Ingredients Guide

It's time to learn about the ingredients in your food! Which ones will add the greatest health boost to your meal, and which need special care to bring out their flavors? We'll highlight popular ingredients and give you recipes and menu ideas to use them. And if you've got too much of an ingredient on hand—what are you going to do with all those ripe bananas?—we've got suggestions for that, too.

A sliced mango
How to Eat a Mango 8 Different Ways
a coconut cut in half and filled with raw panela sugar, on the right side a bowl and a spoon both filled with coconut butter
Coconut Sugar vs. Cane Sugar: What’s the Difference?
pattern of peaches on a pastel background. Flat lay, top view.
Peach vs. Nectarine: How Do You Tell The Difference Between These Fruits?
Zest of a lemon rubbing off
What Is Lemon Zest, and How Do You Cook With It?
aioli and may in two bowls
Aioli vs. Mayo: What’s the Difference Between These Two Condiments?
caster sugar
What Is Caster Sugar? Here’s What You Need to Know
shirataki-noodlies
What Are Shirataki Noodles, and How Do You Cook With Them?
sea salt vs table salt
Sea Salt vs. Table Salt: What’s the Difference?
Made Famous on Social Media- Air Fried Corn Ribs with Lime and Chipotle Crema, Cotija Cheese and Cilantro
What Are Corn Ribs, and How Do You Make Them At Home?
Yam and sweet potato on a red background
Sweet Potato vs. Yam: What’s the Difference?
italian poutine, Quebec, Canada
What Is Poutine? All About the Classic Canadian Dish
kohlrabi on a blue background
How to Cook With Kohlrabi—the Underrated Vegetable That Can Elevate Any Meal
Ube in a bowl
Ube vs. Taro: What’s the Difference Between These Colorful Foods?
tapioca in pearl and root form
What Is Tapioca? It's the Versatile Ingredient You’re Probably Not Cooking With
salad with grilled halloumi and fried peaches
What Is Halloumi Cheese—and How Do You Grill It?
Butter on a tray
Margarine vs. Butter: Which Is Better to Use?
Brown sugar and white sugar
Brown Sugar vs. White Sugar: What's the Difference?
Schnitzel on a plate on multicolored background
What Are Chicken Cutlets, Exactly? Plus, How to Make Them From Chicken Breasts
Broccoli steak in ponzu sauce on a white plate with golden trim against a pink background.
What Is Ponzu Sauce—and How Do You Cook With It?
Traditional Indian food butter ghee in a glass jar closeup
What Is Ghee—and How Do You Cook With It?
green icing in a bag
What Is Icing Sugar—and How Do You Use It?
grapes leaves on a plate
What Are Grape Leaves? Here’s How to Cook With the Versatile Ingredient
pesto
What Is Pesto? It's the Cheesy, Healthy Condiment You Need to Use More Often
capers in a shell shaped dish on a blue background
What Are Capers, and How Do You Cook With Them?
apple sauce in a bowl next to two apples and cinnamon sticks
The Best Apples for Applesauce—Whether You Like It Sweet or Tart
coconuts with milk and cream on a blue background
Cream of Coconut vs. Coconut Milk: What's the Difference?
BBQ chicken shish kebab skewers, Shashlik with onion and spices
Chicken Tenderloin vs. Breast: What's the Difference?
Parmesan-vs-Parmigiano-Reggiano-GettyImages-100378306
Parmesan vs. Parmigiano Reggiano: What's the Difference?
tempeh on a plate
What Is Tempeh, and How Do You Use It?
Egg Benedict and cappuccino
What Is Hollandaise Sauce, and How Do You Make It At Home?
Calzone napoletano - stock photo A traditional Pizza napoletana, Calzone
What's the Difference Between a Stromboli and a Calzone? We Break It Down
Carne asada on a plate
What Is Carne Asada—and How Do You Make It At Home?
what-is-cream-of-tartar-realsimple-GettyImages-1256661161
What Is Cream of Tartar—and What Is It Used For?
Fresh, Organic courgettes, Zucchini
Zucchini vs. Cucumbers -- What's the Difference?
white bowl of chickpeas on purple background
Chickpeas vs. Garbanzo Beans—What's the Difference?
what-are-chivesGettyImages-854017956
What Are Chives—and How Do You Cook With Them?
scallion-vs-green-onion-GettyImages-1325244585
Scallions vs. Green Onions: What's the Difference?
what-is-malt-GettyImages-1663155554
What Is Malt—and How Do You Use It?
mustard-greens-GettyImages-826950112
What Are Mustard Greens—and How Do You Cook With Them?
Lime and Orange Fruit Slices with Sunlight on Yellow Color Background
What 'Natural Flavors' Actually Means—and How They Impact Your Health
yukon-gold-mashed-potatoes-GettyImages-1333188327
The Best Potatoes for Mashed Potatoes
two sticks of butter
Salted vs. Unsalted Butter: What to Use When
tabouli-GettyImages-1903969071
What Is Tabouli, and How Do You Make It at Home?
red-velvet-cake-GettyImages-1439782980
What Is Red Velvet Cake? All About This Southern Treat
what-are-pork-rinds-GettyImages-1496419236
What Are Pork Rinds, and Are They Healthy?
Bowl of tofu, seasoned with black and white sesame seeds and chopped scallion
9 Impressive Health Benefits of Tofu
how-to-cut-cactus-fruit-GettyImages-1171001095
How to Eat Cactus Fruit, Plus Tips on the Best Way to Cut It
what-is-a-chimichanga-GettyImages-899661532
What Is a Chimichanga, and What Is It Made Out Of?
Healthy head of green cabbage
8 Health Benefits of Cabbage That Prove This Underrated Veggie Deserves More Love
anchovies-vs-sardines-GettyImages-1407311484
Anchovies vs. Sardines: What's the Difference?
yeast-packet-GettyImages-1793559431
How Much Yeast Is in a Packet?
healthiest-fruits-to-eat-GettyImages-1341556585
The 17 Healthiest Fruits to Eat, According to the Nutrition Pros
mole-sauce-GettyImages-1224505532
What Is Mole Sauce—and How Do You Cook With It?
espresso-GettyImages-1401209882
What Is Espresso, and How Does It Differ From Coffee?
yellow-onion-GettyImages-1217339240
What’s the Difference Between Yellow Onions, Red Onions, and More?
msg-GettyImages-1480987006
Is MSG Actually Bad for You? The Truth Behind This Controversial Seasoning
granulated-sugar-GettyImages-1171661019
What Is Granulated Sugar—and Is It the Same Thing as Cane Sugar?
what-is-a-leek-GettyImages-1139648764
What Is a Leek—and How Do You Cook It?
oils-for-cooking-GettyImages-1407936376
What’s the Best Oil For Frying? Here Are Our 3 Favorites
what-is-orzo-GettyImages-530185738
What Is Orzo—and How Do You Cook It?
baking-oil-substitutes-GettyImages-1067510512
8 Oil Substitutes to Use When Baking
types-of-rice-GettyImages-1474181580
A Guide to the 10 Best Types of Rice, and How to Cook With Them
hi-fiber-fruits-GettyImages-1278780734
20 Fruits That Are High in Fiber—Plus Delicious Ways to Eat More of Them