If you’re ready to save a little time in the kitchen each week, check out these time-saving tips that can help!

Homemade meals are great for eating healthier and saving money. However, trying to cook meals during the week can get hectic if youโ€™re balancing work with your familyโ€™s busy schedule.

The good news is that it is possible to make home-cooked meals during the week with a little bit of help.

Try these 10 time-saving tips in the kitchen!

1.Organize Your Tools

How many times have you been in mid-cooking mode and canโ€™t find the potato peeler? Inventory all the tools you have and organize them according to use. Keep like items together with the frequently used items close to your central work areas. Keep less frequently used items in storage space that is not close to the stove or sink.

2.Plan Your Meals

This may seem daunting at first, but itโ€™s the single most effective tip to save your sanity during the busy week. When you know what you are making and what you have on hand, cooking is a breeze. Dedicate an hour or two on the weekend to plan out the weekโ€™s meal. Meal planning will also help you save time and money at the grocery store.

3.Keep Basics in Stock

Keeping basic ingredients on hand will make putting together dinner easy. Pantry staples like flour, sugar, herbs, spices, grains and oils have a long shelf life and should always be readily available. Refrigerator basics such as milk and butter and produce such as onions, carrots, celery, fresh garlic or potatoes should always be in stock in your kitchen.

FREE Printable Grocery Listย 

4.Keep a Shopping List

Having a shopping list tacked onto the fridge or pantry will help you keep up on whatโ€™s in stock. As your family uses the last bit of milk, they can make a note so there wonโ€™t be any surprises in the middle of your cooking efforts when you sadly realize you are out. This will also help you save time when it comes to making the weekly shopping list before you head out to the store.

5.Pre-cut your Produce

This step is a game-changer. Most veggies can be cut and stored in the fridge in airtight containers. By pre-cutting, you are only pulling out the tools used for slicing, dicing, grating, and chopping once and only cleaning up once. Then, when it comes to cooking your weekday meals, all you need to do it pull it out and pop in your dish. Some produce should not be pre-chopped. This includes avocados, tomatoes, cucumbers or green leafy veggiesโ€”they will bruise and discolor.

 

6.Use Prepackaged Convenience Items

Canned beans, tomatoes and quick-cooking grains are great staples to keep in your pantry. They are inexpensive and are already โ€œcookedโ€ and you can easily add them to your recipe without worrying about additional cook time. Frozen vegetables are another pre-package staple that can speed up your cook time.

 

Grab simple slow cooker tips and tricks to get the most out of your crock pot. Slow cookers take the stress out of meal prep for busy moms and families.7.Use a Slow Cooker or InstaPot

These miracle appliances make cooking a delicious meal a breeze. You can basically toss in your ingredients and go about your day until itโ€™s time to eat. Using some of your pre-cut produce and canned staples prepping a slow cooker and InstaPot meal even faster.

8.Batch Cook

Food that takes longer to cook like a whole chicken, pot roast or other large cuts of meats can be cooked ahead of time. Cook the meat in a crockpot on the weekend and use it in meals during the week. Portion them out and store them meat in freezer-safe containers. Donโ€™t forget to pull out a container and pop it in the fridge to thaw before you head out for work.

9.Clean As You Goย 

At the end of the meal, you donโ€™t want to face the daunting task of cleaning up your mess. Load the dishwasher, clean cutting boards, and other cooking utensils as soon as you are done using them. Cleaning as you go makes cleaning manageable at the end of the meal.

10.Make Extra

Whatโ€™s healthier and faster than take-out food? Leftovers. Double or triple a family favorite recipes and freeze or refrigerate the extras. On the days you just donโ€™t have it in you to cook, pop those leftovers in the microwave and you are done.

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About Kasey Schwartz

For over 15 years, Kasey Schwartz, the mastermind behind All Things Mamma, has been the ultimate go-to for mouthwatering family recipes. Her work has been featured on Today.com, Buzz Feed, Better Homes and Gardens, and more, making her your go-to mom next door for all things delicious and family-friendly.

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