Have you ever followed a cooking tip that you thought was foolproof, only to end up with a disappointing dish? Maybe you salted your pasta water like the sea, seared your steak to lock in the juices, or rinsed your mushrooms before sautéing them. Well, guess what? You might have been doing it wrong all along.
That’s right, some of the most widely accepted cooking tips are actually myths, misconceptions, or just plain bad advice. And who better to expose them than the passionate and opinionated cooks of Reddit and the professional chefs who know their stuff?
We scoured the internet for the most controversial and debated cooking tips, and found out why you should ignore them. Here are some of the cooking tips you should totally disregard, according to Reddit and chefs.
Salting Pasta Water Like the Sea
This is one of the most common cooking tips you’ll hear, but it’s not entirely accurate. While salting your pasta water is important to season the pasta and enhance its flavor, you don’t need to go overboard with the salt. “Salting pasta water like the sea is a waste of salt and bad for people with high blood pressure. You only need a teaspoon or two per gallon of water.”
Chef Michael Chiarello agrees, and says that the ideal salinity for pasta water is about 1.5%, which is much less than seawater, which is about 3.5%. He recommends tasting the water to make sure it’s not too salty or bland.
Searing Meat to Lock in the Juices
This is another cooking tip that sounds logical but is actually false. Searing meat does not lock in the juices; it just creates a brown crust that adds flavor and texture. In fact, searing meat can cause it to lose more moisture, as the high heat forces the juices to the surface, where they evaporate or drip off.
“Searing meat does not ‘lock in the juices’. It creates something called the Maillard reaction, which is a chemical reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars that gives browned food its distinctive flavor. Searing meat actually causes it to lose moisture, as the heat forces the water out of the meat. The only way to lock in the juices is to not overcook the meat.”
Chef Kenji Lopez-Alt confirms this, and says that the best way to keep meat juicy is to cook it to the right temperature, and let it rest before cutting it.
Rinsing Mushrooms Before Cooking Them
Mushrooms are delicious, but they can also be dirty. So it makes sense to rinse them before cooking them, right? Wrong. Rinsing mushrooms can make them soggy, as they absorb water like a sponge. This can affect their texture and flavor, and make them steam instead of brown in the pan.
“Rinsing mushrooms is a bad idea. They absorb water and become mushy when cooked. Just wipe them with a damp paper towel or a brush.”
Chef Gordon Ramsay agrees, and says that you should never wash mushrooms, as they will soak up the water and lose their flavor. He also advises cooking them in a hot, dry pan, and seasoning them at the end.
Using Unsalted Butter for Baking
Butter is a staple ingredient for baking, but should you use salted or unsalted butter? Many recipes call for unsalted butter, as it gives you more control over the saltiness of your baked goods. However, some Reddit users and chefs argue that salted butter is just fine, and can even enhance the flavor of your desserts.
“Unsalted butter for baking is a myth. Salted butter is perfectly fine, and adds a nice balance to the sweetness. Just reduce the amount of salt in the recipe by a bit.”
Chef Christina Tosi, the founder of Milk Bar, agrees, and says that she prefers salted butter for baking, as it adds a subtle savory note to her cakes and cookies. She says that salted butter is more consistent and flavorful than unsalted butter, and that you don’t need to adjust the salt in the recipe.
Adding Oil to Pasta Water to Prevent Sticking
This is another popular cooking tip that is actually unnecessary and counterproductive. Adding oil to pasta water does not prevent the pasta from sticking together; it just makes the pasta slippery and prevents the sauce from adhering to it. The best way to prevent pasta from sticking is to use plenty of water, stir the pasta occasionally, and drain it as soon as it’s cooked.
“Adding oil to pasta water is pointless. It doesn’t stop the pasta from sticking, it just makes it oily and less able to hold sauce. Just use enough water, stir the pasta, and don’t overcook it.”
Chef Lidia Bastianich agrees, and says that adding oil to pasta water is a waste of oil and flavor. She says that the oil will float on the surface of the water and coat the pasta when you drain it, making it difficult for the sauce to stick to it.
Some of the cooking tips you should totally ignore, according to Reddit and chefs. Of course, cooking is a personal and creative process, and you should experiment and find out what works best for you. But don’t be afraid to question and challenge some of the conventional wisdom, and you might discover some new and better ways to cook. Enjoy the process and happy cooking!
