Getting dinner on the table doesn’t always come down to skill. It usually comes down to time and energy. On busy nights, even simple meals can feel like too much work, which is why so many people rely on little shortcuts to make cooking easier.
Some of these hacks are clever, some are a little unconventional, and others might make a trained chef cringe. But they all have one thing in common: they get the job done faster with less effort.
In a recent Reddit thread, it was asked, "What 'lazy' food hack do you use way more than you should?" They went on to say that they use kitchen scissors for way too many things. Now they're curious about other kitchen hacks people use to save time and energy.
The responses
Over 600 people chimed in with their hacks and tips in the kitchen.
One person wrote, "Steamed broccoli comes out perfect in the microwave. Put in a cereal or soup bowl (ceramic) add about an inch of water. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Adjust to your liking. Super easy to do right before serving."
This is a great hack for when you don't want to spend forever getting your veggies.
Another said, "Bags of frozen diced up onions are a massive time saver. Can toss those on anything...and you don't get any onion smell on your hands."
These are actually super helpful and really affordable. They're in the frozen vegetable aisle at the grocery store, easy to grab and store for when you need them.
This person wrote, "Freezing any type of bread and then either air frying at 350 or microwaving for 20 seconds to completely and wholly bring it back as if it were freshly baked."
This is a great hack that works. You can pick up discounted bread and save money while using this, too.
This hack got a lot of upvotes. "If I'm only cooking a few slices of bacon, I'm doing it in the microwave. One piece of paper towel on the plate, 4-6 slices of bacon, cover with another piece of paper towel. And nuke it for about 1 min per slice. Extra crispy bacon every time."
Genius. Sometimes, we don't want to eat a whole pound of bacon. So a few slices are perfect.
Someone wrote, "I bought a giant roll of pre-sheet wax cooking paper. I use the sheets like plates, or it makes it easier when you clean after prepping."
This is super smart. It saves time with minimal effort.
Another said, "Add sugar to my ground coffee to brew sweet coffee."
Unique, but worth a try.
This person shared this hack. "Pick cilantro fast by using a fork, tines down, to “rake” thru leafy herbs - you’ll end up with a pile of leaves and bare stems!"
This is a simple hack that literally anyone can do. What a great way to get those leaves off quickly.
More lazy cooking hacks you’ll actually use
If those didn’t already make you want to rethink how you cook, here are even more low-effort kitchen shortcuts that save time and energy:
Use a muffin tin for portioning everything
Perfect for meal prep or even freezing leftovers in individual portions. No measuring later. Just grab and go.
Use store-bought rotisserie chicken for everything
Tacos, salads, wraps, soups, all perfect. You skip the cooking step entirely and still get a homemade feel.
Microwave garlic for 10 seconds to peel it fast
The skins slide right off, no sticky fingers or knife-smashing required.
Use parchment paper as a built-in “pan liner”
Line everything to avoid scrubbing later.
Crack eggs on a flat surface, not the bowl edge
Less shell mess, and it’s oddly faster once you get used to it.
Use a pizza cutter for everything
Cut pancakes and sandwiches using a pizza cutter. Way faster than a knife and fewer dishes.
Freeze leftover sauces in ice cube trays
Tomato sauce and even broth. Pop out what you need instead of defrosting a whole container.
Skip peeling potatoes (and carrots)
Just scrub well and cook. You save time, and you keep more flavor and nutrients.
Use deli paper or foil for “no-plate” meals
Wrap sandwiches or messy foods and skip dishes altogether.
These are the kinds of shortcuts that don’t make you a “lazy” cook. They just make you efficient. And on busy nights, that’s exactly what matters.
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