Short & Sweet: Quick Food Hacks for Busy Days
When time is tight, these quick food hacks will help you get meals on the table fast. Whether you’re prepping for a busy workday or just trying to make cooking easier, these tips and tricks will save you time and effort. Let’s dive into some clever food hacks for busy days!
1. Pre-Chop Your Veggies
One of the easiest ways to save time during the week is by pre-chopping your vegetables. Spend a few minutes prepping your veggies ahead of time, store them in the fridge, and you’ll be ready to toss them into any dish when mealtime comes. Learn more about the benefits of pre-chopping veggies.
2. Use Rotisserie Chicken
Instead of cooking chicken from scratch, grab a rotisserie chicken from the store. It’s already cooked and can be used in a variety of recipes like salads, sandwiches, tacos, and more. Find more ways to use rotisserie chicken in this rotisserie chicken recipe collection.
3. Freeze Leftover Herbs
Don’t let your fresh herbs go to waste. Freeze leftover herbs in an ice cube tray with olive oil or butter. You can pop them into a pan whenever you need them to add flavor to your dishes. Check out how to properly freeze herbs for later use.
4. Cook Once, Eat Twice
Double up on recipes when you’re cooking so you can cook once, eat twice. Leftovers are a great way to save time throughout the week. Make extra portions of dinner and enjoy them for lunch or dinner the next day. Here are some easy recipes that are perfect for meal prep.
5. Quick Garlic Peeling Hack
Peeling garlic can be tedious, but with this simple hack, you can do it in seconds. Place the garlic cloves in a jar, close the lid, and shake vigorously. The skins will come right off! Learn more about this and other garlic peeling hacks.
6. Use Frozen Vegetables
Frozen vegetables are a time-saver and are just as nutritious as fresh ones. Keep a variety of frozen veggies on hand for quick stir-fries, soups, and side dishes. Learn more about the benefits of frozen vegetables.
7. Batch Cook Grains
Cooking grains like rice or quinoa can be time-consuming, but if you batch cook your grains ahead of time, you’ll have them ready for the week. Store them in the fridge and add them to your meals as needed. Check out this guide to batch cooking grains.
8. Make Smoothie Packs
Smoothies are a quick and healthy option, but prepping them each day can take time. Create smoothie packs by placing your smoothie ingredients (fruit, greens, etc.) in freezer bags ahead of time. Just toss them in the blender with your choice of liquid when you're ready to go. Here’s how to make smoothie packs for easy breakfasts.
9. Use a Slow Cooker or Instant Pot
If you don’t have time to stand over the stove, use a slow cooker or Instant Pot to prepare meals. These kitchen tools allow you to cook dinner with minimal effort. Check out these slow cooker recipes and Instant Pot recipes for busy days.
10. Keep Pre-Cooked Proteins Handy
Having pre-cooked proteins like grilled chicken, tofu, or hard-boiled eggs ready to go can save you loads of time during the week. Add them to salads, grain bowls, or wraps for a quick and easy meal. Learn more about meal prepping your proteins here.
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Conclusion
These quick food hacks will help you save time and simplify your meal prep on even the busiest days. With a few simple tricks, you’ll find cooking to be quicker and easier. Don’t forget to check out our Short Food Hacks playlist for more time-saving tips!