I don't know about you, but New Year's resolutions stress me out and I always end up giving up on them. So this year, I'm only picking low-key, super doable goals.
If you're like me and you're looking for really easy, small kitchen habits that actually can have a big payoff, here are a few ideas on things to adopt. These can take your kitchen game to the next level without much effort in 2021.
1. Stop throwing away food scraps.
![A pot of veggie stock made with kitchen scraps](https://cdn.statically.io/img/img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-01/21/13/asset/700d87ee8ade/sub-buzz-20924-1611234752-16.jpg?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
2. Save this cheat sheet to quickly upgrade chicken — or any other protein.
![Infographics showing combinations of ingredients to make marinades.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-01/21/9/asset/792d7102656e/sub-buzz-20840-1611222217-1.jpg?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
3. Clean as you go.
4. Salt your food throughout the cooking process, not just at the end.
![Cropped shot of a person's hand adding salt to a pan of tomatoes in the kitchen](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-01/21/11/asset/ca4c9b037fba/sub-buzz-20931-1611227868-3.jpg)
5. Make your own pickled vegetables.
6. Transfer bagged foods into glass jars for better aesthetics, organization, and a potentially longer shelf life.
![mason jar filled with sesame seeds](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-01/21/11/asset/dc2b8ffba1d6/sub-buzz-20829-1611228615-3.jpg)
7. Meal-prep ingredients for the week over the weekend.
![Meal-prepping](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-01/21/12/asset/ca4c9b037fba/sub-buzz-20989-1611232779-35.jpg)
8. Invest in a good knife.
![Picture of hand using a knife to cut meat](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-01/21/12/asset/9e2b6c32d7df/sub-buzz-20894-1611232908-16.jpg)
9. And keep that knife sharp.
10. For more flavorful baked chicken breasts, brine them for 15 minutes before tossing them in the oven.
![Brining chicken breasts](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-01/22/19/asset/c1151e142c56/sub-buzz-83-1611343741-17.png)
11. To prevent rice from getting gloopy, rinse it before cooking.
12. Don't just plan your meals — plan your leftovers, too.
![Five days worth of meals](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-01/21/13/asset/bd8e98c84be1/sub-buzz-21030-1611236325-42.jpg)
13. Add acid to your dishes for more flavor.
![Close-up of female hand squeezing lemon juice on salad in a bowl](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-01/21/13/asset/f1378ca0eb52/sub-buzz-20971-1611234860-31.jpg)
14. Invest in a food scale.
![Weighing flour and adding it from a paper bag to a bowl to prepare the cookie dough.](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-01/21/13/asset/d40f0494ab2a/sub-buzz-20974-1611236943-16.jpg)
15. Learn how to store your herbs so they don't go bad as quickly.
![Cilantro stored upright in a jar of water and covered with a ziplock bag](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-01/21/13/asset/dc52bbdabbcd/sub-buzz-20871-1611235017-51.jpg)
16. Toast nuts and seeds before using them to maximize their flavor.
![Toasting walnuts](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-01/21/13/asset/f1378ca0eb52/sub-buzz-20971-1611234538-20.jpg)
17. Always deglaze your pan.
18. For the easiest meal prep, save this cheat sheet for roasting veggies.
19. Read the whole recipe before you start cooking.
![Cartoon showing a woman who regrets not reading the recipe all the way through](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-01/21/12/asset/bd8e98c84be1/sub-buzz-21008-1611233879-11.jpg)