Cooking can be fun and relaxing, but let’s be honest—on busy days it can also feel like a chore. Between prepping ingredients, cleaning up, and making sure everything tastes good, the process often takes more time than we’d like. That’s where kitchen hacks come in. These clever little tricks not only save time but also make cooking easier, smoother, and more enjoyable.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best kitchen hacks to make cooking faster and easier in 2025. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned home chef, these tips will help you spend less time stressing and more time enjoying your meals.
1. Prep Ingredients in Bulk
One of the biggest time-savers is prepping ingredients ahead of time. Instead of chopping onions, garlic, or veggies every day, set aside one hour during the weekend to do it all at once.
- Store chopped onions and peppers in airtight containers.
- Freeze minced garlic in ice cube trays with a little olive oil.
- Wash and cut salad greens, then store them in paper towel–lined containers to keep them crisp.
This way, when it’s time to cook, most of the hard work is already done.
2. Use Kitchen Scissors Instead of Knives
If you haven’t tried cutting food with kitchen scissors yet, you’re missing out. They’re perfect for:
- Snipping herbs directly into a dish.
- Cutting chicken into small pieces.
- Slicing pizza without dragging toppings everywhere.
Scissors are faster, safer, and easier to clean than chopping boards and knives for many tasks.
3. Boil Water Faster with a Kettle
Instead of waiting forever for water to boil on the stove, heat it in an electric kettle first. Then pour it into your pot—it cuts boiling time by half, whether you’re making pasta, rice, or soup.
4. Keep Your Herbs Fresh Longer
Fresh herbs often wilt quickly, but here’s a hack: treat them like flowers. Trim the stems and place them in a glass of water, then cover loosely with a plastic bag and store in the fridge. Cilantro, parsley, and mint can last twice as long this way.
For herbs like basil, leave them on the counter at room temperature with water—just like a bouquet.
5. Freeze Broth and Sauces in Cubes
Instead of throwing away leftover broth or sauce, pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze it. Later, you can pop out a cube or two to add instant flavor to stir-fries, soups, or pasta dishes. This hack also prevents waste and saves money.
6. Sharpen Knives with a Mug
Dull knives slow you down and make cooking frustrating. If you don’t have a knife sharpener, flip over a ceramic mug and run the blade against the rough edge a few times. It’s not perfect, but it’s a quick fix that makes chopping easier and safer.
7. Line Baking Sheets for Easy Cleanup
Tired of scrubbing pans? Use parchment paper, aluminum foil, or silicone mats to line baking trays. This not only prevents food from sticking but also makes cleanup as simple as tossing the liner away (or giving it a quick rinse if reusable).
8. Use One-Pot or One-Pan Meals
Instead of juggling multiple pots and pans, cook entire meals in one dish. One-pot pastas, sheet-pan dinners, and slow-cooker recipes save time, reduce dishes, and make cleanup effortless.
9. Peel Garlic the Easy Way
Peeling garlic can be annoying, but here are two hacks:
- Smash the clove lightly with the side of your knife—the skin slips right off.
- Or, microwave garlic for 10 seconds and the peel will fall off effortlessly.
10. Keep a “Scrap Bowl” Nearby
While cooking, place a small bowl next to you to collect onion skins, peels, and scraps. This keeps your workspace clean and saves trips to the trash can, speeding things up.
11. Use Frozen Veggies Without Guilt
Many people think fresh is always better, but frozen vegetables are just as nutritious—and they’re already washed and chopped. Keep a few bags in the freezer to cut down on prep time when making stir-fries, soups, or side dishes.
12. Preheat Pans for Faster Cooking
Adding food to a cold pan makes it cook unevenly and slower. Always let your pan heat up first—especially for meats, stir-fries, and eggs. A preheated pan also prevents sticking.
13. Organize Your Kitchen for Efficiency
Cooking is much faster when you know where everything is. Keep frequently used items—like knives, cutting boards, oils, and spices—within arm’s reach of your prep area. A well-organized kitchen saves minutes every day.
14. Use Mason Jars for Quick Salads
Make salads in advance by layering ingredients in mason jars. Put the dressing at the bottom, then sturdier veggies (like cucumbers and carrots), and finish with leafy greens on top. Shake before eating, and you’ve got a fresh salad in seconds.
15. Double Recipes and Freeze Extras
If you’re already cooking, why not make extra? Double your recipe and freeze leftovers in portion-sized containers. On busy nights, just reheat and enjoy—no extra cooking required.
16. Speed Up Softening Butter
Need softened butter for baking but forgot to take it out of the fridge? Don’t wait an hour—grate it with a cheese grater or microwave it for 10 seconds at low power. Perfectly spreadable in seconds.
17. Clean as You Go
One of the most stressful parts of cooking is the mountain of dirty dishes afterward. Solve this by cleaning as you cook. Wash cutting boards, knives, and bowls while food simmers. By the time dinner is ready, your kitchen will already be tidy.
18. Use a Slow Cooker or Instant Pot
For truly effortless cooking, invest in a slow cooker or Instant Pot. Just throw in ingredients, set the timer, and let it do the work. These gadgets save hours and produce delicious, home-cooked meals with minimal effort.
Why Kitchen Hacks Matter
Cooking shouldn’t feel like a burden. These hacks are about working smarter, not harder. They save time, reduce stress, and make the entire process smoother. When cooking feels easier, you’re more likely to make healthy, home-cooked meals instead of relying on takeout.
5 Common FAQs About Kitchen Hacks
1. Do kitchen hacks really save a lot of time?
Yes! Even small tricks like boiling water in a kettle or using frozen veggies can save minutes that add up over the week. Over time, these hacks can save hours in the kitchen.
2. Are frozen vegetables less healthy than fresh ones?
No. Frozen vegetables are picked and frozen at peak ripeness, so they’re just as nutritious as fresh ones—and sometimes even better.
3. What’s the best way to keep herbs fresh?
Store herbs like flowers: trim the stems, place them in water, and cover loosely with a plastic bag. For herbs like basil, keep them at room temperature instead of refrigerating.
4. How do I make cooking less overwhelming on busy days?
Meal prep, one-pot meals, and frozen veggies are lifesavers. Cooking in bulk and freezing portions also ensures you always have something ready.
5. Do I need expensive kitchen gadgets for these hacks?
Not at all. Most hacks use everyday items—like scissors, mugs, jars, and ice cube trays. A few helpful gadgets, like a slow cooker or Instant Pot, are optional but can make life easier.
Final Thoughts
Cooking doesn’t have to be stressful or time-consuming. With these kitchen hacks to make cooking faster and easier, you can cut down on prep time, clean up less, and still enjoy delicious, homemade meals. The best part? These tricks aren’t complicated—they’re simple, practical, and work for any home cook.
Next time you step into the kitchen, try a few of these hacks. You’ll be surprised how much smoother and faster cooking becomes—and you might even start enjoying the process more than ever before.
