You don't have to choose between taste and time-saving - you just need to know some cooking hacks!
Cooking hacks are clever techniques and shortcuts that can help you save time in the kitchen without compromising the quality of your meals.
Here are some effective cooking hacks to streamline your cooking process.
Prep Ahead
Prepare ingredients in advance, such as chopping vegetables, marinating proteins, or measuring out spices.
This way, you can simply grab what you need when cooking.
One-Pot Meals
Opt for one-pot or one-pan recipes that require minimal cleanup.
These dishes often involve cooking everything in a single pot, saving you time on washing multiple dishes.
Sheet Pan Cooking
Arrange ingredients on a baking sheet and cook them all at once in the oven.
This is particularly useful for roasting vegetables and proteins simultaneously.
Batch Cooking
Cook large batches of dishes and freeze individual portions for future meals.
This is especially handy for soups, stews, and sauces.
Pre-Cut Ingredients
Purchase pre-cut vegetables, fruits, or pre-cooked proteins from the store to cut down on prep time.
Canned and Frozen
Use canned or frozen vegetables, fruits, and even pre-cooked grains to save time on preparation.
Make-Ahead Sauces
Prepare sauces and dressings in advance and store them in the fridge.
They can quickly elevate simple dishes.
Quick-Cooking Proteins
Opt for quick-cooking proteins like fish, shrimp, or thinly sliced chicken breast to reduce cooking time.
Shortcut Ingredients
Utilize store-bought items like pre-made pizza dough, pre-chopped garlic, and canned broth to cut down on cooking steps.