Cooking at home is already a great way to save money, but using a few savvy tricks in the kitchen can help you cut costs even further while reducing food waste. Here are some essential kitchen hacks to help you get the most out of your ingredients, save money, and create a more sustainable kitchen.
1. Regrow Vegetables from Kitchen Scraps
Did you know you can regrow certain vegetables from scraps? Place the roots of green onions, celery, romaine lettuce, or carrots in a shallow dish of water on a sunny windowsill. Within a few days, they’ll start to grow, giving you fresh veggies for free!
2. Freeze Leftover Herbs in Olive Oil or Broth
Instead of letting fresh herbs go bad, chop them up and freeze them in an ice cube tray with olive oil or broth. These herb cubes are perfect for adding flavor to soups, stews, and sauces. Not only do they preserve your herbs, but they also add an instant flavor boost to your meals.
3. Use Vegetable Scraps for Homemade Broth
Save onion skins, carrot peels, celery ends, and other vegetable scraps in a freezer bag. Once you have enough, simmer them in water to make a delicious homemade vegetable broth. This easy hack turns scraps into a flavorful broth, reducing waste and saving you from buying packaged stock.
4. Make Breadcrumbs from Stale Bread
If you have stale bread, don’t toss it! Turn it into breadcrumbs by toasting the bread, letting it cool, and pulsing it in a food processor. Store the crumbs in an airtight container in the freezer to use in casseroles, breaded dishes, or as a crunchy topping for pasta.
5. Store Greens with a Paper Towel to Extend Freshness
Leafy greens can wilt quickly, but storing them with a paper towel absorbs excess moisture and keeps them fresher longer. Place a paper towel in the bag or container with your greens and change it every few days for crisp, fresh leaves.
6. Revive Wilted Vegetables with Ice Water
If your veggies have started to wilt, don’t throw them out just yet. Soak them in a bowl of ice water for 10–15 minutes to help revive their crispness. This hack works especially well for carrots, celery, and leafy greens.
7. Plan Meals Around Expiring Ingredients
Check your fridge and pantry regularly for items that are close to their expiration date, then plan meals around them. This not only helps minimize waste but also encourages you to get creative with what you have on hand, leading to delicious, resourceful meals.
8. Make Your Own Salad Dressing
Skip buying bottled dressings and make your own with ingredients you likely already have, like olive oil, vinegar, mustard, and honey. Homemade dressings are cheaper, healthier, and taste fresher than store-bought versions, and you can make just enough for your meal to avoid leftovers.
9. Turn Citrus Peels into Homemade Cleaner
After using lemons, oranges, or other citrus fruits, save the peels to make a natural cleaner. Place the peels in a jar, cover them with vinegar, and let it sit for a few weeks. Strain the mixture, dilute with water, and use it as an all-purpose cleaner. This hack reduces waste and saves you from buying chemical cleaners.
10. Buy in Bulk to Reduce Packaging Waste
Buying in bulk not only saves you money but also reduces packaging waste. Stock up on staples like rice, beans, pasta, and spices. Store them in reusable glass jars or containers to keep your pantry organized and eco-friendly.
