9 of the Best Kitchen Tips and Hacks Readers Have Learned From Their Moms

For many, the first cooking and baking lessons come courtesy of time in the kitchen with a parent. Perhaps that’s learning recipes that have been passed down through generations, developing basic kitchen skills, learning how to properly wash a dish or fry an egg, or simply enjoying time spent together. 

While hanging in the kitchen with your a parent, you’ve probably picked up more than just a few great recipes — you’ve likely learned some invaluable tips and hacks to bring your time in the kitchen to the next level. Curious about what knowledge has been passed down between generations and relationships over the years, I talked to a handful of people about the best kitchen tips and lessons they learned from the mother figures in their lives. Get inspired by this warm-hearted wisdom and then call your mom (or aunt, sister, family friend, grandma, whoever!) to tell her you love her and the things she’s taught you.

A little prep work, including preparing your tools for optimal performance, makes all the difference. Some mothers are adamant about keeping knives sharp and primed for chopping, like Laura Neva of St. Paul, Minnesota’s mother, who told her, “You will go to the ER if your knives aren’t sharp.” You’ll know you’ve got a dull knife on your hands if it slips when you’re trying to cut food, or if it can’t easily cut through paper. If you’re curious about all things knife sharpening, check out this guide for how to DIY or outsource this important task.

Prep work also applies to the ingredients you’re working with. “Learn the difference between ‘best by’ and ‘expiration date,’” says Adam Tow of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Is that yogurt really ready to be tossed, or can you get a few more days out of it? Knowing the difference can impact the flavors of your cooking, and save you from potential food poisoning.

Trust me, it’s not worth pushing the date on that pack of deli turkey in an effort to save money and waste — instead, try to invest in a system that helps you use up your food before it goes bad.

Another way to improve your time in the kitchen is to remember where most food comes from: Mother Earth. “My mama is a hippie, [so I’ve learned that] things grown in the dirt taste best,” says Jessica Nentwich of Adkins, Texas. “I learned to cook real things authentically and badly and to enjoy the experience beyond what was reasonable. Moms teach us everything about how to eat and relate and how to be with our great mother earth — our first mother. If you ever stood outside and breathed in deep and felt yourself a little piece of something bigger, that was your mother.” 

Want to connect to Mother Earth more in your daily diet? Frequent your local farmer’s market and befriend some vendors to learn the ins and outs of what’s in season to infuse some more vibrant, earthy flavors into your cuisine.

Having fun in the kitchen makes every experience more rewarding, even if what you create doesn’t turn out exactly how you planned. “[My mom] is always researching recipes, trying new ingredients, testing out new techniques. Very occasionally they’re total flops and she just goes, ‘Oh well, let’s order a pizza!’ Her penchant for not taking food too seriously is always a breath of fresh air for me,” says Hannah Little of Durham, North Carolina.

The kitchen should be a place for enjoyment, not stress. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to whip up absolute perfection every time. Follow Hannah’s mom’s lead and order takeout when epic fails occur — which they will! But hey, that’s part of the fun.

Allison Marie’s (of New Orleans) mom utilizes her senses when in the kitchen. “Use your nose, especially if you’re multitasking,” Allison shares. “If something is in the oven and you notice the scent [becoming more intense or changing,] whatever is cooking is probably close to done and you need to check it.” This applies to a delicious aroma or the “oops!” of something that’s been cooking too long. 

Just as “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat” author Samin Nosrat recommends tasting almost everything as you go, don’t be afraid to get to know your kitchen really well through your senses, whether that’s what’s in your oven, or if you catch a whiff of something off in your fridge. No judgment here — that’s just a sign to investigate further.

This tip is especially timely in this pandemic world, as many people continue to call up their favorite restaurants to grab an at-home dinner and avoid the stress of cooking. “Plate your takeout or delivery food on cute dishes,” says Caitlin Doyle of Seattle, Washington. Her mom’s lessons about presentation also apply to any entertaining you may do in the near future. “Cloth napkins and a tablecloth will elevate any dinner or happy hour.” Even if your dinner party is a gathering of one, go ahead and bust out the nice stuff. You’re worth it!

It’s the little things, and moms know it. “Microwave lemons or limes for five to ten seconds before you use them to help release more juice,” shares Amanda White of Minneapolis. Sure, you can roll the citrus back and forth on the counter before cutting into it, but if you have the technology to work smarter rather than harder, why not?

At least two things are made in the kitchen: meals and messes. Save time spent scrubbing pots and pans covered in caked-on leftovers by washing and wiping while water boils or a cake bakes. “Clean as you go!” is Meghan McFolsom of Minneapolis’s favorite tip from her mom, and Sarah Hallet of Lakeville, Minnesota agrees. “A good cook is a clean cook,” says her mother.

To make this process easier, implement a few simple practices every time you cook, like emptying the dishwasher immediately, wiping down surfaces, and scrubbing tools before the food dries up and cakes on. Soon it will become automatic, and your kitchen will thank you for it.

At the end of the day, any time you spend in the kitchen should be fun, and that means enjoying some “mom-only” treats. “Always hide the chocolate covered potato chips in the cupboard above the fridge. Then the little kids can’t see or reach them,” shares Sarah Watson of Minneapolis. While the ideal kitchen is accessible for everyone who has a hand in meal prep or cleanup, there are certain things (like your favorite treats!) that you might want to keep for yourself — and that’s OK. 

And if you’re not into spending time in the kitchen, don’t sweat it. Take a hint from Rachael Ostrom of St. Paul’s mother, whose greatest advice was simple: “Marry a person who cooks!”