35 Culinary Skills to Master in 2018

POPSUGAR Photography
POPSUGAR Photography

Whether you've always wanted to learn how to peel fava beans, cut through an unwieldy butternut squash, braid challah bread, or carve a turkey, keep reading to learn 35 new skills in the kitchen that will help you cook your way to the best year ever in 2018 (and beyond!).

— Additional reporting by Anna Monette Roberts

Prepping Butternut Squash
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Prepping Butternut Squash

The toughest part of cutting butternut squash is that initial cut down the middle. But with a sharp knife and a few tricks, this veggie is a breeze to prep.

Cutting a Pineapple
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Cutting a Pineapple

If you've ever felt confounded about how to tackle pineapple, you aren't alone. Luckily, there's no need to resort to buying it already cubed.

Roasting Beets
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Roasting Beets

The humble beet gets a major flavor upgrade when you roast it in the oven.

Breaking Down a Cauliflower Into Florets
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Breaking Down a Cauliflower Into Florets

Once you've broken down a head of cauliflower into florets, precut cauliflower from the grocery store will become a thing of the past.

Browning Butter
Nicole Perry
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Browning Butter

Brown butter makes pretty much everything taste better.

Jarring a Salad
Julia Mirabella

Jarring a Salad

Skip the soggy salads and spills in your work bag by mastering the art of packing it in a mason jar.

Tempering Chocolate
Anna Monette Roberts
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Tempering Chocolate

It will take a few hours, but for snappy, bloom-free chocolate-covered sweets tempering chocolate is a must.

Caramelizing Onions
Nicole Perry
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Caramelizing Onions

Caramelizing onions to a deep golden hue couldn't be simpler.

Cooking Ground Beef
Anna Monette Roberts
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Cooking Ground Beef

Armed with the knowledge of how to cook ground beef, you'll never have a stovetop meat mishap again.

Making Pasta Dough From Scratch
Andrew Armenante

Making Pasta Dough From Scratch

There's nothing quite as delicious as fresh homemade pasta, and preparing a batch yourself is easier than you think.

Clarifying Butter
Anna Monette Roberts
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Clarifying Butter

Don't bother buying a pricey tub of clarified butter at the store; with a little patience it can be made at home, saving you money.

Making Pie Crust
Nicole Perry
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Making Pie Crust

The most buttery, flaky pie crusts are homemade! If you don't have a food processor, simply use a pastry cutter to help chop the butter into the flour.

Shredding Cabbage
Nicole Perry
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Shredding Cabbage

No food processor? No problem! Here's how to shred cabbage with naught but a knife and a cutting board.

Braiding Challah
Anna Monette Roberts
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Braiding Challah

It looks kind of complicated, and there are a lot of bad videos on the web, but braiding challah is completely within your reach as a home baker.

Seeding a Pomegranate
Nicole Perry
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Seeding a Pomegranate

Keep ruby-red pomegranate juice off your favorite outfit with this neat trick.

Prepping an Artichoke
Camilla Salem
POPSUGAR Photography | Camilla Salem

Prepping an Artichoke

Thorny artichokes might look intimidating, but they're a breeze to prep once you know the steps.

Prepping a Cake Pan
Nicole Perry
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Prepping a Cake Pan

Few things are more frustrating than mangling your baking project because it stuck to the pan; here's how to make a cake pan virtually nonstick.

Peeling Tomatoes
Andrew Armenante

Peeling Tomatoes

Put down the vegetable peeler; it'll mar a tomato's delicate flesh. Use these steps instead.

Crimping Pie Crust
Nicole Perry
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Crimping Pie Crust

The crust is the best part (right?), so you might as well make it beautiful by crimping it.

Preparing Leeks
Nicole Perry
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Preparing Leeks

Dirty, gritty leeks are just plain gross; don't forget to take these steps to clean them.

Making Cinnamon Rolls From Scratch
Anna Monette Roberts
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Making Cinnamon Rolls From Scratch

If rolling up sweet and sticky cinnamon rolls seems like a challenge, get step-by-step instructions for doing it at home.

Shredding Brussels Sprouts
Nicole Perry
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Shredding Brussels Sprouts

These aren't your grandmother's overcooked brussels sprouts of yesteryear. Shredded and then added to a zingy salad or cooked quickly on the stove, this veggie makes for a real treat.

Carving a Turkey
Nicole Perry
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Carving a Turkey

If you've never attempted to break down a turkey, have no fear! These step-by-step photos demystify the process.

Tempering White Chocolate
Corbis Images

Tempering White Chocolate

Like its sibling, dark chocolate, white chocolate can be a tricky treat to temper. However, by using the right technique, you can create beautiful, smooth chocolate that will satisfy your sweet tooth.

Roasting Red Peppers
POPSUGAR Photography | Lauren Hendrickson

Roasting Red Peppers

Skip the store-bought jar of pepper; roasting them at home is an easy task to take on and offers major flavor rewards.

Making Homemade Croutons
Nicole Perry
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Making Homemade Croutons

Transform sad, stale bread into this classic salad topper.

Shaving Asparagus Into Ribbons
Nicole Perry
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Shaving Asparagus Into Ribbons

For an unexpected take on a green salad, make its base ribboned asparagus.

Making a Parchment Circle
David Whitley

Making a Parchment Circle

Baking a cake and forgot to pick up parchment rounds at the store? Try this easy DIY.

Peeling Peaches Easily
Andrew Armenante

Peeling Peaches Easily

Unless you like leathery skins, peeling peaches is a necessary step for pies, crisps, and the like.

Making Spaghetti Squash Spaghetti
POPSUGAR Studios

Making Spaghetti Squash Spaghetti

No idea how spaghetti squash transforms from imposing gourd to ribbony strands? We'll show you how.

Making a Travel-Ready Sandwich
Anna Monette Roberts
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Making a Travel-Ready Sandwich

If you've ever tried to eat a sandwich while driving, then you know it can be a messy business. This travel-ready sandwich is designed to be eaten with one hand, and its contents are guaranteed to stay tucked in the bread as you eat it.

Shelling Fava Beans
Anna Monette Roberts
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Shelling Fava Beans

Shelling fava beans isn't too complicated, but what people often overlook are the actual beans, which have a milky shell that needs to be removed, too.

Cutting Cauliflower Steaks
Nicole Perry
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Cutting Cauliflower Steaks

Never heard of a cauliflower steak? This satisfying vegetarian dish can make a great appetizer.

Making Raviolis
Nicole Perry
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Making Raviolis

Whether your filling of choice is artichokes, mushrooms, or just plain cheese, making your own raviolis will wow guests but is surprisingly simple to prepare.

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