6 Clever Uses for Baking Soda in the Kitchen

Baking soda is one of those humble pantry staples that often gets overlooked. But it actually has all sorts of surprising uses in cooking and baking.

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Most people are familiar with baking soda as a leavening agent that helps cakes, breads, and other baked goods rise. But did you know that baking soda can also be used to tenderize meat, clean produce, and even put out small fires?

From cleaning and prepping ingredients to enhancing flavors and even dealing with kitchen emergencies, baking soda is a true multi-tasker. It’s good for so many things!

1. Tenderizing Meat

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Did you know you can use baking soda as a meat tenderizer? Most people don’t. It’s definitely one of the lesser-known uses for it.

The sodium bicarbonate in baking soda helps break down the tough muscle fibers in meat, which gives it in a more tender, juicy texture. This makes it especially useful on tougher cuts of meat like flank steak, skirt steak, or chuck roast.

To tenderize meat with baking soda, simply sprinkle a light coating over the surface of the meat and let it sit for 15-30 minutes before cooking. The baking soda will start to break down the proteins, making the meat more tender and easier to chew. You can also mix the baking soda with a bit of water to create a paste and rub it all over the meat before cooking.

Just be sure not to use too much baking soda because that can lead to a metallic taste. You only need a light dusting to get the tenderizing benefits. And be sure to rinse off the baking soda before cooking the meat!

2. Cleaning Produce

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Baking soda is also great for cleaning fruits and vegetables before cooking or eating them. The mild abrasive properties of baking soda can help remove dirt, pesticide residues, and other unwanted grime from the surface of produce without damaging the delicate skin.

To clean produce with baking soda, simply fill a bowl with cool water and add a tablespoon or two of baking soda. Submerge the fruits or veggies in the solution and let them soak for 5-10 minutes. Then give them a gentle scrub with a soft-bristled brush or your hands before rinsing them off under running water.

This method works especially well for leafy greens, berries, potatoes, carrots, and other produce that can be difficult to thoroughly clean. The baking soda helps lift away any dirt or residues, leaving your fruits and veggies sparkling clean and ready to use.

3. Deodorizing the Fridge

Honestly, you probably already knew this one, but once in a while, I run into people who don’t. One of the best ways to use baking soda is as a great deodorizer. The porous structure of baking soda allows it to effectively trap and neutralize unpleasant smells.

To deodorize your fridge with baking soda, simply place an open box or bowl of baking soda on one of the shelves. That’s all! The baking soda will start absorbing any lingering odors from spills, old food, or other sources. Replace the baking soda every 30 days or so to keep your fridge smelling fresh.

You can also use baking soda to absorb odors in the microwave, oven, or other kitchen appliances. Just sprinkle a bit of baking soda on a damp cloth and wipe down the interior surfaces. The baking soda will help neutralize any lingering smells.

4. Enhancing Flavor

In addition to using it to clean and deodorize, you can use baking soda to enhance the flavor of certain foods. Its slightly alkaline nature helps balance acidity and bring out the natural sweetness in ingredients.

Try adding a pinch of baking soda to tomato sauces or other acidic dishes. The baking soda helps neutralize some of the acidity, resulting in a smoother, more balanced flavor. You can also use baking soda to tenderize beans and legumes, which can make them easier to digest.

Baking soda is also sometimes used in baked goods to give them a richer, more complex flavor. Adding just a small amount – usually 1/4 teaspoon per cup of flour – can help balance the sweetness and bring out the other flavors in cakes, cookies, and breads.

Just be careful not to use too much baking soda, as it can leave an unpleasant metallic taste if overdone. Start with a small amount and adjust to your taste.

5. Cleaning Burnt Pans

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We’ve all been there – you get distracted while cooking and suddenly realize your pan is covered in a layer of burnt, stuck-on food. It can be a real pain to try and scrub that off. But here’s a baking soda hack that can make the job much easier.

Simply sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the burnt areas of the pan, then add just enough water to make a thick paste. Let the paste sit for 15-20 minutes, then use a sponge or scrub brush to gently scrub away the burnt-on gunk. The baking soda will help break down the deposits so they come off more easily.

You can also try boiling a mixture of water and baking soda in the pan for 5-10 minutes before scrubbing. The heat and baking soda will help loosen up the stuck-on food. Just be sure to let the pan cool completely before attempting to clean it.

This baking soda method works great on both stainless steel and nonstick pans. Just avoid using it on cast iron, as the abrasiveness of the baking soda can damage the seasoning on the pan.

6. Extinguishing Grease Fires

While we’re on the topic of kitchen emergencies, baking soda can also be surprisingly useful for putting out small grease fires. The sodium bicarbonate in baking soda reacts with the grease to smother the flames and stop the fire from spreading.

If you ever have a small grease fire start on your stovetop, the first thing you should do is turn off the heat source. Then, carefully and quickly grab a box of baking soda and toss handfuls of it directly onto the flames. The baking soda will help smother the fire and prevent it from reigniting.

Never try to extinguish a grease fire with water, as that can actually make it worse by splashing the hot grease around. Baking soda is a much safer and more effective option for putting out small kitchen fires.

Just be sure to keep a box of baking soda easily accessible in your kitchen in case of emergencies. It could end up saving your home (and your dinner!) from a dangerous grease fire.