Between juggling work, family, and everything else life throws at you, cooking at home can start to feel like a chore. But it doesn’t have to. A few small changes to your routine can make meal prep smoother, quicker, and even a bit more enjoyable. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a household, these simple time-saving tips can help you reclaim your evenings without giving up real food.

Plan Before You Cook

The biggest time-waster in the kitchen isn’t chopping onions — it’s indecision. Standing in front of the fridge wondering what to cook, checking the pantry three times, or realising halfway through that you’re missing a key ingredient? We’ve all been there. By spending just five minutes to read through a recipe and gather all your ingredients, you can avoid unnecessary stops and starts.

Planning also means prepping smartly. If you’re making a stir-fry, chop your veg before heating the pan. Cooking pasta? Get the sauce started while the water boils. The more you can stack your steps and work efficiently, the less time you’ll spend on dinner overall.

Use One-Pot Recipes

Fewer dishes mean less cleanup, and that alone can shave 20 minutes off your total cooking time. One-pot meals are the unsung heroes of weeknight cooking. They’re quick, convenient, and surprisingly versatile. Think hearty soups, stews, pasta bakes, risottos, or even curries — all of which can be cooked start to finish in a single pan.

You don’t have to sacrifice flavour or variety, either. You can still layer herbs, spices, and textures in one-pot meals. The trick is to build your flavours in stages — sauté aromatics first, add your proteins next, and finish with vegetables or grains. One-pot doesn’t mean one-note.

Chop in Bulk

Prepping ingredients in batches is one of the best habits any home cook can develop. Instead of pulling out the chopping board every night, take some time once or twice a week to prep commonly used items. Dice onions, mince garlic, slice carrots, or shred cheese — then store them in airtight containers in the fridge.

Even better, freeze what you can. Pre-chopped capsicum or spinach freezes well and can be tossed straight into hot pans. Not only does batch chopping save time, but it also makes you more likely to cook when you’re tired — because most of the work is already done.

Clean As You Go

Nobody likes ending a good meal with a sink full of dishes and a greasy benchtop. That’s why cleaning as you go is such a valuable habit. While you’re waiting for something to simmer or bake, take a minute to rinse out bowls, wipe down surfaces, or stack the dishwasher.

This isn’t just about tidiness — it’s about mental space. A messy kitchen can feel chaotic, which slows you down and makes cooking less enjoyable. Keeping things orderly while you work keeps you focused and efficient.

Invest in Time-Saving Tools

You don’t need to splurge on the latest kitchen gadgets, but a few smart investments can genuinely speed things up. A good-quality knife cuts more efficiently (and safely), while a food processor makes short work of chopping, slicing, or blending. A digital rice cooker can save you from burning a pot of rice while juggling other dishes.

Even smaller tools like a garlic press, salad spinner, or mandoline slicer can have a big impact. Think of these tools not as luxuries, but as time-saving allies that help you cook better, faster, and with less stress.