Let’s be honest — for most of us mamas, the kitchen is not just a place where food magically appears. It’s command central. It’s where the “What’s for dinner?” interrogation happens approximately 1,762 times a week. It’s where snacks vanish faster than you can unpack the groceries. And for some reason, it’s where everyone in the house suddenly needs to stand when you’re cooking.
If you’ve ever wished you could wave a magic wand and make dinner faster, cleaner, and easier… well, I can’t give you a wand, but I CAN give you 5 of my favorite Crazy Busy Mama kitchen hacks that have saved my sanity more times than I can count.
These are simple, practical, and you’ll wonder why you didn’t start doing them sooner. Bonus? A couple of these are so fun, the kids might even pitch in (keyword: might).
1. The Ziplock Marinade Trick 🥩
We’ve all been there — it’s 4:57 p.m., the chicken is still frozen solid, and you’re staring at it like it personally betrayed you.
Here’s how to never be in that spot again:
Next time you buy meat, divide it into portions and place each portion in a ziplock bag. Add your marinade of choice (even something as simple as Italian dressing works wonders). Flatten the bag before sealing — this is key. Then lay them flat in your freezer.
Why this works like magic:
- Flat bags thaw WAY faster than big clumps of meat.
- While they’re thawing, they’re also soaking up all that flavor.
- You literally just pull it out in the morning, toss it in the fridge, and by dinner time it’s ready for the oven, grill, or slow cooker.
It’s the meal-prep hack that feels like a gift from your past self to your future self.
Here is an example of a few delicious Crazy Busy Mama Sheet Pan meals with this kitchen hack in action!
2. The Cutting Board Catch-All 🥕
You know how chopping vegetables somehow turns into half the carrot on the counter and an onion peel stuck to your elbow? Same.
Here’s the fix: Place a rimmed baking sheet under your cutting board. As you chop, slide scraps right onto the baking sheet. When you’re done, dump it straight into the trash or compost.
Why this is genius:
No more running back and forth to the trash.
No bits of garlic hiding under your salt shaker.
It makes cleanup so fast, you’ll actually want to chop your own veggies. (Okay, maybe not want… but at least tolerate.)
3. Dishwasher Produce Wash 🍇
This one sounds wild, but stick with me.
If you’ve got a pile of produce — grapes, apples, peppers, cucumbers — and you’re dreading washing each one individually, try this: Place them on the top rack of your dishwasher, select the cold rinse cycle, and hit start. No soap, no heat — just a gentle rinse that does all the work for you.
Why mamas love this:
The kids think it’s hilarious and might even eat more produce just because it “went for a ride.”
It’s perfect for bulk washing after a grocery haul.
You can wash a week’s worth of snacks in one go.
4. The Slow Cooker Double-Up 🍲
Slow cookers are the real MVP of busy weeknights, but here’s how to make them work even harder for you: Every time you make a slow cooker meal, make twice as much.
Serve one batch for dinner tonight, then let the second batch cool, portion it into freezer bags, and store it for another day.
This is perfect for smaller portions or even doubling a recipe so you can bring a dinner to a friend in need.
If you don’t have these bag holders -HERE they help so much in planning and prepping additional slow cooker meals
Why this is a game-changer:
Your future self will love you even more than your kids love mac & cheese.
You’re already chopping, cooking, and washing dishes — might as well get two meals for the same effort.
On crazy days when you forgot to defrost meat, you’ll have a ready-to-go homemade meal waiting.
Also, don’t forget to bookmark these incredibly easy and mouth watering Slow Cooker Meals HERE or grab yourself your very own CRAZY BUSY MAMA SLOW COOKER COOKBOOK with 30 Scrumptious Slow Cooker meals for you and your family.
5. Panini Press Everything 🥪
If you think your panini press is only for grilled cheese, you’re missing out. This little gadget can do way more than you think.
Some of my favorites:
- Quesadillas (melty in minutes!)
- Leftover pizza (crispy crust, gooey cheese)
- Cinnamon rolls (yes, really — they cook in half the time and get a delicious golden crust)
Why it works:
You’ll feel like a gourmet chef without actually trying.
It heats from both sides, so food cooks evenly and FAST.
It’s fun for the kids to help make their own snacks.
Looking for a panini? I love this Beautiful Press -HERE I got it from my mom for Christmas last year and it has been a game changer especially on sandwich nights!
Bonus Tip for My Fellow Crazy Busy Mamas 💡
Want to make these hacks even more powerful? Pair them with a family “hack night.” Once a month, pick a couple hacks, try them out together, and let the kids vote on their favorite. Not only does it get them involved, but it also teaches them a little independence in the kitchen (and maybe, just maybe, they’ll start making their own sandwiches someday).
Final Thoughts
Mama, your kitchen should work for you — not the other way around.
These 5 hacks may seem small, but they’ll save you time, cut down on mess, and maybe even make cooking a little more fun.
So the next time you feel like you’re running a 24/7 diner, try one (or all!) of these tricks. And remember — being a Crazy Busy Mama doesn’t mean you have to do it all the hard way. Work smarter, not hungrier.
Which hack are you trying first? Or do you have a genius kitchen tip that saves YOU time? Drop it in the comments — I’m always looking for ways to make this mama life just a little bit easier.
Hope this helps you ditch that dinner time stress save time in the kitchen and put that extra time around the dinner table enjoying your family #ReclaimTheTable with intentional time.
Love ya! – Lori
PS- Looking to ditch dinner time stress for at least the next 30 days? Let Crazy Busy Mama help with this 4 WEEK MEAL PLAN
