9 Things That Will Improve Your Summer Cooking

Buzz Feed

25-05-2025

When the sun sets at 7:45 pm, the last place you want to be is in a kitchen, melting over a hot stove. Meal prep is the best way to reclaim me-time so that you can enjoy all the pleasantries summer offers.
If you want to save time, money, and the remaining brain cells needed to plan dinner, then developing a meal prep plan might be the answer to your prayers.
If you're looking for a few tools to make the meal prep process seamless, you'll want to keep reading. Here are 9 ways to work smarter, not harder, in the kitchen.
A handheld tool for chopping or mixing ground meat and other ingredients
Whether you're chopping ground beef or whipping up a batch of mashed potatoes, this handheld chopper makes food prep quick, simple, and convenient. The BPA-free tool is made of nonstick nylon, making it easy to clean.Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in seven colors).
A pair of color-coded prepping and serving trays
Cuisinart's grilling prep and serve trays make cooking meat a safe and convenient process thanks to their color-coded design. Consumers can use the red tray for moving raw meat from kitchen to grill and the black tray to transport or serve cooked meat, reducing the risk of cross-contamination. The melamine trays are lightweight and durable, holding up to 20 pounds of poultry.These trays create less of a mess in the kitchen and eliminate contamination concerns. They're available in three different sizes (the medium is pictured here) and are dishwasher-safe. Get them from Amazon for $16.48+.
Rubbermaid FreshWorks produce saver
Tupperware is a key ingredient in effective meal prep. The idea is to go into the fridge and grab a container with ingredients at the ready. Rubbermaid's FreshWork produce saver prioritizes freshness with a unique design that regulates airflow. Now, your prepped fruits and veggies have a chance at a longer shelf life.Get a set of four from Amazon for $23.05.
A meal delivery service to outsource your cooking all together
HelloFresh is perfect for the person who doesn't want to think about what to cook. Each week, pick from a wide range of meal options and have the ingredients delivered to your door. The subscription-based service has an array of cuisines, snacks, breakfast foods, and even meals you can pop in the microwave when you want to avoid the kitchen at all costs. Choose the number of meals (2–6 options) you want and the number of people in your household (2–6). Each meal has two servings of food.Picking meals is half the battle. Once your box arrives, choose a day to prep each meal. HelloFresh boxes come with recipe cards that give step-by-step cooking instructions. They also state the approximate time you'll spend in the kitchen, from preparing the ingredients to the second you turn off the stove. First-time subscribers can sign up today and receive 1 free high protein item for life and up to 10 free meals. Just make sure to use the voucher code BUZZ10FMFS at checkout!Get it from HelloFresh for $4.99+/meal.
A set of magnetic measuring spoons
Leave the eyeballing to the more improvisational home chefs – this magnetic measuring cup and spoon set gives precise and accurate measurements to keep your recipes as tasty as possible. Crafted from premium stainless steel, the magnetic, rust-resistant, stackable measuring cups won't bend or fade, saving space in the kitchen. Now your meals can be prepped with precision, instead of guesswork.Get a set from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in five colors).
A silicone strainer with a self-draining base
Cleaning fruits and vegetables is a vital part of preparing any meal. The collapsible strainer with a self-draining base can wash and drain all produce in the blink of an eye. Let the excess water flow into the sink as the colander sits on the countertop. Go from washing your fruits and veggies one by one to rinsing them all at the same time.Get ti from Amazon for $16.99 (available in four colors).
A one-touch electric can opener
Can openers have experienced a facelift over the last couple of years. Now, you can open your canned goods with one click of a button. The handheld, battery-operated opener is equipped to ease a task that can requires a fair amount of elbow grease.This tool removes the strain from using a manual can opener, which can sometimes be tough on the hands and cause unnecessary spills. Simply place the device on top of the can, press the button, and it will automatically open. Get it from Amazon for $20.99.
A wireless meat thermometer
Thanks to NoWow's wireless meat thermometer, you'll know the exact moment your meat is fully prepared, whether in the oven or on the grill. Designed with Bluetooth technology, the wireless thermometer can reach up to 800 feet, and syncs temperature data to an app on your phone that'll keep you updated on the status of your meat. The stainless steel thermometer can be inserted into all food, accurately assessing the temperature and the cook time.Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in two styles).
A food scale for measuring out ingredient precisely
This stainless steel, battery-operated food scale has multiple conversion settings so you can weigh everything from ounces and pounds to grams and kilograms. Now, your weekly meal prep or baked goods can be portioned to perfection.Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes).