If you’re anything like me, you’re likely always looking for ways to save time and money, and that includes in the kitchen. Here are some cooking tips to save time and money. I hope you find them as useful as I have!
Cooking Tips to Save Time and Money
Cooking at home is an excellent way to save money and eat healthier. It can also be time-consuming. Which is why it’s sometimes called a labor of love. Fortunately, there are numerous strategies to make cooking more efficient and budget-friendly. Here are some valuable tips to help you save both time and money in the kitchen.
Plan and Prepare
Meal Planning
One of the most effective ways to save time and money is through meal planning. By creating a specific menu for the week, you can make strategic decisions about your food budget and avoid overbuying ingredients. If you don’t have time to meal plan yourself, consider a meal planning subscription. We used emeals for many years and loved it. You can get a free 14-day trial, and they have meal plans for many different ways of eating.
Start by planning just your dinners for the week, considering recipes that will still taste good after a few days in the refrigerator, such as pasta dishes or casseroles. Be sure to plan for leftovers as well. In our house, we call these “pick your poison” nights. We pull all the leftovers out, put them on the counter, and tell everyone to “pick your poison.” Don’t forget you can recycle meal plans. We recycle the favorites.
Mise en Place
Before you start cooking, gather all your ingredients, tools, and equipment. This technique, known as mise en place, ensures that you have everything you need at hand, making the cooking process smoother and more efficient. There’s nothing worse than running around the kitchen, like a chicken with your head cut off, looking for a tool or an ingredient only to realize you don’t have it. Then you either have to scrap the recipe or make changes on the fly. Ugh.
And can I suggest using kitchen tools and gadgets that you love? I have certain Pampered Chef scrapers, measuring cups, and microwave cookers that I will order again and again because I know they work and I love them. I don’t care how many my kids lose in the dirt pile out back under the trampoline, I’mma have a set in my kitchen.
Batch Cooking
Embrace the “cook once, eat twice” philosophy. Prepare larger quantities of favorite dishes once a week. Plan to have the remains either for lunch for work or for a second dinner. This approach not only saves time but also allows you to take advantage of bulk buying and seasonal produce.
Smart Shopping and Storage
Buy in Bulk
Explore bulk buying options for non-perishable staples and frequently used ingredients. This can lead to significant savings over time. There are two local wholesale stores near us, Sam’s Club and Costco. We currently shop Sam’s Club, though I’m thinking of adding Costco simply because it’s closer. Either way, buying in bulk saves us money. We also shop at Aldi because it saves us money. Buying in bulk isn’t just for shelf stable items, either. You can buy meat in bulk, too, if you have the freezer space.
Seasonal Shopping
Purchase fruits and vegetables when they’re in season. They’re not only cheaper but also at their peak flavor. Of course, this also becomes a lesson for any children in the household because they want what they want when they want it. It is not always feasible to say, “no, we can’t have strawberries because they are not in season.” What we can do, however, is teach that strawberry smoothies made with frozen strawberries, which are much cheaper than fresh strawberries in the dead of winter, are really yummy and a healthy alternative to sticker shock.
Freeze Strategically
Make the most of your freezer by storing leftovers, pre-prepared ingredients, and batch-cooked meals. Freeze items as flat as possible to maximize space and make defrosting easier. Of course, this means you need airtight food storage containers that are dishwasher, refrigerator, freezer, and microwave-safe. The Rubbermaid Brilliance series have built-in vents under the latches for splatter-resistant microwaving with the lid on and they are BPA free. The standard Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids set would also work, although I’m not fond of long term freezer storage with them since they aren’t airtight.
Use Time-Saving Appliances
Invest in appliances that can speed up cooking times, such as pressure cookers, an electric slicer, slow cookers, and air fryers. These tools can significantly reduce cooking time while still producing delicious meals.
One-Pot Meals
Opt for recipes that can be cooked in a single pot or pan. This not only saves time on cooking but also reduces cleanup effort. I cook many meals in my Instant Pot. Sheet pan meals are great, as well.
Embrace Simplicity
Not every meal needs to be a culinary masterpiece. Focus on simple recipes with fewer ingredients and shorter cooking times.
Kitchen Hacks
Chop in Bulk
Pre-cut fruits and vegetables once a week and store them in airtight containers. This makes it easy to add them to meals throughout the week. Using a quality food processor makes all the difference when chopping foods. We’ve had our Cuisinart food processors for as long as I can remember. We have a little one and a big one, and both of them are as old, if not older, and our youngest kiddo and she’s in middle school.
Use Leftovers Creatively
Transform leftovers into new meals. For example, leftover roast beef can become sandwiches or taco filling and can top a salad. Leftover turkey can become tetrazzini, and leftover chicken can become chicken salad, or be served a second time with cheesy garlic knots.
Clean as You Go
Keep your workspace tidy by cleaning up as you cook. This habit will make you more efficient and prevent a pile-up of dishes at the end of meal preparation5.
Budget-Friendly Ingredients
Opt for Dried Pulses
Have you heard the term dried pulses before? Dried pulses are the dry, edible seeds of plants in the legume family, including beans, lentils, chickpeas, and peas. They are a great source of protein, fiber, and other nutrients. If your family consumes legumes, getting them dry is a great way to save money, but they do take more time to prepare. You’ll want to cook them in bulk when you have the oven on for another dish to save energy. To save on time, use the can variety but watch sales ads and get them when they are on sale.
Eliminate Convenience Foods
Eliminating convenience foods, commonly referred to as junk food, is a great way to save on budget. This only applies if the convenience is not necessary for access. If you have limited mobility, pre-sliced cheese or a microwave meal is more accessible and therefore, a better option for you.
Quality Meat
Choose better quality meat reduces waste, which means you save money. While it seems like more at checkout, it can significantly reduce your grocery bill in the long run.
Use Everything
Make the most of your ingredients. For instance, use cauliflower and broccoli stalks along with the florets, and turn stale bread into breadcrumbs for toppings.
Time-Saving Tricks
Boil Water in a Kettle
When making soups or using a pressure cooker, boil water in an electric kettle first. This heats things up so much faster and saves a ton of time.
Maximize Oven Use
When using the oven, try to cook multiple items at once. For example, if you’re baking a main dish, consider also roasting vegetables or baking a dessert.
Quick Potato Cooking
For faster potato cooking, you can either microwave them for 10-12 minutes or pressure cook them with a few splashes of water. I personally throw them in the Instant Pot and cook them, because I haven’t got time to cook them in the oven. I simply pierce them with a fork, put them on the trivet, and then cook the potatoes on manual high mode for 15 minutes. I let the instant pot pressure release naturally until the metal pin went down. By cooking the potatoes in the instant pot, I’m not heating the kitchen unnecessarily or I’m not wasting oven space if I need it for something else. Either way, I win.
Storage and Preservation Tips
Extend Avocado Life
Store cut avocados in an airtight container filled with water in the refrigerator to keep them fresh longer. If you’re short on refrigerator space, like I always am, you can also use these avocado huggers. The pack I purchased came with 1 large and 1 small avocado hugger. I just toss them in the dishwasher when I’m done with them, and wallah, they’re clean again.
Revive Leftover Rice
When reheating rice, place an ice cube on top before microwaving. This will help the rice taste freshly cooked. Sometimes, I add a splash of milk, too, depending on who the rice is for.
Preserve Herbs
Chop and freeze herbs in ice cube trays with a bit of water or oil. This way, you always have fresh-tasting herbs on hand.
Cooking Skills and Knowledge
Improve Your Skills
Invest time in learning different cooking techniques. You can watch tutorials online, read articles, etc. Seriously, the options are endless. If you want to improve your skills, chances are you can. As you become more proficient, you’ll be able to prepare meals more quickly and confidently.
Read Every Recipe Thoroughly
Always read the entire recipe before starting to cook. This helps you understand the process and ensures you have all the necessary ingredients and equipment. And make sure you’re making the correct adjustments. If you’re making a gluten-free banana bread recipe, you have to know if you’re making a substitution whether or not the mix you’re substituting already contains the xantham gum or not. It makes a difference. TRUST.
Adjust Cooking Times
Don’t strictly adhere to recipe cooking times. Check your food regularly and trust your judgment, as cooking times can vary based on your equipment and ingredients. Just because Pizza Cookies take 10 minutes in my oven doesn’t mean they won’t take 12 in yours.
Community and Sharing
Get Neighbors Involved
Consider organizing meal swaps or communal cooking sessions with neighbors and friends. This can lead to shared costs, diverse meals, and a fun social experience. This is one that I haven’t tried yet because we have allergies in the house and I’m just not that brave, but I know others that have and they loved it.
Learn from Others
Exchange tips and recipes with other home cooks. Have a friend that has an amazing recipe? Snag it. Know someone that is great with meal prep? Get their tips! You might discover new, efficient ways of preparing meals or budget-friendly ingredient substitutions. I have a friend that knows all the ways to save and I love getting tips from her.
Implement and Adjust
Implementing these tips, then adjusting them according to YOUR lifestyle, can significantly save you time and money. Remember, the key is to find a balance that works for your lifestyle and preferences. I think my biggest tip is to implement one strategy, or two, and when you become comfortable with it, add another. With practice, you’ll develop a system that allows you to enjoy home-cooked meals without sacrificing too much time or breaking the bank.
By combining smart planning, efficient cooking techniques, and the creative use of ingredients, you can create a rhythm of delicious, cost-effective, and time-saving meal preparation. Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent juggling multiple responsibilities like homeschooling and multiple kids activities, or simply someone looking to optimize their cooking routine, these tips can help you achieve your goals while keeping both your schedule and budget in check.
Happy cooking!
