Getting an incredible, damn near restaurant-quality meal on the table during the week can feel downright impossible. Yes, even for me, and cooking/recipe development is literally my job. Between juggling work deadlines, shuttling kids to and from activities, keeping up with social engagements, and trying to carve out a moment for yourself, the thought of cooking dinner can feel like just another mountain to climb. And let’s not even talk about how it’s usually women who end up bearing the brunt of the cooking.

Exhausting, right? But here’s the thing—with the right steps (and recipes, ahem), it doesn’t have to be so overwhelming. These five kitchen hacks are my go-to tricks for making weeknight cooking easier, faster, and way less stressful.

1. Pick Your Recipes and Plan Your Menu

Set aside one day a week to figure out what’s for dinner. For me, Sundays are perfect. I grab my coffee, hop on Pinterest, scroll through social media, or flip through my favorite cookbooks and blogs. From there, I plan the menu for the week. My main criteria?

• Use what you’ve got: What’s about to expire in the fridge?
• Keep it realistic: What will my kids actually eat (or at least try)?
• Know your limits: How much time and energy will I realistically have after a long day?

Once I’ve picked the meals, I jot them down on a menu board on my fridge. Bonus points if it keeps the “What’s for dinner?” questions to a minimum.

2. Grocery Shop (or Order Online) in One Go

Once you have your menu, make your shopping list. I like to tackle the grocery run right after planning the menu—it keeps everything fresh in my head. Prefer online grocery shopping? Even better. Place your order and schedule a delivery or pick-up. Either way, getting all your ingredients in one shot saves time and sets you up for a stress-free week.

3. Do Some Prep Work in Advance

Here’s where you can save a ton of time during the week. Set aside an hour or two (maybe on the same day you plan your menu?) and prep a few key ingredients:

• Chop onions and garlic in bulk with your food processor.
• Use your pressure cooker to make a big batch of rice—freeze any leftovers for later.
• Boil potatoes, drain them, and store them in the fridge; they’ll keep for 3-5 days.

Little things like this make a huge difference when it’s 6:30 PM, the kids are hangry, and you just need dinner now.

4. Take Shortcuts Without Guilt

Who says everything has to be made from scratch? Some of my favorite kitchen shortcuts include:

• Picking up a rotisserie chicken.
• Using jarred marinara sauce (add fresh herbs or spices to zhuzh it up).
• Buying pre-chopped veggies (fresh or frozen) if you’re really in a pinch.

Shortcuts like these can be lifesavers on hectic weeknights. Give yourself some grace—taking help where you can is smart, not lazy.

5. Bookmark, Print, and Read Your Recipes

Don’t make dinner harder than it needs to be. Bookmark or print the recipes you’ll be using and actually read them ahead of time. It saves you from realizing halfway through that you’re out of an ingredient or need to marinate something for three hours. Preparation = peace.

Cooking during the week doesn’t have to be a marathon. With a little planning and a few shortcuts, you can get meals on the table faster and with way less stress. These hacks have been game-changers for me, and I hope they can be for you too. What’s your go-to tip for making weeknight cooking easier? Share it in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!

‍

‍