1. Meal prep in advance: One of the best ways to save time during the week is to do some meal prep in advance. Spend some time on the weekend chopping vegetables, marinating meat, and cooking grains or beans. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge or freezer so that you can quickly and easily assemble meals during the week.
2. Use a slow cooker or Instant Pot: These kitchen appliances are a busy cook’s best friend. Simply throw in your ingredients in the morning, set the timer, and come home to a delicious meal ready to eat. Slow cookers are great for soups, stews, and chili, while Instant Pots can quickly cook up dishes like risotto, curry, and even yogurt.
3. One-pot meals: Save yourself the hassle of washing multiple pots and pans by cooking one-pot meals. Dishes like stir-fries, pasta with sauce, and skillet meals can all be made in a single pot or pan, cutting down on prep and cleanup time.
4. Pre-cut vegetables: If you don’t have time to chop vegetables every night, buy pre-cut or frozen veggies to save time. You can also use a food processor to quickly chop vegetables for recipes like stir-fries or salads.
5. Cook once, eat twice: Make double portions of meals and save the leftovers for another night. Simply reheat and serve for a quick and easy meal. You can also repurpose leftovers into new dishes, like turning roasted chicken into chicken salad or vegetable curry into a wrap.
6. Batch cook: Spend a few hours on the weekend cooking up large batches of meals or components like rice, beans, and roasted vegetables. Store them in individual containers so that you can easily mix and match for meals throughout the week.
7. Use store-bought shortcuts: Don’t be afraid to use pre-made ingredients like rotisserie chicken, jarred pasta sauce, or canned beans. They can save you time and still result in a delicious meal.
8. Make use of a sheet pan: Sheet pan meals are a simple way to cook a complete meal in one go. Simply place your protein and vegetables on a sheet pan, season, and bake. The result is a flavorful and easy dinner with minimal cleanup.
By using these kitchen hacks, you can save time and stress during the busy weeknights while still enjoying delicious homemade meals. Experiment and find what works best for you and your family’s schedule. With a little planning and creativity, you can make cooking on busy weeknights a breeze.
