If you’ve ever found yourself scrolling through Instagram food feeds or watching cooking shows and thinking, “I wish I could cook like that,” you’re not alone! Cooking can seem intimidating at first, but with a little guidance and some practice, it can become one of the most rewarding and fun activities in your daily life. Whether you’re looking to save money, eat healthier, or simply learn a new skill, getting into cooking is a great way to take control of what goes into your meals and develop a new passion.
If you’re a beginner in the kitchen, you might be wondering where to even start. Should you tackle complicated recipes, or stick to the basics? Do you need a full kitchen arsenal or can you get by with just a few essentials? Don’t worry—this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to start cooking with confidence.
1. Start with Simple Recipes
When you’re first getting into cooking, the key is to keep it simple. Trying to recreate a Michelin-star dish on your first attempt can lead to frustration, so it’s best to start with straightforward, beginner-friendly recipes. Simple does not mean bland or boring—it just means easy-to-follow steps with accessible ingredients.
Great Beginner Recipes to Try:
- Stir-Fries: Stir-fries are quick, versatile, and easy to make. All you need are some vegetables, a protein (chicken, beef, tofu, etc.), and a simple stir-fry sauce made from soy sauce, garlic, and a bit of honey or vinegar.
- Pasta Dishes: Pasta is a great place to begin because it’s easy to make, and the possibilities are endless. Start with a basic marinara sauce or try your hand at a creamy Alfredo sauce. Add in some veggies or protein to make it more interesting.
- Sheet Pan Meals: These meals are as easy as it gets—just toss chopped vegetables and a protein (like chicken or salmon) onto a baking sheet, season, and bake. Perfect for busy weeknights!
- Salads and Bowls: Fresh salads or grain bowls (like quinoa or rice bowls) are a great way to practice flavor balancing, using a variety of ingredients, and making dressings from scratch.
By starting simple, you’ll build your confidence and establish a solid foundation before moving on to more complex recipes.
2. Stock Your Kitchen with Essentials
You don’t need a fancy kitchen or an endless list of gadgets to get started. A few essential tools and ingredients will set you up for success and help you avoid feeling overwhelmed. Here’s what you should have in your kitchen when you start cooking:
Essential Cooking Tools:
- Chef’s Knife: A sharp, all-purpose knife is the most important tool in any kitchen. It helps with chopping, slicing, and dicing everything from vegetables to meats.
- Cutting Board: Protect your countertops and your knife with a sturdy cutting board (preferably one that is large enough for a variety of tasks).
- Pots and Pans: Invest in at least one non-stick skillet and one medium saucepan. A baking sheet or two for roasting will also be useful for many recipes.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precision is important in cooking, especially in baking. Having a set of measuring cups and spoons helps ensure you’re adding the right amounts of ingredients.
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula: For stirring and sautéing, a good spoon or spatula makes life easier, especially when cooking over heat.
- Can Opener and Peeler: These tools are essential for opening canned goods and prepping vegetables.
Essential Pantry Ingredients:
- Olive Oil: A good-quality olive oil is a must-have for sautéing, roasting, and making dressings.
- Salt & Pepper: The simplest but most important seasoning you’ll need.
- Garlic and Onions: These two aromatics are the base for so many dishes. They’ll add flavor and depth to your cooking.
- Rice and Pasta: These pantry staples are quick to prepare and form the base for many meals.
- Canned Tomatoes: Great for making sauces, soups, and stews.
- Dried Herbs & Spices: Start with a few basics like basil, oregano, cumin, and chili flakes. Fresh herbs are also a great addition when available.
3. Learn Basic Cooking Techniques
As a beginner, it’s helpful to learn a few essential cooking techniques that will help you navigate almost any recipe. Once you’ve mastered these techniques, you can follow most recipes with ease and make modifications based on your tastes.
Key Techniques to Master:
- Sautéing: This involves cooking food quickly in a hot pan with a bit of oil or butter. Sautéing is the basis for many dishes, from stir-fries to sauces. Practice sautéing onions, garlic, and vegetables to get comfortable with this technique.
- Boiling and Simmering: Boiling is used to cook pasta, rice, and potatoes, while simmering is a gentler method to cook soups, stews, and sauces. Practice boiling water and simmering ingredients to get a feel for cooking times.
- Roasting: Roasting is an easy way to cook vegetables, meats, and even fruits. It requires high heat and minimal effort—just toss your ingredients with oil, seasonings, and pop them in the oven.
- Grilling or Broiling: Whether you’re using an outdoor grill or your oven’s broiler, these methods can produce delicious results with meats, vegetables, and even fruits like peaches or pineapple.
By familiarizing yourself with these basic techniques, you’ll be able to build confidence and understand the logic behind many recipes.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
One of the best parts of cooking is that it’s a creative process. Once you’ve mastered a few basic recipes, don’t be afraid to experiment and make the dishes your own. Taste as you go, adjust seasonings to your liking, and play around with flavors and ingredients.
For example, if you’re making pasta, try swapping out regular spaghetti for whole wheat pasta or experimenting with different sauces (pesto, arrabbiata, or a lemon butter sauce). If you’re roasting vegetables, try adding some garlic, balsamic vinegar, or honey for a flavor twist.
5. Start with Meal Prep
If you’re short on time or new to cooking, meal prepping can help you get organized and make cooking more manageable. Plan your meals ahead of time, chop your vegetables, and even cook some grains in advance to save time during the week.
How to Start Meal Prepping:
- Plan Your Week: Look at your schedule and choose 2-3 meals that you can make in bulk and eat throughout the week. Choose recipes that can be easily stored and reheated, like soups, stews, or casseroles.
- Batch Cook: Cook large portions of things like rice, beans, or roasted vegetables in one go, and store them in the fridge for the week ahead.
- Store Smartly: Use airtight containers to store your prepped meals and ingredients. Label them with dates to ensure freshness.
Meal prepping not only makes cooking less stressful, but it also helps you avoid the temptation of takeout or processed foods.
6. Learn to Trust Your Senses
One of the most important skills you’ll develop as you cook is learning to trust your senses. Tasting your food as you go, listening for the sizzle of a pan, and observing the changes in texture or color will all help you become a better cook.
How to Tune into Your Senses:
- Taste: Regularly taste your food as it cooks. Adjust the seasoning, add acid (like lemon juice or vinegar) to balance flavors, or add more herbs if needed.
- Smell: Aromas are a great indicator of flavor. If your food smells off, something may be wrong, but if it smells delicious, you’re probably on the right track!
- Look: Pay attention to color changes. For example, vegetables often become brighter and more vibrant when they’re properly cooked, and meat should be browned on the outside while still juicy inside.
7. Don’t Be Afraid of Mistakes
Finally, remember that everyone makes mistakes in the kitchen—it’s part of the learning process. Even seasoned chefs burn a dish or miscalculate a recipe from time to time. If something goes wrong, don’t get discouraged—use it as an opportunity to learn and improve.
Cooking is as much about trial and error as it is about technique, and every mistake is a step toward becoming a better cook. Plus, you’ll get to eat your creations, no matter how they turn out!
Final Thoughts: Have Fun with Cooking
Getting into cooking doesn’t have to be daunting. By starting simple, mastering basic techniques, and experimenting with flavors, you’ll quickly gain confidence in the kitchen. Cooking can be an incredibly fun and rewarding experience—plus, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of enjoying a meal you’ve made yourself.
So grab a knife, start chopping, and don’t be afraid to get a little messy. The world of cooking is full of possibilities, and the more you dive in, the more exciting and delicious it becomes. Happy cooking!
