Common Cooking Mistakes

Even the best home cooks sometimes make mistakes in the kitchen.

It can be easy to panic when something unexpected happens, but it’s important that you keep your cool and remain focused. Remember that every mishap is an opportunity for you to learn and become a better cook.

Read on for some of the common cooking mistakes and how you should handle them.

Not Checking Cooking Temperatures

Cooking temperatures are crucial in the kitchen, especially when it comes to meat and poultry. Make sure to reference reliable resources when cooking these items, such as government-issued food safety guidelines. If you’re cooking a meat product like chicken, pork, or beef, make sure to use a digital instant-read thermometer to check the temperature. Make sure to insert the probe of the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, being careful not to hit any bones. If the internal temperature of the meat doesn’t match the recommended temperature listed in the recipe, you should either cook the meat longer or put it in the trash.

Using Low-Quality Fats and Oils

With the recent fat scare, many people have become wary of consuming fats and oils. While it’s true that people should be cautious about their fat intake, it’s also important to remember that fat is an essential part of a healthy diet. Fat is necessary for proper brain function, a strong immune system, and healthy skin and hair.

While fats can be good for you, many types of fat are bad for you. Make sure to use quality fats, such as extra-virgin olive oil, coconut oil, butter, or lard for cooking at home. Avoid using cheap vegetable oils for sautéing at high temperatures because they break down and can create harmful toxins.

Overcrowding the Pan With Veggies

When you’re sautéing veggies, make sure to give them enough space in the pan. Overcrowding the pan can result in your veggies steaming instead of getting the nice, crispy texture you’re after. If your pan isn’t big enough to fit all of the ingredients, use two pans instead of trying to cram everything into one. Also, try roasting your vegetables if you’re cooking for a crowd.

Forgetting Ingredients

If you’re following a recipe, make sure you’ve got all the ingredients you need before you start cooking. It’s good to have a list on hand when you go to the grocery store. Failing to account for every ingredient can cause you to make mistakes, waste time, and end up with subpar results. That being said, if you do find that you’ve forgotten an ingredient or don’t have access to it at the moment, it may help to look at cooking substitutes online.

Mistakes are bound to happen in the kitchen, but they don’t have to be permanent. The next time you make a mistake, take a step back and reflect on what went wrong. Were there any areas where you could improve? Mistakes are important because they encourage you to explore new ways of doing things and they keep you on your toes.