How to Cook

If you're looking to become a better cook, our extensive guide on how to cook is here to help thanks to our Better Homes and Gardens Test Kitchen's years of valuable knowledge. We have cooking charts, the basics on many cooking techniques, and know-how on the best ways to cook meats, vegetables, grains, and beans (to name a few). Don't miss our helpful how-to videos that let you see skills in action. From small tasks like how to boil potatoes to advanced skills like how to butterfly a lobster tail, we've got you covered.

Our Favorite Recipes to Cook

Boil Potatoes Perfectly

We'll show you how to prep your potatoes for cooking and how long to boil potatoes for perfect spuds every time.

Freeze Fresh Green Beans

Freezing green beans from your garden or the farmers market is a smart way to enjoy them all year long.

Cooking Filet Mignon

Here's how to cook perfect filet mignon to showcase the premium cut at its best.

Oven-Bake Chicken Legs

We'll show you how to make the best oven-baked chicken legs, and give you our top tips for baking chicken leg quarters, too.

Herb Substitutes

Try something new to spice up your cooking or as an emergency substitution.

How to Boil Sweet Potatoes

Learn how long to boil sweet potatoes, how to cook sweet potatoes, and share some of our favorite sweet potato recipes.

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More How to Cook

The Secret to Tender, Juicy Meat Every Time–Bring It to Room Temperature

Learn what the pros do to serve the most tender cuts of meat.

How to Make Pecan Pie

A perfect pecan pie is one of life's greatest pleasures. The ingredients are few and the instructions are almost embarrassingly easy -- but there's one secret that can make or break your pie. Read on to find out!

Rice Flour: What to Know About the Different Types and How to Use Them

Learn from the Pros: Our Best Test Kitchen Tips to Master Your Home Cooking Skills

What Are Garlic Scapes—And How Do You Cook With Them?

How to Dispose of Old Pots and Pans

What to Know About Soy Sauce, Including Gluten-Free Options and Substitutes

There are literally hundreds of varieties!

All How to Cook

How to Cut a Pomegranate (Without Making a Mess)

Do You Have to Peel Carrots Before Cooking or Eating Them?

How to Make Beer Bread for a Quick and Easy Homemade Side

Exactly How Long to Store Leftovers Before Tossing Them

How to Cook Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash in Just 7 Minutes

How to Make Homemade Ravioli for an Unforgettable Italian Dinner at Home

How to Cook Great Meals on the Road—Without a Kitchen

Here's How to Prep and Cook Those Fall Persimmon Fruits Popping Up in Stores

Persimmon Recipes That Put the Fruit to Delicious Use

How to Make Apple Butter to Enjoy the Taste of Fall All Year Round

How to Dispose of Frying Oil the Right Way (And How to Reuse It)

How to Make Self-Rising Flour to Avoid an Extra Trip to the Store

8 Tasty Recipes That Will Use up Your Self-Rising Flour

Do You Actually Need to Use Fruit and Vegetable Wash? Here's What the Experts Say

Shishito Peppers: The Mildly-Spiced Japanese Vegetable Perfect for Snacking

Here's How Long Mashed Potatoes Are Good for When You Make (Way) Too Much

How to Make Meat Loaf That's Always Super Juicy and Flavorful

Cottage Cheese Recipes You'll Actually Crave

What Is Lychee? A Guide to the Delicately Sweet Tropical Fruit

100+ Ideas to Eat (or Preserve) the Summer Bumper Crop from Your Garden

What Is a Truffle and Why Is It So Expensive?

The Best Hot Sauce Recipes to Put Your Pepper Surplus to Great Use

Banana Blossoms: The Trendy Plant-Based Seafood Substitute That Literally Grows On Trees

I Learned to Bake Homemade Focaccia in Italy from My Home Kitchen—Here's What Happened

What Is Shelf-Stable Milk, and Why Doesn't It Need Refrigeration?

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