If you’re only using your microwave to heat up the food, you’re tapping just a fraction of its potential. Your microwave can do more things than you thought. Here’s a list of 20 microwave hacks that will change your cooking life.
1. Reduce onion tears
No more crying! Before you chop onions, place the whole onion in the microwave for 45 seconds. By heating the onion before cutting it, you help break down the chemicals that cause your tears.
2. Bake a dessert
Craving something sweet but don’t want to sacrifice time—or wash all the dishes? Use your microwave to make a pan of oatmeal bars. You only need a handful of ingredients and about 10 minutes!
3. Cook scrambled eggs
If you’re in a pinch for a quick and delicious breakfast, zap some scrambled eggs. Simply beat two eggs, two tablespoons of milk, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a microwave-safe bowl. It only takes a couple of minutes to make an easy plate of scrambled eggs.
4. Peel garlic
Vampires, beware! Peeling garlic doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Pop a full bulb in the microwave for 20 seconds to soften it, making peeling effortless. The cloves will slide right out of their skins with no mess or sticky, smelly garlic juices.
5. Help bread dough rise
There are few greater joys in life than smelling (and eating!) freshly baked bread. But bread needs a warm place to rise, which can be a tricky feat in the cold-weather months. Here’s a quick fix: Try microwaving a bowl of water for two minutes, then place your bread inside the microwave with the warm bowl of water. Tada! It’s the perfect condition for your bread to double in size.
6. Make a foamy latte
Fancy a foamy latte? Be your own at-home barista, no frother necessary. Fill a glass jar halfway with milk and microwave for one minute until hot. Screw on the lid and shake vigorously for 30 seconds, pour the milk into a mug, add espresso and enjoy.
7. Squeeze more citrus juice
Get every last drop out of lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits. If a recipe calls for citrus juice, zap the fleshy fruit in the microwave for about 10 to 20 seconds. Then, slice it in half and squeeze it away. Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy!
8. Revive stale bread
Make that bread good as new. Wrap stale bread in a damp paper towel, place it on a microwave-safe dish, and microwave on high for 10 seconds. You can also put a glass of water in the microwave with the bread for more softness.
9. Toast nuts
Nuts are toasted more evenly in the microwave than in the oven or skillet. Spread your favorite nuts in a single layer on a plate, then microwave them in one-minute intervals, mixing them each minute.
10. Steam veggies
Use your microwave to conveniently steam all types of vegetables—broccoli, carrots, asparagus, green beans, and even artichoke. You only need some water in a microwave-safe bowl and a microwave-safe plate to cover it all. Delish! Perfectly steamed vegetables.
11. Make hard taco shells
Magically transform a soft tortilla into a hard taco shell with the help of—you guessed it—your handy microwave. Simply place the tortilla inside a tall, microwave-safe cup, heat it up for about one minute, and… hello! A crunchy, crispy taco shell.
12. Cook crispy bacon
No more splattering bacon fat in the frying pan. With the help of some paper towels and a microwave-safe plate, you’ll be enjoying delicious, crispy bacon in your microwave in no time. Mmm… Bacon.
13. Decrystallize honey
Honey that has solidified can be brought back to liquid life. Just uncover the jar and heat on medium power for 30 seconds to one minute. After a quick zap in the microwave, the revived honey is ready to drizzle into tea or over cornbread.
14. Make potato chips
You want to make homemade potato chips. No deep fryer? No problem! Thinly slice a russet potato, drizzle the slices with vegetable oil and salt, and lay them out on a microwave-safe dish. Zap ’em for about five minutes until golden and crispy.
15. Cook beans
Instead of soaking beans in water overnight, place them in a large microwave-safe bowl, completely submerged in water, and heat for about eight to 10 minutes (or until the water is boiling). The beans should be ready to use in an hour or two.
16. Dry herbs
Instead of waiting to dry herbs in the oven or hanging them upside-down, microwave them! The electromagnetic radiation of your microwave quickly and efficiently evaporates water from the herbs, preserving the essential oils that give herbs their signature flavors and aromas.
17. Bake potatoes
Prick a clean and dry baking potato with a fork. Then, place on a microwave-safe plate and heat for about seven minutes. Once the potato has cooled a bit, cut with a butter knife and top with plenty of cheese, sour cream, chives, and butter!
18. Soften ice cream and frosting
If your favorite pint of ice cream or jar of frosting is hard as a rock, you can soften it in the microwave without melting it. Remove the lid and heat up in 15-second intervals until the desired softness of your sweet treat is reached.
19. Make corn on the cob
Corn on the cob in the microwave? We’re all ears! For one or two ears of corn, microwave on high for three minutes. Serve with plenty of butter, salt, and pepper. You can also finish the corn on the grill or under the broiler for extra color and toastiness.
20. Make pickles
Crunchy pickles are a staple ingredient in Chicago-style hot dogs, burgers, and potato salads. Pickled cucumbers have never been easier, thanks to the trusty microwave. Follow this simple recipe to get your pickle fix!