Cooking can be a joy, but on busy days, it often feels like a time-consuming chore. If you’re someone who values simplicity and efficiency—like I do as a minimalist—you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to enjoy a home-cooked meal. That’s why I’ve put together these 10 kitchen hacks to save time while cooking.
These tips make cooking easier and less cluttered. From quick ingredient prep to simple cleanup, these hacks help you prepare meals fast while keeping your kitchen minimalist. Let’s look at these tricks to speed up cooking!
Hack 1 – Pre Chop Veggies for the Week
One of the biggest time-savers is prepping ingredients ahead of time. On a Sunday afternoon, set aside 30 minutes to chop vegetables like onions, bell peppers, and carrots. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge—they’ll stay fresh for 5-7 days. When it’s time to cook, you can grab what you need and start cooking immediately. This hack cuts down on daily prep time and keeps your kitchen routine minimalist by reducing repetitive tasks. It’s one of the best kitchen hacks to save time while cooking for busy weeknights.
Hack 2 – Use a Garbage Bowl
Avoid running back and forth to the trash while cooking by keeping a “garbage bowl” on your counter. Use any bowl you already have to toss in vegetable peels, wrappers, or scraps as you work. Once you’re done, dump it all in the trash or compost in one trip. This simple trick saves time and keeps your workspace tidy, aligning with a clutter-free kitchen. It’s a small but effective addition to your list of time-saving kitchen hacks.
Hack 3 – Boil Water Faster with a Lid
When you need boiling water for pasta or rice, always cover the pot with a lid. This traps heat and can cut boiling time by up to 25%. It’s a minimalist hack—no extra tools needed, just a lid you already own. To speed things up even more, start with hot tap water instead of cold. This is one of the easiest 10 kitchen hacks to save time while cooking because it shaves minutes off your meal prep with zero effort.
Hack 4 – Cook One-Pot Meals
Simplify your cooking by focusing on one-pot meals like stir-fries, soups, or casseroles. These dishes combine protein, veggies, and grains in a single pot, reducing the number of dishes you need to wash. For example, toss chicken, broccoli, and rice into a pot with some broth and seasonings, and you’ve got dinner in 20 minutes. This hack saves time on both cooking and cleanup, making it a top pick among kitchen hacks to save time while cooking for minimalists.
Hack 5 – Use Frozen Veggies for Quick Sides
Fresh vegetables are great, but they take time to wash, chop, and cook. On busy days, keep a bag of frozen veggies—like peas, carrots, or spinach—in your freezer. They’re pre-washed and pre-cut, so you can toss them straight into a pan or microwave for a quick side dish. They cook in 5 minutes or less, saving you valuable time. This is one of the best time-saving kitchen hacks for adding nutrition to your meals without the prep work.
Hack 6 – Double Your Recipes
When you’re cooking a meal, double the recipe and save half for later. For example, if you’re making a pot of chili, make enough for two meals and store the extra in the fridge or freezer. This way, you only cook once but eat twice, cutting your kitchen time in half. It’s a minimalist approach to meal planning that ensures you always have a quick meal ready. This hack is a must among 10 kitchen hacks to save time while cooking for busy schedules.
Hack 7 – Use a Cutting Board Cheat Sheet
To speed up chopping, keep a mental “cheat sheet” for common ingredients. For example, always dice onions the same way: cut in half, make vertical slices, then horizontal cuts for perfect cubes. Practice this method until it becomes second nature—it’ll save you time on every recipe. This hack requires no extra tools, keeping your kitchen minimalist while making prep faster. It’s a practical tip in your arsenal of time-saving kitchen hacks.
Hack 8 – Clean as You Go
Don’t let dishes pile up while you cook. Instead, clean as you go: wash a knife after chopping, wipe down the counter while the stove simmers, or rinse a bowl while the oven preheats. This habit ensures you’re not left with a mountain of dishes after eating, saving you time and stress. It’s a minimalist approach to cooking that keeps your kitchen tidy with minimal effort. This is one of the best kitchen hacks to save time while cooking for a seamless experience.
Hack 9 – Use a Timer for Multitasking
Set a timer for each cooking task—like 10 minutes for boiling pasta or 5 minutes for sauteing veggies—so you can multitask without burning anything. While the timer runs, you can chop ingredients, set the table, or clean up. This keeps you organized and ensures nothing overcooks, saving you from starting over. It’s a simple, no-fuss addition to your 10 kitchen hacks to save time while cooking.
Hack 10 – Keep a Minimal Pantry
A cluttered pantry slows you down when cooking. Keep it minimalist by stocking only essentials: rice, pasta, canned beans, spices, and olive oil. With fewer ingredients, you’ll spend less time searching for what you need and more time cooking. This also encourages simple recipes that don’t require endless steps. A minimal pantry is one of the best time-saving kitchen hacks for a streamlined cooking process.
Conclusion
Cooking doesn’t have to eat up your entire day—with these 10 kitchen hacks to save time while cooking. You can whip up meals quickly while keeping your kitchen minimalist and stress-free. From pre-chopping veggies to cleaning as you go, these tips are all about simplicity and efficiency.
Try one or two of these time-saving kitchen hacks today and see how much faster your cooking routine becomes. Which hack will you start with? Share your thoughts in the comments, and explore more minimalist tips on SimpleLifeHacks.net to simplify your life!