20 Kitchen Habits That Make Cooking Way Easier
Essential habits and techniques to streamline your cooking process.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Simplifying your kitchen routine can turn cooking into an enjoyable and efficient activity. Practical kitchen habits make meal preparation easier, cleaner, and faster. From organizing ingredients to using the right tools, these tips will save you time and help you master the art of home cooking.
1. Keep Your Tools in Reach
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Arrange essential cooking tools within reach of your workspace. Keep your knives, spatulas, plates, and bowls accessible to reduce prep time and improve efficiency.
2. Prepare Ingredients Ahead of Time
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Pre-measure ingredients before starting to cook. This habit, known as mise en place, keeps you organized and prevents mistakes mid-recipe.
3. Clean as You Go
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Tidy up as you cook to avoid a messy kitchen afterward. Washing tools and clearing surfaces as you go keeps the kitchen manageable.
4. Use Containers for Pantry Essentials
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Store dry ingredients like flour and sugar in labeled containers. This makes them easier to find and keeps them fresh.
5. Invest in a Quality Cutting Board
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Use a large, stable cutting board for easier chopping and cleaning. Quality boards last longer and enhance safety during prep.
6. Organize Your Spices
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Arrange your spices by type (e.g., herbs, spices, blends) or alphabetically to make them quickly locate. Keeping spices organized speeds up your cooking process and helps you track what you have. This reduces the chance of duplicate purchases and ensures your spices stay fresh.
7. Preheat the Pan
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Preheating the pan ensures that ingredients cook evenly and develop a richer flavor. Adding food to a hot pan helps it sear instantly, locking in juices and preventing sticking, which leads to better texture and taste in your dishes.
8. Keep Knives Sharp
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Keep your knives sharp to make chopping safer, faster, and more precise cuts. Dull blades require more force, increasing the risk of slips and accidents, while sharp knives glide through ingredients smoothly.
9. Use Multi-Purpose Utensils
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Opt for multi-functional kitchen tools, such as tongs or slotted spoons, that can perform multiple tasks like flipping, stirring, and draining. These versatile tools save space in your kitchen and streamline your cooking process, making meal prep quicker and more efficient.
10. Prep Meals in Advance
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Batch cooking and storing meals in advance can save significant time throughout the week. Preparing extensive options and dividing them into individual servings allows you to prepare home-cooked meals even on your busiest days.
11. Use a Timer for Precise Cooking
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Setting a timer helps you track cooking times to ensure your dish cooks to perfection. It prevents overcooking and undercooking, especially when multitasking in the kitchen.
12. Properly Store Fresh Herbs
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To extend their shelf life, store fresh herbs in the fridge or a jar of water, like flowers. Keeping them fresh and easily accessible will make your meals more flavorful and reduce waste.
13. Use Airtight Containers for Leftovers
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Store leftovers in airtight containers to preserve their freshness and prevent contamination. Proper storage also helps minimize food waste and makes reheating meals easier.
14. Use Baking Mats or Parchment Paper
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Reduce cleanup time by using reusable baking mats or parchment paper. These materials prevent food from sticking to pans and make cleanup a breeze, especially with baked goods and roasted vegetables.
15. Organize Pots and Pans
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Arrange your pots and pans by size or function. Keeping them well-organized makes cooking more efficient and reduces the time spent searching for the right cookware.
16. Set Up a Recipe Station
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Create a designated space for gathering and preparing all the ingredients for your recipe. This habit prevents interruptions during cooking and helps you stay organized from start to finish.
17. Use the Right Cooking Oils
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Choose the right cooking oil based on the heat level needed. For high heat, use oils with high smoke points, like avocado or grapeseed oil. Opt for olive or coconut oil for added flavor and health benefits for dressings or low-heat cooking.
18. Incorporate More Vegetables Into Meals
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Add vegetables to every meal for extra nutrients, flavor, and texture. Incorporating various fresh, colorful vegetables will make your meals healthier and more satisfying.
19. Invest in a Good Mixer
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A quality stand or hand mixer makes baking and mixing easier and faster. With attachments for different tasks, it can be a versatile tool for everything from baking dough to whipping cream.
20. Master the Art of Food Plating
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Take a few moments to plate your food attractively. Beautifully arranged meals not only look appealing but also enhance the dining experience, making simple dishes feel special.