How to Make Homemade Meals from Scratch: A Beginner Guide

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Plus easy recipes you can make today!
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Making homemade food is a great way to save money and eat well. If you’re a beginner, learning to cook homemade food can feel a bit daunting, but we’re here to help you learn how to prepare food at home using basic preparation , cooking techniques , and safety tips . We’ve also included advice from professional chefs to get you started in the kitchen, along with some basic recipe ideas you can experiment with. Bon appétit!

Making Food at Home From Scratch: An Overview

Personal chef Julien Miller believes it’s important to “get the basics down first” when making homemade food. Start by working on basics like boiling water, chopping vegetables, and using a stove safely. Then, try out some simple recipes while learning from any mistakes. Keep practicing regularly until you improve.

Section 1 of 6:

Learning Basic Cooking Techniques

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  1. Personal chef Julien Miller states that it’s important to “try to get some decent knife skills—knowing how to hold the knives is important.” [1] Focus on how to properly grip the knife by holding the lowest portion of the blade (next to the handle) with your thumb and forefinger, while circling your other fingers around the blade. Position your hand like a “claw” by circling your fingertips inward and tucking them under your knuckles when using the knife . Then, learn the difference between cuts, like chopping, slicing, dicing, and mincing. [2]
    • Try watching videos to learn basics like chopping or slicing. They will often go through the process step-by-step, and you can follow along at home.
    • Other related skills include being able to properly grate cheese or zest fruit .
    • Place knives back in their holding block or the drawer when not in use. Get into the habit of washing them straight after use, drying, and placing them back into their storage spot. That way, nobody will get hurt. If you need to walk with a knife, always alert others in the kitchen that you're doing so.

    Meet the wikiHow Experts

    Julien Miller is an Oklahoma-based personal chef whose favorite piece of advice is to make a career out of your passion in life.

    Linda McNally is a personal chef specializing in personalized meal preparation and seasonal menus.

    Helen Rennie is a chef and the creator of Helen’s Kitchen, a YouTube channel where she teaches cooking techniques to over 560K subscribers.

    Jeff Woodward is a private chef with over 20 years of experience and the owner of The Rogue Chef in Branson, Missouri.

  2. 2
    Learn proper mixing and combining techniques. A lot goes into making a balanced dish—mixing skills include folding, stirring, beating, creaming, and blending your ingredients together. Combining techniques is especially important in baking; over-mixing can knock the air out of dough, while under-mixing may lead to ingredients not being fully integrated. Specifics about mixing techniques are ahead: [3]
    • Stirring: Use a spoon or spatula to combine ingredients in a circular motion.
    • Folding: Gently and slowly combines delicate ingredients by lifting them from the bottom of the bowl and folding them back into the mix.
    • Creaming: Mixing fat (like butter) and sugar together to create air bubbles (usually in baking).
    • Beating: Vigorously mixing ingredients in a circular motion (for eggs, batters, and sauces); can be done with a blender or food processor.
    • Blending: Mixing ingredients until they’re completely smooth (smoothies, dressings, and sauces).
    • Combining: Bringing 2 or more ingredients together gently, similar to folding.
    • Whisking: Rapidly stirring or beating a mixture using a whisk.
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  3. 3
    Understand proper heating and cooking methods. Whether you need to brown meat, boil an egg or pasta , or cook rice , it’s important to know what heating or cooking technique works best. Even when you’re only cooking eggs , knowing the method to use is a basic skill that comes in handy. Dry heating techniques include the circulation of hot air to cook the food, while moist cooking methods use water, liquid, or steam to cook food. More ways to cook follow here: [4]
    • Dry heating techniques:
      • Frying: Cooking food submerged in oil to produce a crispy exterior. Be very careful with hot oil. It splatters easily, especially when it comes in contact with water, and it can burn your skin.
      • Sauteeing: Cooking food over a higher heat using a small amount of fat for a short time.
      • Grilling: Cooking food over direct heat (usually on a charcoal or gas grill).
      • Roasting: Cooking food in an oven using dry heat circulation.
      • Baking : Similar to roasting, but for pastries, breads, and food that includes a crust or dough base.
    • Moist cooking techniques:
      • Boiling: Cooking food in rapidly boiling water (used for eggs, pasta, and vegetables).
      • Simmering: Cooking food gently at a level that is just below the boiling point (used for soups and stews).
      • Poaching: Cooking food gently in liquid set at a low temperature (used for eggs and some fish).
      • Steaming: Cooking food using steam to maintain its flavor (used for vegetables or dumplings); often done in an instant pot .
      • Braising: A combination of searing and simmering using a liquid to flavor and tenderize the food (used for tough cuts of meat); often done in a cast-iron skillet .
      • A slow cooker or crock pot is an easy way to add ingredients to the pot and allow them to slow cook on a very low heat for 4 hours or more.
  4. 4
    Know how to control and optimize cooking time and temperature. Professional chef JoAnna Minneci recommends that you “always use a thermometer when you're cooking so that you have less of a chance to overcook. Chicken should reach a threshold of 165 °F (74 °C) in the thickest part.” [5] The danger zone for bacteria lies between 40 °F (4 °C) and 140 °F (60 °C). Allowing food to reach the appropriate internal temperature is another way to make sure it’s cooked completely. Recommended temperatures are ahead: [6]
    • Poultry: 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Beef: 120 °F (49 °C)(rare), 130 °F (54 °C) (medium rare), 140 °F (60 °C)(medium), 150 °F (66 °C)(medium well), 155 °F (68 °C) (well done).
    • Pork: 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Lamb: {convert|125|F|C}} (medium rare), 130 °F (54 °C) (medium), 145 °F (63 °C)(medium well), 150 °F (66 °C)(well done).
    • Seafood: 145 °F (63 °C)
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Section 2 of 6:

Getting Started with Home Cooking

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  1. It's hard to improvise and make your own recipes if you don't have ingredients on hand. Of course, you'll usually need to shop for perishables for each recipe, but there are plenty of things you can stock your kitchen with so you have them on hand to improvise recipes, such as the following: [7]
    • Keep canned goods like tomato paste, tomato sauce, canned tomatoes, coconut milk, and canned beans in your pantry. You can use coconut milk and tomato sauce for a curry or add the beans to a dish for quick and easy protein.
    • For dried foods, stock up on pasta, rice, lentils, barley, and quinoa. These foods can provide a foundation for many dishes. It also helps to have flour and cornstarch on hand to thicken foods and make gravies.
    • Stock up your seasonings with spices and herbs like Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, cumin, curry powder, dill, and rosemary. Chef Helen Rennie believes that “salt is the most important ingredient in the kitchen. The number one thing that makes or breaks the cook is your ability to use salt. That's the first thing that anybody can do to improve their cooking.” [8]
    • Keep proteins in your freezer, such as chicken breasts, ground beef, and pork chops. In the refrigerator, keep ingredients you can add to dishes, such as bouillon paste, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, mustard, mayonnaise, and olive oil.
  2. It's okay to deviate from the recipe once you understand the basic cooking techniques. A recipe is just a guide, and you’ll soon develop the knowledge to know when you need to follow that guide and when not to. For instance, a recipe may call for a casserole to bake for 30 minutes, but if it's not bubbling and brown on top, you’ll know that you might need to bake it another 10 minutes. [9]
    • Private chef Jeff Woodward agrees that the most important thing to remember when learning how to make food at home is “practice—we learn by failure. Just because it doesn't come out the first time doesn't mean you can't get it; just keep practicing.” [10]
    Alton Brown, TV Personality & Food Scientist

    Make your own rules in the kitchen. "A home cook who relies too much on a recipe is sort of like a pilot who reads the plane’s instruction manual while flying."

  3. As you start to recognize flavors you like, try playing around with recipes. It’s not necessary to completely change a recipe—instead, start with 1 or 2 ingredients, and swap them out for similar ingredients that you like better. [11]
    • For instance, if a recipe calls for yellow mustard, try swapping in Dijon.
    • If you find you don't care for a particular herb, like oregano, try swapping another one in, like rosemary.
    • If you prefer pesto to traditional tomato sauce when making pasta or pizza, it’s easy to replace one with the other.
  4. It can be tempting to run to the store when you're out of an ingredient a recipe calls for; it’s sometimes necessary. Other times, you can find an ingredient in your pantry or refrigerator that will be a perfect substitution. [12]
    • Think about the nature of the ingredient and what it does for the recipe. For instance, if a recipe calls for lemon juice, it's likely adding brightness and acidic flavor to the dish. You may be able to swap in red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar instead.
    • It's important to consider the type of dish you’re making. Balsamic vinegar wouldn't work in a dish like chicken piccata, as the heavy flavor would completely change it. You could try it, but you have to keep in mind you're going to end up with a very different dish.
  5. Mistakes are going to happen in the kitchen. You're going to burn the bread sometimes, or accidentally put in too much salt. Try to salvage it if you can. After all, no one else knows exactly what you're going for, and it may still be delicious. [13]
    • If you can't salvage it, laugh it off and learn from your mistake.
    • If you want to try a new recipe, practice when you have the time, such as on the weekend. Don't try it out for the first time when you're having a dinner party.
  6. Try creating your own recipe . Once you learn to cook by yourself , it’s easier to improvise a bit and set out on your own. You can look at recipes online to get an idea of what you want to do, but then step away from them and try to figure out a recipe just by yourself. It may not be perfect, but it will be a valuable learning experience for next time. [14]
    • Try going to the farmer's market and picking up a few fresh ingredients for inspiration. Then, use what you've learned from other recipes to create your own creation.
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Section 3 of 6:

Approaching a Recipe

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  1. Take time to read the whole recipe ahead of time so you aren't surprised by something you don't know at the end. Try reading 3 or 4 similar recipes to see how different people do the same thing, and pick the version that you like best. When reading the recipe, make a list of any ingredients or kitchen tools you might need.
    • Look for simple recipes that you'd like to try, or even watch videos that go step-by-step through a recipe. It can be a great way to get started cooking when you don't have much experience.
    • Cooking apps can put recipes at the tips of your fingers, and you can save your favorite recipes for later.
  2. 2
    Gather your ingredients and prepare your workspace. The French cooking term “mise en place” translates to “everything in its place,” and is used to describe making preparations before starting to cook. If you need to cut up vegetables or herbs, prepare a sauce, or have measuring cups or a cheese grater nearby, now is the time to do it. Keeping everything within arm’s reach will make it easier for you to move step by step through your recipe and keep your kitchen organized . [15]
    • Keep pets and small children out of the kitchen while you're cooking. If you want your kids nearby, seat them somewhere safe where they can see what you're doing but cannot get in the way.
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Section 4 of 6:

Easy Recipes to Make From Scratch

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  1. 1
    Start with simple, adaptable recipes (like pasta or sandwiches). Meals like cooking pasta and tomato sauce, making basic egg dishes (from scrambled eggs to a basic omelette ), or even a grilled cheese sandwich can give you plenty of practice with skills like chopping , slicing, baking, or sautéing . Making tomato sauce for pasta is a great way to learn the skills needed for preparing different types of sauces, from chimichurri to hollandaise. Personal chef and nutritionist Linda McNally notes that “the trick to making delicious tomato sauce is cooking it for hours over low heat, so all the water has time to evaporate and the flavors can develop.” [16] Other simple recipes to try are ahead:
  2. 2
    Explore different flavor combinations using sheet pan meals. Sheet pan meals are a simple way to make a complete dinner on a single baking sheet in the oven. By roasting a protein (like chicken, sausage, or shrimp), along with potatoes and/or a selection of vegetables (like asparagus, tomatoes, red onions, or peppers), you can make a healthy one-sheet pan meal that you can customize to your tastes. Some sheet pan ideas follow here:
    • Chicken Roast: Make roasted chicken tenders, potatoes cut into cubes, and frozen green beans by adding these ingredients to a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, along with melted butter and spices of your choice. Bake in a 425 °F (218 °C) oven for 1 hour.
    • Cajun Shrimp: Prepare shrimp, corn, and tomatoes by adding deveined shrimp to a parchment paper-lined sheet pan, along with cherry or grape tomatoes, and corn kernels. Dress with olive oil, Old Bay spice mix, lemon zest, 3 garlic cloves, and 1 teaspoon ( [ convert: unit mismatch ] ) salt. Bake on the broil setting for 10-12 minutes.
    • Sheet Pan Omelette: Combine a dozen eggs with a splash of cream or milk, salt, and pepper, along with additional ingredients like peas, herbs, cheese, or cooked bacon. Pour into a greased sheet pan and bake at 300 °F (149 °C) for 15 minutes. Cut into squares to serve.
  3. 3
    Expand your repertoire once you improve. Keep your creative juices flowing once your skills and know-how in the kitchen move beyond the beginner level. Choose multiple-step recipes like a soufflé or cooking processes like sous vide. Explore international recipes that include French, Italian, Indian, or Asian cuisine. When your main dishes are top-notch, you can also learn more about baking techniques that include making breads or pastries from scratch. Other unique cooking techniques and dishes can be found here:
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Section 5 of 6:

Taking the Proper Safety Precautions

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  1. 1
    Always remember to wash your hands. Wash your hands thoroughly using soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Do so before or after you handle food, particularly raw meat, poultry, and seafood. Starting with hand washing, kitchen safety helps protect yourself and others. [17]
    • In addition to hand washing, regularly clean your kitchen, especially surfaces where you cut and prepare food, to ensure a safe cooking environment.
    • Rinse any produce thoroughly before using it in the cooking process.
  2. 2
    Use a cutting board when slicing ingredients. In addition to preventing you from cutting yourself, using a cutting board prevents cross-contamination from occurring by keeping raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs separate. Using one cutting board for raw foods and one for cooked foods is a good way to prevent cross-contamination. [18]
    • Avoid using the same plates and cooking utensils or tools when working with both raw and cooked foods.
    • Cross-contamination takes place when bacteria or other microorganisms transfer from one ingredient to another, usually between raw and cooked food.
  3. 3
    Beware of hot surfaces when cooking. Use protective oven mitts or potholders whenever you’re handling food being cooked on the stove, in the oven, or on the grill. This can help prevent burning yourself on the stove or from touching hot objects when taking them out of the oven. Always place hot pots, pans, or baking sheets onto a safe surface.
    • Always keep saucepan, pot, and pan handles facing inward, not over the edge. Not only do you risk bumping the handle otherwise, but small hands can pull them off the stove when you're distracted.
    • Make sure any oven mitts or potholders you use won't slip and are comfortable.
    • Turn off the stove and oven after you're done using them.
  4. Cooking to the proper temperature so the food is safe to eat is easier when you use a thermometer to check the temperature of your food. Oven-safe thermometers can be left submerged in certain cuts of meat, like a whole chicken or turkey, so you can check the temperature without even opening the oven door. [19]
  5. 5
    Store food at the correct temperature to keep it fresh. Keep your refrigerator at 40 °F (4 °C) and your freezer at 0 °F (−18 °C) to store unprepared food and/or leftovers. Dividing larger amounts of food into smaller, separate airtight containers is another way to prevent bacteria from forming during storage. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/steps-keep-food-safe
    • Properly storing your homemade food is a great way to plan weekly meals to suit your busy schedule.
    • Consult a cold food storage chart if you’re unsure about the specific guidelines around storing food properly.
    • Explore Food Safety Basics on the USDA website for more information about cooking temperatures, refrigeration, and tips on cross-contamination.
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Section 6 of 6:

What are the benefits of making homemade food?

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  1. 1
    Making homemade food is cost-effective. By stocking your kitchen and preparing simple meals at home, you can save money every week. Buying prepared foods at the grocery store or ordering food for delivery is quite costly, so learning to cook homemade food for yourself and/or your family is a way to save money and stick to a budget you can live with.
    • Making food at home also helps reduce food waste when you save leftovers and repurpose unused ingredients.
  2. 2
    Food made from scratch is healthier than the store-bought versions. You never know what some of your favorite prepared foods have in terms of preservatives. By making homemade food, you end up knowing every ingredient that goes into the meals you make. It’s easier to stay healthy, follow a diet or weight management plan, or be mindful about what you eat when you learn how to cook meals at home.
  3. 3
    Making food at home is a way to bond with family and friends. Whether you host dinner parties where you and your friends cook together or you cook meals with your partner, making homemade food with others is a bonding experience that creates great memories.
    • Get your kids involved by baking cookies or making simple recipes like tacos or pizza with them to encourage their love of cooking and being in the kitchen.
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Additional Resources for Beginner Home Cooks

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    What recipes just contain flour, water, and some other things like eggs or yeast?
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    With flour, water, and yeast, you can make lots of different kinds of breads. With flour, water, and eggs, you can make homemade pasta.
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    How do I make chicken curry?
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    Check out How to Make Chicken Curry.
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      References

      1. ↑ Julien Miller. Personal Chef. Expert Interview
      2. ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/25-skills-every-cook-should-know
      3. ↑ https://stemeez.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/What-are-some-different-methods-for-combining-ingredients.pdf
      4. ↑ https://www.culinaryartsswitzerland.com/en/news/cooking-techniques/
      5. ↑ JoAnna Minneci. Professional Chef. Expert Interview
      6. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniques/grilling/meat-cooking-temperatures
      7. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/6-ways-to-become-a-fearless-improviser-in-the-kitchen-226410
      8. ↑ Helen Rennie. Chef. Expert Interview
      9. ↑ http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/sc-learning-to-cook-food-0101-20151229-story.html
      1. ↑ Chef Jeff Woodward. Private Chef. Expert Interview
      2. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/6-ways-to-become-a-fearless-improviser-in-the-kitchen-226410
      3. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/6-ways-to-become-a-fearless-improviser-in-the-kitchen-226410
      4. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/6-ways-to-become-a-fearless-improviser-in-the-kitchen-226410
      5. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/6-ways-to-become-a-fearless-improviser-in-the-kitchen-226410
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/aopS3q6f1GY?si=6fc00O4ov9BqdyMG&t=69
      7. ↑ Linda McNally. Personal Chef & Nutritionist. Expert Interview
      8. ↑ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/steps-keep-food-safe
      9. ↑ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/steps-keep-food-safe
      10. ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/25-skills-every-cook-should-know

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Cooking homemade food can save you money and be a lot of fun. Spaghetti is a delicious and easy meal to make. Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta for about 10 minutes. While the pasta is cooking, fry some onion, garlic, and ground beef in a pan. Then, add chopped tomatoes and simmer it for a few minutes. Serve the beef and sauce on top of the spaghetti. Another simple and tasty dish is a ham and cheese omelette. First, break a few eggs in a dish and beat them together with a fork. Cook the eggs in a little butter in a frying pan. When the eggs are nearly cooked, sprinkle in some grated cheese and sliced ham. Fold the omelette over and fry it for another few minutes or until it starts to turn brown. For more tips, including how to make a basic chicken noodle soup, read on!

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