Skip to Content

49 Kitchen Secrets Guaranteed to Change the Way You Cook

From clever uses for leftovers to genius food storage solutions — these kitchen tips and tricks will help save you time and money.

By The Editors
This is an image
Lara Hata/Getty

These helpful tips and tricks, adapted from Rebecca DiLiberto's Penny Saving Household Helper, will save you time and money.

1

Make Sure Eggs are Fresh

This is an image
Howard Shooter/Getty

If you're unsure of an egg's freshness, see how it behaves in a cup of water: Fresh eggs sink; bad ones float.

2

Extend Veggie Freshness

This is an image
Anderson Ross/Getty

Line the bottom of your refrigerator's crisper drawer with paper towels. They'll absorb the excess moisture that causes veggies to rot.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

Keep Champagne Bubbly

This is an image
Madeleine Soder/Getty

Don't throw away sparkling wine or champagne that's gone flat. Restore the bubbles by dropping a raisin or two into the bottle. The natural sugars will work magic.

4

Don't Waste Lemons

This is an image
Ann Stratt

If you need only a few drops of lemon juice, avoid cutting the lemon in half — it will dry out quickly that way. Instead, puncture the fruit with a metal skewer and squeeze out exactly what you require.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

Keep Herbs Fresh

This is an image
Janis Nicolay

To keep herbs tasting fresh for up to a month, store whole bunches, washed and sealed in plastic bags, in the freezer. When you need them, they'll be easier to chop, and they'll defrost the minute they hit a hot pan.

6

Repel Bugs

This is an image
Bill Boch/Getty

A bay leaf slipped into a container of flour, pasta, or rice will help repel bugs.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Make Mushrooms Slime-Free

This is an image
Cyoi/Getty

Prevent mushrooms from getting slimy by wrapping them in paper towels before refrigerating.

8

Avoid Stale Muffins

This is an image
Con Poulos

To revive day-old muffins, sprinkle them with water, place in a paper bag, and pop in a hot oven for five to 10 minutes. The steam created by the water will restore moisture.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

Don't Let Cheese Dry Out

This is an image
Derek Cooper Photography Inc./Getty

Stop cheese from drying out by spreading butter or margarine on the cut sides to seal in moisture. This is most effective with hard cheeses sealed in wax.

10

Make Veggies Crunchy

This is an image
Michelle Franzese/Getty

When radishes, celery, or carrots have lost their crunch, simply pop them in a bowl of iced water along with a slice of raw potato and watch the limp vegetables freshen up right before your eyes.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

Don't Let Cookies Get Hard

This is an image
Alexandra Grablewski/Getty

Store crispy and chewy cookies in separate containers. If you combine them, the moisture from the chewy cookies will make the crispy ones lose their crunch.

12

Prevent Bananas From Browning

This is an image
Getty Images

Avoid separating bananas until you plan to eat them—they spoil less quickly in a bunch.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

Don't Let Salt Harden

This is an image
Juan Silva/Getty

Put rice in your saltshaker to stop the salt from hardening. The rice absorbs condensation that can cause clumps.

14

Keep Butter Flavorful

This is an image
Lew Robertson

Stock up on butter when it's on sale—you can store it in the freezer for up to six months. Pack the butter in an airtight container, so it doesn't take on the flavor of whatever else you're freezing.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15

Prevent Bacteria Growth on Dairy

This is an image
Maximillian Stock Ltd./Getty

Another dairy tip: In order to make cottage cheese or sour cream last longer, place the container upside down in the fridge. Inverting the tub creates a vacuum that inhibits the growth of bacteria that causes food to spoil.

16

Keep Honey Clear

This is an image
Jose Picayo

Believe it or not, honey is the only nonperishable food substance, so don't get rid of the stuff if it crystallizes or becomes cloudy. Microwave on medium heat, in 30-second increments, to make honey clear again.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17

Retain Moisture in Pasta

This is an image
Rich Crowder

Prevent extra cooked pasta from hardening by stashing it in a sealed plastic bag and refrigerating. When you're ready to serve, throw the pasta in boiling water for a few seconds to heat and restore moisture.

18

Save Your Cheese

This is an image
Johner Images/Getty

You can freeze cheese! After serving, put leftovers back in the original package, wrap tightly in plastic, and freeze. Defrost in the fridge a day before serving. This trick works best for soft cheeses with a high fat content.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19

Protect Brown Sugar From Hardening

This is an image
Mark Edward Atkinson and Tracy Lee/Getty

Keeping brown sugar in the freezer will stop it from hardening. But if you already have hardened sugar on your shelf, soften it by sealing in a bag with a slice of fresh bread or an apple — or by microwaving on high for 30 seconds.

20

Make Soup Less Salty

This is an image
Shruthi Venkatasubramanian/Getty

There's nothing more frustrating than over-salting a soup or stew you've spent countless hours—and countless dollars in ingredients—making. Try adding wedges of raw potato or apple to absorb the salt. Simmer for 10 minutes or so, then remove the wedges. If your soup is still too salty, sprinkle in a spoonful of sugar. If that doesn't work, a dash of apple-cider vinegar may do the trick. Finally, try diluting with water or low-sodium broth.

Watch Next 
preview for Watch Our Newest Videos
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below