18 genius cooking hacks using common household items you may already have in your home will save you both time and money.
Think you need expensive gadgets and special equipment to get cooking? Think again! With a little creativity, you can revolutionize your time in the kitchen using common household items you already have on hand. From ingenious tool swaps to clever prep shortcuts, these brilliant hacks will make you wonder how you ever cooked without them.
1. Paper Clip Taco Holder
No need for special taco trays! Simply unfold a sturdy paper clip to form two upright handles to cradle your taco while you load it up.
2. Speed Chilling Wine
No ice bucket? Just wrap a wet paper towel around the bottle and stick it in the freezer for 15 minutes for a super quick chill.
3. Waffle Iron Sandwich Press
Your trusty waffle iron makes the perfect panini press in a pinch. Use a light cooking spray to get foods crispy on both sides.
4. Apple Corer for Coring Peppers
Don’t have a pepper corer? Reach for an apple corer instead – it removes the core and seeds from bell peppers and jalapeños with zero fuss.
5. Pancake Batter Dispenser
Keep pancake mix lump-free by storing it in a repurposed ketchup bottle or sports drink bottle with a cap that controls the pour.
6. Oven-Steamer Using Ball Jars
Create a tiny steam oven by adding water and a heat-proof ramekin to any oven-safe ball jar with a lid. Perfect for baby food and meal prep!
7. Toothpick Egg Dipper Holders
No more runny egg mess! Poke a few toothpicks through hard-boiled eggs for handles that make them easy to grab and dip into sauces.
8. Hair Tie Keeping Bananas Fresh
Wrap a hair tie tightly around the banana stem to help slow down the release of ethylene gas that causes bananas to ripen too quickly.
9. Chopstick Tongs
Out of tongs? Grab two chopsticks to use as cooking tongs for easily flipping, grabbing and turning hot foods in pans and on the grill.
10. Foil Funnel for Spouts
Use aluminum foil to quickly form a funnel to neatly refill jars and bottles without making a mess of oil, vinegar, coffee and more!
11. Desk Clip Basting Brush
Don’t own a basting brush? A fold-back metal desk clip makes an awesome impromptu bristle brush to baste meats, breads and more.
12. Coffee Cup Egg Maker
Grab a mug, crack two eggs into it, scramble with a fork, microwave for a minute and boom – instant fast scrambled eggs!
18 genius cooking hacks, continued.
13. Wine Cork Bottle Opener
If you can’t get a grip on a stubborn jar lid, wedge the punched end of a wine cork underneath and twist for an instant non-slip opener.
14. Tea Towel Tortilla Warmer
Keep tortillas warm and pliable by putting them in a tea towel-lined insulated food delivery bag or wrapping them in the towel itself.
15. Iron for Grilled Cheese
Out of a panini press? Break out the iron – yes, the one you use for clothes! Preheat it and press down for crispy, evenly grilled sammies.
16. Bread Bags for Piping Bags
Out of piping bags for icing or savory sauces? Just fill a bread bag with your mix, snip off one corner and squeeze to easily pipe.
17. Paper Plate Microwave Lid
Fresh out of microwave splatter lids? Just use a paper plate to cover foods while nuking to avoid gunky messes.
18. Salad Spinner Sprinkler
No more overwatered plants! Use a salad spinner bowl to collect excess water and the basket as a sprinkler to gently distribute.
BONUS Tip
Don’t forget to save those used jars and lids for repurposing as needed for things like baking soda etc.
With these ingenious hacks using common household items like mugs, clips, jars and towels, you’ll be a kitchen MacGuyver in no time! Not only are these tricks ultra-convenient and money-saving, but they’re also great for adding a fun touch to cooking projects with kids. From scrambling eggs in a mug to grilling sandwiches with an iron, these hacks turn any kitchen task into an entertaining experience. Who needs expensive gadgets when you can work smarter, not harder? Get creative and have fun putting new spins on your everyday items!
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