Learn expert plant-based cooking tips for better health! Discover essential kitchen tools, beginner recipes, and simple culinary skills to thrive.
How to Cook Plant-Based for Better Health: Expert Tips, Kitchen Basics & Simple Recipes
Ready to take your plant-based lifestyle to the next level? Whether you’re new to cooking or simply want to eat more whole, nourishing foods, these top culinary plant-based tips for health will help you gain confidence in the kitchen. In this guide, I’m sharing my best advice for building essential cooking skills, stocking a plant-based kitchen, and preparing meals that are both healthy and delicious. You’ll find culinary tips, a basic kitchen appliance and tool list, pantry list, plus easy beginner recipes to help you put your skills into practice. From mastering knife skills to balancing flavors and meal prepping like a pro, these tips make healthy, plant-powered eating simple and enjoyable. With the right know-how and a few go-to recipes, you’ll be well on your way to creating vibrant, nutrient-packed meals every day.
After all, if you stay out of the kitchen, chances are your diet—and health—may suffer. Several studies show that dining out more often is linked with higher body weight and body fat, and increased risks of chronic diseases. What’s the antidote? It’s easy: Wholesome, home-cooked meals that feature pulses, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. After all, it’s much easier to produce meals that feature more healthful ingredients and cooking techniques when you do the cooking yourself.
Unfortunately, we’re losing our cooking know-how, thanks in part to the lack of home economics courses taught in schools, and a rise in easy, convenience foods, such as prepared meals, snacks, and treats. According to a Harris Interactive poll of 2,503 adults, 14 percent said they don’t enjoy cooking, and seven percent said they don’t cook at all; only 41 percent said they prepare meals at home five or more times per week. So what can you do? Check out these top 5 tips for improving your culinary skills to get back into the kitchen.
5 Tips for Boosting Your Culinary Chops
1. Make a Promise to Get in the Kitchen
Make a pact to do more home cooking of delicious, health-promoting meals by improving your culinary skills. Start out with a goal of trying one new recipe per week, and move from there. Choose your easiest day of the week to do some cooking. Meal prepping can be an easy practice. Check out my meal prep guide here.
2. Get Organized
Chefs call it “mis en place”, which means “putting it in place.” In order to be a good cook, you have to set yourself up and be organized. Plan your weekly menu with a shopping list, so that you have everything you need on hand. When you start cooking, assemble all of your ingredients and tools, and clean up as you go.
3. Buy Great Ingredients
Prioritize high-quality ingredients—the cornerstone of delicious, healthy food. Select fresh vegetables in season and at their peak. Frequent the farmers market for seasonal, freshly harvest produce at its ideal nutrition and taste. And look for trusted brands.
4. Store Items Well
One firm kitchen rule is to limit foods’ exposure to air and water to help foods stay fresh for longer. Keep foods covered, out of sunlight, and at an appropriate temperatures—at or below 40 for perishable refrigerated items, and at or below zero for frozen items. If you’re freezing leftovers, place them in airtight containers and label with the date.
5. Prep Foods Wisely
You can save a great deal of time during preparation, which can be your biggest challenge in cooking, by prepping ahead when possible. This includes slicing all of your onions and carrots for the next few days, or cooking up a whole pound of beans or grains and using them in a few dishes during the week.
Chef’s Favorite Kitchen Equipment
Check out the following essential kitchen tools recommended by many chef’s.
The Basic Pots and Pans:
- Saute Pan. A 5-quart sauté pan with a cover can be used for sautéing vegetables, side dishes, and entrees.
- Roasting Pan with Rack. This basic 16-inch pan allows you to roast vegetables, casseroles, and side dishes; the rack allows you to circulate air around the item while cooking.
- Large Stock Pot. An 8-quart stockpot is perfect for boiling pasta and grains, and simmering soups, pasta sauce, and bean dishes.
- Sauce Pan. A 3-quart saucepan is ideal for cooking up smaller batches of grains, beans, and sauces.
Bonus Cooking Equipment:
- Dutch Oven. A Dutch oven is a handy covered dish that can go from stovetop to oven, and is perfect for slow-cooked meals.
- Pressure Cooker/Instant Pot. Today’s modern pressure cookers and Instant Pots are easy to use and allow you to cook whole grains and beans in minutes.
- Rice Cooker. This easy device allows you to cook rice, as well as whole grains, like farro and quinoa, with just a push of the button—no stirring required.
Cutlery:
When chefs were surveyed regarding their favorite four pieces of kitchen cutlery, they listed these basics.
- French Knife. This basic, all purpose knife (about 8 inches long) can be used for chopping vegetables and fruits.
- Paring Knife. A 3 ½-inch paring knife is an “extension of your hand” and great for slicing small fruits and vegetables.
- Serrated Knife. A classic 8-inch serrated knife can slice through softer foods, such as tomatoes and bread.
- Sharpening Steel. Use this tool frequently to sharpen your knives’ edges for optimal cutting.
Pantry List:
Keep these shelf-stable ingredients on hand at all times to turn out wholesome meals in minutes.
- Canned vegetables, sodium-free if possible (tomatoes, artichokes, corn)
- Dried beans, peas and lentils
- Dried fruits (raisins, cranberries, and apricots)
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Nuts (almonds, walnuts, and pistachios)
- Pasta, whole grain
- Seeds (sunflower, chia, hemp)
- Spices and herbs (cinnamon, oregano, black pepper, and more)
- Whole grains (farro, brown rice, quinoa)
Get my free plant-based pantry toolkit here!
Top 10 Plant-Based Beginner Recipes
Try these easy starter recipes for flexing your culinary skills!
Easy Swedish Rye Bread
Overnight Oats with Figs & Walnuts
Mississippi Caviar
Easy Miso Green Bean & Tofu Stir-Fry
Sweet Potato Black Bean Bake
Mediterranean Potato Bean Olive Salad
Easy Classic Tomato Bruschetta
Easy Vegan Tofu Scramble Wrap with Dill
Grilled Peaches with Basil
