There are plenty of cooking hacks that can help you save time in the kitchen and reduce the number of dishes you need to clean. We all know that cooking at home is a great way to eat healthier and save money, but one of the biggest challenges can be the time and effort it takes to clean up afterward. From pots and pans to cutting boards and measuring spoons, the dishes can quickly pile up.
Here are some of the best cooking hacks to save time and cut down on cleanup so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your meals.
1. One-Pot Meals
One of the easiest ways to cut down on dishes is to cook everything in one pot or pan. Whether you’re making soups, stews, casseroles, or stir-fries, one-pot meals are a game-changer. They’re easy to prepare, and you only need one cooking vessel to clean afterward.
Tip: Invest in a good-sized Dutch oven or a large skillet for versatile one-pot meals. You can cook grains, proteins, and vegetables in the same pot!
2. Use Sheet Pans for Roasting
Roasting vegetables, meats, and even potatoes on a sheet pan is an excellent way to cook everything at once while minimizing cleanup. Simply line the sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup, and toss your ingredients with oil and seasonings.
Tip: Try “sheet pan dinners,” where you roast your protein (like chicken or fish) and vegetables together on the same pan. It’s a simple way to make a full meal with little effort and few dishes. It’s a great way to seperate the veggies that your kiddos aren’t thrilled about.
3. Use a Slow Cooker or Instant Pot
Both slow cookers and Instant Pots are kitchen appliances that can save you time, energy, and dishes. The slow cooker is hands down one of my favorite cooking hacks. I prep the meal the night before and stick it in the fridge. First think in the morning I start it and walk away. The house smells delicious and dinner is hot when you’re ready! These versatile tools allow you to throw in all your ingredients, set the timer, and let the appliance do the work. You can cook everything from soups and stews to chicken and rice—all in one pot.
Tip: Slow cookers and Instant Pots are great for meal prepping too! You can cook in bulk and have leftovers for the week, saving you time on cooking and cleaning up. You can even store it in the frigde in the same pot. No storage containers to clean. Yay!
4. Cook in Bulk and Use Leftovers
Cooking in bulk is an excellent time-saver and reduces the need for daily cooking. Make a big batch of soup, chili, or stew and store it in the fridge or freezer for later meals. This not only saves time but also reduces the number of times you need to clean pots and pans. Noticing a trend here?
Tip: Repurpose leftovers into new meals. Leftover roasted vegetables can become a filling for tacos, or yesterday’s chicken can be used in a stir-fry.
5. Prep Ingredients in Bulk
Spend a little time on the weekend prepping ingredients for the week. Chop vegetables, marinate meats, and portion out grains. Prepping ahead of time reduces the amount of time you’ll spend cooking each day and minimizes the need for constant dishwashing. I fell in love with the once-a-week or even once-a-month freezer meal technique, but for me they were not practical. A few meals at a time ensures that I always have something ready, but as a busy mom, I found it took up the bulk of my day plus cleanup when I attempted these methods. Let me know in the comments below if you’ve tried this. What was your experience.
Tip: Store your prepped ingredients in airtight containers to keep them fresh throughout the week.
6. Use Foil and Parchment Paper for Easy Cleanup
When baking or roasting, lining pans with foil or parchment paper is an easy way to avoid scrubbing them afterward. You can use these liners to bake everything from cookies to roasted vegetables without worrying about a mess.
Tip: Double-line pans with parchment paper for extra easy cleanup when baking sticky foods like brownies or cakes.
7. Clean As You Go
It might sound simple, but cleaning up as you cook can save you a lot of time and effort later. This has been a game changer for me. While your food is cooking, take the opportunity to wash dishes or wipe down counters. By the time your meal is ready, you’ll have already taken care of some of the cleanup. It’s the best!
Tip: Keep a clean dish towel or sponge nearby to quickly wipe up any spills or messes as they happen.
8. Minimize Prep Tools
Try to limit the number of utensils and kitchen tools you use while cooking. For example, use a single knife for chopping all your vegetables, or cook everything in one pan if possible. By using fewer tools, you’ll have fewer dishes to wash afterward. I quickly take stock of everything I will need to prep a meal, and try to devise ways to do it with the least amount of dishes possible. For example mix your pancakes in a container that has a spout. You just saved yourself a bowl and a cup to mix and pour.
Tip: Consider investing in a high-quality knife set so you don’t need to switch between multiple knives during prep.
9. Use Cast Iron
Cast iron is a game-changer when it comes to easy cleanup. With a good-quality cast iron pan, you can cook eggs, pancakes, or sauté vegetables without worrying about food sticking to the surface. This not only makes cleaning up easier but also cuts down on the need for excess oil or butter.
Tip: Wipe out when done, and keep dry.
11. Prepare Salads and Sides in One Bowl
Instead of making separate bowls for each side dish, consider preparing salads or side dishes in the same bowl you’ll serve them in. For example, you can toss a salad in a large mixing bowl, then serve it directly from there to avoid dirtying extra dishes.
Tip: Keep your side dishes simple—think roasted vegetables, simple salads, or fruit bowls that don’t require extra equipment.
11. Invest in Multi-Use Kitchen Tools
Some kitchen gadgets serve multiple purposes, making them perfect cooking hacks for saving time and space. For example, a food processor can chop, slice, and grate all in one, reducing the number of tools you need. A blender can be used for smoothies, soups, sauces, and even mixing batters. I love an emersion blender and a mini-blender. I have the Nutribullet. I find I use these much more than my full-size blender. I honestly have not used it since I purchased the other two.
Tip: Choose multi-functional tools that will make meal prep faster and keep your kitchen less cluttered.
Your Turn to Try These Hacks
Cooking at home doesn’t have to be time-consuming or result in a mountain of dishes. By using these cooking hacks, you can save time in the kitchen, minimize cleanup, and enjoy home-cooked meals more often. From one-pot meals to using the microwave, these strategies will help you streamline your cooking routine and make mealtime easier.
Which cooking hack will you try next? Share your favorite time-saving tips in the comments below!
If you find any of these hacks helpful, or have tips of your own, I would love it if you would tag me on Instagram with to share.
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