Kitchen Hacks Everyone Should Know

Kitchen Hacks Everyone Should Know – There are all kinds of kitchen tips out there, but some stand out because they’re especially helpful—and we’re sharing those with you today! Below, you’ll find 15 must-know kitchen hacks that are both easy and practical.

I hope these hacks will improve various aspects of your life!

Milk Substitute

Try substituting your favorite coffee creamer flavor for milk in bread pudding recipes.

Cream cheese cut into cubes on a cutting board with knife

Quick Room Temperature Hack

What happens when you’re cooking and you realize the cream cheese or butter should be room temperature? To speed the process, cut the cream cheese or butter into small cubes, and it’ll come to room temperature much faster.

Did you also forget to set the eggs out to come to room temperature? Add 1 and 1/2 cups of water to a bowl. Heat the water in the microwave for 1 minute. Remove the bowl and place the eggs in water. Allow the eggs to sit in the water for 5 minutes. Booyah! Room temperature eggs!

Parchment Paper Cupcake Liners

If you don’t have a muffin tin or cupcake cups or molds, you can use parchment paper instead. Cut squares and press into your muffin tins.

Less Mess

Use a squeeze bottle for pancakes or funnel cakes. Simply clean out an empty ketchup or salad dressing bottle. Using a funnel, pour your batter into the bottle and replace the lid. Now it’s easy to squeeze out fun pancake designs. Start with simple forms like a snowman or Mickey Mouse.

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Kitchen Hacks Everyone Should Know

Fun Pancakes

You can also use a cookie cutter for a fun pancake design. Using the method above, squeeze the batter 1/4 inch thick into the center of a cookie cutter. You’ll want to spray the inside of the cookie cutter with non-stick spray first. Let the batter cook until brown and firm, remove the cookie cutter, and flip the pancake. Continue cooking until the second side is golden brown.

NO-stick Measuring Spoons and Cups

Measuring out molasses or honey can make a mess. Spray it with some cooking oil before you measure. The oil will make it slide off so that your measuring spoon is easy to clean.

Grate Cheese Easier

Make grating semisoft cheeses like mozzarella easy. Just put it in the freezer for about 30 minutes. It will be much easier to grate this way.

Additionally, spray the grater with non-stick vegetable spray for easier cleaning!

Don’t waste that wine

If you have wine that you know you’re not going to drink within a few days, you can still save it. Pour the wine out into an ice cube tray. Use the cubes in a cooking recipe, wine spritzer, or pitcher of sangria.

Make Powdered Sugar

Did you know you can make your own powdered sugar? Just pulverize granulated sugar in a spice grinder to make your own.

Keep Brown Sugar Soft

Brown sugar should be stored in an airtight container. Prevent brown sugar from clumping and hardening by placing an orange peel or apple slice inside the container.

…I’m not done yet, even MORE TIPS

Preserve Herbs

Remove the leaves from the herb stems and place them into ice cube trays. Fill the trays with water or olive oil, ensuring the herbs are fully covered.

Place the trays in the freezer until solid. When you’re ready to use the herbs, simply thaw a cube or add it to a hot dish.

Prevent food from drying out in the microwave.

Prevent food from drying out in the microwave when reheating by placing a cup of water next to your food.

Clean wood cutting boards

You can remove food residue and smells from your wooden chopping board by rubbing it with coarse salt and letting it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Cut a lemon in half and rub the cut side on the salt on the board.

Easily peel boiled eggs

Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to the water when boiling eggs, and the shells will slide off. Alternately, add a lemon wedge to the water when boiling eggs, and the shells will peel off easily!

Added even more Kitchen Hacks

Checking if Eggs Are Still Good

Fill a bowl with room temperature water and gently place an egg inside. Let it sit for a few minutes, then observe what happens:

If the egg lies flat at the bottom, it’s fresh.
If the egg is standing upright but still at the bottom, it’s not as fresh, but still okay to eat.
If the egg is floating halfway, it’s a week or more old and should be used soon.
If the egg rises to the top and floats, it’s likely spoiled and should be discarded.

Test for Pure Honey

Mix half a glass of water with a splash of vinegar, then drop in some honey. If the mixture starts to foam, the honey is not pure. If it doesn’t react at all, you’re likely working with pure honey.

Make Any Pan Act Like a Non-Stick Pan

Warm your pan over medium heat for a minute or two. Add a small amount of water—about two teaspoons—and listen. If the water sizzles and quickly evaporates, the pan isn’t hot enough yet. Let it heat a bit longer, then try again.

When the water rolls around the surface like a bead of mercury, it’s ready. Dump the water out, reduce the heat to low, wipe it dry, and add your oil. From here, your food will cook without sticking.

Cleaning a Burnt Pan with Vinegar

Got stuck-on burnt bits? Pour ¼ cup of vinegar into the pan along with a bowl of water. Let the pan soak for 20 to 30 minutes.

Once done, discard the liquid and sprinkle baking soda across the pan. Scrub it with a soft steel pad (avoid harsh scrubbers to prevent scratches). This method should loosen and lift the burnt-on residue.

Infographic displaying four pound cake recipes: Whipping Cream, Sour Cream, Miss Dot's, and Mile High, each with ingredients and a photo—plus Kitchen Hacks Everyone Should Know for perfect results every time. — Get all my pound cake recipes here.

Sanitizing Kitchen Sponges

To disinfect a sponge, place it in a bowl of undiluted vinegar. Let it soak for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. This helps eliminate odors and bacteria.

Ripen Avocados Quickly

Place an avocado in a paper bag with either a banana, kiwi, or apple. Fold the bag closed and let it sit at room temperature. These fruits give off ethylene gas, which helps ripen the avocado faster.

Remove Turmeric Stains

Fill the stained container with hot water and vinegar using a 2:1 ratio. If you’re cleaning a larger container, increase the quantities proportionally. Place the container in sunlight for a few hours.

The sun will naturally bleach out the yellow stains. Wash the container with dish soap the next day, and the stains should be mostly gone.

Removing Labels

In a small bowl, mix equal parts of oil (1–2 tablespoons) and baking soda. Stir until combined. Spread the paste over the label or sticker and let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes.

Use a gentle scrubber (steel wool works well here) to scrub off the label, then rinse with warm or plain water.

How to Make Clear Ice Cubes

Use distilled water for clear ice cubes.

Scrambled Eggs Trick for Fluffiness

Crack your eggs into a fine mesh sieve and allow the runny part of the egg white to strain through. Pour the remaining egg into your pan. This trick removes excess water and makes your scrambled eggs extra fluffy.

Get More Lemon Juice Easily

Instead of squeezing a lemon the usual way, stab the inside with a fork and twist while squeezing. This releases way more juice with less effort.

Make Coffee Ice Cubes

Pour brewed coffee into an ice cube tray and freeze it. When you’re ready for iced coffee, add the frozen cubes to a glass of milk or cold brew. As they melt, they won’t water down your drink.

Regrow Herbs from the Stems

Take stems of basil, mint, cilantro, or green onion and place the bottom half in a glass of water. Put the glass in a bright spot with indirect sunlight. Change the water every few days to avoid bacteria or mosquito larvae.

In 10 to 14 days, you’ll see roots starting to form. At that point, transfer the herb into soil with compost or fertilizer and continue growing it as you would any potted plant.