Use this cooking advice to ramp up your skills—and transform from chef no to chef pro!
10 Tips for People Who Think They Can’t Cook
Updated Jul. 15, 2022
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Remember, if you can read, you can cook
Easy for us to say, right? True story, though. A recipe is just an instruction manual for a great dish. Take the time to read through it before you start, much like you would (or should) any other set of instructions. Here’s how to read a recipe the right way.
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Start clean!
Give yourself room to work. Clear the clutter to make sure you have enough space. Gather and clean the tools you need before you start. You don’t want to have to stop in the middle of the recipe to wash a pan or measuring cup.
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Know the terms
It’s important to learn a bit of the lingo before you get started. If the recipe calls for you to grease the pan or fold in egg whites, be sure you know what that means. Most general cooking terms are simple, but if you have any doubt, take a minute to look them up.
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Do the mise en place thing
This fancy French phrase simply means “setting up.” A clean space is key, but you should also take time to measure and prepare your ingredients before you put a single thing in a pan. You can buy simple dollar-store prep bowls to hold everything. That way, when the heat’s on, you’re ready to go. (And you won’t forget that you’ve already added something important like hot sauce and do it twice. Not that we’d know anything about that.) Here are more tips we learned in culinary school.
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Use quality ingredients
You want ingredients that are fresh. Even though you got a bargain on that expired cake mix, you’ll be disappointed when it bakes up flat. Make sure your spices are fresh, too. (Heads up: They only keep 6 to 12 months). If you’re still using the ones in the tin cans, you should think about updating. You won’t have to update these everlasting pantry staples, though.
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Use quality tools
If you’re just starting out, try to splurge on one good pan. Think you might like cast iron? Check out the thrift stores; they’re a great resource. Decide which is the best type for you with our frying pan buying guide.
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Watch the time
Don’t rely on your memory to keep track of time; distractions happen. Set a timer (or two) to help stay on task. Always start checking your meal five minutes before the given cook time. It’s easy to leave things cooking a little longer but near impossible to save something that’s overcooked.
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Break it down
Don’t be overwhelmed by the instructions—follow the steps, one by one, and you’ll be fine. Sometimes one step is a whole paragraph. Separate that into sentences and you’ll discover the recipe is not as hard as you thought.
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Be patient
Patience is definitely a virtue when you’re in the kitchen. Sauces need time to thicken; cakes need time to bake. Don’t try to rush a recipe. Take your time, stick to the plan, and you’ll have a dish to be proud of when the timer dings.
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Imperfection is still perfection
Mistakes happen to all of us, from seasoned cooks to newbies. Most of the time those mistakes will still be edible, even if the food is not perfect. As Julia Child said, “No one is born a great cook. One learns by doing.” So go forth and do. The more you cook, the better cook you’ll become.
Originally Published: September 22, 2020
