techniques

20 Basic Cooking Techniques That Every Home Chef Should Master

Image may contain Blade Weapon Knife Weaponry Food Meal Dinner Supper Roast Animal Seafood Sea Life and Lobster

There are an endless amount of cooking techniques one should know, but let's just start with the basics. Master these 20, and we'll definitely be coming over for dinner.

  • Image may contain Burger and Food
    Alex Lau
    1/15

    Make an Aioli

    Homemade mayo and aioli is just a totally different monster than the store-bought kind. Try it out on these burgers.

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  • Image may contain Food and Steak
    Photo by Peden + Munk
    2/15

    Sear Steak on a Cast Iron

    A cast iron pan does not cost much to buy and lasts forever. It's also the perfect conductor for very high heat. It's what your steak needs.

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  • Image may contain Weapon Blade Knife Weaponry Food Meal Dinner Supper Roast Animal Seafood Sea Life and Lobster
    Hirsheimer & Hamilton
    3/15

    Roast a Chicken

    Roasting a chicken could not be simpler. All you need is salt and pepper, and some butter for good measure.

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  • Image may contain Food Dish Meal Platter and Breakfast
    Peden + Munk
    4/15

    Fry an Egg

    There are a lot of egg techniques to master but start with frying. We love the crispy bottom of an olive oil-fried egg.

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  • Baking dish of mac and cheese with crispy panko topping with one serving scooped out.
    Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman
    5/15

    Make a Roux

    A roux is responsible for thickening a lot of sauces, gravy, and stews, and is typically made with melted butter and flour. It forms the base of bechamel, which makes this mac and cheese so awesome.

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  • Salmon Niçoise recipe
    Marcus Nilsson
    6/15

    Blanch

    Blanching is a fast process by nature. You want to only cook vegetables for about one or two minutes and then shock them in an ice bath to retain their color and crispy texture.

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  • Image may contain Food Confectionery Sweets and Dessert
    11/15

    Whip Cream and Make Pie Crust

    If you really want to give your forearms a workout, grab a whisk and go for it. But, you can do this with a pair of beaters, too. Just don't buy the canned stuff, k? Then, make a pie crust from scratch.

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  • Image may contain Bowl Dish Food Meal Plant and Stew
    Romulo Yanes
    12/15

    Make a Solid Chicken Stock

    Store-bought stock can work in a pinch, but making your own chicken stock really does make a difference. Keep lots and lots in the freezer.

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  • Image may contain Cutlery Spoon Plant Food Dish Meal and Produce
    Hirsheimer & Hamilton
    13/15

    Make a Vinaigrette

    Make a vinaigrette with measuring spoons and cups; the next time, just eyeball it, adjusting any or all of the ingredients to suit your palate.

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  • Image may contain Plant Food and Vegetable
    14/15

    Quick Pickle

    Don't want to mess with sterilizing jars and pickling things for weeks? Then learn to love the quick pickle.

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