If you’re the “chef” of the family, you know how much time you can spend in the kitchen. Not only do you have to worry about meal prep and cooking the food, you also have to worry about cleaning up after and doing dishes. If you feel like you spend way too much time in the kitchen, these tips for better time management in the kitchen will help you get out of the kitchen fast.

Plan Your Menu

One of the best ways to save time in the kitchen is to plan your menu for the week. By spending a few minutes mapping out each meal, you’ll know what you need to buy at the grocery store, as well as any prep that needs to be done ahead of time. This will greatly reduce the time you spend in the kitchen preparing for meals.

Double Up

Another great time management tip for the kitchen has to do with the amount of food you cook. Instead of making just enough for your family’s dinner, try doubling the recipe. This extra bit of food can be put in the freezer for later! Doubling up only takes a few minutes more to do, making it worth it when you can simply pull a meal out of the freezer on a busy day.

Organize Your Cupboards

You can also help save time in the kitchen by organizing your cupboards. Before doing this, identify your primary work zone in your kitchen. Is there a specific counter you use more often? Do you have the items you need for cooking within reach? Once you’ve identified your work zone, arrange your cupboards so that you can easily get to the items you use most often. This will minimize the time you take to grab items, as well as expedite the process as you put things back where they belong.

Enlist Help

Although the kitchen is your domain, don’t be afraid to enlist help. By asking your family to help out, you’ll save a lot of time both before cooking and after. You can have your spouse or children help you prep for the meal by cutting vegetables or peeling potatoes. Afterwards, let them help clean up, such as wiping down the counters or drying the dishes. The more help you have, the less time you’ll spend in the kitchen.

The kitchen doesn’t need to be the place you spend all your time. Even if you enjoy cooking, you still want to be able to spend quality time with your family. These tips for better time management in the kitchen can help you save time so you can do the things you want.

Elizabeth Lampman

Elizabeth Lampman is a coffee-fuelled Mom of 2 girls and lives in Hamilton, Ontario. She enjoys travelling, developing easy recipes, crafting, taking on diy projects, travelling and saving money!