8 Time Saving Tips in the Kitchen

8 Time Saving Tips in the Kitchen

Through a survey I recently ran, when asked what your biggest frustration in the kitchen was, over and over again it was time. Time, time, time and lack of it!

I get it, having three young children of my own, I totally understand that we’re pulled in every direction after school taking them here there and everywhere, which leaves very little time for us to create what we want to in the kitchen. So I’ve put together these 8 time saving tips that might help you create a bit more routine and peace at meal times.

1. Keep a Well-Stocked Pantry

Keep your pantry stocked with items you’re always reaching for (canned tomatoes, brown rice, tomato paste, coconut cream, lentils and beans).

2. Organise your Shopping List

There’s nothing worse than getting to the end aisle of the supermarket, realising you’ve got to go back to the start. Organise your shopping list in a way that you enter the supermarket, so it’s fruit and vegetables first (if you buy them from the supermarket), meat, dairy and then your groceries.

3. Plan your Meals Ahead 

Create a meal planner of your meals for the week. If you haven’t already, download your FREE Meal Planner & A Stress-Free Week of Dinners to get you started so your whole family can know what is coming up.

4. Pre-Cut your Vegetables

You would have heard me say numerous times before to spend some time in the weekend getting prepared for your week ahead. Pre-cutting your vegetables and storing them in an airtight container saves a lot of time, and gives you snacks on hand. However, I would only do it for up to 3 days though as some vegetables can loose their crispness.

 5. Pre-Cut and Pre-Marinate your Meat

Pre-cut your meat into the desired portion sizes you need before freezing. You can even marinate it before freezing aswell, just make sure you squeeze as much air out as possible or using a vacuum sealer is perfect. Not only does this make the meal times quicker, but your meat will be much more tender too.

6. Prep in Advance Before you Start

If you haven’t pre-cut your vegetables previously, I recommend having all of your ingredients cut up ready to go on the bench before you start your actual meal.

7. Double and Freeze

There’s nothing more reassuring on those days that you get home at 5pm totally exhausted, knowing you can grab an already prepared meal out of the freezer, or get it out in the morning.

8. Have a few One Pot Meals in your Repertoire

One way to reduce dishes and therefore save time is to make some one pot meals, either using your slow cooker or your pressure cooker.

With winter approaching, soups are a perfect quick and easy dinner (or lunch) which are ideal to double and freeze. Try my Kumara, Lentil & Coconut Soup.

Starting on the 23rd of May, is the Wicked Wellbeing Kitchen Club, the ‘Four Week, Step-by-Step Meal Plan for Busy Parents’. Click here to find out more or keep an eye on your inbox for more information coming soon!

I’d love to know what other time saving tips help you in the kitchen. Please leave a comment below.