Kitchen Scissors Hacks: 13 Food Jobs That Are Faster With Shears Than a Knife

These kitchen scissors hacks will change how you cook, because the pair of shears that came free in your knife block is the fastest tool in the kitchen. Scissor tricks are all over social media right now, and one kitchen scissors video on Instagram has more than 480,000 likes and 17 million views. Shears snip herbs straight into the pot, cut pizza without dragging the cheese and even spatchcock the Thanksgiving turkey. Below are the food jobs where scissors beat a knife, plus how to keep your shears clean and sharp. One rule first: keep one pair just for food..

Kitchen Scissors Hacks: Why Shears Beat a Knife

The pair of scissors that came free in your knife block is the fastest tool in the kitchen. Once you try snipping green onions or cutting pizza with it, the knife stays in the drawer. Shears are safer for kids to help with, there is no cutting board to wash, and they work right over the pot. How often do you use yours: A: every day, B: sometimes or C: only to open packages?..

You will need: 1 pair of sturdy stainless kitchen shears that come apart for cleaning, a second pair for raw meat if you can, hot soapy water, a dish towel.

How to make it: 1. Pick shears with comfortable handles and a notch for bones. 2. Keep one pair only for food. 3. Use a separate pair, or wash well, after raw meat. 4. Hand wash in hot soapy water after each use. 5. Dry right away so they do not rust. 6. Store them in the knife block, not the junk drawer.

Snip Green Onions Straight Into the Pot

This is the trick that makes people smile. Hold a bunch of green onions over the soup, eggs or fried rice and snip. Thin, even rings fall right where you want them, with no board and no rolling bits. Chives work the same way over baked potatoes. Is this the first of these kitchen scissors hacks you will try?

You will need: 1 bunch green onions or chives, kitchen shears. Try it on: Easy egg drop soup: 4 cups chicken broth, 2 eggs beaten, 1 tbsp cornstarch in 2 tbsp water, 1 tsp soy sauce, 3 green onions.

How to make it: 1. Bring the broth and soy sauce to a simmer. 2. Stir in the cornstarch mix until slightly thick. 3. Slowly pour in the eggs while stirring in one direction. 4. Turn off the heat. 5. Hold the green onions over the pot and snip thin rings into the soup. 6. Serve right away.

Chop Fresh Herbs in a Cup

Put parsley, dill or cilantro in a tall glass or mug and snip straight down with the shears, turning the cup as you go. The herbs stay in the cup instead of flying across the counter, and you get a fine chop in seconds. Tip: dry the herbs well first so they do not clump. Which herb do you use most?

You will need: 1 bunch parsley, dill or cilantro, a tall glass or mug, kitchen shears. Use it in: Herb butter: 1/2 cup soft butter, 3 tbsp chopped herbs, 1 small clove garlic grated, pinch of salt.

How to make it: 1. Wash and dry the herbs well. 2. Pull off the thick stems. 3. Drop the leaves into a tall glass. 4. Snip straight down with the shears, turning the glass, for 30 seconds. 5. Stir the herbs into the soft butter with the garlic and salt. 6. Chill and spread on bread or steak.

Kitchen Scissors Hacks for Thanksgiving: Spatchcock the Bird

Cutting out the backbone so a chicken or turkey lies flat is called spatchcocking, and sturdy poultry shears make it easy. A flat bird roasts in about half the time, and the skin crisps all over. A spatchcocked 12 to 14 pound turkey can be done in about 80 to 90 minutes. Would you try it this Thanksgiving?

You will need: 1 whole chicken (4 lb) or turkey (12 to 14 lb), sturdy poultry shears, 3 tbsp soft butter, 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tsp pepper, 1 tsp dried thyme, 4 cloves garlic minced.

How to make it: 1. Set the bird breast side down on a board. 2. Cut along both sides of the backbone and remove it (save it for stock). 3. Flip it and press firmly on the breastbone to flatten. 4. Rub with the butter, salt, pepper, thyme and garlic. 5. Roast a chicken at 425 F for 40 to 50 minutes, or a turkey at 450 F for about 80 to 90 minutes. 6. Check that the thickest part reaches 165 F and rest before carving.

Kitchen Scissors Hacks for Pizza Night

A pizza cutter drags the cheese and toppings off the slice. Kitchen shears cut clean through the crust from the edge in, so every slice keeps its toppings. They also cut any shape: squares for kids, thin strips for parties. Tip: wipe the blades with a hot damp towel between cuts. Are you team triangles or team squares?

You will need: 1 homemade or store-bought pizza, kitchen shears, a hot damp towel. Quick homemade pizza: 1 lb pizza dough, 1/2 cup pizza sauce, 2 cups shredded mozzarella, pepperoni or vegetables.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 475 F. 2. Stretch the dough on an oiled sheet pan. 3. Spread the sauce and add the cheese and toppings. 4. Bake 12 to 15 minutes until bubbly. 5. Cool 3 minutes. 6. Cut from the edge to the center with shears, wiping the blades between cuts.

Cube Raw Chicken and Trim the Fat

Slippery raw chicken is hard to cut with a knife, but shears grip it, and that makes this one of the most useful kitchen scissors hacks. Snip boneless breasts or thighs into bite-size pieces right over the pan or a bowl, and trim off fat and gristle as you go. Safety tip: wash the shears in hot soapy water right after, or keep a separate pair for raw meat. Which dinner will you make with it?

You will need: 1 1/2 lb boneless chicken thighs or breasts, kitchen shears. Quick stir fry: 2 tbsp oil, 2 cups broccoli florets, 1 red pepper, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp cornstarch, 2 cloves garlic.

How to make it: 1. Trim the fat from the chicken with the shears. 2. Snip it into 1 inch pieces. 3. Wash the shears in hot soapy water. 4. Brown the chicken in the hot oil 5 to 6 minutes until cooked through. 5. Add the vegetables and garlic and cook 3 minutes. 6. Stir in the soy sauce, honey and cornstarch and simmer 1 minute.

Cut Kid Food Into Small, Safe Pieces

Parents love this one most of all the kitchen scissors hacks. Snip grapes, cherry tomatoes, noodles, pancakes and chicken into small pieces right on the plate. It is much faster than a knife and fork, and you can do it at the table. Tip: cut grapes and cherry tomatoes lengthwise into quarters for little kids. Which food do you cut up most?

You will need: Kitchen shears kept for food. Easy toddler plate: 1 small pancake, 4 grapes, 1/4 cup cooked pasta with butter, 2 oz cooked chicken, a few steamed carrot coins.

How to make it: 1. Cook the pasta and chicken and let them cool a little. 2. Snip the pancake into small squares. 3. Cut grapes lengthwise into quarters. 4. Snip the pasta into short pieces. 5. Snip the chicken into tiny bites. 6. Arrange on a plate and check the temperature before serving.

Snip Tortillas Into Chips and Strips

Stack a few corn tortillas and snip them into wedges for homemade chips, or into thin strips for tortilla soup and salads. Like most kitchen scissors hacks, it is much quicker than a knife, and the stack stays together. Bake them with a little oil and salt for a crisp snack. Which dip goes first at your house: A: salsa, B: guacamole or C: queso?

You will need: 8 corn tortillas, 2 tbsp oil, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp chili powder (optional), lime wedges.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Brush the tortillas lightly with oil. 3. Stack 4 at a time and snip into 6 wedges. 4. Spread on a sheet pan in one layer. 5. Sprinkle with salt and chili powder. 6. Bake 10 to 14 minutes, turning once, until crisp.

Cut Sticky Dried Fruit and Marshmallows

Dried apricots, dates and marshmallows stick to a knife and turn into a gummy mess. Dip your shears in hot water and they glide right through. It is the secret to quick fruitcake, granola and rocky road for the holidays. Tip: dip again every few cuts. Which holiday treat would you make with it?

You will need: 1 cup dried apricots, 1/2 cup pitted dates, 1 cup mini marshmallows, a mug of hot water, kitchen shears. Quick rocky road: 12 oz chocolate chips melted, 1 cup marshmallows, 1/2 cup chopped apricots, 1/2 cup nuts.

How to make it: 1. Dip the shears in hot water. 2. Snip the apricots and dates into small pieces. 3. Dip again and snip large marshmallows if using. 4. Melt the chocolate and cool 5 minutes. 5. Stir in the fruit, marshmallows and nuts. 6. Spread in a lined pan, chill 1 hour and cut into squares.

Trim Pie Crust Overhang

Shears make trimming pie dough neat and fast. Leave about a 1 inch overhang all around, then fold it under and crimp. They also cut clean strips for a lattice top. It is one of the smartest kitchen scissors hacks for Thanksgiving baking. Do you crimp with A: your fingers or B: a fork?

You will need: 1 refrigerated or homemade pie crust, a 9 inch pie dish, kitchen shears. Easy apple filling: 6 cups sliced apples, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 tbsp flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tbsp lemon juice.

How to make it: 1. Fit the crust into the pie dish. 2. Snip the edge so 1 inch hangs over all around. 3. Fold the overhang under and crimp. 4. Toss the apples with the sugar, flour, cinnamon and lemon juice and fill the crust. 5. Add a top crust or snipped lattice strips. 6. Bake at 400 F for 50 to 55 minutes.

Chop Canned Whole Tomatoes Right in the Can

Recipes often call for chopped tomatoes, but canned whole tomatoes taste better. Instead of a messy board, push the shears into the open can and snip until the tomatoes are chopped. No splatter, no extra dishes, which is why it is one of our favorite kitchen scissors hacks. Tip: tilt the can a little so the blades reach the bottom. Have you ever tried this?

You will need: 1 can (28 oz) whole peeled tomatoes, kitchen shears. Quick sauce: 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 cloves garlic sliced, 1/2 tsp salt, pinch of red pepper flakes, fresh basil.

How to make it: 1. Open the can and set it on the counter. 2. Push the shears into the can and snip in all directions for 30 seconds. 3. Warm the oil and garlic in a pan for 1 minute. 4. Pour in the tomatoes, salt and pepper flakes. 5. Simmer 15 to 20 minutes. 6. Snip fresh basil over the top.

Cut Parchment Circles for Cake Pans

Want cakes that never stick? Trace the bottom of your pan on parchment and snip out a circle. Fold a square of parchment into a small wedge and snip the end for a quick round without tracing. It takes a minute and saves the cake. Will you be baking a holiday layer cake this year?

You will need: Parchment paper, a pencil, kitchen shears, cake pans, butter or baking spray.

How to make it: 1. Set the cake pan on the parchment. 2. Trace around the base with a pencil. 3. Snip just inside the line. 4. Grease the pan. 5. Press the circle in, pencil side down. 6. Grease the top of the parchment and add the batter.

Kitchen Scissors Hacks for Care: Clean, Dry and Sharpen

Good shears last for years with a little care. Choose a pair that comes apart at the hinge, so you can wash every surface. Hand wash, dry right away, and sharpen them once or twice a year. Getting ready for the big day? See our Thanksgiving kitchen hacks. Which of these kitchen scissors hacks will you try first?

You will need: Hot soapy water, a small brush, a dish towel, a knife sharpener with a scissors slot or a sharpening stone.

How to make it: 1. Separate the blades if your shears come apart. 2. Scrub them in hot soapy water with a small brush. 3. Rinse well. 4. Dry every surface right away. 5. Put the blades back together. 6. Sharpen when they start to crush instead of cut.