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“Cooking Sins”: 30 Home Cooks Share Their Secret Cooking Tricks And Shortcuts, No Matter How Unconventional They Are
Those who have watched at least one episode of Hell's Kitchen probably know that no matter your skill level, if Gordon Ramsay walks in on you operating a stove or maybe even chopping up some veggies, he will find a habit of yours that would actually be considered a disgrace in a Michelin-star restaurant.
But that's the thing. Most of us aren't making dishes so the front of the house can sell them for tens or even hundreds of dollars. We're just trying to get some calories in on a Tuesday evening. Which is why we are not only ignorant of the rules but also sometimes straight up choose to reject them altogether.
So when Reddit user Timecoyote asked the platform's community r/Cooking, "What's a cooking sin you won't even try to defend, yet you do it anyway?" many people replied. In less than a few weeks, their post has already received over 4.8K upvotes and 3.9K comments, full of honest confessions. Continue scrolling to check them out.
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#1
I like pineapple on pizza. Not gonna change my mind!
Paulo Freitas 1 year ago
Ditto, i like the mix of sweet and savory, especially in a cheese and ham pizza.
RELATED:
#2
If the recipe calls for a certain type of onion, I will always use whatever onion I already have.
We managed to get in touch with Timecoyote, the person who started this discussion. "I was making tacos and felt guilty for using that minced jar garlic, so I got curious about what other shortcuts people take when cooking," they told Bored Panda about its roots.
The responses helped the Redditor feel less guilty about the shortcuts they take while cooking. "[I was surprised to learn that] a lot of people don't rinse rice or veggies, never sharpen their knife, and just eyeball spices and such."
#3
I haven’t replaced several of the spices in my spice rack for years (seriously, who uses that much dill?). I’m sure they’re less pungent now, but it’s far too expensive to replace them regularly.
#4
I never follow a recipe fully. I use recipes for ideas of ingredients. I never measure anything.
Snack Attact 1 year ago
This I'll read like 6 different ones and piece together what I want. Mostly turns out amazing
#5
I overcook pasta. Yes, al dente lovers, I know this is an Italian sin. But I prefer my pasta when it's super soft.
"Like with many things, I think it's helpful to understand the rules of cooking first so you can break them more confidently," Timecoyote said. And they definitely have a point. Nothing beats practice.
In 2021, 71% of people in the US were certain they will continue to cook more after the end of the pandemic, according to a survey by consumer market research firm Hunter. This habit was said to be driven by the increase in home chefs’ creativity and confidence in the kitchen, as well as the motivation that cooking at home helps to save money (67%), eat healthier (56%), and feel good (56%).
#6
I break spaghetti in half before putting it in the pot of boiling water. Then I cut it up even more on my plate before eating it.
As for the why? It’s the way my mom did it. So now it’s the way I do it. My sisters break and then cut their spaghetti too. We’re all monsters.
#7
Unless I'm really trying to impress someone, I just use that minced garlic from the jar.
Fester Sixonesixonethree 1 year ago
I don't try to impress any longer. Why bother? Eat it and like it or don't eat it and STFU.
#8
When I cook for just myself my standards are so disgustingly low that the same people impressed by my cooking would be equally horrified.
troufaki13 1 year ago
Same! I could eat a toast with cheetos and I'll be fine, but when I cook for other people I will try my best
To encourage your kitchen adventures, know that even if something does not go according to plan, you're still winning. At least financially. The team at Priceonomics found that anytime we're ordering out, we're spending about five times as much, on average, compared to making a homemade dinner.
And the Bureau of Labor Statistics said that the average American spent $3,000 a year just on dining out in 2015. Imagine how many tacos you could make at home with that much cash!
#9
I never check the date on any dried good/powder/etc. Hello lentils that have been sitting at the back of my shelf for ten years until I uncovered you this morning. In you go. Oh, good to see you garlic pepper that has been open for at least three house moves and probably doesn’t taste of anything. Let’s sprinkle you in.
#10
I never measure seasonings. 1/2 tsp? How about two or three shakes? Maybe more if I feel like it. If your recipe calls for a 1/4 tsp of something, go f**k yourself.
#11
I don't rinse rice. Ever.
Zia Barrett 1 year ago
Wash your damn rice. There is so much vile stuff on dried rice it is NOT funny. As a Malay I beg of you to wash your rice, for the love of everything, I have seen how vile it is and how sick it can make people. Wash. Your. Damn. Rice.
#12
Tasting with the same spoon I use to stir.
I’m cooking for my family. I kiss em all and we all share the same germs so... whatevs...
#13
I never make my own stock or broth. I just buy Better than Boullion, dashi or kombu packets, etc.
InvincibleRodent 1 year ago
For us tiny-freezer-havers, homemade stock is a type of luxury. I make it sometimes, but then it all has to be used and consumed within a few days. And an amount of stock that CAN be eaten in that time is simply not worth the time or effort.
#14
I melt chocolate in the microwave. It's just so much easier and faster than pulling out a double boiler.
whaaaaaaaaaa 1 year ago
Just do it for 10-20 seconds multiple times. I remember when I was 10, I set the timer for 1 minute and the plate broke because the chocolate's temperature was too high. It was also completely burned.
#15
I buy pre-made pie crusts. I love cooking almost everything with well-sourced ingredients from scratch, but I cannot be forced to make a crust for a quiches or pies.
#16
Did commit: While in college, I was responsible for cooking the turkey one Thanksgiving while my mom was working and other family were hunting. My mom left very clear instructions, number one being “wash the bird.” I did, with soap. More specifically, with Lysol because, as I head learned in a food science class, turkeys were germy. Fifteen years later I am still not allowed to participate in prepping the turkey.
#17
Mine may be worse…. I opt for powdered garlic pretty frequently!
#18
I eat raw cookie dough, brownie batter and cake batter. EVERY SINGLE DAMN TIME.
And yes, I got Salmonella once and still do it. Ain’t no shame in my raw egg eatin’ game.
RoanTheMad 1 year ago
I've done this all my life and never had salmonella. (though the eggs in the UK are produced with higher standard of food safety and thus salmonella free anyway if they have the "lion mark" on the egg xP)
#20
I don't use separate cutting boards for meat and veggies. I just do not see the point - I just cut the meat at the end of the cutting process, and it gets washed after that.
I don't use fresh tomatoes even if a recipe calls for it, just canned. I just cannot be bothered to deal with the mess that chopping up fresh tomatoes makes.
#21
I buy preshredded cheese unless I need the cheese to melt smoothly for a cheese sauce or something. But for everyday burritos, eggs, tacos, etc.? Pass the bag of shreds. Cleaning the box grater isn't difficult but I'm lazy.
WonderWoman 1 year ago
Shredded cheese is coated with a wood-like substance so that it doesn't stick together. Nope, buy a block.
#22
Tonight, I made gnocchi, but I used instant mashed potatoes because while I love rolling out individual gnocchi, I hate prepping the potatoes. Took half the time, and tastes great for a weeknight meal!
InvincibleRodent 1 year ago
..... no but this? this is a fantastic idea actually. I've got to try it sometime.
#23
I cook eggs on medium and higher heat. Just rip em real quick. None of that slow cooked gooey slimy sloppy eggs like Gordon Ramsey does
#24
Thawing chicken breast on the counter.
Haven't gotten sick yet, neither has anyone in my house.
#26
I use the hell out of the tubes of garlic, basil, or ginger paste in the veggie cooler at my local grocery store when I'm in a hurry. (Gourmet Garden brand) When I'm taking my time I use the the real deal.
#27
My sin: i cook my rice like pasta. i dont want a rice cooker and cant learn the science of ratios and time so i just cook and drain.
#28
Most of the time I don't preheat the oven. I just stick stuff in there cold and add ten minutes or so to the time.
troufaki13 1 year ago
No because most of the time the stuff that goes in the oven must be "shocked" from the heat. If the meat starts cooking in cold oven it has more time to let all the liquids out and so it boils instead of roasting. Or so I've heard.
#29
I once used mayonnaise to make pasta dough because I ran out of eggs. Actually came out really well.
Libby Tailor 1 year ago (edited)
Mayonnaise is from oil and eggs. Many receipt needs oil/butter and egg.
#30
Not really cooking but I sometimes grind enough coffee beans for several days. Never noticed a big difference.
What do you think ?
Amanita Muscaria 1 year ago
I didn't know these were sins, and have now realized what a rebellious cooking life I have been leading.
The Short Lady 1 year ago
Cook your food the way you like it, as long as you don't get sick. Use ingredients you like. Less moral superiority from from "foodies" would be great.
Suzy Creamcheese 1 year ago (edited)
Agreed. Food snobs are tiresome - especially the raw meat eaters and the "it's a mortal sin to break spaghetti" crowd. 😁
Load More Replies...
Debbie 1 year ago
Tbh most of the top one aren't sins imo. (Didn't read them all but after 20+ non-sins Is stopped expexting sins). Cooking should not be a chore, but often it is so we use shortcuts. Precut/premixed stuff etc, why not?
Isabelle Lamarque 1 year ago
Same here. I stopped reading because it was truly underwhelming 😅
Load More Replies... Amanita Muscaria 1 year ago
I didn't know these were sins, and have now realized what a rebellious cooking life I have been leading.
The Short Lady 1 year ago
Cook your food the way you like it, as long as you don't get sick. Use ingredients you like. Less moral superiority from from "foodies" would be great.
Suzy Creamcheese 1 year ago (edited)
Agreed. Food snobs are tiresome - especially the raw meat eaters and the "it's a mortal sin to break spaghetti" crowd. 😁
Load More Replies... Debbie 1 year ago
Tbh most of the top one aren't sins imo. (Didn't read them all but after 20+ non-sins Is stopped expexting sins). Cooking should not be a chore, but often it is so we use shortcuts. Precut/premixed stuff etc, why not?
Isabelle Lamarque 1 year ago
Same here. I stopped reading because it was truly underwhelming 😅
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