8 Low Waste Kitchen Hacks You Need To Know

It’s easy to spend an hour on the internet reading about which low-waste kitchen hack is best for you. It can be a little overwhelming and sometimes overwhelming amounts of information can make for a less than helpful read. So, here are 8 simple low waste kitchen hacks that will help you save time and money with your next meal prep or cooking project.

What to avoid in your kitchen

When you’re looking for a kitchen hack, avoid these seven major pitfalls:

1. Avoid the microwave

The microwave is one of the worst ways to reheat food. It uses up an incredible amount of energy and can make your food taste even less than it already does.

2. Avoid plastic wrap

Plastic wrap is a favorite among many people because it keeps everything fresh, but it also makes cleanup more difficult. A better option is parchment paper which you can use in cooking or baking to keep things from sticking together.

3. Avoid Tupperware

Tupperware containers are great for organizing small portions of leftovers, but that’s about it. A better alternative is glass storage jars; they’re lightweight, easy to clean, and require less space in your cabinets when not in use!

How to save time

Stop wasting time and money on ingredients that you don’t need. Some food items like canned tomatoes, beans, or lentils can be easily re-purposed into a different dish. You can also save money by making your own sauces, dressings, and condiments. If you have an abundance of items left over from your last meal prep or cooking project, freeze them in larger quantities for later use.

How to avoid casseroles before cooking

When you’re making a casserole, you want to make sure that it bakes evenly. To ensure this, lay the raw ingredients in the order they will be added and cover them with foil before adding the toppings. After cooking, you can remove the foil and add your fruit or other toppings as desired.

Avoiding refrigerator odor

If you have a refrigerator that is starting to smell, one easy way to get rid of the odor is by running a pot of iced water with a few drops of food freshener like lemon or lime juice. This will help eliminate any smells and keep your fridge smelling fresh!

Another trick is to put aluminum foil in the back of the fridge. The foil will help absorb odors and keep them from permeating into other areas of the fridge.

How to save money on food while you cook

The first step to being able to cook low waste is learning how to plan your shopping list. Make a list of all the ingredients that you’ll need for a meal or dish then order them in the proper quantities as they’re needed.

The second step is to use what you already have on hand. In most recipes, any ingredients that are leftover can be made into something else. For instance, if you have a bunch of carrots leftover from another recipe, they can be used in place of celery in your next soup recipe.

Use your freezer! If you have access to a freezer then make sure that it’s stocked with all the meat products that your family eats on a regular basis so that when it’s time to cook there will be plenty on hand without having to spend extra money at the grocery store.

Turn fruit into jam or jelly! If you have too many apples or pears left over from other recipes, consider turning them into jam or jelly instead of letting them go bad in the fruit basket. The jam will last longer than jelly and is easier for people without refrigerators who can’t keep

Making your own condiments

Instead of buying jars of sauces, marinades, and other condiments, make your own from scratch. It’s easier than you think and it uses less packaging. Here are some recipes to get you started.

Choosing the right produce and how to store it properly

It’s important to choose the right produce when you’re trying to eat low-waste. This means selecting items that have a low water and nutrient content. You don’t want to waste money on fruits or vegetables that are going to go bad quickly. There are a few basic tips for storing produce for long periods of time:

1. -Store produce in a cool and dry place
2. -Wrap your produce in paper towels, paper bags, or plastic bags
3. -Don’t wash your produce before storing it
4. -Keep things cold; refrigerate if possible
5. -If you’re not going to use fresh fruit or vegetables within a day or two, freeze them

Making food waste less of a problem

The first thing to do is learn how to make use of the food waste you have in your fridge. If you don’t know what to do with it, then ask around. There are so many resources available that can help you figure out what to do with leftover ingredients.

If you still aren’t sure, here are some ideas:

1. – Freeze leftovers in ice cube trays and then use them as a delicious topping for ice cream or frozen yogurt
2. – Use it as a marinade for meat, fish, or vegetables
3. – Freeze it in ice cubes and make homemade popsicles
4. – Add it into a soup or stew recipe

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