13 Kitchen Tips That Can Make Every Meal a Smooth Sailing Experience

We love a good shortcut in the kitchen — especially the kind that makes cooking smoother, cleaner, and way more fun. Whether you’re a pro behind the stove or just trying to make dinner without setting off the smoke alarm, these clever hacks will level up your game in no time. Get ready to chop, mix, and bake like a total kitchen genius.

1. Light a flame to chop onions tear-free.

Tired of crying over onions? Try this fiery little secret. Lighting a candle and placing it nearby while chopping onions helps reduce those tear-inducing fumes.

If you’re near your stove, turning on a burner works just as well. It’s a simple trick with a big payoff — and it might just save your mascara too.

2. Don’t toss that pickle brine.

When you finish a jar of pickles, don’t throw away the leftover brine! Drop thin slices of fresh cucumber into the jar and pop it back in the fridge. After a few days, voilà — new crunchy pickles!

You can even experiment with green beans, carrots, or garlic. For the best flavor, try par-boiling tougher veggies first to speed things up.

3. Spray your measuring cups for sticky ingredients.

Measuring peanut butter or honey can feel like a wrestling match with your spoon. Here’s a hack you’ll wish you knew sooner: spray your measuring cups with cooking spray before scooping sticky ingredients. Everything will slide right out — no sticky mess, no extra cleanup.

4. Ripen bananas fast with the oven.

Got green bananas but dreaming of banana bread? No need to wait days — just bake your bananas at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes. The heat softens them up and brings out their natural sweetness. Perfectly gooey and ready to mash!

5. Use a microplane grater to erase burnt bits.

Oops, burned the edges of your brownies again? Don’t panic. Grab your microplane grater (yes, the same one you use for zesting lemons) and gently shave off the overcooked parts. Your dessert will look flawless and taste even better.

6. Tear cilantro like a pro for perfect presentation.

If you love adding whole cilantro leaves as a garnish, but they’re a bit too large, don’t stress. Just tear them by hand into smaller, bite-sized pieces. It’s quick, rustic, and gives your dish that perfect finishing touch — no knife needed.

7. Keep cookies separate for the perfect texture.

Mixing soft cookies with crisp ones is a big mistake. Moisture from soft cookies can turn crunchy ones soggy — and vice versa. Store them separately to keep their texture just right.

Want to keep soft cookies even softer? Add a slice of white bread to the container and thank us later.

8. Chill wine faster with salt water.

Need cold wine in a hurry? Submerge your bottle in a tall pitcher filled with ice water and toss in a handful of salt.

Give it a gentle spin every few minutes. It’ll be perfectly chilled in under 20 minutes. Cheers to fast fixes!

9. Dice eggs with a cooling rack.

Chopping hard-boiled eggs can be a slippery mess. Here’s a trick: push the egg through a cooling rack for instant, evenly diced pieces. Bonus: it works for avocados too!

10. Keep bowls steady with a damp towel.

Mixing up a storm and your bowl just won’t stay put? Place a damp dish towel underneath to keep it from sliding around the counter. It’s a chef-approved tip that also works wonders under cutting boards.

11. Drain meatballs on a rack for less grease.

Instead of frying or baking meatballs directly on a pan, place them on a baking rack over a sheet tray. The excess fat will drip away, leaving you with juicy, caramelized meatballs minus the extra oil.

12. Get perfect slices with a warm knife.

Want your cheesecake slices to look bakery-perfect? Dip your knife in hot water, dry it off, and slice away. Repeat between cuts for clean, photo-worthy pieces every time.

13. Fix salty soup with apple or potato.

If you got too much salt in your soup, you can just drop in a few raw apple or potato wedges and simmer for 10 minutes. Then remove the wedges — they’ll have absorbed the excess salt, leaving your soup flavorful and balanced. This option works better than adding water or sauce to the soup.

Bonus Tip: Save your butter wrappers.

Don’t toss those buttery papers! Store them in a bag in the fridge and use them to grease pans. It’s a no-waste, no-hassle way to prep for your next baking project.

If you also need some products to step up your cooking skills, check this article.