Cooking at home can be enjoyable and rewarding, but it often comes with challenges like keeping ingredients fresh, saving time, and improving flavors. Professional chefs use various tricks to make their cooking more efficient and delicious, and you can do the same in your own kitchen. Here are three essential cooking hacks that will transform the way you cook and help you achieve better results with less effort.
1. Use Salt the Right Way for Maximum Flavor
Many home cooks either under-season or add salt only at the end of cooking, which results in dull flavors. Professional chefs know that seasoning food correctly throughout the cooking process enhances depth and balance. Instead of adding salt just before serving, start by seasoning your ingredients from the very beginning. This technique allows the salt to penetrate proteins, vegetables, and sauces, making each bite more flavorful.
For meats, dry brining (salting a few hours or even a day before cooking) enhances tenderness and taste by allowing the salt to break down proteins and absorb moisture. If you’re making soups or sauces, add salt in small increments rather than all at once. This helps to build layers of flavor and prevents over-seasoning. Another pro tip is to use different types of salt depending on the dish—kosher salt for cooking, sea salt for finishing, and flaky salt for added texture on dishes like roasted vegetables or grilled meats.
2. Keep Herbs Fresh for Longer
Fresh herbs add incredible flavor to dishes, but they tend to wilt and spoil quickly. To keep them fresh for longer, store them properly based on their type. For soft herbs like cilantro, parsley, and basil, trim the stems slightly and place them in a jar of water like a bouquet. Cover the top loosely with a plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator (except for basil, which should be kept at room temperature). This method helps herbs stay vibrant for over a week.
For hard herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage, wrap them in a damp paper towel and store them in a resealable plastic bag in the fridge. If you have leftover herbs that you can’t use up in time, try freezing them in olive oil using an ice cube tray. Simply chop the herbs, mix them with olive oil, and freeze in small portions. These frozen herb cubes can be used for sautéing or as a quick flavor boost for soups and sauces.
3. Get the Perfect Sear on Meats Every Time
A beautifully seared steak or perfectly browned chicken can make all the difference in taste and texture. One of the biggest mistakes home cooks make is not allowing their meat to develop a proper crust. To achieve the perfect sear, start by making sure your meat is completely dry. Any moisture on the surface will create steam, preventing browning. Pat meat dry with a paper towel before seasoning and cooking.
Next, preheat your pan properly. A hot pan is essential for creating a golden crust. Use a heavy-bottomed pan like cast iron or stainless steel and heat it until it’s hot but not smoking. Add a small amount of oil with a high smoke point, such as canola or avocado oil. Once the oil is shimmering, place the meat in the pan and avoid moving it around too soon. Let it cook undisturbed for a few minutes to develop a deep brown crust before flipping.
For extra restaurant-quality flavor, baste your meat with butter and aromatics. In the last couple of minutes of cooking, add butter, garlic, and fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme to the pan. Tilt the pan slightly and spoon the melted butter over the meat continuously. This technique adds richness and ensures an even, juicy finish.
By applying these simple but effective cooking hacks—proper seasoning, preserving herbs, and mastering the sear—you’ll notice a significant improvement in your home-cooked meals. These tricks save time, enhance flavor, and help you cook like a pro with ease.
