It's time to stop wasting energy, effort, and food. The old-fashioned ways of doing things don't always cut it when you're baking, cooking, or just plain trying to eat! These 20+ tips step up your game in the kitchen, so you can basically be a jedi cook.
Freeze Oatmeal in Muffin Tins
If you can't stand the flavor of instant oatmeal but don't have time to make old-fashioned oats every morning, make a big batch over the weekend, divide the cooked oats in a muffin tin [2], freeze, then transfer to a resealable freezer bag. So brilliant!
A Simple Trick For Measuring Gooey Ingredients
Sticky ingredients like honey and molasses come off of measuring cups and spoons if you spray the tools with nonstick spray first [3].
A Better Way to Freeze Bananas For Smoothies, Banana Bread, and More
Overripe bananas can be saved by freezing 1-inch chunks on parchment paper [4].
Clean Your Spice Grinder
Clean a spice grinder [5], aka coffee grinder, by blending up some white rice inside. It will trap any leftover spices and aromas.
The Right Way to Eat a Salad
Forgo forks for chopsticks when eating a salad [6] so none of the pieces awkwardly fall into your lap.
Mince Garlic the Fast and Easy Way
The mincing trick [7] involves no knives — just a Microplane.
Add a Lot More Salt Than You Think
Liberally salt your desserts [8] (and add flake salt to the tops) to bring out the flavor.
Open a Stubborn Jar With Ease
If you have trouble opening pesky jars, try this spoon trick [9] to pop the top off.
Don't Have Day-Old Bread? Here's How to Fake It
Many recipes may call for day-old bread like stuffing, french toast, and bread pudding — and this simple hack slowly dries out fresh bread [10] without toasting it.
Never Drink Diluted Iced Coffee Again
Fill and freeze ice-cube trays of cold-brew coffee [11] so that your iced coffees never ever dilute.
Iron a Panini
Yes, ironing bread and cheese [12] works. Throw some ham in the mix for a full-fledged panini.
The Easiest Way to Shred Chicken
Stop shredding with your hands and use a fork instead [13]!
Dish Out Perfectly Portioned Cookies and Cupcakes
A spring-loaded ice cream scoop will be your key to evenly portioned cookies and cupcakes [14].
Zest Citrus Without a Microplane
Don't have a Microplane? Get citrus zest [15] anyway by peeling the skin and chopping it up.
No Lid? No Problem
Foil works wonders as a makeshift lid [16] for a pot.
Have Fresh, Warm-From-the-Oven Cookies Whenever a Craving Hits
Prep for your next cookie craving by freezing the dough into perfect tablespoon portions [17].
Fill a Pastry Bag Without Making a Huge Mess
You're going to need a tall glass to fill a pastry bag with ease [18].
The Fastest Way to Thaw Meat
Thaw meat [19] (without getting food poisoning) by setting it in a mixing bowl and letting room-temperature water run into the bowl.
Need Room-Temperature Butter Fast?
A cheese grater is by far the best way to get butter to room temperature fast [20].
Keep Bread Fresh (Practically) Forever With This Trick
Freeze sliced bread [21] to keep artisanal (or homemade) bread fresh forever.
Crack Nuts Without a Nutcracker
No nutcracker needed for this method to crack open shelled nuts with your hands [22].
Never Suffer the Disappointment of Freezer-Burnt Ice Cream Again
Freezer-burnt ice cream [23] begone, simply by turning the pint upside down.
Keep Your Cutting Board From Slipping
Don't let your cutting boards slip as you cut by adding a damp dishcloth [24] underneath the board.
No-Fail, Fluffy Quinoa
There's no bigger bummer than crunchy quinoa. Keep it ultrafluffy by cooking it like pasta, then steaming it [25].
Make Cakes From a Mix Taste Better
The trick to better-tasting cake from a box [26] involves adding your own sprinkles and making homemade frosting.
Marshmallows Soften Brown Sugar
Keep brown sugar soft (or "rehydrate" it from a rock-solid state) by throwing a marshmallow into the bag or air-tight container.
