Test Kitchen Tips

Our Test Kitchen is full of culinary experts who have picked up plenty of handy tricks and techniques over the years. Check out our favorite cooking tips that’ll make cooking and baking at home easier than ever.

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    How to Clean Your Gas or Charcoal Grill After a Long Winter

    A clean grill is a reliable grill, so before you jump back into barbecuing, learn how to clean your grill...


    The True Difference Between Jumbo and Large Eggs

    Double check your eggs before baking!


    11 Secrets for Making Sweet Tea Only People From the South Know

    "The South runs on sweet tea," one of my Southern friends says. It's not only a refreshing beverage, but a...


    How Long Can Eggs Sit Out of the Fridge?

    Storing your eggs out on the counter isn't all it's cracked up to be. If you've ever wondered, "How long...


    10 Tiny Changes You Can Make to Improve Your Grilling

    This grilling season might be your best ever!


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    Here’s How Long Your Fresh Produce Will Really Last

    Wondering how long your fruits and vegetables will last, and how to tell when produce has gone bad? Our storage...


    11 Instant Pot Secrets You Won’t Find in the Owner’s Manual

    That's right! We asked Taste Recipes Community Cooks who love their Instant Pots to share their best tips from...


    This Is the Safest Internal Temperature for Cooked Chicken

    Plus, the best way to tell when it's reached that temperature.

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    10 Secrets to Making the Best Southern Fried Chicken—Straight from a Chef

    If you've ever had a piece of crispy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside Southern fried chicken, you know how heavenly it can be! Learn...


    6 Genius Tips for Keeping Ground Coffee Fresh

    Can you freeze ground coffee? What container should you use? We answer these questions (and more) in our guide to...


    The Surprising Reason You Don’t Want to Have Steak With Grill Marks

    For years, cross-hatch grill marks have long been considered a signal of a perfect steak...until now.


    What Is Lychee? Here’s How to Pick and Prep It

    The perfect blend of sweet and tart, lychee is the tropical summer fruit you need to try. Here are our...


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    How to Shape Dinner Rolls: 14 Different Ways

    Want to liven up your bread basket? Learn how to shape dinner rolls in new and creative ways.


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    Grilling Steak: 6 Professional Secrets to Cooking a Thick Cut

    When it comes to grilling steak, don't be intimidated by a thick cut! These tips and tricks will help you...


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    8 Common Brownie Mistakes to Avoid

    How do you know when brownies are done? How long do they take to cool? Knowing the answers will lead...


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    Grilling the Perfect Burger: 8 Mistakes Even Seasoned Cooks Make

    The secret to grilling the perfect burger? Avoiding these common pitfalls.


    15 Foods You Never Knew Had an Expiration Date

    Did you know that these so-called "non-perishable" foods actually have an expiration date? Now is a good time to take...

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    The Complete Cast Iron Cooking Guide

    Here's everything you need for iron-clad success, including our favorite cast iron recipes, the best cooking techniques and the top...


    How to Cook Frozen Chicken Nuggets the Right Way

    You know—and love—frozen chicken nuggets as a convenient dinner for the kids. Just be sure you're making 'em the right...


    7 Ways to Thicken up a Sauce

    Did your soup turn out thin and runny? Having trouble getting gravy to the perfect consistency? Don't worry: We can...


    What Is White Asparagus and Why Is It White?

    Get to know white asparagus—and discover the secret to its pale color.


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    Is Your Bread Dough Kneaded Enough? Here’s How to Tell.

    Love to make homemade bread but unsure if you're kneading it right? We'll show you how to be sure you've...


    How to Cook a Frozen Ham 3 Ways

    No time to thaw? No problem. We're serving you three foolproof methods for safely—and deliciously—cooking a frozen ham.

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    The Difference Between Butter, Margarine, Shortening and Lard

    Yep—butter, margarine, shortening and lard should be your best friend while cooking. Here's how to use each fat the right...


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    Here’s Why Food Expiration Dates Don’t Matter as Much as You Think

    Food expiration dates may not be as set in stone as you think.


    13 Things You Should Make with Butter and 13 You Shouldn’t

    Without butter, cakes wouldn't be as rich and it'd be impossible to make tender, flaky croissants. But does butter really...


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    How to Use Liquid Smoke

    Liquid smoke goes way beyond meat. Learn how to use the shortcut ingredient.


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    12 Ways to Make Your Burger Taste Even Better

    Your burgers will be the star of every backyard cookout!


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    10 Mistakes You’re Making with Your Pancakes

    Pancakes are the all-star of the breakfast (and brunch) table. They should be easy to make, and yet there's so...