If you’re just starting out in the kitchen, you might need some help getting started. Luckily, we’re here to help you along with some easy cooking tips!
Simple practices like making notes while you cook or substituting an ingredient when necessary can make a considerable difference.
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It’s helpful to look at some kitchen tips before diving into the best cooking tips and tricks. After all, your kitchen is where you’ll be cooking, so knowing how to make the most of your space will make the cooking process easier. Follow these tips to get your kitchen ready for cooking:
Cooking as a beginner doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right tips and practices, you can easily make delicious meals for the whole family to enjoy. Browse the nine easy tips and tricks below to help you in the kitchen!
To familiarize yourself with the dish and increase your confidence, read the entire recipe first. If you merely skim the recipe, you may overlook important steps, so take as much time as you need.
Remember to read the full ingredient list, as well — it’s important to know what you’ll need to pick up from the store and what’s already sitting in your fridge, freezer and cupboards. Once you’ve read the recipe from top to bottom and gathered all of your ingredients, you’ll be ready to start cooking.
If you’re reading a recipe online, you can even venture into the comments. There, you may find some cooking tips for improving the dish, like adjusting ingredient amounts, substitution ideas, or cooking time and temperature recommendations.
One of the best tips for cooking new dishes is to take notes. Cooking with a recipe is a great place to start, but you don’t need to follow every step exactly as written. Make swaps if there’s an ingredient you don’t like or have on hand. Adjust the spices, depending on your tastes. The more you play around, the more you’ll get to know your tastes.
It’s a good idea to note these adjustments as you go. Writing down something makes it easier to remember, so jotting down notes for that particular recipe will be helpful if you plan to make it again in the future.
Even if you don’t make changes to a recipe, you can take notes on it. Did you have to adjust the cooking time in your oven? Do you think it’d taste better with more or less of an ingredient? Did you discover a new favorite recipe that you’ll want to cook again? Take notes on these and more to help your future self.
Taste-testing the dish as you cook is one of the most critical steps to remember. It’s also one of the most fun cooking tips! If you don’t try it as you go, how will you know if it tastes good?
You don’t want to wait until the dish is finished to do the first test — try to do this throughout the cooking process. That way, you can season and adjust ingredients accordingly. Maybe it could use more salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic or sugar. The only way to know for sure is to taste away! Just make sure whatever you’re tasting doesn’t include raw ingredients like eggs or meats.
Experimenting with ingredients is part of the fun of cooking. In fact, there may be times when substitutes are necessary. If there’s an expensive or obscure ingredient on the list, you can usually find a more affordable — and tastier — alternative.
For instance, pre-cooked chicken or beef can be great substitutes for pricier meat cuts, yet they don’t compromise flavor or nutritional value. They’re also excellent time-savers if you need a quick, easy dinner for yourself or the family! You can also use vegetarian substitutes if necessary.
Besides flavor, texture can also make or break a recipe. Many people find that when a dish doesn’t turn out as expected, it often has to do with consistency. Pay close attention to texture as you cook.
For example, your chicken may dry out if you cook it too long. If the chicken looks dry, consider adding in some chicken broth. If your cookie dough is rock hard and difficult to scoop out, try adding a splash of milk. A sauce with noticeable lumps may need a good whisking.
It’s fun to get creative while cooking on the stovetop, but baking is more of an exact science. We mentioned earlier that you can substitute items when cooking, but we don’t recommend experimenting with baked recipes until you get more experience under your belt.
Baked goods require certain measurements of ingredients that influence moisture, consistency, and leavening or rising. If you use too much baking soda in a cake, it could create a mess in the oven or compromise flavor. When it comes to bread, cookies, cakes or other baked goods, follow the recipe precisely. You may be able to use baking powder instead of baking soda, but you need to adjust the quantities.
While you should start out by cooking dishes you like, don’t be afraid to branch out as well. Doing so can help you discover new favorite recipes. You know what you and your family like — try to find recipes that match these preferences but include a little variation.
If you have frozen beef or chicken on hand, tacos may be a meal that comes to mind. However, instead of traditional tacos, why not spice things up with Chicken Taco Pinwheels or Taco Stuffed Bell Peppers? Try new fillings and recipes to liven up dinnertime!
Trying new recipes is ideal when cooking for yourself or your immediate family. Sticking to familiar recipes is typically best when cooking for guests. When you cook a dish for the first time, you can’t predict exactly how it will taste or how much time you’ll need to prep it.
So, it’s likely better to serve something you’ve made a few times to your dinner guests. It makes meal prep more of a breeze, and you know the dish will turn out well. In the meantime, work on mastering new recipes on your own so you can make them for guests in the future!
Last but not least, it’s important to trust your gut when cooking. If something seems off, it probably is — despite being part of the recipe. There may be millions of recipes out there, but remember that each person has their own idea of what sounds and tastes best. Even if you’re a beginner, follow your instincts and address them whenever possible. You know more than you think!
If you’re hesitant to start your cooking journey because you’re worried that it will be too expensive, there are a few budget-friendly tips that you can implement:
At John Soules Foods, we know that cooking healthy family meals can be challenging — especially when you’re a beginner in the kitchen and have multiple schedules to juggle in your household. That’s why we make it easy to enjoy tasty meals without the added hassle and stress.
Our savory selection of pre-cooked, cut and seasoned meats can enhance a variety of recipes, from pasta dishes to sandwiches to wraps. With these quick and easy dishes from our recipe center, you can make weeknight meals like a pro in no time. Browse simple and delicious recipes from John Soules Foods today!
