Cooking on the Go: People Share Their Top Time-Saving Tactics

It's a fact of life that things can get pretty hectic at times. With the weight of different responsibilities to balance, such as taking care of kids or working a full-time job, preparing dinner may fall low on the priority list. However, there are numerous strategies for saving time and energy in the kitchen while still whipping up a filling, healthy, and tasty meal. Inquiring how individuals handle cooking on a daily basis while working a five-day week prompted some helpful responses. Here's what people shared. Tip 1: Photo by amirali mirhashemian on Unsplash "When I'm cooking pasta, I like to toss some veggies into the pot during the last few minutes of boiling. That way, the vegetables can soak up all the delicious starchiness of the pasta, which adds an extra layer of flavor to the dish. This little trick also turns many of my recipes into one-pot meals, which is a great way to save time and effort in the kitchen."—u/Krinklie Tip 2: "If you need to cook multiple items simultaneously in the oven, try dividing your sheet pan with foil. For example, if you want to roast chickpeas and potatoes, just create a thin wall using foil to separate them on the pan. This way, if one ingredient finishes cooking before the other, you can easily remove that section from the pan and continue cooking the remaining half. It's a great way to cook multiple dishes in one go, and it's especially helpful if you're not a fan of your foods touching."—Jesse Szewczyk Tip 3: Photo by Drew Taylor on Unsplash "As someone who values simplicity in meal planning, I typically stick to a straightforward approach for dinner. My go-to is to cook one type of protein (usually chicken) and pair it with one vegetable (such as roasted broccoli). I find that this approach works well for me and eliminates the need for anything more elaborate. By planning ahead and keeping things simple, I can enjoy a satisfying and nutritious meal without the stress of having to create a complicated recipe." —u/glendon24 Tip 4: frozen veggies "As a frequent frozen veggie eater, I encourage everyone not to fear them! They're just as nutritious as fresh produce, plus they have a longer shelf life and taste delicious if you cook them properly. My personal tip is to blanch them first before further preparation."—u/KeyboardRoller Tip 5: "Peeling and blending garlic is my secret to having fresh garlic on hand all the time. After purchasing garlic in bulk, I mince it in a blender or food processor before flattening it out in plastic bags and storing it in the freezer. This trick saves time and enhances the flavor of any dish you're preparing, surpassing any pre-packaged garlic from the grocery store."—u/ToothbrushGames Tip 6: This image is released under Creative commons CC by SA 3.0 - See page for more details "If you're cooking chicken breasts, I highly recommend pounding them to an even thickness beforehand. Doing this simple step makes sure they cook evenly and faster, giving you juicy and tender chicken every time!"—u/jenipants21 Tip 7: Now it's time for a martini, then we'll cook it up. "Mise en place has really helped me out in the kitchen. Cooking can be a stressful experience, but by organizing and preparing my ingredients beforehand, I feel much more in control and less frazzled. If you struggle with cooking stress, I highly recommend giving this method a shot!"—u/lunathecrazycorgi Tip 8: Photo by No Revisions on Unsplash "Keeping a record of the recipes I cook has been a game-changer for me in the kitchen. Whenever I make a new dish, I take note of the ingredients I used, how many servings it made, and any tips that might come in handy in the future. I even rate the recipes so I can easily remember which ones were worth making again. By doing this, I can experiment with changing a few variables at a time and improve upon the recipe. Whether I'm making the dish again in a month or a year, I'll have a foolproof record to follow."—Geoff Tip 9: "OMG, getting a food processor has been a game changer for me! At first, I thought it was a bit lazy, but now I can't imagine life without it. Chopping onions for my spaghetti sauce takes just 30 seconds and I don't even cry anymore. Plus, grating cheese for my lasagna doesn't make my arms ache and I can get every last bit without risking my fingers. Even when I need thin eggplant slices for my ratatouille, the food processor does it like a pro, making everything so easy and uniform."—u/sweetlady03 Tip 10: "Using a slow cooker is a great way to cook! It's incredibly easy - simply add all the ingredients to the pot, set it to low, and when you return home, your home smells amazing and dinner is almost ready. Plus, slow cooker recipes often make enough for leftovers, so you can enjoy two meals for the effort of just one!"—u/Raze321 Tip 11: Photo by Harry Grout on Unsplash "I'm all about cleaning as I cook. It's such a bummer to finish making a delicious meal and then be faced with a mountain of dirty dishes. I like to be proactive and start my cooking with an empty dishwasher, that way I can quickly load everything in as soon as I'm finished using it. This helps me stay organized and cuts down on post-dinner clean-up time!"—u/gamergirl007 Tip 12: "As someone who sometimes lacks the motivation or time to cook, I've come to depend on Trader Joe's three-ingredient meal ideas. I have a whole collection of them that I turn to whenever I need a quick, hassle-free meal. They're a total game-changer for me, and I highly recommend them to anyone who needs to simplify their cooking routine!"—Hannah Loewentheil Tip 13: Photo by Léo Roza on Unsplash "I rely on frozen chicken nuggets and pre-packaged salad kits from the grocery store that come with everything I need, including dressing. I cook the nuggets and add them on top of the salad, and it makes for a tasty, nutritious meal with protein, veggies, and healthy fats. It's one of my go-to meals when I want something quick, effortless, and delicious!"—violetbaudelairegt Tip 14: Photo by Ferks Guare on Unsplash "I make it a point to spend an hour on Sundays prepping ingredients that I know I'll be using throughout the week. It's not exactly meal prepping because I don't plan out the entire week's menu, but I'll boil some eggs, roast broccoli or sweet potatoes, or cook up a pot of brown rice. This way, I have these ingredients ready to go, and I can quickly put together meals throughout the week or pack them into convenient, on-the-go lunches."—Hannah Loewentheil Tip 15: "If you want to save time and minimize food waste, consider investing in a vacuum sealer. Whenever you cook a meal, ask yourself if it would freeze well as leftovers. Things like soups, stews, spaghetti sauce, and doughs all freeze beautifully, and can be a lifesaver on busy weeknights. Don't let your leftovers go to waste - seal them up and enjoy them later!"—u/Displaced_in_Space Tip 16: Photo by Julia Topp on Unsplash "Store ginger in the freezer and grate it directly into sauces, fried rice, and other dishes using a microplane or grater. Working with frozen ginger is more convenient."—u/brightblade13 Final Thoughts: In conclusion, cooking on the go doesn't have to be a daunting task. As we've learned from people's top time-saving tactics, a little planning, creativity, and simplification can go a long way in making meal prep and cooking easier, faster, and even enjoyable. From using meal kits and pre-chopped veggies to embracing one-pot dishes and using smart appliances, these tips can help you save time, money, and energy while still enjoying delicious, homemade food. So, whether you're a busy professional, a student on a budget, or a traveling foodie, there's always a way to cook on the go and satisfy your taste buds. Happy cooking!