need them. Save time by preparing your veggies in advance! Spend a few minutes each week washing, peeling, and chopping your onions, peppers, carrots, and other favorites.
Store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator; this way, they’re ready for stir-fries, soups, or salads without the hassle.
Use a Microwave for Quick Steaming
The microwave is an incredible tool for quickly cooking vegetables while retaining their nutrients. Place your chopped vegetables in a microwave-safe bowl, sprinkle them with a little water, cover them with a lid or plate, and nuke for just a couple of minutes.
You’ll have perfectly steamed veggies in a fraction of the time it takes to boil or sauté them.
Keep Garlic Peeled and Ready
Garlic elevates any dish, but peeling it can be a tedious task. Take some time to peel a whole bulb of garlic and store the cloves in a small glass jar in your fridge, covered with olive oil. This way, you’ll have ready-to-use garlic at your fingertips whenever you need that aromatic flavor—and you’ll save precious minutes during your dinner prep!
Or you can take this shortcut even further and buy peeled and chopped garlic.
Invest in Quality Tools
Quality kitchen tools can drastically reduce your cooking time. A sharp chef’s knife can make chopping much faster and safer, while a reliable food processor can save you time on blending, chopping, and mixing. Investing in a few key tools such as a mandoline slicer or a vegetable chopper can make your food prep a breeze.
Make Meal Prep Easier With These Must-Have Kitchen Tools.
Batch Cook and Freeze Meals
Cooking meals in batches allows you to enjoy homemade dishes even on your busiest days. Prepare larger portions of your favorite recipes and freeze them in meal-sized containers.
You can pull a healthy, homemade dinner out of the freezer the night before and let it thaw, ensuring you have a nutritious meal ready in no time.
Clean As You Go
One of the most effective time-saving methods in the kitchen is to adopt a “clean as you go” approach. As you prep ingredients and cook, take a moment to wash cutting boards, knives, and bowls, preventing a mountain of dishes from piling up.
This will make the clean-up process feel much less overwhelming and let you enjoy your meal without a daunting chore waiting for you afterward.
Use a Slow Cooker or Instant Pot
Harness the power of your slow cooker or Instant Pot by throwing in ingredients in the morning and letting them simmer or pressure cook throughout the day.
These appliances can turn a busy schedule into a home-cooked meal magic, giving you more time to focus on your day while your dinner cooks itself. Simply set it and forget it, and return home to a delectable meal. One of our favorite Instant Pot recipes is this Chicken Paella. (It’s easy because it is loaded with shortcuts)
With these seven kitchen shortcuts at your disposal, you can reclaim valuable time in your daily cooking routine. Embrace these tips and tricks to make your kitchen experience more enjoyable and efficient, allowing you to savor every bite of your delicious home-cooked meals!
Happy cooking!
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