10 Kitchen Hacks to Save Time and Get Organized

These quick and clever kitchen hacks will change how you cook for the better. Save time, get organized and be a better chef with our trusted tips. I love good kitchen hack. Anything to make my life easier is much appreciated. Today I’m sharing my favorite tried-and-true kitchen tips and tricks. They’re ones that I actually use and love. Some of them I’ve been utilizing since I was a teen! Alright, let’s get started!

1. Prevent potatoes from browning

This is a trick I learned from my mom. If you want to peel your potatoes in advance, simply cover them with cold water to prevent them from browning. Your potatoes might retain a bit more water if they’re left overnight in the fridge like this. But if you’re making mashed potatoes with them, you probably won’t be able to tell the difference.

2. Bring eggs to room temperature quickly

Along the same lines, you can quickly warm eggs to room temp by placing them in a bowl and covering them with very warm (not hot) water. Let them sit for about 5–10 minutes while you prep the rest of your recipe.

3. Speed up ripening

Be a total magician and morph a banana from green to yellow or a peach from crunchy to juicy all with the help of a paper bag. When fruit is tossed into the bag, concentrated ethylene gas helps it ripen faster.

4. Prevent brown sugar from hardening

Help brown sugar stay soft by tossing an orange peel or a slice of apple along with the sugar into an airtight container. For a quick fix, microwave brown sugar next to a small glass of water. The moisture within the microwave will help break up the block of sweetener.

5. Skim the fat

Spoon out excess fat from stocks, stews, and sauces by skimming a few ice cubes (wrapped in a paper towel or cheese cloth) along the surface of the liquid. The ice helps the fat solidify, making it easier to remove with a spoon or a piece of toast.

6. Separate yolks from whites

Separate eggs by gently squeezing a plastic water bottle over a cracked egg. When the bottle re-inflates with air, it will scoop the yolk right up. (Disclaimer: This method may take a little practice.)

7. Peel garlic the fuss-free way

Remove all cloves from the bulb, then whack each clove with the side of a chef’s knife. The skin will fall right off.

8. De-skin potatoes without a peeler

Time to ditch the peeler again! Peel a potato in a snap by boiling it and then giving it an ice bath. The skin will separate from the potato center and you can pick it right off.

9. Cut the soft cheese easy

Slice soft cheeses such as brie and goat cheese with unflavored dental floss to avoid smooshing them. This trick also works for cake and cookie dough logs!

10. Prevent onions from making you weep

To stop onion-induced tears, freeze the onion before chopping. Also, you can use a simple chewing gum (I have invented this method accidentally). For some reason, in case you are chewing a gum in process of chopping the onions, you are not weeping. Try it yourself!

So those are some of my favorite kitchen hacks that actually work for me. If you have any tips or tricks of your own, please share in the comments!