[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/saving-and-budgeting\/cooking-on-a-budget\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/saving-and-budgeting\/cooking-on-a-budget\/","headline":"51 Money Saving Cooking Tips and Kitchen Hacks You Have to Try","name":"51 Money Saving Cooking Tips and Kitchen Hacks You Have to Try","description":"Food buying, storing, preparation, cooking, eating and cleaning can significantly dip into our funds...","datePublished":"2018-12-18","dateModified":"2022-08-24","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/author\/logan-allec\/#Person","name":"Logan Allec, CPA","url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/author\/logan-allec\/","identifier":4,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6e74dd0453a5871d1dcfde6d40d9494765ca8bfdb01927cefee4564d4bee9075?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6e74dd0453a5871d1dcfde6d40d9494765ca8bfdb01927cefee4564d4bee9075?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Money Done Right","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Money-Done-Right-Personal-Finance-and-Investing-Blog.png","url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Money-Done-Right-Personal-Finance-and-Investing-Blog.png","width":488,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/money-saving-cooking-tips.jpg","url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/money-saving-cooking-tips.jpg","height":483,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/saving-and-budgeting\/cooking-on-a-budget\/","commentCount":"1","comment":[{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/saving-and-budgeting\/cooking-on-a-budget\/#Comment1","dateCreated":"2023-03-01 16:50:09","description":"I have a great kitchen hack to share. \r\nTo avoid having to clean between the \"squares\" on your meat tenderizer - Slip on a zip lock snack bag before pounding your meat. Easy cleanup!","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Helen Stone","url":""}}],"about":["Saving Money"],"wordCount":2673,"keywords":["schema"],"articleBody":"Food buying, storing, preparation, cooking, eating and cleaning can significantly dip into our funds every week.Make the most of what you buy with these 51 time and money saving hacks and money saving cooking tips you can use while food shopping, preparing a meal, or generally maintaining your kitchen space.Table of ContentsToggleSave Money in the KitchenPreparation-Based Money Saving HacksFood Storage HacksHow to Salvage Not Throw AwayUse Every Last Little BitTips to Remember While ShoppingMaximize Your Freezer\u2019s PotentialTime Saving Kitchen HacksMoney Saving Cooking Tips and Kitchen Hacks You Have to TrySave Money in the Kitchen1. Use Clean Energy, Make Cash BackOur first tip is to be aware of the energy you\u2019re using in the kitchen.With Arcadia Power, you can connect your utility (without cost or changing your utility plan) and they let you know when your energy is the cleanest. They also notify you when it\u2019s dirty.If you minimize energy use at that time, then they will give you cash back payments and a change to win prizes. A win for you and the environment!2. Install Smart FeaturesA useful hack is to install smart features such as thermostats, cameras, doorbells, alarm systems, and smoke or CO2 alarms.With Nest, you can monitor these devices right from your phone, meaning that if your hands are full in the kitchen, you can still see what\u2019s going on in the rest of the house.3. Save Money with Renewable EnergyYou can support renewable energy projects at no extra cost.Think of this: You\u2019re whipping up a family meal in the kitchen when your phone buzzes.It\u2019s Arcadia Power letting you know a lower rate of clean energy is available. You can make the switch in minutes and automatically save money with $0 in fees.4. Use Someone Else\u2019s KitchenAre you planning to have a small dinner party or event?Why not rent an Airbnb for a night and use someone else\u2019s bigger kitchen, with possibly more dishware and server ware?This saves you time cleaning your place before people come over (the Airbnb host will clean beforehand) and renting or buying more items to host.Airbnb is also a great money saving opportunity if you become a host.Whether you go out of town and leave your house empty for a while or have an extra property that\u2019s just sitting empty, consider renting it out for extra income.Preparation-Based Money Saving Hacks5. Have a Shopping ListOne of the best money saving hacks is to make a shopping list before you go shopping, then stick to it.This prevents you from wandering the aisles, picking up items you don\u2019t really need.6. Make a Meal PlanOne of the most well-known money saving cooking tips and hacks is to make a meal plan, preferably for an upcoming week.While it may be difficult for some, for those that do plan their meals, it can be a way to make sure nothing in the kitchen is being wasted.By making a plan, you can also determine which groceries to buy beforehand and avoid spending on unnecessary items.7. Read the Recipe WellFor those of us cooking with a recipe, we may scan it for pertinent details then get right into the process.But how many times do we make mistakes or botch the recipe, wasting food?Instead, one of our best money saving cooking tips is to actually read the recipe all the way through.8. Prep in AdvanceWash, cut, and store veggies and starches you are going to use for the week\u2019s cooking on the weekend.That way, you don\u2019t need to do that during the week, saving time and energy after a long day at work.Food Storage Hacks9. Increase Banana Shelf-LifeThis is an insanely easy kitchen hack you have to try.Take a bunch of bananas and pick them apart. Wrap the open tops in plastic wrap.It sounds weird, but it keeps them from becoming brown for much longer!10. Keep Your Cheese Fresh LongerWe\u2019ve all had those blocks of cheese that were more like bricks.To keep cheese from drying out, rub it with butter or non-stick cooking spray then wrap it in plastic wrap. The oil prevents it from drying out.11. Keep Avocados GreenSave money in the kitchen by not wasting food.Store avocados with a cut onion. The onion\u2019s sulfur compounds prevent oxidation and will keep your avocados good for another one or two days.12. Keep Mushrooms from Drying OutPlace store-bought mushrooms into paper bags wrapped in damp paper towel.It will significantly extend their life by mimicking their natural environment.13. Know Your FridgeDid you know that the warmest part of the fridge is the door?Make sure to place items with the least chance of spoiling — condiments and non-dairy beverages — in the door to prevent spoiling and save money in the kitchen.14. Mind Your Fridge SpaceYou may not think of this when you think of food storage hacks, but it\u2019s actually really important to know.When a fridge is too full, it disrupts airflow and effective cooling.This means that food may go back faster.Plus, if you can\u2019t see all of your food then it also may lead to uneaten and expired waste.15. Flip OutOften, the jars in the outer part of the fridge (the warmer part) may get moldy over time.To prevent that, flip them upside down. The weight of their insides will create a seal and prevent mold.Just be sure the cover is on nice and tight!16. Place Apples and Potatoes TogetherYou may be surprised to know that apples and potatoes were meant to be together.Apples will actually keep potatoes from sprouting, thus increasing their shelf life.So, make sure to cuddle them up together in your pantry.17. Freshen UpHave you ever had onion or garlic that went moldy or soggy on the side it was resting on?Prevent that by storing onions and garlic in breathable, ideally hangable, containers such as mesh shopping bags.How to Salvage Not Throw Away18. Don\u2019t Throw Away Limp VeggiesOften, we throw away veggies — especially lettuce, spinach, salad greens \u2013 because they are limp.The true money saving hack is that you only need to put them in water! Most likely they became dehydrated after being cut.19. Soften Hard Brown SugarWe\u2019ve all opened up our brown sugar and seen a brown brick.To help soften it back to normal, microwave it with a damp paper towel for 20 seconds. Or, toss in a marshmallow or two.20. Check for Bad EggsIt can be hard to know if an egg has gone bad.Save money in the kitchen by placing an egg in a bowl of water.If it sinks to the bottom, it\u2019s okay. If it floats, then you\u2019ve got a rotten egg!21. Eat LeftoversIs there anything else to say about this one?It\u2019s not even really a cooking hack or tip, more like common sense. There\u2019s no need to waste good food!If you don\u2019t like the idea of eating the same thing over again, spruce it up by adding spices, cheese or other toppings, or use a different base such as rice, pasta, or wraps.22. Prune Your CeleryIf you trim the tops off your celery, it can keep them fresher for longer.Make sure to save the leaves to add to a salad.Use Every Last Little Bit23. Use Every Last DropMake sure to squeeze as much juice as you can out of lemons or limes.When you\u2019ve done that, pop the remains in a water pitcher and swirl it around. Voila, you get citrus-fresh flavored water!24. Buy a Tiny SpatulaWhen cooking at home, nothing is more annoying than when you have almost enough of an ingredient.Well, scrape that list bit out of any jar with a tiny spatula.25. Make Money-Saving DIY DressingHave a near-empty mayo or fake-mayo jar?Just add in some olive oil, vinegar, herbs and spices then shake well.That\u2019ll get every last bit out of the jar while providing a DIY salad dressing.26. Keep StockIf you didn\u2019t use all the stock in a can or bag, then freeze it for later.Pour it into cups or ice cube trays, pop them out and store in a plastic bag for easy access later. No need to waste money on new stock.27. Turn Leftovers into LunchIf you\u2019re already cooking, it is much easier to add in extra quantities than to start again from scratch.One of our favorite money saving cooking tips is to make extra portions then place them in lunch containers.Now you\u2019ve just saved yourself prep and cook time for at least another one or two meals!28. Make Stock in a Slow-CookerNow that you\u2019ve got a slow-cooker, you can actually make your own stock from leftover scraps (that have been in the freezer).Place veggies and\/or bones in with some water and let it simmer overnight for a robust stock you can use for further cooking.29. Keep the TopsDid you know that the green tops of beets, carrots and radishes are actually delicious?Use them in stir-fries, soups, or even as side dishes to minimize waste.30. When Life Gives You Stale Bread, Make CroutonsThe name says it all. Use stale bread to make croutons in this money saving kitchen tip.It works two ways: saving you from wasting edible food and saving you the money you would have spent on croutons.Croutons can be expensive!31. Warm the Honey PotHoney never goes bad — but it can crystallize.To return the crystals to liquid form, place the jar in the microwave or heat it in a pot of warm water on medium-low until the crystals soften.32. Whisk Up ButtermilkIf you\u2019ve got milk left or don\u2019t want to buy an entire buttermilk container, mix a cup of milk with one tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.Then just whisk and let it curdle into buttermilk.Tips to Remember While Shopping33. Look at DatesOne of the most popular money saving cooking tips is to check the expiration or \u201cuse by\u201d dates of an item at the store.Even look at the items at the back of the shelf. That\u2019s where they may store the newer items that would last longer on your shelf, meaning no expired food to be wasted!34. Get BulkyWhile buying perishable food in bulk doesn\u2019t make sense for most single people or smaller-family households, it does make sense for non-perishable items.Consider all of the items that are much cheaper to buy in bulk, such as toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, and canned goods.Maximize Your Freezer\u2019s Potential35. Freeze Seasonal FruitDo you love seasonal fruits like mangoes or pineapples?Here\u2019s a money saving hack to make sure you have your favorite fruits even in winter.Wash your favorite fruit then dab dry it (to prevent ice crystals from forming).Then, place it on a tray and freeze until frozen.Take out, place in a plastic bag and freeze. They\u2019ll be good for up to one year!36. Freeze HerbsKeep your herbs fresh with this food storage hack.If you have an abundance of herbs and don\u2019t want them to wilt and go to waste, place portions in ice cube trays with a little olive oil then freeze.Now you have perfect herb portions for future cooking endeavors, without paying any extra money.37. Utilize Your FreezerWhen making leftovers, consider freezing them for even longer-lasting easy meals.Some of the best foods to freeze include: chili, lasagna, spinach pie, pasta bakes, pot pies, soups, burritos, and enchiladas.Freezing future meals is one of the best money saving cooking tips.Time Saving Kitchen Hacks38. Forgo Mid-Bake FlippingFlipping food like roast veggies or fries in the oven can be a pain.Instead, use this time saving kitchen hack: heat your pan before putting the food on it so the food browns evenly. No flipping necessary!39. Ripen Fruit When You Need ItAvocados are the worst offenders here.Just get a paper bag and place unripe fruits in there at room temperature.They\u2019ll ripen faster (hopefully in time for that guacamole you want).40. Clean Along the WayAs you\u2019re cooking, if you have a moment or two before you need to do something, wash up a dish or pot that you just used.It\u2019ll add up and save lots of time later.41. Save Time with a Slow-CookerAn easy time saving kitchen hack is to invest in a slow-cooker.You can chuck items in the night before or in the morning and then just let it sit throughout the day.No extra effort required, and it\u2019ll be ready by dinner!42. Keep It SimpleWhile elaborate meals may be great for those with a lot of time on their hands, or for the weekend or special occasion, if you stick to simple meals for the weekdays it will save you a lot of time.Use similar ingredients but just vary sauces and spices to make meal prepping as easy as possible.Money Saving Cooking Tips and Kitchen Hacks You Have to Try43. Soak Dried BeansAnother of our favorite money saving cooking tips is to buy dry beans.They often come much cheaper than canned beans.The reason? They can\u2019t be used immediately.If you take the time to soak them overnight, you can use them the next day or toss them in the freezer to use any day.44. Peel Ginger Like a ProIf you\u2019re using a potato peeler to peel ginger, you\u2019re actually losing a lot of the good stuff.Instead, use a teaspoon edge. It works much better.45. Eat on Smaller PlatesEating on smaller plates makes it look like there\u2019s actually more food on the plate, compared to larger plates.This helps control portions and also limits overserving, which can lead to wasted food (and money).46. Use Basic MathWhile most of us don\u2019t cook at the extreme levels of souffl\u00e9, most of us do cook many items that need to be timed relatively right.For instance, if you\u2019re cooking a meal and you have items of varying levels of hardness\/prep then you need to start them at different times in order to finish all together.It takes some time to master, but using basic math working backward from the finish time can help keep you from burning, undercooking, or overcooking anything.47. Foam Milk EasilyNot all of us can have a fancy milk frother.Instead, fill a small jar with less than half milk, screw on the lid and shake it — a lot.When the milk has doubled in size, microwave for 30 seconds.48. Track Your TrashKeep track of what you throw out, so you know to buy less or none of it next time.49. Get Your Microwave Sparkling CleanTo loosen those hard, crusty bits that have been inhabiting your microwave for months now, fill a small bowl or sponge with water or lemon juice or both.Then microwave it. The steam and acidity will help soften up those pieces for easy cleaning.50. De-Stain Your Cutting BoardRub the stains right out by scrubbing them with salt, massaging it with half a lemon then rubbing a bit of oil on it in the end.It\u2019ll look like new.51. Buy a SpiralizerMany supermarkets sell zucchini pasta and so on.Make your own with a spiralizer and make healthy noodle alternatives without the added cost of fancy in-store brands.Save money and eat healthier!Are there any money saving cooking tips or kitchen hacks we should have included in our list but didn\u2019t? Share your favorite hacks in a comment below!"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Personal Finance","item":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Saving And Budgeting","item":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/\/saving-and-budgeting\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"51 Money Saving Cooking Tips and Kitchen Hacks You Have to Try","item":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/saving-and-budgeting\/cooking-on-a-budget\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]