We all know how hectic life can get, and cooking a proper meal sometimes feels like an impossible task after a long day. But what if I told you that there are ways to make it quicker and easier, without sacrificing quality or taste? Whether you’re trying to juggle work, family, or just a packed schedule, these simple tricks can help you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your meals (or your evening). From clever prep techniques to shortcut ingredients, these tips will have you slicing minutes off your cooking time in no time at all.
1. Batch Prep Your Ingredients
Instead of prepping every meal from scratch, set aside time once or twice a week to chop vegetables, marinate meats, or portion out grains. This way, you’ll have everything ready to go when it’s time to cook, making the whole process faster.
2. Use Pre-Cut Vegetables
If you’re in a rush, pre-cut veggies from the store can be a huge time-saver. They cost a bit more, but you’ll be thankful when dinner is ready in half the time. Keep them on hand for quick stir-fries, soups, or side dishes.
3. Invest in a Slow Cooker or Instant Pot
These gadgets are lifesavers for busy people. You can toss in your ingredients, set it to cook while you’re out, and come home to a ready-made meal. Plus, they’re great for batch cooking and meal prep.
4. Freeze Fresh Herbs in Olive Oil
Fresh herbs often wilt before you use them up. To avoid waste (and time chopping herbs), freeze them in ice cube trays with olive oil. Just pop one out whenever you need fresh herbs for your cooking.
5. Embrace Sheet Pan Dinners
With sheet pan dinners, you can cook an entire meal on one tray. Just arrange your protein, veggies, and seasonings on a baking sheet and pop it in the oven. Minimal prep, minimal cleanup.
6. Double Recipes and Freeze Half
When making a recipe, double the portion and freeze half for later. This way, you’ve got a ready-to-go meal on busy days when you don’t have time to cook from scratch.
7. Store Produce Properly
Learning how to store fruits and veggies correctly can save you trips to the shop and cut down on waste. For example, wrapping leafy greens in a damp towel keeps them fresh longer, and storing berries in an airtight container lined with paper towels prevents mould.
8. Use Pre-Made Sauces and Marinades
Stock up on high-quality pre-made sauces, pestos, and marinades. They add loads of flavour to meals with minimal effort, and can turn plain meats, pasta, or vegetables into something delicious in minutes.
9. Cook Protein in Bulk
Cooking a large batch of chicken breasts, beef mince, or tofu at the start of the week will give you protein options for several meals. Use it for salads, sandwiches, or quick stir-fries during the week.
10. Master the One-Pot Meal
One-pot meals like soups, stews, and casseroles not only save time in cooking but also in washing up. Plus, they’re perfect for making extra portions to store for later.
11. Grate Butter for Quick Melting
Instead of waiting for cold butter to soften, grate it straight from the fridge. It melts quicker and mixes more easily into dough or batter, speeding up your baking process.
12. Pre-Cook Grains
Cook large batches of rice, quinoa, or couscous, then store them in the fridge or freezer. When you need a quick side or base for a dish, all you have to do is reheat.
13. Keep a Well-Stocked Pantry
A well-stocked pantry means fewer last-minute trips to the shop. Keep staples like pasta, canned tomatoes, beans, and rice on hand so you can whip up a meal with what you have.
14. Opt for Frozen Vegetables
Frozen vegetables are just as nutritious as fresh, and they’re already prepped and ready to go. Use them in stir-fries, soups, or as sides to save time washing, chopping, and peeling.
15. Cut Meat Thinly to Cook Faster
Slicing meat into thin strips helps it cook faster, especially in stir-fries or quick sautés. You can even ask your butcher to do this for you to save more time.
16. Use an Egg Timer for Precision
When you’re juggling multiple things, it’s easy to overcook or burn your food. A simple kitchen timer ensures you get perfect results without needing to constantly check on your meal.
17. Invest in Good Kitchen Scissors
Kitchen scissors are incredibly versatile. Use them to cut herbs, slice pizza, trim meat, or even chop veggies straight into your pan, cutting out the need for a chopping board.
18. Keep Ready-Made Frozen Meals on Hand
When life gets really hectic, having a stash of healthy, ready-made frozen meals can be a lifesaver. Look for brands with simple ingredients and no added preservatives for a healthier option.
19. Use Tinned Beans and Pulses
Tinned beans and lentils are a quick, protein-rich solution for meals. They’re ready to use straight from the can and save you the time of soaking and cooking dried varieties.
20. Soften Butter in a Hurry
If you need soft butter in a pinch, cut it into small cubes and let it sit for a few minutes. Alternatively, place it in a warm glass for an even quicker fix.
21. Clean As You Cook
Instead of letting dishes pile up, clean up as you go. This way, you’ll finish your meal with a clean kitchen and won’t be faced with a mountain of dirty pots and pans afterward.
22. Use a Garlic Press
Garlic is delicious, but chopping it can be fiddly and time-consuming. A garlic press allows you to mince garlic quickly and directly into your dish, saving you time and effort.
23. Pre-Cut Meat Before Freezing
If you buy meat in bulk, cut it into portions before freezing. This way, you’ll have pre-prepped meat ready to defrost and cook, without needing to chop it up while it’s half frozen.
24. Keep Ziplock Bags Handy
Use ziplock bags to portion out food for freezing. They take up less space in the freezer, and you can easily grab what you need without defrosting a whole batch.
25. Use a Blender for Quick Sauces and Soups
A blender can be your best friend when it comes to quick sauces or soups. Just toss everything in, blitz, and you’re done. It’s especially helpful for creamy soups, smoothies, or even homemade hummus.
16 American Foods Brits Can’t Stand
Food preferences can vary wildly across cultures, and what’s considered a delicacy in one country might be seen as downright bizarre in another. This cultural divide is particularly evident when comparing American and British cuisines. While the two nations share a common language, their tastes in food can be worlds apart. From overly sweet concoctions to processed cheese products, there are certain American foods that many Brits find hard to stomach.
Read More: 16 American Foods Brits Can’t Stand
Ellen has been obsessed with logic puzzles, jigsaws, and cryptograms since she was a kid. After learning she was taught how to play chess wrong by a family friend (so they could win), she joined her school chess club and the rest is history.
