Cooking can feel like a chore, but knowing a few clever tricks can make your time in the kitchen faster, easier, and more enjoyable. These unexpected tips aren’t just gimmicks because they really work. From perfectly crispy bacon to easily peeling garlic, here are surprising cooking tricks that will change the way you cook.
Want to save this post?
Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I'll send you the latest recipes and tips every week!
Freeze Your Meat for Easier Slicing
If you need thinly sliced meat for stir-fries or fajitas, try popping it in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before cutting. This firms up the meat, making it much easier to slice evenly. You’ll get clean, precise cuts without the struggle.
Peel Garlic with a Shake
Peeling garlic can be tedious, but not if you use this trick. Place the cloves in a jar with a lid or between two metal bowls, shake vigorously for about 10 seconds, and voilà—the skins slip right off! No more sticky garlic fingers.
Use a Spoon to Peel Ginger
Forget the knife or vegetable peeler. A regular spoon is the best tool for peeling ginger! Simply scrape the skin off with the edge of the spoon—it’s quick and easy, and helps you avoid wasting too much of the ginger.
Soak Onions in Cold Water to Reduce the Sting
If cutting onions makes your eyes water, try this trick: soak them in cold water for a few minutes before chopping. It reduces the sulfur compounds that irritate your eyes, making the chopping process much more bearable.
Flip Pancakes When Bubbles Appear
Want perfect pancakes every time? Don’t guess when to flip. Wait until bubbles form and pop on the surface of the pancake before flipping it. This ensures the inside is cooked evenly and the outside is golden brown.
Place a Damp Towel Under Your Cutting Board
To keep your cutting board steady, place a damp kitchen towel or paper towel underneath it. This creates enough friction between the board and your countertop, preventing the board from sliding around while you chop or slice.
Use a Wine Bottle to Roll Dough
No rolling pin? No problem! An empty wine bottle works just as well. Just make sure it’s clean, and you’ll have a smooth, even dough for pie crusts, cookies, or pizzas in no time.
Make Crispy Bacon with Water
For extra-crispy bacon that doesn’t burn, try this: start cooking your bacon in a skillet with just a little water. The water helps render the fat slowly, so the bacon crisps up evenly without scorching. Once the water evaporates, the bacon finishes cooking to crispy perfection.
Grate Cold Butter for Baking
If you’re baking and need butter quickly, try grating it. Instead of waiting for the butter to soften or trying to mash it, grate it directly into your dry ingredients. It’s perfect for making flaky pie crusts or biscuits, where you want the butter to stay cold and evenly distributed.
Use Dental Floss to Slice Cakes and Soft Cheeses
Cutting delicate items like cakes or soft cheeses can be tricky with a knife. Instead, use unscented dental floss! It glides through without squishing or crumbling your cakes or cheeses, giving you clean, professional-looking slices.
Peel Hard Boiled Eggs Easier with Baking Soda
Adding baking soda to the water when hard-boiling eggs helps make the shells easier to peel. The alkaline properties of baking soda raise the pH level, loosening the bond between the egg whites and the shell. This simple trick can save time and prevent frustration when peeling eggs.
Comments
No Comments