Sometimes we make cooking way harder than it needs to be. Whether it’s using a dull knife that turns chopping into an Olympic event or overcrowding the pan and wondering why everything’s soggy, we’ve all been there. But it doesn’t have to be that way. A few simple tweaks can save you time, stress, and maybe even your sanity. If you’re ready to stop making dinner feel like a chore, here are a handful of things you’re probably doing in the kitchen that are slowing you down—and how to fix them.

A woman in a kitchen, wearing a robe, holding a notepad, looks frustrated while surrounded by various vegetables including tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, and herbs on the counter.
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Not Prepping Ingredients Before You Start Cooking

Ingredients on a cutting board: cubed raw chicken, bean sprouts, chopped green onions, sliced white onions, cilantro, and a bowl of red sauce.
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Jumping right into cooking without any prep is like running a race with your shoes untied. You’ll end up scrambling mid-recipe, chopping onions while something’s burning, or worse—realizing you’re missing half the ingredients. Prepping ahead keeps things smooth and makes you feel like you’ve got it all together (even if you don’t).

Using Dull Knives

A variety of kitchen knives magnetically attached to a wall-mounted knife rack.
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Dull knives turn slicing into a wrestling match. Not only does it slow you down, but it’s also more dangerous since you’re using extra force. Keeping your knives sharp saves you time and helps you feel like a kitchen pro instead of an amateur on a cooking reality show.

Overcrowding the Pan

Chicken with olives and beans in a skillet.
Chicken Artichoke Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

You know when you try to cook too much in one pan, and everything just ends up steaming instead of getting that nice golden crust? Yeah, that’s overcrowding. Spread things out, cook in batches, and watch how much better your food turns out. It’s worth the extra effort for that perfect sear.

Ignoring Your Recipe Until the Last Minute

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Skimming the recipe as you cook is a recipe for disaster (pun intended). You might miss a crucial step or realize you need to marinate something for hours. Take five minutes to read the whole thing before you start—your future self will thank you when dinner’s actually ready on time.

Measuring Ingredients Instead of Eyeballing

A set of colorful measuring cups and spoons arranged on a wooden surface. The cups and spoons range in size and are vibrant in colors such as pink, orange, green, blue, and purple.
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Measuring everything down to the last teaspoon is seriously slowing you down. For most things, like spices, you don’t need that level of precision. Trust your instincts and eyeball it—faster, easier, and you’ll feel like a true kitchen boss.

Washing Dishes After You Finish Cooking

Woman washing dishes in kitchen using eco friendly brush and drying rack.
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Letting dirty dishes pile up while you cook just means a mountain of cleanup waiting for you after dinner. Wash as you go, and you’ll save yourself the dread of a messy kitchen when all you want to do is relax after eating.

Cooking Everything on High Heat

A chef holds a pan over a stove with large flames rising from it, while other pans and cooking equipment are visible in the background.
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Not everything needs to be cooked at full blast. You’ll burn things, smoke up the kitchen, and end up with food that’s burnt outside but raw inside. Patience, my friend—medium or low heat can give you better control and tastier results.

Using the Wrong Size Pot or Pan

A hand holding uncooked spaghetti over a pot of boiling water on a stovetop, ready to be added to the pot.
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Trying to cook a large meal in a tiny pot or pan is a guaranteed mess. You’ll end up with unevenly cooked food and spills all over your stovetop. Grab the right size from the start and save yourself the frustration (and cleanup).

Not Letting Your Meat Rest

A person holds a frying pan with steak, taking it out of an oven.
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Cutting into your meat right after cooking it seems harmless, but you’re letting all the juices spill out. Let your meat rest for a few minutes—your patience will be rewarded with juicy, flavorful bites instead of dry disappointment.

Storing Leftovers in the Wrong Containers

A refrigerator with several containers of food in it.
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Tossing leftovers into random containers leads to sad, dried-out meals the next day. Use airtight containers to keep your food fresh longer, and stackable ones to save fridge space. Organization equals easier lunches.

Ignoring the Magic of Meal Planning

A person writing a meal plan on a notebook.
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Winging it every night for dinner is exhausting and often leads to takeout. Spend a little time planning your meals for the week, and you’ll save time, money, and stress. Bonus: you’ll finally use up that random can of beans in the back of your pantry.

15 Tools That Will Transform Your Chaotic Kitchen

Hands applying a "SPICE MIX" label to a small, square plastic container next to a label maker and a pack of fusilli pasta.
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Tired of digging through cluttered drawers and messy cabinets every time you cook? It’s time to upgrade your kitchen with some essential tools. These items will keep you organized and make cooking way more efficient. Say goodbye to the chaos and hello to a streamlined kitchen.

Read it Here: 15 Tools That Will Transform Your Chaotic Kitchen

10 Surprising Uses For Common Kitchen Ingredients

A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a white blouse, smiles while wiping a wooden table with a yellow cloth.
Photo credit: Depositphotos.

Your kitchen pantry holds more secrets than you might think. Everyday items like vinegar, baking soda, and even old tea bags can do much more than flavor your food. From clever cleaning hacks to savvy home remedies, learn about the surprising uses for these common kitchen staples that go beyond the usual cooking duties.

Read it Here: 10 Surprising Uses For Common Kitchen Ingredients

*Select images provided by Depositphotos.

Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.

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