Long gone now are those lazy summer days when lunch leisurely flows into dinner. Fall has returned in full force, and with it the rush of back-to-school, the reintroduction of schedules and appointments and the sudden frantic refrain of “What’s for dinner tonight?!”
But we’re still keeping that easygoing vibe, thanks to an assist from Green Giant. This iconic American brand has been feeding families for generations, so they know a thing or two about getting dinner on the table — and fast. They’ve crafted their products with busy cooks in mind, so we’re sharing our best time-saving tips, along with products that cut down on preparation but not flavor. Because sure, this time of year can be hectic — but it doesn’t need to be that way in the kitchen.
1) Think small when it comes to proteins.
Save your pork shoulders and rib roasts for the weekends — weeknights call for the little guys. Slim cuts and bite-size pieces of protein take a lot less time to cook, without sacrificing a bit of flavor or texture. Look for thinly sliced pork chops, salmon filets and bite-size seafood such as shrimp or scallops. Another word to the wise: Keep a closer eye on these ingredients when sautéing, roasting or steaming, and have your thermometer at hand to ensure they’re cooked to your liking.
2) Focus on a single part of the meal.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you’re trying to menu-plan and cook at the same time. Instead of getting into the weeds, prioritize the main dish — a fast and flavorful stir-fry, a sheet-pan wonder, whatever you’re feeling — and let Green Giant handle the sides. Go classic with air-fryer-ready Corn Cob Bites, or try Restaurant Style Broccoli & Roasted Red Potatoes with Cheddar Seasoning. There will definitely be requests for seconds, even from the vegetable-averse.
3) Outsource your seasoning.
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel every day to find the one flavor everyone at the table can agree upon. Put out an assortment of condiments and let your family members choose one to go with the overall dinner spread. This works especially well with blank-canvas-type dishes such as buttered noodles, roasted chicken and potatoes — particularly these Crispy Smashed Potatoes.
4) Steam, stir-fry, repeat.
The microwave isn’t your only option to get dinner on the table fast; there are plenty of other quick-cooking techniques that are easy to pull off. Steaming fish, greens, grains or even all three at the same time is just as good as a one-pot meal. And stir-frying renders most ingredients crisp or just-tender in as little as a minute. Adding these culinary skills won’t upgrade just your weeknight repertoire, but your overall cooking life as well.
5) Stretch your starches.
When you’re mapping out a meal in a time crunch, it’s easy to over- or underdo it on the seasoning front. (We’ve all been there.) Rather than try to pump different flavors into each component of dinner, have your grain, starch or rice do the heavy lifting. Restaurant Style Broccoli Pilaf or Asparagus, Pea & Mushroom Risotto are bursting with savory sauciness, so you can go lighter on the salt and pepper for the main dish. You might even want to give diners a spoon — since they’ll be scooping up these starches with everything else on their plate.
