How to Cook

Learn how to cook with step-by-step guides from the Taste of Home Test Kitchen. Our experts will walk you through the techniques you need to master must-try dishes and desserts.

Add Filter

    Tout icon

    How to Cook Pork Shoulder

    Learn how to braise or slow cook pork shoulder to yield tender, succulent meat that's delicious sliced or pulled. The...


    How to Make a Reuben Sandwich that Outdoes the Deli

    Meat + melty cheese = sandwich heaven. Our Test Kitchen experts show you how to DIY a Reuben.


    9 Tips for Cooking Great-Tasting Asparagus

    The secret to perfect asparagus? It's all in the preparation.


    Tout icon

    How to Make a Pimento Cheese Sandwich Like Dolly Parton Does

    When Dolly Parton celebrates the holidays, she always includes her pimento cheese sandwich recipe. Here's how she makes this easy,...


    Do Spices Expire? Here’s What You Need to Know

    It's hard to part with our beloved herbs, spices and blends—they help make our meals delicious. But do spices expire?...


    Tout icon

    Cookies Too Crunchy? Soften Them Up with This Simple Tip

    Save your next batch of crunchy cookies! We've got an easy tip to soften hard cookies so you can enjoy...


    How to Brown Butter (And Why You Definitely Should)

    Consider this the home cook's guide on how to brown butter.


    7 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Cooking Seafood

    We've all ruined a perfectly good piece of fish at one time or another. These cooking tips for fish let...

    How to Cook Frozen Chicken in the Instant Pot

    If you're anywhere near as forgetful as we are when it comes to thawing meat for dinner, you need this...


    We Tried Internet Famous Pan-Bang Chocolate Chip Cookies (and Loved Them!)

    On our quest to find the *perfect* chocolate chip cookie, we couldn't help but wonder if the internet's favorite recipe...


    How to Save a Broken Sauce

    It's zero fun when a sauce breaks. Here are two options to fix a broken sauce just in time.


    9 Secrets to Making the Best Mashed Potatoes Ever

    Avoiding these common mistakes will ensure your carb fix is even more delicious.


    Here’s How to Cook Pork Every Way Imaginable

    Step away from your go-to pork recipes and add a few new techniques to your arsenal. From roasted and braised...


    8 Natural Food Dyes You Can Make at Home

    Skip the store-bought food coloring and try these natural food dyes instead. They're made from some of your favorite foods!


    3 Surprising Reasons Why You Should Always Grate Your Own Cheese

    It's totally easier to buy a bag of pre-shredded cheese, but lots of sources claim shredding at home is better.


    Degassing Beans: Here’s How to Silence the “Musical Fruit”

    Beans don't have to be the musically embarrassing fruit. Try one of these proven methods for degassing beans.


    Tout icon

    8 Simple Ways to Make Tough Meat Tender

    Not every cut is melt-in-your mouth tender. We have the scoop on how to make tough meat tender with just...

    Your Guide to Gourmet (and Everyday) Salts. Plus, When to Use Them

    Confused about the types of salt now available? Look no further than this straight-forward guide to gourmet varieties of all...


    How to Make Self-Rising Flour

    What is self-rising flour, and how do you make it? Find out here.


    Tout icon

    This Secret Technique is the Key to Tender, Juicy Stir-Fry Chicken

    Velveting chicken is a Chinese technique that keeps meat incredibly tender and juicy. Here's how it works.


    Here’s the Surprising Difference Between Yellow and White Popcorn Kernels (Yep, T...

    Color isn't the only thing to consider when picking the right kind of popcorn.


    How to Make Truly Tender Pot Roast

    Take winter's coziest dish and make it a superstar. Our Test Kitchen experts show you how to make pot roast...


    5 Tricks to Making the Ultimate Caesar Salad

    All it takes are five simple ingredients that add up to an amazing Caesar salad. Here you'll find everything you...

    Stiff Peaks and Soft Peaks: How to Whisk Egg Whites

    Whether soft or stiff, getting the right peaks for your recipe is crucial for light and airy desserts. Learn how...


    Tout icon

    How to Cook Crab Legs, 4 Ways

    Follow our step-by-step instructions to learn how to make crab legs like a pro!


    How to Make Cornbread

    Want to know how to make cornbread from scratch? Our Test Kitchen provides you with a helpful guide sprinkled with...


    Tout icon

    Here’s the Secret to Light, Buttery Shortbread

    For the best shortbread, it's all about simplicity in ingredients and closely following each step. These instructions make it easy!


    How to Cook with Essential Oils

    Essential oils aren't just for the spa and diffusers anymore! Certain oils can be incredibly useful in the kitchen. Learn...


    Thin Crust Pizza Dough

    23 reviews

    My family loves pizza, and this crust is our go-to recipe. It is healthier and less expensive than delivery and...