The Kitchen Shear Hack To Open Wine Bottles

There are some single-use tools that, while delightful, are easy to pass up. If you're not eating an avocado each day or stripping corn off the cob, chances are you won't buy a gadget dedicated solely to that. But we're here to remind you not to lump kitchen shears into the same category.

As sharp as a knife and similarly versatile, kitchen shears' blades can handle much more than trimming parchment paper or spatchcocking a chicken (though they excel at both tasks). But don't overlook the handle, where another helpful tool resides in plain sight. The serrated interior, situated between the handle and the blades, can function as a bottle opener by gripping onto cork and metal.

This is most effective with previously opened bottles of wine, broken corks, and hard-to-twist metal tops. While the shears' teeth grab and twist with ease, they can't replace a corkscrew. (You might be able to combine this technique with the knife and fork wine bottle opening method if you're desperate.) The tool also pops crown caps, the metal tops on sparkling wines like pét-nat, as well as on beer and soda bottles.

Once your bottles are open and you've finished politely pouring wine for your friends (or into their mouths), you might find yourself with leftover wine. Don't put the shears away just yet — they can be helpful as you incorporate the extra wine into your next meal. A beloved secret weapon in the culinary world, kitchen shears boast a wealth of talents.

Chef Andrew Zimmern is a fan of this workhorse tool, especially when making a whole chicken. As shown on his TikTok, he carves the roast using kitchen shears — a tactic that works just as well on store-bought rotisserie birds. You can complete your gourmet dinner by creating a pan sauce using the juices from the chicken, leftover wine, and fresh herbs trimmed with your handy scissors.

The sharp blades easily glide through tough shells, so you can also put the wine to use in poaching seafood. If you'd prefer to enjoy your leftovers alongside your surf and turf, use the powerful blades to prep lobster tails for your air fryer. Don't stop there; you can continue using the gadget to butterfly shrimp and trim steak as well.

In addition to popping bottles, the serrated centers of kitchen shears can punch through shelled nuts. The grabby teeth also make opening jars easier. Though this motion requires a bit of practice, try tilting the scissors vertically before very carefully gripping and rotating stuck-on lids.

Savvy chefs use kitchen shears to keep their hands and cutting boards clean, employing the tool to break down whole canned tomatoes without the splatter. The trick is to puncture and then slice the fruits while they're still in the can before adding them to sauces and soups.

When dealing with hot peppers or pungent ingredients, the snippers allow you to cut items directly inside a bowl or skillet without handling them. After use, the two handles twist apart and separate, making them easy to clean. Remember to exercise caution when wielding and washing the scissors; they're just as sharp as your knives.