In the quest to maximize efficiency in our daily lives, any technique that streamlines tasks is highly valued. Within the confines of our kitchens, where we spend a considerable amount of time, such hacks can be nothing short of revolutionary. As it turns out, I have compiled 31 ingenious kitchen tricks to aid in cleaning, storage, food preparation, and even monetary savings! These clever solutions aim to simplify your daily routine, making life that much more manageable.
Kitchen Cabinet Door Organizer
Transform your kitchen cabinet door into a functional storage solution with minimal effort. Start by leveraging your DIY woodworking skills to craft a compact door organizer that efficiently utilizes the available space. This clever hack allows you to free up valuable cabinet real estate while keeping essential items like paper towels, detergents, and clothes pegs neatly stashed away.
Hanging Produce Baskets
Imagine a vibrant, gallery-style vegetable wall in your kitchen – it’s surprisingly easy to achieve! Simply attach classic wire baskets like vintage window planters or rustic storage containers to your kitchen wall. What I adore about this design is the thoughtful addition of ceramic decorations that reflect the theme. You can replicate this look by sourcing fabulous fruit and veggie-themed ceramic plates or even decorative accents featuring botanical illustrations.
Store Peanut Butter Upside Down
When considering the benefits of sugar-free organic/natural peanut butter, it’s hard not to be impressed. However, one potential drawback is the tendency for the oil to separate when stored, resulting in a messy experience when opening the jar. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution: by standing the bottle upside down before opening, you can effectively eliminate oil separation and make your peanut butter-using experience much smoother.
Smoothie Meal Prep in Mason Jars
Transforming your morning routine with a clever kitchen hack! Here’s a game-changing trick for all you smoothie enthusiasts out there. Next time you’re preparing for a busy day, take a few minutes to prep your ingredients for future smoothies. Simply place each ingredient into a mason jar, label it, and pop the jars into the freezer. This genius solution eliminates the need for last-minute decision-making when it’s time for your daily dose of nutrition.
When you’re ready for a quick pick-me-up, simply grab the jar that catches your eye, pour its contents into a blender with the necessary liquid, and voila! Your smoothie is ready to devour.
Flat Freezing for Storage
Freezing space is often taken up by prepacked foods flaunting their fancy packaging. To make the most of your freezer, consider repackaging these items into ziplock bags that can be stacked flat. The result is a surprising amount of extra storage capacity, leaving more room for future purchases or other essentials.
Freeze Seasonal Produce
Feel the absence of summer’s sweet treats in the midst of winter? Instead of searching high and low for juicy produce, prepare ahead by freezing seasonal delights like ripe tomatoes in convenient ziplock bags. When winter’s chill sets in, simply thaw and incorporate these frozen gems into your soups, stews, or sauces to revive with a burst of fresh flavor.
Freeze Spinach in Ice Cube Trays
If you’re like me, you may have experienced the frustration of dealing with slimy spinach after just a few days. But fear not! I’ve discovered a simple trick to keep your spinach fresh for weeks. Simply blend fresh spinach with water and a squeeze of lemon juice. Pour the mixture into an ice cube tray and freeze. This clever hack allows you to store the frozen cubes in a container, ready to be used in smoothies, soups, stews, pasta dishes, or sauces whenever you need them.
Sheet Pan Veggies for Easy Meal Prep
One of the most time-saving secrets in the kitchen is prepping vegetables ahead of time. By laying out a variety of chopped veggies on a sheet pan, I’ve discovered a game-changing technique that makes meal prep a breeze. Simply arrange your chosen veggies on the sheet pan, and then store them in the refrigerator or freezer for convenient access whenever you need them.
DIY Non Toxic Kitchen Cleaner
For those who prioritize a chemical-free lifestyle, making your own non-toxic kitchen cleaner can be a game-changer. One simple yet effective recipe combines the natural benefits of vinegar, water, and essential oils to create a cleaning solution that’s as gentle on surfaces as it is on the environment.
To make this eco-friendly cleaner, simply mix together 1 cup of distilled white vinegar, 1 cup of distilled or boiled water, and 10-15 drops each of lemon and orange essential oil.
The acidity in the vinegar works to break down dirt and grime, while the citrusy aroma of the essential oils leaves your kitchen smelling clean and fresh.
Clothespin Hack
When it comes to dishwashing gloves, their primary purpose is to safeguard our hands from harsh soaps and scorching water. However, when I catch a glimpse of my gloves floating in the dirty dishwater, I can’t help but feel a sense of frustration. Thankfully, Stacey from the Soccer Mom Blog has conjured up an ingenious solution to this common problem.
By acquiring some vibrant decorative clothespins, one can attach them to the wall using double-sided tape and cleverly suspend their gloves from it. This hack not only keeps our gloves organized but also adds a touch of whimsy to the kitchen’s overall aesthetic.
Dehydrate Herbs in Air Fryer
One of the most clever and practical uses for an air fryer is to dehydrate fresh herbs. I’ve found that by using this method, my air-dried herbs tend to retain their natural flavors, aromas, and nutrients without ever succumbing to moldiness – a common issue when drying herbs in other ways. By harnessing the power of an air fryer, you can enjoy your favorite herbs year-round, with all their potency intact.
Strawberry Hack
With this ingenious trick, I’ve learned to salvage even the most imperfect strawberries. By submerging them in ice water for a mere 20 minutes, they miraculously regain their natural plumpness and vibrant red hue. Of course, it’s crucial to exercise discretion when applying this hack – if your strawberries have already succumbed to the darkness of mold or the despair of blackness, it’s time to say goodbye and give them a dignified sendoff into the compost pile.
Peel Garlic in 5 Seconds
Garlic is an essential ingredient in many dishes, but its pungent aroma can linger on your fingers for days. A simple yet effective way to avoid this issue is by using two small stainless steel bowls. To start, place a garlic head into one bowl and use the base of the second bowl to separate the individual cloves. Then, join the two bowls rim-to-rim and shake them vigorously for a few seconds.
This clever trick allows the peels to fall off effortlessly, leaving your hands free from any lingering garlic scent.
Save Vegetable Scraps to make Broth
By repurposing everyday food waste into a nutrient-rich base, this innovative approach not only slashes expenses but also elevates your culinary skills. Simply collect vegetable scraps like peels, ends, and cores throughout the day and store them in the freezer. Then, when it’s time to cook, simply thaw out the mixture, add water, and let the simmering process unfold over a few hours. Voilà! You’ll be rewarded with a rich, hearty broth that will form the foundation of countless delicious soups.
Clean Microwave with Lemon
For those who are tired of using chemical-based cleaners to get rid of stubborn microwave stains, there’s a natural alternative that’s just as effective – lemons! Simply combine 1/2 cup of water with the juice of one lemon in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the mixture for three minutes, then let it stand for five minutes before removing and wiping down the interior of the appliance.
The combination of steam and citrus helps loosen and remove tough splatters, leaving your microwave not only clean but also smelling fresh and inviting.
Microwave Fried Garlic
Say goodbye to messy frying! I’ve discovered a game-changing trick that yields crispy fried garlic with minimal fuss. Here’s how to do it:
Start by peeling and dicing 1 head of garlic into small pieces. Then, transfer the mixture to a microwave-safe bowl. Add 1/2 cup of your preferred oil, such as vegetable, canola, or coconut oil.
Pop the bowl into the microwave and cook for 2-3 minutes. Voilà! You’ll have perfectly cooked, crispy fried garlic with little to no mess.
Plus, don’t forget to save that garlic-infused oil – it’s a fantastic addition to many Asian-inspired chicken dishes.
Freshen Fridge with Tea Bag
It’s a common problem many of us face: the fridge has developed an unpleasant odor that seems impossible to get rid of. However, there is a simple solution that’s been gaining popularity online – using teabags as natural air purifiers. When placed in a plastic container and left in the fridge, the tea bags work wonders by rapidly absorbing bad smells, leaving your appliance smelling fresh once again.
Thinly cut onion with spiralizer
The ingeniousness of this technique lies in its ability to minimize tears while chopping onions. To achieve this, begin by cutting your peeled onion in half lengthwise, but avoid piercing through the center. Next, set your spiralizer to blade D, carefully insert the onion, and then twist it gently. This simple process yields a perfectly thin-cut onion preparation ideal for enhancing salads, soups, tacos, and stir-fries.
Freeze herbs in olive oil
To keep a steady supply of fragrant herbs at your fingertips, try this ingenious kitchen trick: convert them into herbal ice cubes! Fill an ice tray with fresh herbs, then top it off with high-quality olive oil. Once frozen, simply pop one or two cubes into a hot pan to release their flavor and aroma into your dish.
Hanging Snack Station with Shoe Organizer
Transform a common household item into a clever storage solution by repurposing an over-the-door shoe organizer in your kitchen. This versatile hack allows you to store snacks in an accessible and organized manner. The individual compartments are perfectly sized for snack packets, granting kids the autonomy to select their preferred treats. Moreover, this setup provides an easy-to-view inventory of which snacks require replenishment, ensuring a well-stocked pantry at all times.
Add Salt to boiling eggs for easy shell removal
Boiling eggs can be a simple yet frustrating task if not done correctly. One little-known trick that grandma might not have taught you is adding a pinch of salt to the water when boiling your eggs. This may seem counterintuitive, but trust us – it’s a game-changer. The added salt helps prevent cracking and makes shell removal a breeze. So next time you’re cooking up some breakfast or making deviled eggs for a party, remember this hack and give it a try!
Stop boiling water overflow with wooden spoon
Wood’s unique property as a poor conductor of heat allows it to play a crucial role in preventing accidents in the kitchen. When a wooden spoon is placed on top of a boiling pot, the hot bubbles rise to the surface and come into contact with the cooler spoon. At this point, they condense and collapse back into the pot, thereby preventing an overflow of boiling water. This remarkable phenomenon highlights the importance of understanding the thermal properties of materials in everyday life.
Dental Floss to slice cheese
Say goodbye to imperfect slices and hello to precision with this simple hack! When it comes to cutting cheese, crumbly cheesecake, or light-as-air baked goods, the usual sharp knife just doesn’t cut it. The result is often uneven, sloppy cuts that are far from fine dining quality. However, there’s a clever solution to achieve those showroom slices: unflavored dental floss!
This might seem unconventional, but trust us, it’s a game-changer for slicing through fluffy, delicate products with ease and accuracy.
DIY Fruit Fly Trap
While the idea of sticky fruit-fly traps may not exactly spark joy, there’s a more appealing alternative that still gets the job done. By combining some everyday items like a jar, funnel, ripe banana, apple cider vinegar, and dish soap, you can create a natural fruit fly trap that’s both effective and aesthetically pleasing. Simply place it in a discreet location and say goodbye to unwanted kitchen visitors.
Wine Bottle Rolling Pin
When it comes to working with dough, few people think to repurpose wine bottles as makeshift rolling pins. But this creative hack has several advantages. For one, the smooth, cool surface of the glass won’t stick to the dough, making it easy to roll out even the most stubborn batches. Additionally, the long, rounded shape of a wine bottle provides a comfortable grip for users of all hand sizes.
Perhaps most importantly, however, is that glass can be easily sanitized with soap and water, whereas wood rolling pins can harbor bacteria and mold if not properly cleaned and maintained.
Tissue Paper to Avoid Mess from cooker
For those who love cooking but dread the thought of scrubbing down pots and pans afterwards, here’s a simple yet effective hack that will save you time and sanity in the kitchen. By cutting a circular hole in the center of a tissue paper and placing it over the top of your cooker, you’ll be able to contain any messes that might occur while cooking.
This clever solution eliminates the need for immediate cleaning, allowing you to focus on what really matters – enjoying quality time with loved ones and savoring the fruits of your labor.
Homemade Ginger and Garlic Paste for easy cooking
Discovering the secret to having a flavorful foundation at your fingertips, I was thrilled to stumble upon this game-changing hack! By whipping up my own garlic and ginger paste, I’ve eliminated the need for last-minute scrambles in the kitchen. The process is remarkably straightforward: combine equal parts of peeled garlic and ginger with a drizzle of oil in a blender until you achieve a silky smooth consistency.
Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator, where it will remain fresh and ready to use for up to two weeks.
Mason Jars for Dry Food Storage
Mason jars are a staple in many kitchens due to their versatility. A clever kitchen hack is using these jars to store dry goods, creating a visually appealing display of various products. From nuts and raisins to pasta, candy, cereals, spices, rice, sugar, and more, mason jars can be used to store an array of dry food items.
Clean Chopping Board with Lemon
When it comes to wooden chopping boards, breeding bacteria and mold are common concerns. However, before tossing yours in the trash, consider this eco-friendly hack: use lemons to disinfect your board! Simply cut a lemon in half and use it to scrub away any lingering bacteria or mold. Follow up with a rinse under clean running water, and you’ll be left with a sanitized board that not only looks great but also emits a refreshing citrus aroma.
