What you need

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Essential tools

Chef's knife (8 inch)1 · A sharp knife is safer than a dull one. Victorinox Fibrox is a great value.
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$15-40
Paring knife1 · For small jobs like peeling and trimming.
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$6-12
Large cutting board1 · Put a damp towel under it so it does not slide.
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$12-25
Nonstick skillet (10-12 inch)1 · Great for eggs and beginner cooking. Try thrift stores first.
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$15-30
Medium pot with lid (3-4 qt)1 · For rice, sauces, and boiling eggs.
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$20-35
Large pot (6-8 qt)1 · For pasta, soup, and chili.
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$20-35
Sheet pan1-2 · For roasting vegetables and baking.
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$10-20

Helpers and measuring

Measuring cups and spoons1 set each · Important for baking and for following recipes.
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$8-15
Wooden spoon and silicone spatula1 each · Silicone is safe for nonstick pans.
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$8-12
Tongs1 · Handy for turning meat and tossing pasta.
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$8-12
Colander1 · For draining pasta and washing vegetables.
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$8-15
Mixing bowls1 set · Stainless steel lasts longest.
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$12-20
Instant-read thermometer1 · Key for food safety with chicken and pork.
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$12-25
Knife sharpener or honing steeloptional1 · Keeps your knife sharp.
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$10-20
Oven mitts and kitchen towels1 pair, 3 towels · Never use wet towels to grab hot pans.
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$10-18

Pantry basics

Cooking oil and olive oil1 bottle each · Buy at the grocery store.
$10-18
Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder1 each · Store brands or Aldi are cheapest.
$8-15
Rice, pasta, canned tomatoes, beans, flour1 pack each · Cheap, filling, and good for practice.
$10-20
Eggs, onions, garlic, butterbasic amounts · Used in many beginner recipes.
$8-15

Storage and extras

Food storage containersoptional1 set · For leftovers and meal prep.
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$12-25
Cast iron skilletoptional1 · Lasts for decades. Great for searing.
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$20-30
Cookbook for beginnersoptional1 · Free at your public library.
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$15-25

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Certificates and registration

No certificate needed

No certificate needed for home cooking

Cooking for yourself and your family needs no license. If you later want to work in a restaurant, a Food Handler card is often required by your state or county. If you want to sell food, you need to look into your state's Cottage Food Law. An optional ServSafe course is useful for food jobs.

Cook at home first and build skills
Check your county health department site if you want a food job
Take a ServSafe Food Handler course online if you want to work in food (about $15)
Look up your state's Cottage Food Law before selling any food

Can I start right away? Today: check what you already have in your kitchen, ask a parent if needed, and cook 2 scrambled eggs in a pan on medium-low heat with a pinch of salt. Then watch one beginner video from Basics with Babish.

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What you need to know

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Kitchen safety

Curl your fingers when cutting (the claw grip). Keep pot handles turned inward. Never leave the stove unattended. Keep a lid or baking soda nearby for small grease fires and never use water on one. Wash hands before and after touching raw meat.

Food safety temperatures

Cook chicken and turkey to 165°F, ground meat to 160°F, pork and steaks to 145°F. Keep cold food under 40°F and don't leave food out more than 2 hours. Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and vegetables.

Core techniques

Learn these first: dicing an onion, sautéing, roasting vegetables at 425°F, boiling pasta in salted water, cooking rice, frying and scrambling eggs, and searing chicken. Preheat your pan before adding food.

Seasoning and flavor

Salt a little at a time and taste often. Add acid like lemon juice or vinegar at the end if food tastes flat. Fresh garlic, onion, and herbs add a lot of flavor for little money.

Reading recipes and prep

Read the whole recipe first. Chop and measure everything before you turn on the heat (called mise en place). Pick recipes with 5-8 ingredients at first and repeat them until they feel easy.

Saving money

Plan 3-4 meals per week, buy store brands, use frozen vegetables, and cook big batches to freeze. Check thrift stores for pans and Facebook Marketplace for used tools. Ask family if they have extra pots.

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Where to learn it

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BookSalt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin NosratExplains the four ideas behind good cooking. Also a Netflix series.Book on Amazon

YouTubeBasics with BabishClear beginner lessons on basic dishes.

WebsiteSerious EatsTested recipes with explanations of why they work.

LibraryPublic library cookbooksFree to borrow, ask the librarian for beginner books.

Course in personCommunity college or community center cooking classesOften $30-100 per class; search your local city.Browse online courses

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Key websites and creators

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Websites

seriouseats.comSerious EatsTested recipes and technique guides.Visit

budgetbytes.comBudget BytesCheap recipes with cost per serving.Visit

foodsafety.govUSDA Food SafetyOfficial safe cooking temperatures and storage rules.Visit

kingarthurbaking.comKing Arthur BakingGood baking recipes and beginner tips.Visit

Creators and channels

YouTubeBasics with BabishBeginner-friendly lessons on core dishes and techniques.Visit

YouTubeJoshua WeissmanFun homemade recipes with clear steps.Visit

YouTubeJ. Kenji López-AltFood science and practical cooking tips.Visit

YouTubeAdam RaguseaSimple explanations and everyday recipes.Visit

Recommended by the AI, not paid. Please check them yourself.

Are you a creator or do you run a related website? Get featured here

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Step by step

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Set up your basic kitchenGet a knife, cutting board, pan, pot, and sheet pan. Borrow or buy used where you can. Ask a parent first if you are under 18.
1-3 days
Done
Learn knife and heat basicsWatch one beginner video on knife skills and practice dicing onions and carrots. Learn how to control stove heat.
1 week
Done
Cook 5 simple recipesTry scrambled eggs, pasta with tomato sauce, rice and beans, roasted vegetables, and a baked chicken thigh dinner. Repeat each until easy.
Weeks 2-4
Done
Expand your rangeAdd soups, stir-fries, tacos, and sheet pan meals. Learn to adjust seasoning by taste.
Months 2-3
Done
Plan and cook weeklyMake a weekly meal plan and grocery list. Cook for friends or family to build confidence.
Months 4-6
Done
Try advanced skillsBake bread, make sauces from scratch, break down a whole chicken, and try dishes from other cuisines.
Months 7-12
Done

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Your timeline

5

What to do when, from the first week to the first year.

Week 1
- Get basic tools, borrowing or buying used
- Learn knife safety and the claw grip
- Cook eggs and pasta
Weeks 2 to 4
- Cook 3 times a week from simple recipes
- Learn to cook rice and roast vegetables
- Use a thermometer to cook chicken safely
Months 2 to 3
- Make a weekly meal plan and shopping list
- Try soups, stir-fries, and tacos
- Read Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat
Months 4 to 6
- Cook a full meal for friends or family
- Learn to make a pan sauce
- Start meal prepping for the week
Months 7 to 12
- Try baking bread or a cake
- Cook dishes from a new cuisine each month
- Take an in-person class if you want to go deeper

Downloads a calendar file with one reminder per phase, starting today (Google, Apple, Outlook).

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Product reviews

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Experiences from signed-in users. We do not verify whether the product was purchased.

Learn to cook

Guide: Learn to cook