Cooking isn’t always as easy as it looks, and even the best home cooks make simple mistakes.
Sure, if you can read, you can follow a recipe — and if you know your way around the kitchen, you’re probably pretty confident in your abilities to make some tasty meals. However, here are a few common ones to avoid next time you’re getting your Jamie Oliver on.
1. Overcrowding the pan
It’s tempting to throw everything in the pan to save time, but too much food at once keeps things from browning. Instead of a nice sear, you end up with steamed, soggy food. Try cooking in batches, so each piece has room to cook evenly. Giving your ingredients some breathing room will elevate your dish, making it taste as good as it should.
2. Not preheating the pan
Starting with a cold pan means your food takes longer to cook and doesn’t develop that beautiful golden colour. Whether you’re cooking meat or vegetables, a properly heated pan makes a huge difference. Wait until the pan is hot before adding oil or food—it’ll help create a perfect sear and lock in flavour. Taking this extra step results in tastier, evenly cooked dishes.
3. Skipping the seasoning
Salt and pepper are essentials, but many people don’t season enough or wait until the end to do it. Seasoning as you go builds layers of flavour that bring a dish to life. Be mindful of adding salt throughout, especially when cooking proteins, to avoid a bland final result. A well-seasoned dish tastes balanced, making each bite a whole lot tastier.
4. Using dull knives
A dull knife is more than just frustrating—it’s also dangerous. It requires more force, which can lead to slips and uneven cuts. Sharpening your knives regularly will make prep work faster, safer, and more precise. Sharp knives give you better control, allowing you to slice, dice, and chop like a pro with ease.
5. Ignoring the importance of resting meat
Cutting into meat right after it’s cooked lets all the juices run out, leaving it dry. Resting meat for a few minutes allows the juices to redistribute, keeping it moist and full of flavour. Cover the meat loosely with foil and give it some time before slicing. This small wait makes a noticeable difference in tenderness and taste.
6. Overcooking pasta
Pasta continues to cook even after you drain it, so if you wait until it’s fully cooked in the pot, it’ll end up mushy. Aim for slightly undercooked or “al dente” pasta, especially if you’re adding it to a hot sauce. Finishing the pasta in the sauce allows it to absorb flavour, creating a perfectly textured, tasty dish.
7. Not reading the recipe all the way through
Starting a recipe without knowing all the steps can lead to mistakes or timing issues. Recipes often have important details later on that affect how you start. Take a few minutes to read it from start to finish so you’re fully prepared. Knowing what’s ahead saves you from surprises and helps everything come together smoothly.
8. Using too much or too little oil
Too much oil can make a dish greasy, while too little can cause food to stick or cook unevenly. Finding the right balance is key to cooking delicious, well-textured meals. Use just enough to lightly coat the pan or ingredients—this will help with browning and add flavour without overdoing it. Proper oil usage can transform the final outcome of your dish.
9. Overmixing batters and doughs
When mixing batters or doughs, it’s easy to go overboard, but too much mixing activates gluten, leading to dense or tough baked goods. Mix just until everything is combined, and don’t worry about a few lumps. This ensures a light, airy texture, especially in cakes, muffins, and pancakes. Gentle mixing gives you the tender, fluffy results you’re aiming for.
10. Cooking at the wrong temperature
Each type of food requires different heat levels, yet it’s easy to crank up the heat to speed things along. High heat can burn food on the outside while leaving it raw in the middle, and low heat can lead to soggy textures. Adjust your heat based on the ingredients and method—proper temperature control improves the taste and texture of your dish.
11. Forgetting to taste as you go
Cooking without tasting can lead to bland or overly seasoned food. Tasting as you go helps you catch mistakes before they’re too late to fix. Don’t wait until the end—adjust the seasoning at various points to keep flavours balanced. This simple habit can turn a good dish into a great one by ensuring it’s perfectly seasoned from start to finish.
12. Using too much flour when rolling dough
When rolling out dough, it’s tempting to sprinkle on extra flour to prevent sticking, but too much can make baked goods dry and tough. Use a light touch and only dust as needed to keep the dough workable. Adding just a small amount helps maintain the right texture without altering the final product. Less flour leads to tender, tasty baked treats.
13. Boiling vegetables instead of steaming or roasting
Boiling vegetables often leaches out nutrients and flavour, leaving you with bland, watery veggies. Steaming or roasting retains their natural taste and texture, giving you a more vibrant dish. Toss veggies with a bit of oil and seasoning before roasting for even more flavour. Switching to these methods brings out the best in your vegetables, making them a delicious side or main.
