You want dinner to feel home-cooked — but you also want your evening back. Whether you’re feeding toddlers, teens, or just yourself after a long day, there’s a sweet spot between scratch cooking and throwing up your hands.
These are Shawhan Farms–approved shortcuts that still feel like you showed up. Because sometimes the best kind of homemade… is smart.
Flavor Shortcuts That Start with a Jar
Finish with Seasoning, Not Sauce
Skip the extra pan. Skip the simmer. Just toss steamed veggies or rotisserie chicken with a flavorful herb-forward blend.
⭐ We love Shawhan Farms Chimichurri Sauce Dry Mix for this — bright, punchy, and ready in seconds.
Shortcut tip: Mix it into softened butter or olive oil for an instant drizzle over roasted potatoes, grilled steak tips, or reheated grain bowls.
Shortcuts for Real-Time Crunch
The Sheet Pan Crisp
Want roasted texture without the prep? Start with frozen veggies. Toss them with oil and seasoning while still frozen, and roast at 450°F until browned. Broil for 2–3 minutes if needed.
Try: Green beans + olive oil + a pinch of our smoky Creole rub for bold flavor without extra effort.
Smart Batch & Freeze Moves
Freeze in Layers, Not Lumps
Casseroles freeze well — but how you freeze them makes all the difference. Instead of a giant block, divide into single portions with parchment paper in between. Same goes for shredded meat, sauces, even breakfast sandwiches.
Pro tip: Pre-season before freezing so dinner’s halfway done when it thaws.
Want more prep-worthy batch ideas? We like these freezer strategies from Taste of Home — practical, not fussy.
Kids Can Help — No Matter the Recipe
Use Assembly, Not Recipes
Sometimes the best shortcut is getting help. Let kids build their own wraps, tacos, yogurt parfaits, or grain bowls. No recipe, no wrong answers — just edible building blocks.
Time-saver: Pre-cut veggies on Sunday, store them in wide-mouth jars, and make them visible in the fridge. That’s the shortcut before the shortcut.
It’s Still Homemade — Even If It’s From a Shortcut
What you’re doing counts. A shortcut doesn’t make it less thoughtful — especially when it makes room for the parts you want to do and skips the ones you don’t.
👉 Explore more seasoning solutions in our full Shawhan Farms Product Collection — made for real kitchens, full flavor, and actual time back.
Shawhan Farms:
Grounded in Quality.