Top Kitchen Hacks Every Aspiring Chef Should Know

The kitchen can be an intimidating place. It’s where ingredients, techniques, and equipment come together to create a one-of-a-kind meal. Every item can be used in a million ways. Think about the possibilities! Anything can happen, and it’s up to you to call the shots. So why not make things easier with brilliant kitchen hacks? With certain tips and tricks, you can save time and effort while making delicious grub. Obviously, it’d be a lot easier to heat up a boxed meal or order out. But where’s the fun in that? Cooking at home lets you choose exactly what goes into your meal.

Most importantly, you can cut out all the junk. Ready-to-eat convenience food is teeming with sugar, saturated fat, and sodium. Processed meals actually make up 75% of America’s excessive sodium intake. Dining out isn’t always any better, as the habit is linked to weight gain and obesity. By learning clever kitchen hacks, you’ll feel more confident handling fresh food at home. What else is better than a fresh home-cooked meal?^{1 2}

1. Pre-Heat Metal Sheet

From sides to soups, you can’t go wrong with roasted veggies. Try placing the metal sheet in the oven as it preheats. When the vegetables are cut, the pan will be warm and ready to go.

2. Melt Butter Without A Microwave

No microwave? No problem. Place butter in an oven-safe container and place on top of a pre-heated oven or toaster oven. This hack works with coconut oil, too.

3. Replace Water With Broth

When making foods like rice or quinoa, use broth instead of water. The simple switch will significantly amp up the flavor. To keep it healthy, use low-sodium broth.

4. Measure On Top Of Wax Paper

When measuring dry ingredients like flour, it’s a common to level it out by scraping across the top. Do this over a sheet of wax paper or plate. Instead of the trash, the excess can go right back in the bag.

5. Steady Plastic Bags

Re-sealable bags are amazing for saving leftovers. However, filling them up can be a nuisance! Place one in a bowl to hold it steady.

6. Make Powdered Sugar

Why run to the store when you need powdered sugar? Place normal white sugar in a coffee grinder and pulse it a few times. The result is instant, homemade powdered sugar.

7. Freeze Herbs In Oil

Save herbs by freezing them in oil. Chop up, place in a clean ice cube tray, and fill each notch with oil. Store in the freezer. This way, you’ll always have a fresh cube of herbs on hand.

8. Stop Apples From Browning

Cut apples have a habit of turning brown. This can look pretty unappetizing, especially if you’re serving them to guests. Stop them from browning with a spritz of lemon juice.

9. Cool Down Quickly

If a pan of veggies is heating up too fast, toss in an ice cube. It’ll melt in seconds and save food in the process. This hack works especially well when sautéing onions and garlic.

10. Separate Yolks

It’s possible to separate eggs without the mess. First, crack all of them into a bowl. Squeeze an empty, clean plastic water bottle on top of the yolk. Once you let go, the yolk will be sucked up into the bottle.

11. Speed Up Eggshell Removal

Removing eggshells can be time-consuming and frustrating. To speed things up, add a splash of vinegar to water while boiling eggs. It’ll infiltrate and loosen up the shell for easy removal.

12. Poach Perfect Eggs

Poaching eggs is an excellent way to skip the grease. As the water boils, add some white vinegar or lemon juice. The acidity will help the egg protein stay together, creating a perfectly poached egg.

13. Slice Soft Cheese

Soft cheese like brie and goat cheese are delicious, but cutting them can be messy. That’s where a strand of twine comes in handy. Tightly hold one end in each hand and slice right through.

Give these simple and effective kitchen hacks a try and become more confident the next time you step into the kitchen.