9 Simple Everyday Time-Saving Kitchen Tips That Works!

Suppose you're looking for ways to save time in the kitchen, then look no further. These nine simple tips will help you cut down on time spent cooking and cleaning up. Plus, they'll help you save money on groceries as well!

According to the USDA plan, in July 2022, a family of four with two children between 6 and 11 years of age can spend up to $951.70 on average. Now imagine if you could bring this average out and save time in the kitchen and money.

Meal Plan

Meal planning is a great way to save time in the kitchen. When you have a plan, you know what you're cooking and can shop for the ingredients you need ahead of time. This prevents last-minute trips to the store and saves time in the kitchen.

Now sure what meal planning is? 

Meal planning can initially seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be complicated. The simplest way to start is to plan your breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for the week.

Once you plan, you can build a grocery list of the ingredients you'll need.

If you're unsure what recipes to make, there are plenty of resources online. In addition, some apps and websites can help you create a meal plan tailored to your specific dietary needs and preferences.

Once you start, meal planning will become second nature and save you time and money in the kitchen.

What are the best meal planning tips for beginners?

Our best tips to help you meal plan is to get started with meal planning, think about your family's schedule, and what they like to eat. Then, come up with a list of recipes that fit your needs, and then create a rotating menu based on those recipes. That way, you'll always have something new to cook without spending time browsing through recipes online or in cookbooks.

In addition to planning your meals, ensure you have a well-stocked pantry. The right ingredients will make it easier to whip up a meal without running to the store. Some essentials to have in your pantry include pasta, rice, canned tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, onions, and spices.

Cook Once, Eat Twice

Another time-saving tip is to once and eat twice. This means cooking extra food at one meal, so you have leftovers for another. For example, if you're making roasted chicken for dinner, cook two chickens and use one for dinner and the other for chicken salad later in the week. This time-saving cooking tip will also save you money because you do not have to cook two separate meals.

What are samples of meals I can cook once and eat twice?

Here are some of our top five meals you can cook once and eat twice:

1. Chili or Stew – These are perfect for freezing portion sizes and make great leftovers.
2. Casseroles – Another great make-ahead meal, perfect for freezing in portion sizes or for leftovers.
3. Shepherd's pie – This meal is a great recipe that can be cooked once and eaten twice.
4. Roasted chicken or turkey – These can be used in various dishes, from soup to sandwiches.
5. Meatloaf – Another great meal to make ahead and freeze in portion sizes.

With these time-saving tips, you'll be able to get dinner on the table in no time!

Check out My FreezEasy to help you stock your freezer!

Organize Your Fridge

One of the best ways to save time in the kitchen is to organize your fridge. If you know where everything is, you won't have to spend time looking for it. Here are a few tips for organizing your fridge:

• Store items you use most often on the top shelf or in the front of the refrigerator. This will make them easy to reach.
• Place leftovers in airtight containers so they don't spoil.
• Group similar items together. For example, place all the condiments in one spot.
• Label everything so you know what's inside. This will save time when you're looking for something specific.

Use a Slow Cooker

Slow cookers are a great way to save time in the kitchen. They allow you to cook food slowly and evenly, so it's always delicious. In addition, slow cookers save time in the kitchen because you can prepare the food in advance. Then, when you're ready to eat, all you have to do is turn on the slow cooker and let it do its job.

Here are a few tips for using a slow cooker:

• Plan ahead. Decide what you want to cook in the slow cooker and prepare the ingredients ahead of time.
• Choose recipes that require minimal preparation time.
• Use the slow cooker for dishes that would normally take a long time to cook, such as stews and roasts.
• Don't overfill the slow cooker. This will prevent food from cooking evenly.

Pre-prepared Meals

Pre-preparing meals can save time in the kitchen. For example, chopping vegetables or cooking chicken ahead of time means you can throw together a meal in minutes when you're short on time. So what are pre-preparing meals mean? First, it means to have the ingredients for a meal already prepared so that all you have to do is cook it. This can be as simple as having chopped vegetables in the fridge or making a big batch of soup on the weekend to reheat during the week.

When it comes to pre-preparing meals, we have the following tips:

1. Make a big batch of soup or chili on the weekend and freeze it in individual portions. Then you can reheat a bowl for a quick and easy meal.
2. Do all your chopping and slicing at once when you have time. Store the chopped vegetables in the fridge in an airtight container, and they'll be ready to use all week.
3. Cook chicken or ground beef in advance and store it in the freezer. Then you can defrost it and use it in your recipe.
4. Make a big batch of rice or quinoa and store it in the fridge. Then you can reheat it when you need it.
5. Buy pre-cut vegetables from the grocery store. They may be a little more expensive, but they'll save you time in the kitchen.

Have Ingredients on Hand

Another time-saving kitchen tip is to have certain ingredients on hand. It will be easier to throw together a meal quickly. What ingredients are we referring to?

Keeping basics like olive oil, salt, and pepper handy means you can create a meal without running to the store first.

Tips on what ingredients to always have on hand are:

• garlic
• onions
• celery
• zucchini
• yellow squash
• frozen chopped
• spinach
• potatoes
• eggs

Of course, these are samples. Adjust the list to what your family eats regularly.

Keep Your Meals Simple

One of the best time-saving tips in the kitchen is to keep your meals simple. Instead of opting for complex recipes with a million ingredients, stick to meals that only require a few steps and ingredients. Not only will this save you time in the kitchen, but it will also save you money on your grocery bill.

When it comes to creating simple meals, we have some tips for you:

• Choose recipes that have fewer than five ingredients.
• Stick to meals that only require one pot or pan.
• Avoid recipes that require a lot of prep work, such as chopping vegetables.
• Choose recipes that can be made in 30 minutes or less.
• Make double batches of meals and freeze the leftovers for another time.

Invest in Quality Kitchen Tools

Another time-saving tip is to invest in quality kitchen tools. A well-stocked kitchen with the basics will make cooking and cleanup much easier. And, when you have the right tools for the job, you can save time and energy. Some essential kitchen tools include a good knife, a cutting board, a slow cooker, and a set of pots and pans.

How do you know what quality kitchen tool is best for you? 

Do your research and read reviews from other cooks. You can also ask your friends or family for recommendations. Once you have a few good kitchen tools, you'll be able to cook faster and easier.

We recommend investing in an air fryer. This time-saving appliance can help you cook healthier meals quickly and easily. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food, which cooks it evenly and uniformly.

Plus, air fryers can do more than fry food. You can use them to roast, bake, and even grill. So, an air fryer is an excellent option if you're looking for a time-saving kitchen appliance.

An Instant Pot is another time-saving kitchen appliance that's worth investing in. An Instant Pot can pressure cook, slow cook, saute, and more. So, it's a versatile appliance that can help you make quick and easy meals.

If you're short on time, an Instant Pot can be a lifesaver. With an Instant Pot, you can make a delicious meal in a fraction of the time it would take to cook it on the stove.

An Efficient Kitchen Layout

An efficient kitchen layout means you’ll have an optimized environment in nearly every way. The layer of your kitchen can help to save precious minutes during meal preparation as well as during other important times. You're leaving be able to use kitchen tools and appliances a lot more conveniently. Having lots of different items readily available can cut down your preparation time significantly.

Looking at oven hoods, for example, could land you in a spot where certain odors and smoke are removed efficiently, too. When you have the right kind of layout and you have adjusted things properly, you benefit hugely in the long run.

So, if you're looking for time-saving kitchen appliances, we recommend an air fryer and an Instant Pot.

With these time-saving tips, you can easily spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your food. So, what are you waiting for? Start saving time today!