The Ultimate Beginner Cooking Guide: Simple Tips to Get You Started

Why Should We Know How to Cook?

For those just starting their culinary journey, understanding the basics of cooking is the essential first step. Cooking is a fundamental skill, not limited by gender, and should be as basic as reading. Everyone should be able to prepare a simple meal for themselves.

Let’s have a look at these 14 simple beginner cooking tips to help you get started.

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Have a Clean and Cool Working Environment

Having a clean kitchen will put you in a good mood before you start cooking. You don’t want to feel stressed, especially as a beginner, by working in a cluttered kitchen. Working in a cool environment will make you feel comfortable, which isn’t emphasised enough. No one wants to be sweaty and frustrated when things go wrong. One motto I like to stand by, whether you are a beginner cook or a professional chef, is: over-preparation is better than no preparation. The more you can prepare beforehand, the easier the cooking process will be.

Having the Right Equipment

Having the right equipment will benefit you in your current and future cooking endeavours.

• Measuring cups and a kitchen scale – This is crucial for beginners, as you want to make as few mistakes as possible, especially with quantities. Remember, eyeballing measurements is for intermediate and advanced cooking. We want to follow the recipe to the T, leaving little room for errors or flops.
• Pots, pans, and oven trays – You want to buy budget-friendly, quality items that are heavy-duty and will last. Start by purchasing a medium-sized stainless steel pot, good for soups, broths, and boiling large ingredients; a pan, preferably non-stick or stainless steel, good for sautéing; and a large baking tray, good for roasting and handling multiple ingredients.
  Remember: budget-friendly and quality, not looks and aesthetics, because those can be harmful or even fall apart quickly.
• Knives – One good chef’s knife is all you need. Again, quality over quantity. You want it to be sharp, sturdy, and comfortable in your hand. Forget about needing a fancy 10-piece knife set; one good chef’s knife is all you need. Remember, a sharp knife is safer than a dull one. Dull knives can slip and cause injuries or put strain on your wrist.
• A vegetable peeler – Yes, you don’t need a peeling knife. Just use a peeler and save yourself the hassle. Get a good-quality one that is sharp.
• Chopping boards – You want to have a good chopping board that is sturdy and easy to maintain. I don’t recommend wooden chopping boards for a beginner because it does require care and seasoning.
• Dedicated bowls for ingredients – These can be from home, or if you don’t have them, you can purchase basic bowls of different sizes or even sets that come in different colours. This will help with sorting out ingredients and being more organised.
• A timer and a thermometer – You can use your phone as a timer or get a dedicated kitchen clock to make sure you stay within the cooking time. The thermometer will help ensure your food isn’t overcooked or undercooked.

Your equipment shouldn’t be expensive or aesthetically pleasing. It should be long-lasting and get the job done without falling apart. It’s always good to see what you have at home and what you can work with before deciding to purchase more.

Ingredients

When it comes to ingredients, you want to select items that are fresh and of good quality but affordable. It’s also best to buy simple ingredients that take a short time to cook. I firmly believe in working with what you have and checking the ingredients in your pantry and fridge. This will help you to be resourceful and versatile by cooking up a storm with anything on hand.

When it comes to meats, pick easy cuts. It will be helpful to watch a YouTube video on how to cook a certain type of meat or cut, and follow it to the T. Examples would be chicken breast, fillet steak, or lamb chops.

Let’s talk about ingredient substitutes. Maybe you follow a recipe, and it requires a certain ingredient, but you have no access to it. Just do a simple search for an ingredient substitute or one with similar taste or texture. This will also increase your versatility skills as a cook.

As a beginner, you want to make your first cooking experience hassle-free.

Cooking Techniques

Here are five basic techniques you need to get started. They are short and simple:

• Learn Basic Knife Skills
  Hold the knife with a firm grip. Pinch the blade with your thumb and finger.
  Use your other hand to hold the food like a “claw” to protect your fingers.
  Cut with a rocking motion: the tip stays on the board while you move the blade.
• Don’t Worry About Perfect Chopping
  Just cut into small or big pieces, depending on what the recipe needs.
  Bigger pieces are fine for longer cooking. Small ones cook faster.
• Sautéing (Quick Pan Cooking)
  Heat the pan first, then add oil or butter.
  Add food without crowding the pan.
  Stir often so everything cooks evenly and gets a little brown.
• Boiling (Cooking in Water)
  Boil water or broth till big bubbles form.
  Add food carefully.
  Lower the heat if needed and cook until soft or ready.
• Baking (Using the Oven)
  Preheat the oven first.
  Follow the recipe to mix and prepare your food.
  Use the right baking tray or dish.
  Bake for the time the recipe says, and don’t open the oven too much!

Pantry Essentials

Every pantry should have these essentials for beginner cooks and professionals:

• Salt – Salt is the most important spice in the culinary world. It is the main ingredient to enhance the flavour of food. It’s also important to use salt in moderation, not to over-salt or under-salt, depending on the ingredient and dish.
• Butter
• Vegetable oil
• Spices of choice

Note: Each pantry will differ from person to person, so it’s important to have ingredients you will use often when cooking.

Cooking Temperatures

For beginners, I always recommend cooking on low temperatures and working your way up to medium, then high. This way, you have more control over your dish, avoid burning it, and it allows you to be more comfortable while cooking. Slowly, you can adjust the temperature when you feel ready.

Kitchen Safety Tips

Having a clutter-free and clean kitchen can help you be more organised and avoid running around and hurting yourself.

• Working in low temperatures first lowers the risk of being burned and panicking.
• Never throw water on hot oil!
• Make sure knives are sharp and sturdy.
• Wear an apron and have a pair of oven gloves or a dishcloth when handling hot items.
• Have a window open or the extractor on for ventilation.
• If you are cooking for the very first time, let someone know in case they need to call the fire department or an ambulance.

Flavour Pairing

What is Flavour Pairing?

Flavour pairing is the idea of matching ingredients that taste good together. It’s based on how their natural flavours, smells, or chemical compounds work in harmony. When done well, it makes your food taste balanced and delicious.

Why is Flavour Pairing Important?

• It helps you make tastier meals, even with simple ingredients.
• It gives your food depth: sweet, salty, sour, and umami can all play together.
• It helps you experiment with new recipes and avoid weird combos that don’t work.

3 Best Flavour Pairings for Beginners

• Butter, Onion & Garlic
  A classic trio that is my favourite and the base for many delicious dishes. The butter softens the sharpness of onion and garlic, blending them into a deep, comforting flavour. I swear the aroma will make it seem like you are cooking in a five-star restaurant.
• Tomato, Basil & Mozzarella
  A fresh, Italian combo: juicy tomato, sweet basil, and creamy cheese. Perfect in salads or on pizza.
• Cinnamon, Apple & Brown Sugar
  Sweet and warm, these three turn anything into cosy comfort food, like pies, oatmeal, or muffins.

Finally, We Can Start Cooking

Read the Recipe

Now, before you choose a recipe, search for one that is simple and short and has ingredients you already have or a simple ingredient list that is easy to understand and follow. Every recipe has the same layout: a list of ingredients, which go in order of preparation, and the instructions that follow. It is important to read the list of ingredients and their quantities. Your equipment needed is usually stated in the instructions, along with the cooking time for specific ingredients or sections. You don’t want to start cooking halfway down the line and realise you’re missing an ingredient, or you over-boil the pasta. Always read your recipe beforehand, not just browse through it; understand the flow and instructions. The goal is not to feel overwhelmed when reading your chosen recipe.

Gather Your Equipment and Ingredients

You want to have all your equipment needed for your recipe and all your ingredients in their quantities in separate bowls. (I know the only con is more dishes, but you can put them all on one tray in their respective quantities.) You want everything to be within reach to make the process smoother, rather than running around your kitchen.

Using Your Senses

When cooking, it’s not just a physical activity; we use all our senses: touch, smell, sight, and hearing. It’s important to know if something is burning or if those flavour combos don’t taste right. We should be able to see the different colours our dishes bring and feel the texture of our ingredients. So be present and allow the cooking experience to be a journey.

Taste Your Food As You Go

I mean, taste everything, every single component of your dish. You want everything to be seasoned and cooked well and to work in harmony with each other.

Presentation

You may be a beginner, but it doesn’t mean your dish can’t look Instagram-worthy. Put a little effort into presenting your dish and take lots of pictures.

Be Positive and Confident

Remember, learning something for the first time can be a daunting and confusing experience. We forget that we should work on our level. As beginners, we should not be hard on ourselves and give ourselves grace when something doesn’t work out. Don’t set a high bar when trying something new; instead, just allow yourself to go with the moment. That’s the beauty of cooking. If something goes wrong, you can always adapt and substitute. Be confident in your skills and keep an open mind. Celebrate your little wins.

I hope this guide was helpful, and if you enjoyed reading this article, let me know in the comments. I would love to know about your first-time cooking experiences.

Before you go, don’t forget to check out my other articles, KitchenAid Stand Mixer: Worth the Hype? Plus 4 Budget-Friendly Alternatives You’ll Love

FAQ’s

1. What is the easiest dish to start with as a beginner?

Start with something simple like scrambled eggs, pasta with sauce, or roasted veggies. These don’t require fancy techniques and help build your confidence.

2. How do I stop feeling overwhelmed in the kitchen?

Keep things simple: clean your space, prep your ingredients beforehand, and follow a short recipe. Don’t rush, take your time and enjoy the process.

3. What if I mess up a recipe?

It’s okay! Mistakes are part of learning. Taste it, see what went wrong, and try again. Every great cook started as a beginner, too.

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