Looking for cooking hacks to shake up your dinner routine? These genius tips will transform how you tackle your evening meals. These aren't your run-of-the-mill tricks; they're unconventional methods that can make a real difference in your kitchen. Whether you're juggling work deadlines or just want to spend less time cooking and more time relaxing, these hacks are perfect for anyone who needs dinner on the table fast without sacrificing flavor or quality.
![Woman cutting white onion.](https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Wet-Knife-for-Onion-Cutting.jpg)
Use microwave for moisture
![Heating pizza in a microwave oven.](https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Microwave-Moisture-Hack.jpg)
Placing a small cup of water in the microwave when reheating breaded foods like pizza or fried chicken helps prevent them from drying out. This simple trick can elevate your reheating game and change the way you enjoy leftovers.
Prep garlic on cutting board
![Cloves of garlic on top of a chopping board.](https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Cutting-Board-for-Mass-Garlic-Prep.jpg)
Crush and peel multiple garlic cloves quickly and cleanly by using one cutting board on top of another. This hack simplifies prep time and keeps your hands clean.
Save bacon grease for popcorn
![Bacon frying in a pan.](https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Save-Bacon-Grease-for-Popcorn.jpg)
Save and freeze bacon grease for cooking various foods, especially popcorn. This adds a rich, savory flavor to your snacks and dishes, making it a game-changer in your kitchen.
Microwave for quick potato prep
![An overhead image of microwave baked potato on a plate with a fork.](https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Microwave-Baked-Potato-Horizontal-Shot-1536x1026-1.jpg)
Speed up potato cooking by microwaving them wrapped in plastic wrap before finishing in the oven or pan. This method shortens cooking time, making meal prep faster and easier.
Get the Recipe: Microwave for quick potato prep
Marinate chicken cutlets in Italian dressing
![A plate of fried chicken cutlets with utensils on the side.](https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Zesty-Italian-Dressing-for-Chicken-Cutlets.jpg)
Mix zesty Italian dressing packets with flour to season breaded chicken cutlets. This technique adds a distinct flavor, offering a new approach to a classic dish.
Add Parmesan rinds to stock
![Board with tasty grated Parmesan cheese on light wooden back.](https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Parmesan-Rinds-for-Flavorful-Stock.jpg)
Save parmesan rinds in the freezer to add depth and richness to soups, sauces, and stews. This hack uses scraps that would otherwise be discarded, enhancing your meals.
Boost sauce flavor with anchovies
![Cutting anchovy pizza.](https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Anchovies-in-Sauce-for-Flavor.jpg)
Enhance pasta or pizza sauce by adding anchovies; they dissolve into the sauce, enriching it without a fishy taste. This unexpected ingredient can transform your sauce.
Cut onions with wet knife
![Woman cutting white onion.](https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Wet-Knife-for-Onion-Cutting.jpg)
Use a wet knife to cut onions to minimize tears. The water on the knife helps neutralize the compounds that cause eye irritation, making prep work more comfortable.
Keep bread fresh for later
![Bread packed for freezing.](https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Keep-Bread-Fresh-for-Later.jpg)
Freeze bread close to going stale and use it for garlic bread, bread crumbs, or French toast. This method extends the bread's usability and reduces waste.
Soak fish in vinegar quickly
![Raw dorado fish in a wooden board.](https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Quick-Vinegar-Fish-Soak.jpg)
Soak fish in a diluted vinegar solution for 10 minutes to remove the fishy smell and taste. This hack also works for extending the life of strawberries, proving its versatility.
Utilize chopsticks for versatility
![Chopsticks used for cooking tornado omelette.](https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Chopsticks-Versatility.jpg)
Use chopsticks for various kitchen tasks, from flipping food to whisking sauces. They’re versatile, easy to clean, and a practical addition to your cooking toolkit.
Add vinegar to potato water
![Potatoes that cook in a saucepan in selective focus.](https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Vinegar-in-Potato-Water.jpg)
Add a splash of vinegar to boiling potato water for potato salad or roasting, enhancing flavor and texture. This simple addition can elevate your dish.
Balance salt with vinegar
![Pouring vinegar in the pot.](https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Vinegar-Balances-Salt.jpg)
Add a splash of vinegar to overly salty soups or stews to balance the flavors. It’s a quick fix to save your dish from being too salty.
Grate butter for baking
![Hand shredded butter with grated.](https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Grated-Butter-for-Baking.jpg)
Use a frozen stick of butter and a cheese grater for perfect pea-sized pieces when making biscuits or pie dough. This hack saves time and effort in achieving the perfect texture.
Chop bell peppers upside-down
![Red bell pepper cut in half with a knife.](https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Bell-Peppers-Upside-Down.jpg)
Chop bell peppers from the bottom up. This technique keeps them fresher and makes cutting easier and cleaner, simplifying your prep work.
Slice waffles and pancakes with pizza cutter
![Waffles with vanilla syrup for breakfast with berries.](https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Pizza-Cutter-for-Waffles-and-Pancakes.jpg)
Use a pizza cutter to easily cut waffles and pancakes into toddler-friendly pieces. This makes breakfast quick and easy, especially for little ones.
Achieve crispy veggies with bicarbonate
![An overhead image of roasted vegetable salad on a serving dish. with the dressing on the side.](https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Roasted-Vegetable-Salad-Horizontal.jpg)
Add the bicarbonate of soda when pan-frying root vegetables. They become more crispy and sweet.
Coat spoon with oil for sticky ingredients
![Spoon in a jar of a caramel sauce.](https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Oil-Coated-Spoon-for-Sticky-Ingredients.jpg)
Coat a spoon with oil before measuring sticky ingredients like honey or molasses. This makes them slide out easily, making your baking process smoother.
Dissolve chicken stock cube in pasta water
![Spaghetti cooked in boiling water.](https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Chicken-Stock-Cube-in-Pasta-Water.jpg)
Enhance pasta dishes by adding a chicken stock cube to boiling water. It infuses the pasta with umami flavors, enriching your sauces and transforming your meals.
Soften butter with hairdryer
![Dairy natural yellow butter piece over board.](https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Hairdryer-for-Butter-1.jpg)
If the butter is too cold to cream, use a hairdryer on the side of the bowl to gently warm it. This method avoids the risk of overshooting like with a microwave, making your baking easier.
Neutralize hot pepper hands with oil
![Hands chopping chili pepper on wooden board.](https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Neutral-Oil-for-Hot-Pepper-Hands.jpg)
Prevent spicy mishaps by rubbing neutral oil on your hands after handling hot peppers. The oil binds with capsaicin, making it easier to wash off with dish soap, saving you from discomfort.
Freeze ginger for easy grating
![Grated ginger root on a cutting board.](https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Freezing-Ginger-for-Easy-Grating.jpg)
Store ginger in the freezer and grate directly into dishes for added flavor without the need to peel it first. This hack simplifies your cooking process and enhances your dishes.
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