10 Ways to Simplify Cooking

Use These Cooking Hacks and Enjoy Stress-Free Meals

I’ve learned these 10 ways to simplify cooking, through lots of time and experience. Cooking doesn’t have to be stressful or time-consuming. I’ve found that it’s easy to streamline my kitchen routine to prepare meals more quickly and easily.

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1. Organize Your Kitchen

If you’re anything like me, you’ll agree that clutter makes cooking feel chaotic. Declutter your countertops as much as possible. If you have certain appliances that you use daily, it’s okay to leave them out. But have a clear space for meal prep. 

I like to clean out my pantry and spice cabinet a couple of times per year. That’s a good way to get rid of old, expired ingredients and remind yourself of what you have to work with.

2. Pre-Measure Ingredients to Make Sure You Have Enough

Before I learned to do this, I was often frustrated to be right in the middle of mixing ingredients, only do discover that I didn’t have enough of something that was essential. So now I pre-measure everything and put it in little bowls to make the process smooth and easy.

3. Prepare Ahead as Much as Possible

I like to chop, slice, grate, and marinate ingredients ahead of time. Sometimes I look at what I’m cooking during the week and prepare a lot of the recipes early. That not only saves time, but it also makes the process less overwhelming.

4. Use Mixes and Other Pre-Made Ingredients

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not ashamed of using mixes and pre-made ingredients. For example, these funfetti cake mix cookies are easy and just as yummy as those made completely from scratch. 

I also use canned green beans, frozen vegetables, and jar Alfredo sauce as starters. Once you add other ingredients, the dish takes on a whole new life.

5. Use Timers

I have multiple timers in my kitchen, and there are times when I have them all in use. I even jot down what each timer is for in order to keep my mind straight. This gives me confidence that I’m cooking the food for the proper amount of time.

6. Use Scissors for Cutting Meat and Pizza

I’ll never forget that lightbulb moment when I discovered the joy of using kitchen shears. It’s so much easier to dice beef, cut chicken, and slice pizza with scissors than a sharp knife. And I rarely cut myself, which is definitely a humongous bonus! 

Make sure you purchase washable kitchen shears and keep them clean. I picked up a pack of several pairs of kitchen shears from Amazon, just to make sure I had what I needed.

7. Swap Out Spices and Use the Ones You Like the Most

I prefer certain flavors for both my savory and sweet dishes, so I make sure I have the spices and seasonings to get the taste I want. If you’re looking at a recipe that calls for a spice you either don’t have or don’t care for, use what you know you like. 

That is a good way to make sure you’ll enjoy the food. Here are some examples of how to do this:  Use paprika instead of cayenne if you’re cooking for someone who doesn’t like spicy food. Swap out cinnamon for nutmeg … or use both. This is such a fun way to create your one-of-a-kind recipes.

8. Use Your Air Fryer

My air fryer has been a game-changer for me. It’s good for speeding up the cooking process, crisping up your favorite vegetables or meat, and reheating pizza. I even make toast in my air fryer. 

9. Repurpose Leftovers

If you’re like me, you often have plenty of leftovers in the fridge. Transforming them into another dish is a great way to save time and not waste food. For example, I like to chop up leftover pot roast and add it to vegetable soup. Or cut chicken breast into small pieces to make chicken salad. 

I enjoy the challenge of finding ways to use leftovers. Plus it helps us stretch our grocery budget to make two, or sometimes three, meals out of one main dish.

10. Clean as You Go

I hate having a messy kitchen after preparing a meal. That’s why I like to clean as I go. After using a bowl to mix batter, I wash it and put it away. While something is simmering or baking, I load the dishwasher or wash the prep dishes. If there are any spills on the countertop, I wipe them down. Doing this makes the whole process seem less daunting.

Final Thoughts

Cooking doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. By organizing your kitchen, prepping ingredients ahead of time, and incorporating tools like timers and air fryers, you can make the process faster and more efficient. 

Embrace shortcuts like pre-made mixes and repurposing leftovers to save time without compromising on flavor. Most importantly, remember that cooking is an opportunity to express creativity and enjoy the experience of making something delicious.

By using these tips, you’ll find yourself spending less time stressing in the kitchen and more time savoring your meals.

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