Beyond Cutting Herbs: 15 Surprising Uses for Kitchen Shears
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When most people think of kitchen shears, they imagine snipping herbs or opening packaging. While those are classic uses, these versatile tools are capable of so much more. In fact, a high-quality pair of shears can replace multiple gadgets in your kitchen and even serve useful purposes outside of cooking.
At BCKnife, we believe in choosing tools that bring maximum functionality to your home or professional kitchen. That’s why our collection of kitchen shears features durable, sharp, and ergonomic options designed to handle tasks you probably never thought scissors could manage.
In this article, we’ll go beyond the obvious and explore 15 surprising uses for kitchen shears that will make you wonder how you ever cooked without them.
1. Cutting Pizza into Perfect Slices
Instead of struggling with a pizza wheel that smashes toppings, use multi-purpose shears. They make it easy to cut clean slices without disturbing the cheese or sliding the toppings off.
2. Trimming Dough or Pastry
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Bakers can use kitchen shears to trim pie crust edges, shape dough, or even cut parchment paper for baking trays. They offer more control than a knife when working with delicate pastry.
3. Breaking Down Poultry
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A pair of heavy-duty poultry shears makes spatchcocking a chicken or cutting through turkey bones far easier than using a knife. The leverage and sharp blades handle joints with precision and safety.
4. Cutting Bacon or Deli Meats
Want evenly sized bacon strips without dirtying a cutting board? Use shears directly over your pan. This method works for pepperoni, salami, and even cooked sausages.
5. Snipping Dried Fruit
Dried figs, apricots, or dates can be sticky and hard to cut with a knife. Shears make it easy to portion them for baking, trail mix, or snacking.
6. Trimming Green Beans and Other Veggies
Instead of snapping ends by hand, use shears to quickly trim beans, asparagus, or scallions. It’s faster and neater than doing each one individually.
7. Cutting Homemade Pasta or Noodles
If you make fresh pasta at home, shears can be used to cut dough sheets into noodles of even length. They’re also useful for portioning wonton or dumpling wrappers.
8. Prepping Seafood
From trimming fins on fish to cutting through lobster shells, professional-grade kitchen shears are ideal for seafood prep. They reduce the risk of slipping compared to a knife.
9. Portioning Fresh Herbs into Dishes
Yes, cutting herbs is the classic use—but shears let you snip directly over a pan, salad, or soup, eliminating the need for a cutting board and reducing mess.
10. Opening Packaging and Food Bags
Shears aren’t just for food prep. Use them to cut open stubborn food packaging, chip bags, or vacuum-sealed meat packs without tearing the contents.
11. Slicing Pizza Dough or Flatbreads
Need to portion flatbreads or naan for serving? Shears provide clean cuts without tearing, keeping the bread’s texture intact.
12. Cutting Garnishes and Citrus Peels
Cocktail lovers can use shears to slice citrus twists, garnish herbs, or even trim ice block edges for a clean presentation.
13. Craft and Household Uses
Beyond the kitchen, multi-purpose shears are handy for cutting twine, flowers, or craft materials. They’re tough enough for light household projects too.
14. Shredding Lettuce or Cabbage
Skip the knife and chopping board—use shears to shred lettuce directly into a bowl for salads or tacos. It’s quicker and reduces cleanup.
15. Cutting Cooked Foods for Kids
Parents can use shears to quickly cut up pasta, pancakes, chicken nuggets, or other foods into bite-sized pieces for children. It’s safer and faster than using a knife at the table.
The Benefits of Using Kitchen Shears
While many of these tasks could technically be done with a knife, kitchen shears offer several advantages:
- Speed and efficiency – Cut directly over pans or bowls, reducing prep time.
- Less cleanup – No need for multiple cutting boards and knives.
- Versatility – Replace several kitchen gadgets with one durable tool.
- Safety – Better grip and control, especially for cutting slippery or tough items.
Choosing the Right Shears for Your Needs
With so many uses, you may be wondering which type of shears is best. Some are designed for everyday cooking, while others are professional-grade tools built for heavy use. To help you decide, check out our guide: [Professional Grade vs. Home Use: Choosing Shears for Your Needs].
Keeping Your Shears in Top Shape
The more you use your shears, the more important maintenance becomes. Proper cleaning, sharpening, and storage will extend their lifespan and ensure they stay razor-sharp for every task. Don’t miss our full guide: [Shear Maintenance 101: Keeping Your Blades Sharp and Smooth].
Upgrade Your Kitchen with Shears from BCKnife
As you can see, kitchen shears are far more than a herb-cutting tool—they’re one of the most versatile items you can own. Whether you’re breaking down poultry, snipping pasta, or even tackling household tasks, the right pair of shears can make all the difference.
Explore our Shears Collection to find high-quality, durable options designed to suit both home cooks and professional chefs. From heavy-duty poultry shears to multi-purpose everyday tools, BCKnife has a pair that fits your needs.