Person holding a cast-iron pan over a wooden surface surrounded by fresh vegetables ready for chopping

We show you how to prepare ingredients and kitchen tools for cooking the best meals. Learn how to cut an avocado, how to freeze blueberries, how to season a cast-iron skillet, and more prep-step tips and tricks to help you in the kitchen.

Italian traditional meal. Comfort, tasty and fast food. Unhealthy eating. Background with beautiful daylight and shadows
How to Use a Pizza Stone to Make Restaurant-Quality Pies at Home
half a watermelon
This Is the Best Way to Cut a Watermelon, According to the Experts
diced red pepper
Chopped vs. Diced: What’s the Difference Between These Techniques?
can opener and can
How to Use a Can Opener the Right Way
Avocado on brown cream background. Pattern.
How to Remove an Avocado Pit in 4 Easy Steps
Halved coconut against blue background
How to Open a Coconut in 6 Easy Steps
cut papaya on beige background with seeds spilling out onto surface
How to Cut a Papaya in 4 Easy Steps
should-you-wash-turkey-before-cooking-realsimple-GettyImages-1323674538
Should You Wash Your Turkey Before Cooking?
salmon-skin-GettyImages-1200569136
Can You Eat Salmon Skin? Here’s What You Need to Know
salmon-no-white-stuff-GettyImages-998435988
How to Avoid the White Stuff When You’re Cooking Salmon
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Can You Microwave Eggs? 9 Hacks For Easier Egg-Filled Meals
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This Viral Le Creuset Lid Hack for Golden Brown Puff Pastry Will Have You Saying ‘Why Didn't I Think of That?’
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TikTok’s Hard-Boiled Egg Cutting Hack Will Save You Tons of Time
sourdough bread made with two-ingredient sourdough starter
How to Make Sourdough Starter From Scratch
defrost-steak
How to Safely Thaw Steak Fast
traditional-new-years-day-food-01-realsimple
13 New Year's Food Traditions That Bring Good Luck
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12 Cheeses You Can Eat Even If You're Lactose-Intolerant
how-to-wash-strawberries
How to Clean Strawberries Effectively
bacon!
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven—Plus 4 More Bacon-Cooking Techniques
Baked spaghetti squash with vegan bolognese sauce made from lentils, leeks, and carrots
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash 7 Different Ways—Including Roasted, Sautéed, and More
The ingredients for making Spicy Guacamole are avocado, red onion, tomato, chili, lime, cilantro, and garlic
12 Meal Prep Hacks That Will Save You So Much Time This Week
broccoli on blue
How to Wash Broccoli So It’s Clean and Safe to Eat
defrost-chicken-in-microwave-GettyImages-1257860925
How to Defrost Chicken in the Microwave in 10 Minutes
how-long-to-bake-a-potato-GettyImages-1432807987
How Long to Bake a Potato So It Tastes Perfect Every Time
how-to-cook-oatmeal-realsimple-GettyImages-1129916084
How to Cook Oatmeal on the Stove, in the Instant Pot, and More
cooking-frozen-meat-01-realsimple
The Simple Secret to Safely Cooking Meat From Frozen—Whether It's Steak, Chicken, or Pork
dry-wet-brine
Dry Brine vs. Wet Brine: Which Option Is Best for a Turkey?
Fresh raw oyster mushrooms in a colander
How to Wash Mushrooms—Including Store-Bought and Cultivated
Summer Squash With Scallions, Chile, and Parsley
34 Simple Summer Salads With the Season's Best Produce
eggplant-feta-lemon-tart-eggplant-recipes-RS0719FOO-004
27 Easy Eggplant Recipes for Quick Lunches, Dinners, and Sides
Deviled eggs
How to Make Deviled Eggs—Including Instant Pot and Air Fryer Techniques
olive-oil-smoke-point
Yes, You Can Cook With Olive Oil Over High Heat—Here's Why
Morel mushrooms on a blue background
Everything You Need to Know About Morel Mushrooms—Including How to Find, Wash, and Cook Them
Microwave-acorn-squash
The Easiest Way to Cook Acorn Squash in the Microwave
sumac-GettyImages-1341897446
5 Health Benefits of Sumac—and How to Cook With It
assortment of brown and white eggs
How to Wash Fresh Eggs—and When It's Safe to Leave Them Unwashed
dragon-fruit-GettyImages-1297415605
How to Eat Dragon Fruit Like a Pro
one-pot-meals-beef-stew
21 Delicious One-Pot Dinners for Easy Entertaining
Best easy pasta recipes - rigatoni noodle tout
37 Perfect Pasta Recipes You'll Want to Make for Dinner Tonight (and Every Night)
potatoes-healthy
Are Potatoes Good for You? We Asked a Nutritionist to Explain
beet-recipes
16 of the Best-Ever Beet Recipes
pumpkin-seed-oil-GettyImages-1419280310
Pumpkin Seed Oil Is Heart Healthy and Anti-Inflammatory—Here's Every Benefit to Know
Real Simple.com :Slow cooker Chili with a twist, Chicken Mole Chili
12 Crowd-Pleasing Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
Easy Mashed Potatoes: Creamy One-Pot Mashed Potatoes
10 Mashed Potato Mistakes Everyone Makes
Raw turkey legs in a white casserole dish, garnished with lemon slices
How to Cut Up a Raw Whole Turkey for Faster Roasting
matcha-tea
The Many Health Benefits of Drinking Matcha—Plus How to Make It
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Why You Should Never Microwave Tea—Plus the Right Way to Brew It
how-to-soften-cream-cheese: cream cheese on toast
4 Smart Ways to Soften Cream Cheese Quickly—and Safely—in a Pinch
easy, delicious rice recipes
8 Simply Delicious Rice Recipes You'll Want to Make Tonight
baked-potato-toppings: bacaon
The Best Baked Potato Toppings For a Scrumptious Spud
Types of mustard - guide to different types of mustards
5 Common Types of Mustard—and Every Delicious Way You Should Be Using Them
fermented-food-GettyImages-634461993
11 Fermented Foods for a Happier, Healthier Gut
slow-cooker-deep-dish-pizza-0921FOO
37 Summer Slow Cooker Recipes for Easy Meals in the Heat
How to peel garlic, how to chop garlic, how to cut garlic, and how to mince garlic
How to Peel and Chop Garlic Like a Pro
served with toast on a yellow background
How to Season and Clean a Cast-Iron Skillet
how-to-braise: Chinese homemade broth noodles with braise meat chops
How to Braise Anything Like a Chef in 9 Simple Steps
A slices avocado on a textured wooden surface
How to Make Avocados Ripen Faster Using This Easy Trick
maple-syrup-costs
Maple Syrup vs Imitations and How to Tell the Difference
better-focaccia
7 Tips for Making Better Focaccia From Scratch
gochujang
Gochujang, the Spicy Korean Sauce You're Seeing Everywhere
How to Cook Lentils
How to Cook Lentils: An Easy Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Thanksgiving turkey that's partly carved sitting on a white serving platter with fresh cranberries
How to Cook a Turkey Without a Roasting Pan
Refrigerated Cookie Dough Ready for the Oven
Why You Should Refrigerate Cookie Dough, According to Experts