With the average person spending a significant amount of time in the kitchen, any technique that streamlines the process and simplifies daily life is undoubtedly a valuable discovery. In this article, we’ve curated 31 ingenious hacks to transform your kitchen experience. These game-changing tips cater to various aspects, including cleaning, storage, food preparation, and cost-effective solutions.
Take a closer look at these practical ideas and share which ones have made a positive impact on your cooking routine.
Kitchen Cabinet Door Organizer
Elevate the functionality of your kitchen cabinets by transforming a door into a valuable storage solution! By leveraging your DIY woodworking skills, you can create a compact organizer that efficiently stores everyday essentials like paper towels, detergents, and miscellaneous items. This space-saving hack allows you to declutter your cabinet interiors, keeping frequently used supplies within easy reach.
Hanging Produce Baskets
The gallery-style vegetable wall’s visual appeal is undeniable, and achieving this look is surprisingly straightforward. By mounting classic wire baskets on your kitchen wall, you can easily recreate this display. The homeowner’s choice of ceramic wall decorations is also noteworthy; I found some fantastic fruit and veggie-themed ceramic plates that would achieve a similar aesthetic.
Store Peanut Butter Upside Down
While sugar-free organic/natural peanut butter boasts numerous benefits, it also presents a notable drawback: the oil can separate when stored, resulting in a messy situation when opening the jar. However, a simple solution is to turn the container upside down, thereby preventing the oil from separating and minimizing the mess.
Smoothie Meal Prep in Mason Jars
Indulge in the convenience of a well-organized kitchen with this genius tip for smoothie enthusiasts. To streamline your prep process, prepare all your favorite smoothie ingredients and store them in mason jars like this , labeled and ready to go in the freezer. Next time you crave a quick and refreshing drink, simply grab the jar that catches your eye, pour its contents into a blender, add your preferred liquid, and voila! Your perfectly customized smoothie is just a spin away.
Flat Freezing for Storage
When it comes to storing pre-packaged foods, we often find ourselves dealing with an abundance of fancy packaging and display containers taking up valuable space in our freezers. One simple yet effective way to reclaim this space is by repacking these items into more compact and space-efficient options like ziplock bags that can be easily stored flat. The result? A surprising amount of extra room in your freezer, just waiting to be put to good use.
Freeze Seasonal Produce
Indulge in the flavors of summer all year round by preserving the season’s best produce. One way to do this is by freezing seasonal fruits and vegetables like juicy tomatoes. Simply place them in airtight containers, such as ziplock bags, and store them for later use. When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen treasures, simply thaw them out and add a burst of fresh flavor to soups, stews, or sauces.
Freeze Spinach in Ice Cube Trays
Stemming from my own experience, I can attest that dealing with slimy spinach can be frustrating. In fact, it’s what almost led me to abandon my daily goal of incorporating healthy spinach smoothies into my routine. The solution? A simple yet effective hack that will keep your spinach fresh for weeks to come. Simply blend the fresh spinach with water and a squeeze of lemon juice, then pour the mixture into an ice cube tray.
As you can see, this process allows you to freeze individual cubes, making them easy to store in a container for later use in smoothies, soups, stews, pasta dishes, or sauces.
Sheet Pan Veggies for Easy Meal Prep
Saving time in the kitchen starts with a simple yet effective strategy: prepping vegetables in advance. This technique has revolutionized my cooking routine, and I’m convinced it can do the same for yours. Here’s how to make it work: start by cutting up your favorite veggies, then arrange them on a sheet pan in a neat and organized manner. Finally, store them in the fridge or freezer, ready to be used whenever you need them.
DIY Non Toxic Kitchen Cleaner
Create a chemical-free kitchen cleaner with this simple DIY recipe. By mixing 1 cup of distilled white vinegar, 1 cup of either distilled or boiled water, 10-15 drops of lemon essential oil, and 10-15 drops of orange essential oil, you’ll have a non-toxic solution that effectively cuts through grime and grease, leaving your kitchen smelling fresh and clean.
The acidity of the vinegar plays a crucial role in breaking down tough stains, while the citrusy aroma from the essential oils provides a pleasant and uplifting scent.
Clothespin Hack
When it comes to protecting our hands while washing dishes, dishwashing gloves are an essential tool. However, when they end up submerged in dirty water, it’s not exactly a pleasant experience. Fortunately, Stacey from the Soccer Mom Blog has shared a clever kitchen hack that can help keep your gloves dry and organized. The solution is surprisingly simple: grab some colorful decorative clothespins and attach them to the wall using double-sided tape. Voilà!
You now have a convenient spot to hang up your gloves and ensure they stay out of the dirty water.
Dehydrate Herbs in Air Fryer
By leveraging an air fryer’s capabilities, you can successfully dehydrate fresh herbs without risking them going moldy. This clever hack not only helps preserve the herbs’ natural flavors, nutrient profiles, and aromas but also makes them accessible throughout the year. The air fryer’s controlled heat and circulation ensure a slow and even drying process that leaves your herbs tasting as vibrant as when they were freshly picked.
Strawberry Hack
With this simple trick, I’ve bid farewell to the days of discarding unripe strawberries. By submerging them in ice water for a mere 20 minutes, even mushy or bruised fruits can regain their vibrant red color and plump texture. However, it’s essential to exercise caution when reviving strawberries that have turned black or developed mold – such specimens are better suited for the compost heap.
Peel Garlic in 5 Seconds
When it comes to cooking with garlic, there’s no denying its importance in elevating flavors. However, dealing with the lingering aroma on your fingers can be a real nuisance. But fear not, as we’ve discovered a simple yet effective trick to minimize the odor’s impact. Simply take two small stainless steel bowls and place a garlic head into one of them. Then, use the base of the second bowl to separate the cloves, effectively creating a makeshift garlic peeler.
Next, join the two bowls rim-to-rim and shake them vigorously for a few seconds. To our surprise, the peels miraculously fall off, leaving you with clean fingers and a hassle-free cooking experience.
Save Vegetable Scraps to make Broth
Revolutionize your kitchen by turning leftovers into liquid gold! Ditch the store-bought soups and veggies, and instead transform your vegetable scraps (peels, ends, and cores) into a treasure trove of flavors. Simply freeze them for later use, then when soup-making time rolls around, defrost and combine with water to create a rich, hearty broth that’s as good as it gets.
Clean Microwave with Lemon
Harnessing the natural cleaning power of lemons, a simple yet effective method for tidying up grimy microwaves can be achieved by combining the juice of one lemon with 1/2 cup of water. Place this mixture in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in short bursts of three minutes, allowing for five minutes of stand time to permit the steam and acidity of the lemon to work its magic.
As the solution cools and stands, it will loosen stubborn splatters, making it effortless to wipe down the interior surface with ease. Upon completion, your microwave will not only be sparkling clean but also exude a refreshing citrus aroma.
Microwave Fried Garlic
One of the most frustrating things about traditional frying methods is the mess they leave behind. But, with this simple hack, you can achieve crispy fried garlic without the hassle! To start, peel and dice 1 head of garlic into small pieces. Place them in a microwave-safe bowl, making sure to spread them out evenly. Next, add 1/2 cup of vegetable oil, canola oil, or coconut oil to the bowl. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, or until the garlic is crispy and golden brown. And that’s it!
You’ll be left with a delicious, mess-free snack that you can enjoy right away. Plus, don’t forget to save the garlic-infused oil – it makes a great addition to many Asian-inspired chicken dishes.
Freshen Fridge with Tea Bag
One common issue with fridges is that they can develop unpleasant odors, which can be notoriously difficult to eliminate. On the other hand, teabags have been found to possess natural odor-absorbing properties, making them an effective solution for neutralizing bad smells in your refrigerator.
By placing a few dry teabags in a plastic container and leaving it inside your fridge, you can harness their potency to rapidly absorb and eliminate foul odors, leaving your appliance smelling fresh and clean.
Thinly cut onion with spiralizer
The game-changer is the ability to dice onions without crying! To achieve this, start by cutting your peeled onion in half lengthwise, being careful not to puncture the center. Then, adjust your spiralizer to blade D, place the onion inside, and gently twist it. This technique yields perfectly thin-cut onions that are ideal for a variety of dishes, including salads, soups, tacos, and stir-fries.
Freeze herbs in olive oil
To keep your kitchen stocked with fragrant, fresh herbs, try this innovative trick: transform them into flavorful ice cubes! Simply place your favorite herbs, such as basil, rosemary, or thyme, into an ice tray and fill the mold with high-quality olive oil. As the mixture freezes, you’ll be left with a stash of herb-infused oil cubes that can be easily added to recipes. To use, simply pop one or two cubes into a hot pan and let the aromatic goodness infuse your dish.
Hanging Snack Station with Shoe Organizer
Transform your kitchen into a snacking haven by repurposing an over-the-door shoe organizer. This innovative storage solution provides a clever way to keep your favorite treats within easy reach. By utilizing the compartments in this versatile piece, you can create a self-serve snack bar that’s perfect for families with kids. The individual spaces are designed to accommodate standard snack packets, making it simple for little ones to select their preferred snacks.
Moreover, the transparent design allows you to quickly identify which snacks require replenishment, ensuring your kitchen remains well-stocked and organized.
Add Salt to boiling eggs for easy shell removal
A little-known trick for perfectly boiled eggs? Add a pinch of salt to your water! Not only will this prevent those pesky cracks from forming, but you’ll also find that the shells come off with ease. A simple yet effective hack to make your egg-boiling experience a whole lot smoother.
Stop boiling water overflow with wooden spoon
Wood’s thermal insulation properties are quite fascinating. Despite being exposed to intense heat from the boiling pot, a wooden spoon doesn’t allow the warmth to transfer efficiently, thanks to its poor conductivity. When you place the spoon on top of the pot, the scorching bubbles rise and encounter the cooler surface. As they cool down, they condense and collapse, thereby preventing an uncontrolled overflow of boiling water.
This unique characteristic makes wood a valuable material for cooking utensils and other applications where heat management is crucial.
Dental Floss to slice cheese
When it comes to slicing cheese, crumbly cheesecake, or fluffy baked goods, this hack is a game-changer. The problem with traditional knives is that they can cause damage and leave you with uneven, subpar slices that don’t quite measure up to fine dining standards. But fear not! A simple solution exists in the form of unflavored dental floss. This seemingly ordinary tool can be used to effortlessly slice through even the most delicate products, allowing you to achieve a perfect cut every time.
DIY Fruit Fly Trap
While some may find the conventional sticky traps aesthetically pleasing, I’ve always had a distaste for their appearance. Fortunately, there’s an easy and natural solution to capturing those pesky fruit flies. By combining a jar, funnel, ripe banana, apple cider vinegar, and dish soap, you can create a simple yet effective trap that will keep your kitchen free from these unwanted visitors. Simply place it in a discreet location and let the trap do its magic.
Wine Bottle Rolling Pin
Wine bottles, it turns out, are not only a great accompaniment to your next dinner party but also an unexpected culinary tool. Their smooth, cool surface makes them an ideal rolling pin for dough, eliminating the risk of sticky messes. The long, curved shape is also easy to grip and maneuver, allowing you to roll out even the thickest dough with ease.
And let’s not forget about the benefits of using a glass rolling pin over its wooden counterpart – once washed, it sparkles like new, free from the worry of bacterial or mold contamination that can be a problem with wood.
Tissue Paper to Avoid Mess from cooker
For those who savor the art of cooking but despise the drudgery of post-meal cleanup, a simple yet ingenious solution awaits. By placing a circular patch of tissue paper over the top of your cooker, you can effortlessly contain any spills or splatters that may occur during the cooking process.
The absorbent properties of the tissue effectively soak up messes as they happen, freeing you from the chore of scrubbing away at stubborn stains and allowing you to devote more time to the joy of sharing meals with loved ones.
Homemade Ginger and Garlic Paste for easy cooking
The revelation that I could make my own garlic and ginger paste was nothing short of exhilarating, given my penchant for using these ingredients in many of my go-to recipes. Since then, I’ve never looked back, relying on this homemade staple to elevate the flavors of my dishes. To create it, simply combine equal parts of peeled garlic and ginger with a small amount of oil in a blender until smooth.
Then, transfer the paste to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator, where it will remain fresh for up to two weeks.
Mason Jars for Dry Food Storage
Mason jars have earned their place as a staple in many kitchens, and for good reason. One clever way to utilize these versatile containers is to repurpose them as dry food storage solutions. The resulting display can be visually appealing, showcasing an array of products with ease. Consider filling mason jars with nuts and raisins, pasta, candy, cereals, spices, rice, sugar, or any other dry goods that you’d like to keep organized and within reach.
Clean Chopping Board with Lemon
While it’s true that wooden chopping boards can harbor bacteria and mold, there’s no need to discard yours just yet. In fact, a simple yet effective solution lies in nature itself. Lemon juice, with its natural acidity, makes an excellent disinfectant for your board. Simply cut a lemon in half, use the flesh to scrub away any unwanted microorganisms, and then rinse thoroughly with clean running water. Voila! Your wooden chopping board is now sanitized and boasting a fresh citrus scent.