12 Kitchen Hacks That Will Make You Feel Like a Gourmet Chef

Navigating the kitchen can seem daunting, especially if it’s new territory for you. But in a shifting world where we spend more time in our homes than ever before, cooking has become a passion for many as they learn their way around the kitchen and master the art of whipping up something other than boxed mac and cheese.

In a study from HUNTER in December 2020, 54% of Americans reported cooking more than they did before the onset of the pandemic, and 42% of them said they find it more enjoyable than ever before. Half of the people cooking more said they are more comfortable in the kitchen, and another 28% said they are learning more and starting to build up their culinary confidence. 

In the spirit of honing your home cooking skills, we’ve got some kitchen hacks to add to your personal bag of tricks. From moist burgers to less mess, here are some of the best cooking hacks to help you level up in the kitchen.

1. Place Ice Cubes in Your Burgers

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Place an ice cube in the center of your burger patty for the perfect, juicy burger. As your burger cooks, the ice cube will melt and infuse moisture back into the meat. Don’t believe us? Well, Master Chef Graham Elliot swears by this trick—and how can you doubt someone with “Master” in their title? 

Add this ice cube tray to your next Gopuff order for the perfect cubes to plop into your burger.

2. Coat Your Hands in Vegetable Oil After Cutting Hot Peppers

If you’ve ever chopped up some hot peppers, you know the worst thing you can do after is touch your face. Next time you’re done chopping up something fiery, pour some canola or vegetable oil onto your hands, rub them together and then wash them with dish soap to rid your hands of any lingering capsaicin—that’s the chemical in peppers that brings the heat.   

Need some fresh knives to step up your chopping game? Add this Euro-Home Wooden Block Steak Knife Set to your next Gopuff order.

3. Freeze Herbs in Olive Oil to Use Later

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Do you find it difficult to use up all of those fresh herbs that just one recipe called for? Well, you can always save them for later. For this cooking hack, simply fill an ice cube tray with fresh chopped herbs and some olive oil, then freeze. You can also get creative and mix up combinations of herbs and shelve them for later, to toss into your favorite dishes whenever you’re ready. This outside-the-box kitchen hack will have you looking like a cooking pro. 

This Frigidaire Pop-Out Ice Tray is a great option for storing those herbs.

4. Chop Herbs Using a Pizza Cutter

Speaking of chopping up herbs, using a regular knife as a novice chef can leave you with uneven, inelegant chunks of herbs—or worse—a kitchen injury. Save your fingers and your recipe with this kitchen hack: Simply use a pizza cutter to chop up your herbs. Just roll it through your herbs until they’re the right size. Don’t forget to store those extras. 

5. Use a Muffin Tin to Organize Ingredient Prep

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All great chefs know you have to prep your ingredients before you start cooking. But as a novice, that can mean a lot of mess, and it can feel overwhelming. But we’re here to make your life a little easier. We recommend using a muffin tin to sort out all your prep ingredients. With this kitchen tip, you’ll be able to chop up the ingredients for the perfect stir fry and have them in one easy place to grab and toss right into the pan. 

Need a stir fry pan to toss those chopped veggies into? Grab this Euro-Home Stir Fry Pan with Glass Lid from Gopuff.

6. Freeze Vegetable Scraps for Stock

After you’ve chopped up your veggies and sorted them nicely in your muffin tin, gather the scraps and toss them into a freezer bag. These scraps will be perfect for creating stock to use the next time you’re making soup, rice or pasta.

If you’re leveling up your stock game, you can also upgrade your pans. Don’t forget the Euro-Home Non-Stick Pot With Lid when you place your next Gopuff order.

7. Peel Ginger With a Spoon

So, it turns out spoons are more than just your morning cereal delivery system. Save your patience and try peeling ginger with a spoon. It’s easier than you might think.

If you need some new spoons to give this a go, check out the Euro-Home S.S. Heavy Weight Cutlery Set and add it to your next Gopuff order. 

8. Use a Spoon as a Can Opener

OK, another cool use for a spoon. If you find yourself without a can opener at the worst possible time, try this trick and use a spoon to break through the top of a can. We will say, though, that this kitchen hack is a little risky—so if you find yourself without a can opener, just snag this Euro-Home Deluxe Can Opener on your next Gopuff order. 

9. Spray Measuring Spoons With Non-Stick Spray

If you’ve ever dealt with messy measuring spoons, you know how annoying it can be to get them clean. Make your life easier with this cooking hack: Just spray your measuring cups with some non-stick spray, and you’ll have a whole arsenal of mess-free spoons that’ll surely measure up to your expectations. 

If your old measuring spoons have had it, grab the Euro-Home Measuring Cup Set from Gopuff.

10. Shape Meatballs With an Ice Cream Scoop

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Shaping meatballs by hand is so old school. Would it blow your mind if we told you that you could shape perfect, round meatballs with an ice cream scooper? Well, it’s true. With this kitchen hack, your meatballs will be evenly sized and shaped so beautifully that people will think you got them pre-made.

To scoop out the most symmetrical meatballs you’ve ever seen, add this Ice Cream Scoop to your next Gopuff order—ice cream not included.

11. Roll Lemons and Limes Before Cutting

Before slicing into your citrus, roll the fruit between your counter and your palm. This will soften up your lemon or lime and make it easier to squeeze out the juices.

12. Cook Pasta in a Pan Instead of a Pot

If you’re like us and you hate messes (and, really, who doesn’t?), this one’s for you. Cook your pasta in a frying pan, and once it’s done, just toss in your sauce. Opting for a one-pot meal will save you time cooking and cleaning.  

The Euro-Home Fry Pan with Glass Lid is great for tossing in your favorite pasta and sauce. Don’t forget a Euro-Home Plastic Colander , too, for easy draining before you toss your sauce in.

Dear Amateur Chef: The kitchen is calling your name! If you’re looking for even more ways to hone your culinary craft at home, there’s always online cooking classes. If that sounds interesting, perfect—now you can impress your virtual chef teacher with these pro-level kitchen hacks. Or you could always just show off for your dog. Either way, we’re proud of you. 

If you’re looking for some staples to have on deck when the cooking bug bites, check out this list of must-have pantry items to conquer the culinary world.

Do you have the Gopuff app yet? Download it from the Apple Store or Google Play to make ordering even easier. Make sure to follow Gopuff on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!