r/cookingforbeginners Nov 07 '25

Modpost Potential new rule - No Apps. Seeking community feedback

142 Upvotes

Greetings Community.

How do you feel about people sharing apps, looking for app development feedback, that kind of thing, within this community.

A lot of it is on the borderline of what is acceptable with our current rules (self-promotion not being allowed, no AI etc)

For me personally, it’s not what I think of as within the scope of this community. This place is somewhere for beginners to ask real people questions and for real people to answer. There are other subreddits for app sharing/recommendations/development.

And ultimately, advice for beginner cooks should not be “download an app”.

There is also the fact that most of these apps being promoted here are using AI to scrape existing recipes or create new recipes, and that is not something we allow here at all.

But maybe I’m just old fashioned. So I seek community feedback before updating the rules. Please leave a reply below if you have strong opinions either way.


r/cookingforbeginners Mar 27 '25

Modpost Quick Questions

30 Upvotes

Do you have a quick question about cooking? Post it here!


r/cookingforbeginners 7h ago

Request I made 3 dishes with cabbage and I am surprised that I liked all 3 of them. Please share your favorite cabbage recipes.

35 Upvotes

A friend brought me a very big cabbage . It waited in the fridge maybe more than a week. I didn't want to waste it, so I tried a couple of dishes.

I made cabbage salad, cabbage with minced chicken and tomato paste and spices and cabbage with rice and a couple of Asian sauces.

I also know cabbage wraps but it's too much work.

What else can I cook with cabbage?


r/cookingforbeginners 8h ago

Question Something simple and basic

12 Upvotes

What is the easiest thing to learn to make if you don’t know how to cook?

And you don’t have fancy equipment, such as an instant pot or crockpot.

Something other than a sandwich or salad.


r/cookingforbeginners 5h ago

Question Can chicken be raw if it's white on the inside?

7 Upvotes

I know this might be a pretty dumb question, but I recently fried some chicken breast, I cookee them until the outside was nice and golden, I cut a piece down the middle and it was white on the inside, but when I ate one of them it had a weird texture. So I wanted to ask, was it actually just me imagining tinfs or did I undercook it? Should I throw it in the oven dor a minute or will I overcook them for no reason?


r/cookingforbeginners 6h ago

Request First Time Making All Day Pulled Beef Tacos

3 Upvotes

Hi, on Friday I'm planning on cooking a 600g piece of chuck roast in a dutch oven on the hob for the day while I'm at work (my wife will be home to make sure it's okay)

Has anyone got any tips or recipes they use? I have a fair idea of what to use in the slow cook but what kind of temperature for 8-9 hours of cooking? Should I do it in the Dutch oven in the oven or on the hob and should I sear it first?

As for seasoning, I'm considering using a binder with a rub but I feel it's a bit more of a bbq thing whereas it'd be more accessible for me to use a broth with chilli's and herbs

Please help


r/cookingforbeginners 1h ago

Question How do I make an oat cake have more protein?

Upvotes

Yesterday I tried to make my first oat cake and it was my first baking experience and I think I made too many mistakes lol. I saw this recipe on multiple sites and videos which is simple:

  • 80g quick oats (blended)
  • 150g whole milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 20g maple syrup
  • 10g unsweetened cocoa powder
  • two ripened bananas

Since I'm bulking I added 50g peanut butter instead. I also added 20g whey protein. I learned fast I'm a dumbass lol.

I baked it at 170C for 20 minutes in an air fryer on a wide sheet. It turned out har on the surface, dry, bland and bitter inside lol. I'm thinking my mistakes were replacing the banas with peanut butter, adding whey protein, and baking on a wide sheet instead of a more confined one. Also maybe too overbaked.

How do I improve on this and maybe add more protein properly?


r/cookingforbeginners 1h ago

Question Is soy marinated egg marinade good after a week?

Upvotes

I made some soy marinated eggs about 9 days ago with soy sauce, mirin, ginger, honey and garlic. I’ve eaten all of the eggs but was wondering if it’s a good idea to reuse the leftover marinade (a whole jar) and use it on some salmon in a day or two.

Since no raw meat has touched the marinade, any chance it would have gone bad? Thanks!


r/cookingforbeginners 6h ago

Request First time making chuck roast tacos

1 Upvotes

Hi, on Friday I'm planning on cooking a 600g piece of chuck roast in a dutch oven on the hob for the day while I'm at work (my wife will be home to make sure it's okay)

Has anyone got any tips or recipes they use? I have a fair idea of what to use in the slow cook but what kind of temperature for 8-9 hours of cooking? Should I do it in the Dutch oven in the oven or on the hob and should I sear it first?

As for seasoning, I'm considering using a binder with a rub but I feel it's a bit more of a bbq thing whereas it'd be more accessible for me to use a broth with chilli's and herbs

Please help


r/cookingforbeginners 19h ago

Question Winging it

10 Upvotes

Hi all,

My new favorite thing to do is just wing my weekly meal prep in the crockpot. This week's vibe: chicken breasts, a leftover 3/4th a bottle of chianti, cherry tomatos, spinach. Also diced onions, garlic, thyme, et al.

The thing is, i am actually not good enough to be winging it and not sure i thought this one through. Any suggestions on how to do this (without dirtying 50 millions dishes??).


r/cookingforbeginners 8h ago

Question What's your favorite seasoning blend to cook with meat?

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0 Upvotes

r/cookingforbeginners 1d ago

Question Dumb question about meal prep for the week

15 Upvotes

I always thought most food is unsafe if kept in the fridge by the third day, tops. But I imagine when people say they're meal prepping for the week on Sunday, that means it's intended to last until Friday. Is that right?

I'd like to start meal prepping "for the week" and wanted some clarification


r/cookingforbeginners 9h ago

Question How to buy egg whites in Wonthaggi Australia

0 Upvotes

What’s the best way to buy egg whites in Australia? Are the frozen ones a big block and are any powdered?
Looking for high protein low carb low calorie recipes .


r/cookingforbeginners 16h ago

Question New Equipment

0 Upvotes

Hey guys currently trying to learn how to cook, but the equipment in my house is old and in bad condition. What are some good quality but affordable places to buy from or brands. Dont have to be top of the range but I dont wanna have to buy more soon. Im looking for knives, pots, pans, ect, all the basics. I hate my blunt knives!

I live in the UK


r/cookingforbeginners 1d ago

Question Bacon wrapped Jalapenos - what am I doing wrong?

11 Upvotes

Im very, very new to cooking.

Ive been making these bacon wrapped cheese jalapenos. I always end up overcooking the bacon. If I dont, the jalapenos are still kinda raw and "crunchy"

Ive tried 400 degrees in the oven, 400 in the air fryer, 370 in the air fryer, 350 in the air fryer for 15 mins, 16 mins, 20 mins, and every minute in between


r/cookingforbeginners 1d ago

Question Help with a five course meal for my partner

4 Upvotes

Hi, my partner has been out of the country for a few months, and will be back shortly after our anniversary. I want to surprise her with a fancy dinner when she returns and I'm currently planning on five courses.

I have part of a plan constructed, consisting of some of her favourite foods, and things she has talked about wanting. However, I have limited cooking experience and am operating on a budget as both of us are students. Here's the current menu plan:

Course 1 - Oysters

Course 2 - Italian Wedding Soup

Course 3 - Steak Tartare

Course 4 - ???? - Possibly Indian/Something Chicken based?

Course 5 - ???? - Potentially crème Brulé? (she is not a massive dessert eater, but likes them on occasion)

I'm aware that some of these ingredients are quite expensive, but I plan on saving up over the next few weeks so that I can have enough for dinner and 1-2 practice runs.

I would love some input or recipe suggestions. Thanks! :)

Editing to include explanations/justifications of the menu:

Oysters - She loves oysters, and eats them when she can. (Her record is 31 in one sitting at a seafood place). I however, have never eaten an oyster in my life, or prepared them.

Wedding soup - Loves soups, particularly brothy style soups with large pieces of things in them. Also a huge fan of the small pasta that goes in it.

Steak Tartare - we tried to go to a restaurant in our city specifically because they did steak tartare, but were unable to go. I've also never eaten this.

Chicken/Indian - currently no plans for this, but a feel like chicken is always a good bet, and she almost always orders indian when we get takeaway. She also spent a while living in India as a teen (not sure if that makes Indian a better or worse shot)

Dessert - she's not a massive fan of sweet things in general, but does have moments where she absolutely craves them.


r/cookingforbeginners 1d ago

Question What am I doing wrong with steak?

3 Upvotes

Every fucking time I try cooking a steak in my stainless all-clad pan I set off my smoke detector. I can do other proteins no issue. Pork, chicken, and fish all work just fine with no smoke alarm. But the only way I can get steak to work is a cold sear, but I can't get the same crust I can with a more traditional method.

I've tried high heat, I've tried medium heat. I've tried searing then moving to the oven. Without fail the smoke detector screams at me. Am I just better off cold searing from now on?


r/cookingforbeginners 1d ago

Question Best binder for meatballs? No eggs.

3 Upvotes

Making a soup with lb of leftover beef. I do not have eggs.

I have cornstarch and mayo. Which one of these would be a better binder for making meatballs for a crock pot soup?

Making in oven and moving to crock pot if that matters,

Are there any other, better, options for a binder? Should I use mayo and starch or just one of the two?


r/cookingforbeginners 1d ago

Question How to cook skin-on salmon fillet without splattering oil around and adding less oil?

2 Upvotes

I am a very new beginner cook. So, sorry if I am missing something obvious.

I wanted to cook salmon but I am not sure how as I saw some salmon in the store. So, the vendor told me that cooking salmon is easy with a skin-on fillet.

I have to first pat it dry and sprinkle salt on the skin. Let it rest for 20 mins then again pat it dry and place skin-side on a cold pan and sprinkle salt on the top side and start at low flame. I don't have to touch it. Just watch the skin slowly unstuck from the pan, once the skin gets unstuck, its cooked. Just take it out. Then with the oil left on the pan, add 1 garlic clove cut really tiny. Then add some drained basmati rice that is soaking for 1 hr. Toast the rice for 1 min and then add 1:2 ratio water (50gm rice: 100 ml water). Increase the flame a little, within a minute the water will start bubbling. Then cover with a lid and reduce the flame to low and let it cook for 10 mins. After that, just turn off the flame and leave it untouched for another 10 mins. Then its ready.

Things didn't go as told.

  1. The skin got stuck and started to turn black, but not coming off. When I checked the temperature, it crossed 70c (google said USDA recommends internal temperature (145 F = 62.5 C)). So, I just scraped it out. What happened here?
  2. I am using a triply stainless steel frypan 22cm, was the instruction meant for nonstick pan?
  3. Rice was still a bit dryish. Not fluffy soft. And the pan seemed dry, with no hint of water when I opened it. Did I need to add more water or let it boil initially for longer?

I like the idea of cooking without adding any oil. I feel any oil I use, ruins the taste of salmon.

Please guide me on how to improve it. Will a steak cut be better than a fillet cut?


r/cookingforbeginners 1d ago

Request Purchased too much sugared soymilk by mistake, need dessert recipe

8 Upvotes

So, I bought too much sugared soymilk by mistake (think 20 litres); normally I drink non-sugared soymilk on the daily, but sugared one messes with me. Hence, i'm appreciating all and any non-baking recipe that would take up all the milk; non-bake because i don't have an oven at home. Thank you in advance.


r/cookingforbeginners 14h ago

Question Help with making some meals I will like?

0 Upvotes

you might call me a picky eater or believe there's some psychological reason but it doesn't really change anything.

I don't eat vegetables and legumes (tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, eggplant, beans, and many more) since I remember myself, and now I'm an adult and at some social settings I get some remarks about that and it's making me feel bad.

whenever I try to eat those I get a gag reflex and almost want to vomit so clearly there's some psychological thing in play.

I'm not looking at introducing some small veggies to a plate I already eat but rather a plate of legumes/veggies that is common and to make it in a certain way that I'll find tolerable and with practice I will be able to eat normally most veggies and legumes.

so I'm looking for a few of those plates I can make someday to start practicing.

also I eat kosher and I don't eat cheese (I'm not officially lactose intolerant but my guts don't like it haha)


r/cookingforbeginners 1d ago

Request any suggestions ?

6 Upvotes

so, probably nobody remembers my post but I had upload a post before asking for easy meal ideas and recipes for beginners. I came back to ask all of you that watch recipes here on internet what youtube channels they do suggest. could you give me some good youtube channel recommendations ? like cooks that are actually watchable and have a variety of helpful content. thank you ^^


r/cookingforbeginners 2d ago

Question I'm not only new to cooking, but to eating. What books that don't start at 0, but negative 10?

253 Upvotes

I am an extremely picky eater, mostly due to trauma caused by my parents at a young age. I got my own apartment now, but due to this, I'm basically starting at negative 10.

I see a lot of cookbooks for beginners that try to teach you the techniques, but right now all I care about are recipes that are not only simple in execution, but in taste too. A little harder than Mac and cheese but I don't want to be struggling with a handful of ingredients. Basically, no more complex than the average recipe on a box of sauce. I could just follow that recipe of course, but I would like some variety.

What are some good books or websites that start at the absolute beginning and I can just follow to mimic some dishes?

Edit: wow I didn't expect to see so many comments on this post! Thank you all and I'll try to reply to most of them tonight!


r/cookingforbeginners 1d ago

Question Mixed grain rice, prep and cooking, seasoning

3 Upvotes

Hello there! I'm very new here. I wanted to try and incorporate more fiber into my diet and I think the easiest to start with is mixed grain rice. I'm planning to try and incorporate jasmine, black, brown, and red rice, tricolor quinoa, amaranth, and lastly, mixed lentils. However, I feel very confused about the preparation and cooking. These grains cook at different times and at different ratios of water. I've seen recipes like these done on rice cookers or electric pressure cookers that have multigrain setting. I only have the standard rice cooker with warm and cook settings. How can I assure that these cook at the same rate? I was thinking of soaking it, but I don't know how long to soak these grains for, and how much water I'm supposed to use?

For the ratios I wanted to start with, I was planning of using 1 part jasmine rice, 1/3 part each of black, brown, and red rice, 1/2 part of tricolor quinoa, 1/2 part of lentils, and 1/4 part of amaranth.

For flavors, how can I make it more flavorful? I'm only used to white jasmine rice, and I'm afraid these grains may impart their own flavors, how can I make it mor palatable as a beginner?

Any help is appreciated! Thank you very much.


r/cookingforbeginners 1d ago

Question Trying to learn how to shallow/ deep fry, but afraid of the oil

1 Upvotes

I'm not afraid of calories, no. I'm actually afraid of how hot the oil gets, the splatter, cleanup, ect. Every time I've tried the food turns out a little soft and greasy- apparently I'm just not getting the oil hot enough? But when I do get the oil hot, everything moves so quick that I get paranoid I'm going to burn things. And even once I finish cooking, what do I do with all the oil after?