Cooking shouldn’t take hours! These 12 genius kitchen hacks will help you cut prep time in half, cook smarter, and make meal prep a breeze.
We’ve all been there—starving, exhausted, and staring at a pile of raw ingredients wondering how long it’s going to take to get dinner on the table. Cooking can be fun, but let’s be honest, some nights you just want food fast.
The secret? Smart kitchen tricks that speed up the process without sacrificing flavor. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or a total beginner, these 12 genius kitchen hacks will make cooking quicker, easier, and more enjoyable.
1. Use a Food Processor for Faster Chopping
Why It Saves Time
Chopping onions, carrots, and garlic by hand? Takes forever. Throw them into a food processor and you’ll be done in seconds!
How to Do It
✔️ Use the pulse function for a rough chop or keep it running for a finer mince.
✔️ Works great for herbs, nuts, cheese, and even dough!
Pro Tip
Freeze chopped onions and garlic in ice cube trays so you always have some ready to go.
2. Boil Water Faster with a Kettle
Why It Saves Time
Waiting for a big pot of water to boil feels like watching paint dry. Speed it up by starting with hot water from an electric kettle!
How to Do It
✔️ Boil water in a kettle first, then pour it into your pot.
✔️ Works great for pasta, rice, or boiling vegetables.
Pro Tip
Salt your water after it starts boiling—it heats up faster that way!
3. Preheat Your Pan for Even Faster Cooking
Why It Saves Time
Throwing food into a cold pan slows everything down. A hot pan = faster cooking and better sear.
How to Do It
✔️ Heat your pan while prepping ingredients—by the time you’re ready, so is the pan.
✔️ Always preheat at medium-high heat for best results.
Pro Tip
A drop of water should sizzle and evaporate immediately if the pan is hot enough!
4. Cook Pasta in Less Water for Faster Results
Why It Saves Time
More water = longer boiling time. You don’t need a huge pot of water to cook pasta efficiently.
How to Do It
✔️ Use just enough water to cover the pasta (about 1-2 inches above it).
✔️ Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
Pro Tip
Save some starchy pasta water to thicken your sauces!
5. Use Rotisserie Chicken for Instant Protein
Why It Saves Time
Cooking chicken from scratch? Takes too long. A store-bought rotisserie chicken is the perfect shortcut.
How to Do It
✔️ Shred the chicken and use it in salads, tacos, soups, or pasta.
✔️ Store leftovers in the fridge for easy meal prep all week.
Pro Tip
Save the bones to make homemade broth—just throw them in a pot with water and simmer!
6. One-Pan Meals = Less Cleanup & Faster Cooking
Why It Saves Time
Cooking everything in one pan means fewer dishes and faster cleanup.
How to Do It
✔️ Cook proteins, veggies, and carbs together for a complete meal.
✔️ Works great for stir-fries, sheet pan dinners, and skillet meals.
Pro Tip
Use parchment paper or foil on sheet pans for even easier cleanup!
7. Make a Big Batch & Freeze for Later
Why It Saves Time
Cooking once and eating multiple times is the ultimate lazy genius move.
How to Do It
✔️ Double recipes and freeze half for later.
✔️ Works great for soups, stews, casseroles, and sauces.
Pro Tip
Freeze meals flat in ziplock bags so they take up less space and defrost quickly!
8. Grate Frozen Butter for Easy Mixing
Why It Saves Time
Need cold butter for baking? Instead of waiting for it to soften, grate it!
How to Do It
✔️ Use a cheese grater to quickly break butter into small pieces.
✔️ Works perfectly for biscuits, pie crusts, and scones.
Pro Tip
Store pre-grated butter in the freezer for future baking!
9. Microwave Citrus for More Juice
Why It Saves Time
Getting juice out of a cold lemon or lime is a struggle. Warm it up for instant juiciness!
How to Do It
✔️ Microwave for 10 seconds, then roll on the counter before squeezing.
✔️ Works great for lemons, limes, and oranges.
Pro Tip
Freeze lemon juice in ice cube trays for easy use later!
Final Thoughts
Cooking doesn’t have to be a time-consuming chore. With these 12 genius hacks, you’ll spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your food.