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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    10 Baked Potato Toppings That Aren’t Plain Ol’ Sour Cream

    Freshen up your baked potatoes with something new! These baked potato toppings take this humble side dish to a whole...


    15 Common Cooking Mistakes and How to Fix Them

    Whether it's your flavors that seem a bit off track, or your texture, temperature, or color, you don't have to...


    Why You Should Add Butter to Your Pasta Sauce

    This pasta sauce recipe comes together with just three ingredients!


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    7 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Pickles

    Who doesn't love pickles? Here's how to avoid the most common mistakes when you're making pickles at home.


    11 Tricks to Make Boxed Cake Mix Taste Homemade

    Don't have time to make a cake from scratch? We'll show you how to make cake mix taste homemade.


    10 Unexpected Things to Put on Your Angel Food Cake

    Angel food cake is the perfect blank canvas for your next dessert creation!


    Can You Eat Sprouted Garlic?

    Your garlic started to grow and now you're wondering, can you eat sprouted garlic? You can—but there's a catch.


    Why You (Truly) Need an Instant-Read Meat Thermometer

    Want to make sure your meats are always perfectly done?

    7 Mistakes Everybody Makes When Deep Frying

    When you're cooking up onion rings or breaded chicken, it helps to have some deep frying secrets!


    7 Sauces You Need to Master Right Now

    Master the five French mother sauces (plus a few extras) and you'll be well on your way to fixing up...


    14 Surprising Foods That Make Great Pickles

    We've all had pickled cucumbers and perhaps green beans, but the list of foods you can pickle is practically endless!


    10 Types of Tomatoes and How to Cook with Them

    What types of tomatoes should you be picking up at the farmers market or planting in your garden? Learn about...


    10 Secret Ingredients for Quick Dinners, According to a Dietitian

    If you do most of your meal planning on the drive home from work (because planning ahead is easier said...


    6 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Marinating Meat

    We've all made at least one (or two!) of these marinating faux pas, so here's a guide to easy fixes.


    8 Secrets to Making Hot and Crispy Grilled Pizza

    Want to learn how to grill pizza? Follow these tips and you'll never order take-out again!


    The Best Cheese for Your Grilled Cheese

    Here's why you should use provolone, Muenster, Colby, Monterey Jack...or even blue cheese!


    11 Frozen Foods You Didn’t Know You Could Grill

    To go with your barbecued chicken or ribs—how about some golden brown onion rings?

    Are You Grilling the Right Cut of Steak for Your Recipe?

    If you're in a grilling rut, it's time to switch things up. Check out our favorite steaks to toss on...


    What’s the Best Type of Vanilla Extract?

    Not all vanillas are created equal, but they are for the most part all equally delicious when used correctly. Here's...


    What’s in Season? Our Favorite Summer Produce and How to Cook With It

    Learn what's in season this summer. This guide will teach you what produce is at its peak—plus how to buy,...


    11 Things You Never Knew to Add to BBQ Sauce

    Grillin' season is almost upon us so it's time to get planning. Here's how to make barbecue sauce that will...


    How to Make a Marinade

    Learn how to master the basic building blocks of a successful marinade.


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    How to Pack Your Freezer Meals Like a Pro

    Get the most out of your meal planning—and your freezer—by packing freezer meals the right way.

    The 10 Cardinal Rules of Cooking, According to Top Chefs

    Cooking is both an art and a science, but these top chefs manage to elevate it to law with these...


    How to Substitute Honey for Sugar to Elevate Your Baking

    Have you heard the buzz about using honey instead of granulated sugar?


    Chocolate Chip Cookies

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    This is truly the ultimate chocolate chip cookie recipe. We'll show you how to make these cookies your own, whether...


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    Here’s the Best Thing You Can Do for Your Cast-Iron Skillet

    Want to know the best secret for caring for cast-iron skillets? The answer is simple—use it! Frying and sauteing as...


    What’s the Difference Between Stock and Bone Broth?

    Ever wonder if you can use stock and bone broth interchangeably? Here's what we discovered.


    What Is Turbinado Sugar and How Can You Use It?

    This minimally processed sugar is good for more than just sweetening that cup of coffee! Learn why you should add...