Intentionally Living Simply

When life is busy, the last thing I want is to spend unnecessary time cooking or cleaning. Over the years, I’ve learned that the biggest time-saver in the kitchen isn’t complicated recipes — it’s having a few smart tools that streamline everyday tasks.

These kitchen tools are different from the typical gadgets I see everywhere. They’re practical, low-effort, and ones I personally rely on to get meals on the table faster while keeping cleanup simple.

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Slow Cooker

A slow cooker is one of the biggest time-savers in my kitchen. I can throw ingredients in during the morning and come back to a fully cooked meal later in the day.

Why it saves time:

• Minimal prep
• No active cooking
• Great for batch meals and leftovers
• Fewer dishes

If you’re looking to add one to your kitchen, I recommend choosing a programmable slow cooker with simple controls and a removable stoneware insert. That combination makes it easy to set it and forget it — without creating extra cleanup later. Simple controls matter more to me than extra features.

My absolute favorite slow cooker is the Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker because of its generous 8.5-quart capacity and eight cooking functions. I especially love the sear function, which lets me brown ingredients in the same pot before slow cooking — saving both time and dishes.

Rice Cooker

Rice Cooker

As a Louisiana girl, I cook a lot of rice. Gumbo, red beans and rice, étouffée, and rice and gravy are staples here in the boot — so take it from me: not all rice cookers are created equal.

A rice cooker removes the need to watch the stove or time anything perfectly. It truly is a set-it-and-forget-it tool. Once it’s started, I can focus on other tasks without worrying about burning or overcooking. I use mine for rice, quinoa, and even steamed vegetables, and it quietly saves me time every single week.

When shopping for a rice cooker, I stick with a basic rice cooker with an automatic keep-warm function, like the Black + Decker Rice Cooker, and a nonstick interior. It’s reliable, easy to use, and perfect for everyday meals without overcomplicating things.

Sheet Pan with Silicone Baking Mat

Sheet pan meals are a staple in my house. Pairing a quality sheet pan with a reusable silicone baking mat saves both cooking and cleanup time.

Benefits:

• Even cooking
• No scrubbing stuck-on food
• Faster cleanup

For sheet pan meals, a heavy-duty aluminum sheet pan paired with a reusable silicone baking mat makes all the difference. This setup prevents sticking, cooks evenly, and cuts cleanup time down to almost nothing.

Food Processor

A food processor dramatically cuts down prep time. From shredding cheese to slicing vegetables or making sauces, it handles tasks that would otherwise take much longer by hand.

It’s especially helpful on meal prep days or when I’m cooking for the week ahead, because it lets me prep ingredients in minutes instead of standing at the counter chopping.

My go-to is the Ninja Food Processor. With four functions, three interchangeable blades, and a generous 9-cup capacity, it strikes a great balance between power and size. I also love the wide feed chute, which keeps prep fast and efficient without taking up unnecessary counter space.

Salad Spinner

Washing and drying produce used to slow me down more than I realized. A salad spinner dries greens quickly, so I can prep salads and vegetables immediately instead of waiting for them to air dry. I also love using mine to spin-dry fruit after washing.

Dry produce also lasts longer in the fridge, which saves time later in the week.

A sturdy salad spinner with a smooth pump mechanism makes washing produce quick and easy. I also love ones with a bowl that can double as a serving dish to reduce extra dishes.

Magnetic Measuring Spoons

Magnetic measuring spoons stay stacked together and are easy to grab when cooking or baking. No digging through drawers or mismatched sets.

Small organization upgrades like this save minutes every day — which adds up quickly.

Stainless steel magnetic measuring spoons are my go-to for everyday cooking. Clear measurement markings and narrow spoon heads make them especially practical for spices and small containers.

Why These Tools Work

None of these tools are trendy or over-the-top, but they make cooking feel manageable even on busy weeks. They help me:

• Reduce hands-on cooking time
• Stay organized
• Clean up faster
• Cook at home more consistently

Saving time in the kitchen doesn’t require more effort — just smarter tools that support your routine!