Kitchen Gadgets That Make Weeknight Dinners Faster
Most weeknight cooking time goes to chopping, waiting, and washing up. A short routine and a few well-chosen tools take care of a lot of that.
Step by step
1. Prep once, cook three times
Chop onions, peppers, and herbs for two or three meals on Sunday and store them in clear containers so you can see what you have.
2. Pick one-pan meals
Sheet-pan and skillet dinners mean one thing to wash. Line the pan with parchment for even less cleanup.
3. Use the right cutting setup
A large, stable board and a sharp knife are faster than any gadget. Put a damp towel under the board to stop it sliding.
4. Clean as you go
Fill the sink with hot soapy water before you start and drop tools in as you finish with them.
Helpful finds
Vegetable chopper
Dices onions and peppers in seconds. Look for dishwasher-safe parts and more than one blade size.
Check price on Amazon →Glass meal prep containers
Oven- and microwave-safe, and you can see what's inside. Check that the lids are leak-proof.
Check price on Amazon →Instant-read thermometer
Takes the guesswork out of chicken and pork so you don't overcook it. A reading in 3 seconds or less is ideal.
Check price on Amazon →Rimmed sheet pans
A half-sheet aluminum pan is the workhorse for one-pan dinners. Thicker pans warp less.
Check price on Amazon →Common questions
What kitchen gadget saves the most time?
For most people, a vegetable chopper or a good chef's knife saves the most time, since chopping is the slowest part of weeknight cooking.
How long does chopped produce last in the fridge?
Most chopped vegetables keep 3 to 5 days in a sealed container. Onions and peppers last well; leafy herbs last longer wrapped in a damp paper towel.
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