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Discover clever kitchen hacks to save time, reduce waste and cook smarter. From prep shortcuts to storage tips, learn everyday tricks that make cooking easier.

Kitchen Hacks: Clever Cooking Tips & Time-Saving Tricks

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Smart tricks to save time and boost everyday cooking in Aussie kitchens

Kitchen hacks

Ready to level up everyday cooking? Kitchen hacks focus on simple, practical tips that make time in the kitchen quicker and more efficient. From prep shortcuts to smarter ways to use tools and ingredients, these guides bring together techniques that improve results without adding extra steps.<br><br>
Explore clever ideas that help reduce waste, save time and make daily meals easier to prepare in real home kitchens around Australia.


Discover useful kitchen hacks from HelloFresh

Discover [kitchen hacks](https://www.hellofresh.com.au/stories/kitchen-hacks) that make the big difference! From clever shortcuts to smart ingredient swaps, explore easy ways to cook, prep, and store like a pro.

Kitchen hacks articles

## Everyday kitchen shortcuts

Time is precious, and these days, spending hours in the kitchen just isn't practical. One of the best ways to get ahead is by batch cooking. With a bit of preparation, you can keep a supply of meals in the freezer, ready to go whenever you need one. 

Learn from the French and make [mise en place](https://www.hellofresh.com.au/stories/kitchen-hacks/mise-en-place) part of your cooking routine. This means preparing ahead of time, so before you turn the heat on, set out all the ingredients you'll need for a recipe. Wash, peel, dice or grate anything that needs to be prepped. By adopting this as part of your routine, you'll never have to panic about missing ingredients or needing extra time to chop your veg while your garlic burns.

## Tools, techniques and smart habits

One of the biggest problems for many cooks is clutter. It's easy to fall into the trap of buying dozens of gadgets that just gather dust — and that makes cooking more difficult and time-consuming, as you search your cupboards for the tools you need. A cluttered kitchen can also get dirty easily, and vital packages of food could disappear behind piles of gadgets.

To simplify matters, you need to streamline your cooking equipment. Choose a few basic items of [non-toxic cookware](https://www.hellofresh.com.au/stories/kitchen-hacks/non-toxic-cookware) — just a frying pan, a large saucepan and a small saucepan may be enough — for frying, [sautéing](https://www.hellofresh.com.au/stories/kitchen-hacks/sauteing-101), and preparing dishes like pasta and rice. Decide which [knife types](https://www.hellofresh.com.au/stories/kitchen-hacks/kitchen-knife-types-explained) you really need, and avoid single-function gadgets unless you're genuinely going to use them on a regular basis.

## Making ingredients go further

Before you go shopping, always check what you already have in the pantry. Use ingredients in different ways, so you don't get bored of them. For example, you might find that you have a glut of asparagus. A variety of [asparagus recipes](https://www.hellofresh.com.au/recipes/vegetarian-recipes/asparagus) lets you ring the changes and try new things.

Store all your food carefully, either in the fridge or in a cupboard. You can even try stock rotation, using up ingredients in order. Pay particular attention to [egg freshness](https://www.hellofresh.com.au/stories/kitchen-hacks/check-egg-freshness). Use fresh eggs for poaching and frying, and older ones for baking and mixing into sauces. You may be surprised to realise that older eggs are actually better than very fresh eggs for boiling.

## Kitchen hacks that support meal planning and routines

Planning meals in advance can be a bit of a faff at first, but it's incredibly helpful. Some people like to keep a two or three-week rotation of their favourite dishes, while others prefer to experiment with new meals. You might find it easier if you keep a vague schedule in mind: [tofu recipes](https://www.hellofresh.com.au/recipes/vegan-recipes/tofu) for meatless Mondays, fish on Fridays, roast on Sundays, and so on.

Incorporate leftovers into your planning, too. You can make planned leftovers, deliberately cooking more portions than you need, which can be used for lunches or kept in the freezer. Be sure to label any leftovers that you freeze, or you may find yourself a month down the line staring at a tub of something mysterious!

## Kitchen organisation and setup tips

Organise your kitchen by keeping the items you use most close to hand. You don't want to waste time searching for salt or oil on a weekday evening. 

* **Clear out your cupboards** regularly, looking for half-empty packets and forgotten tins.   
* **Keeping a stock list** doesn't take up much time and can make a huge difference, as it stops you from buying unnecessary duplicates.   
* **Subscribing** to a [meal kit delivery](https://www.hellofresh.com.au/meal-kits) service can help, as you’ll receive the right amount of ingredients you need.

Leftovers in the fridge should be stored in airtight containers. Keep your fridge well-organised — again, watching out for any items that you haven't used in a long time. Practising freezer rotation is another good habit to get into. Frozen food doesn't keep forever. You should generally aim to use up frozen meals within two to three months, whether batch-cooked or leftovers.

## Building confidence using kitchen hacks at home

The term *kitchen hacks* may conjure up ideas of crazy chefs using unconventional tools and wacky methods, but in fact, they're simple, everyday steps you can take for easier, stress-free cooking. Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all method. Experiment with different hacks to see what suits you, developing your own kitchen routine over time with your own preferences for [meal prep](https://www.hellofresh.com.au/stories/meal-prep) and organisation.

With a bit of time and patience, these hacks can take away your worst kitchen headaches, and you can discover just how relaxing cooking can be.

## Kitchen hacks FAQs

### What are some of the best kitchen hacks?

The best kitchen hacks tend to focus on organisation and preparation. For example, prepare all the ingredients you need for a recipe before you start, laying them out on the counter, peeled, chopped and ready to go.

### Do kitchen hacks help save time when cooking?

Yes, the best kitchen hacks certainly can save time. Many top kitchen hacks involve advance preparation, like batch cooking or planned leftovers. Doing this means you'll just need to quickly reheat meals for midweek dinners.

### How can kitchen hacks help during hotter months?

In warmer months, kitchen hacks often focus on reducing heat and prep time. Using no-cook meals, quick stovetop recipes, and prepping ingredients earlier in the day can make everyday cooking more comfortable when temperatures are high.

### Can beginners use kitchen hacks?

Yes, kitchen hacks don't need any kind of expertise or chef qualifications. In fact, novices should start out by following simple kitchen hacks, like mise en place or [BBQ menu planning](https://www.hellofresh.com.au/stories/occasional-kitchen/bbq-menu-planning), so they develop good habits from the start.

### Can kitchen hacks help reduce food waste?

Yes. Many kitchen hacks focus on using up leftovers and knowing exactly what food you already have in the kitchen, so you avoid buying duplicates. Organisation in the kitchen is the best way to cut down on unnecessary waste. Getting HelloFresh [meals delivered](https://www.hellofresh.com.au/about/delivery-areas) is the ultimate way to reduce food waste since you get ideal portion sizes.

### Do you need special tools or equipment for kitchen hacks?

Not usually. In fact, kitchen hacks often give you fresh ideas to prepare meals without extra equipment. Cluttering up your kitchen with a lot of single-use gadgets and tools won't help you stay organised or feel calm while you cook.

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