7 Kitchen Skills Everyone Needs

Every person, regardless of age, should know a set of basic kitchen skills to prepare delicious and healthy meals, and protect themselves from cooking-related injuries. When you master the essentials, it can make cooking much more fun.

Even the best chefs start with the basics if you think about it. After years of perfecting slicing and dicing techniques, they quickly grow into the confident professionals that they are.

While some skills may seem straightforward, you may be surprised to learn there's a learning curve to get them just right. Here are seven kitchen skills every beginner chef needs to know.

1. How to Safely Use a Knife

   It's a plain and simple fact: Knives are sharp. Using a knife the wrong way can increase your risk of cutting yourself, needing immediate medical attention and even catching nasty bacterial infections.

   Whether slicing meats or vegetables, carelessness and quick movements could be dangerous. According to a recent study, approximately 50,413 avocado-related knife injuries occurred in the United States between 1998 and 2017.

   It takes a lot of practice to master cutting skills. You have to learn how to grip the knife properly, hold it in the correct position and make sure to cut away from your body. You can also use various techniques to chop, slice, and dice your food whichever way a recipe calls for.

   It’s helpful to look up videos and readings online to learn different methods of using knives. However, be sure to practice slowly, especially when you're just starting.

2. Preparing Stock

   Some of you may be wondering what makes stock so special. Others may be confused about what stock even is. Is it broth, or not quite?

   While broth is something you can sip, a stock is the base of many soups, stews or just about any recipe that calls for extra flavoring and moisture. As an essential cooking liquid, you can boil grains like rice or quinoa with it and braise meats and vegetables.

   Sure, you can buy cartons of stock at the grocery store, but there's nothing quite like a homemade stock you made yourself. By whipping up your own stock, you can also have better control over how much sodium and fat you use.

   Are you wondering what the best way to make stock is? Try this delicious homemade chicken stock recipe. The ingredients call for water, carrots, celery, onion, chicken parts, and seasoning. Simply allow everything to simmer in a large stockpot for a couple of hours.

   The best part is you can store your stock in Tupperware or mason jars in the freezer until you need it for cooking.

3. Making Sauce

   Every at-home chef should master a tasty, traditional sauce. Of course, the more you cook, the more sauces you'll learn how to make; however, you should at least have one signature sauce as your go-to for pasta, meats and other dishes.

   Passing over jarred sauces in the grocery store and concocting your own is highly satisfying. The work you put into making it from scratch will be appreciated by everyone who tries it.

   From creamy Béchamel sauce to herby pestos, to classic roux and hearty tomato sauces, mouths will water for whatever classic dish you're whipping up in the kitchen. For a healthy twist, you could also use a slow juicer to create fresh vegetable juices to complement your homemade sauces or add nutritional value to your meals.

4. Eggs Different Ways

   It's rather remarkable how many ways you can prepare eggs. One small ingredient offers so much versatility for a delicious dish. Not to mention, breakfast for dinner is always a fun way to switch things up.

   You no longer only make eggs when you're mastering kitchen skills; you boil, poach, fry or scramble them. Sometimes you turn them into omelets and load them with cheeses and sliced vegetables or meats. Other times you throw them in a casserole dish and pop them in the oven.

   Eggs are probably the least scary food you'll make in the kitchen, and they're an excellent source of protein at any time of the day.

5. Cooking Meat, Poultry and Fish

   When preparing meat, poultry, and fish, keeping safety in mind is essential. Uncooked animal proteins carry bacteria and can contaminate other foods and cooking surfaces.

   The more experience you gain in the kitchen, the more you'll learn about checking for meat freshness, how to clean and store them properly, different ways to prepare them and making sure they're fully cooked.

   Start simple and learn a few basic chicken or shrimp recipes. Then, you can work your way up to making fancier, more complex dishes like Beef Wellington. You might even try cooking lobster tails —the perfect dinner for seafood lovers.

   Consider investing in a digital thermometer to help you figure out if your meats and seafood meet the safe minimum cooking temperatures for eating. Consuming uncooked or raw meat can be harmful to you.

6. Cleaning Fruits and Vegetables

   Taking proper care of your fruits and vegetables is just as critical as handling meats safely. The process begins in the grocery store: always choose produce that is fresh and free from mould or significant bruising.

   When you get home, proper storage is key to preventing the spread of bacteria. Always keep your fruits and vegetables separate from raw meats. Once you have cut or peeled your produce, be sure to refrigerate it promptly to prevent it from going bad.

   Before you cook or eat any produce, you must clean it thoroughly. Fruits and vegetables can carry dirt, bacteria, and pesticide residue from their journey through the agricultural and shipping process. While some consumers choose to buy organic food to reduce exposure to pesticides, all produce should be washed. In some cases, pesticide residue has been linked to various health problems, including food intolerances and allergies.

   To clean your produce effectively:

   • Wash your hands with soap and water before you begin.

   • Rinse the produce under cool, running water. You do not need to use soap or a special produce wash.

   • Gently rub the surface of the fruit or vegetable with your hands to remove dirt.

   • For firm produce like potatoes or melons, use a clean vegetable brush to scrub the surface.

7. Quick and Easy Dinners

   While some recipes call for several steps and lots of dirty dishes, others are quick, simple and relatively mess-free.

   Sheet pan and stir fry dinners are easy to learn and can feed your whole family in a pinch. You can even prepare them in advance, so all you need to do is throw your vegetables and meat in a skillet or the oven.

   Putting to use some of the other basic skills, such as safely using a knife, cleaning produce and handling meats, you can create many delicious dishes loaded with flavor.

Further Reading from Skills You Need

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Building on the success of our bestselling eBook, this updated third edition is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their skills and learning capacity. Filled with practical, easy-to-follow advice, the guide empowers you to take charge of your development journey.

Easy Kitchen Skills for Cooking Fun

Once you get the hang of the essentials, cooking will come much easier to you. You may build up your confidence in the kitchen, as well.

Remember to share what you learn with your kids. It's never too early or too late to start learning how to cook.