A simple kitchen hack is blowing people’s minds after a viral TikTok video revealed that the small plastic tab on olive oil bottles serves a much bigger purpose than most people realise. For years, home cooks have struggled with the frustration of pouring too much oil into the pan, leading to wasted oil and greasy food.
But now, thanks to a clever trick, those messy spills could be a thing of the past. The common assumption is that the plastic tab under the cap is nothing more than a tamper-proof seal, meant to be thrown away after opening.
However, as TikTok user CookingCards demonstrated in a now-viral video, this tiny piece of plastic can actually be used to control the oil flow.
In the clip, they addressed a problem many people can relate to: “Don’t you hate it when you’re pouring oil and it makes a mess everywhere? Well, I do. And trust me, try this hack and you will thank me later.”
Instead of discarding the tab, they removed it, flipped it upside down, and reinserted it into the bottle opening. When they poured the oil, it flowed out in a controlled, smooth stream—preventing excessive spills.
“Look at that pour,” they said, showing just how effective the trick was.
The simple yet effective hack has stunned viewers across social media, with many questioning why they had never heard of it before.
“Are you kidding me? I’ve been wasting oil my whole life!” one person commented.
Another wrote: “That’s genius! Manufacturers should tell us this.”
“Mind blown. I’m trying this ASAP,” added another.
This newfound trick is proving to be a game-changer in the kitchen, helping people pour olive oil with precision and avoid unnecessary mess.
So next time you open a new bottle, don’t throw away that little plastic tab, it might just save you from wasting oil ever again!
