If You Don't Want to Become a Better Cook, Don't Read These Tips From Alton Brown

Updated on 8/4/2017 at 5:45 PM

When it comes to cooking tips, Alton Brown reigns supreme for obvious reasons. The Food Network veteran has provided the world with his superior food knowledge for decades, from Good Eats to Food Network Star and Cutthroat Kitchen, and he's always willing to share the cooking tricks he has up his sleeve. It's no surprise that he has a brilliant hack for chopping garlic, a suprising way to keep dishes warm, and a tip for making Thin Mints taste even better. If you want to become a better cook, keep reading to learn from the best.

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For the best burger, don't grill it — fry it in shortening (yep).

Get the recipe: Alton's cheeseburger

Chop garlic quickly using an egg cutter.

Use a heating pad to keep dishes warm when you transport them.

For the best homemade fried chicken, fry in a cast-iron skillet.

Keep skewers in a water-filled bottle so they're always ready for grilling.

Add brussels sprouts to leftover mashed potatoes.

For ooey-gooey brownies that are more like fudge, switch up the oven temperature mid-baking.

Get the recipe: Alton's cocoa brownies 2.0

Don't just serve popcorn in a bowl — pop it in one.

Get the recipe: Alton's perfect popcorn

When reading a recipe for the first time, the first thing you should do is sit down and read every word.

Here's Alton's full explanation of how to read a recipe.

Use an egg in macaroni and cheese to create a custardy texture.

Get the recipe: Alton's macaroni and cheese recipe

If You Don't Want to Become a Better Cook, Don't Read These Tips From Alton Brown

For the best burger, don't grill it — fry it in shortening (yep).

Chop garlic quickly using an egg cutter.

Use a heating pad to keep dishes warm when you transport them.

For the best homemade fried chicken, fry in a cast-iron skillet.

Keep skewers in a water-filled bottle so they're always ready for grilling.

Add brussels sprouts to leftover mashed potatoes.

For ooey-gooey brownies that are more like fudge, switch up the oven temperature mid-baking.

Don't just serve popcorn in a bowl — pop it in one.

When reading a recipe for the first time, the first thing you should do is sit down and read every word.

Use an egg in macaroni and cheese to create a custardy texture.

Cut potatoes into triangular wedges for perfect mashed potatoes.

Always keep wonton wrappers in your kitchen — the possibilities are endless.

Listen to relaxing music while you cook, like Bach or Miles Davis.

Instead of roasting a whole chicken . . . pan-fry it.

Freeze Thin Mints for the best Girl Scout cookie ever.

Always have sardines on hand for cooking. Alton "can't live without them" and even has an emergency stash.

Add mushrooms to make chicken piccata even better.

Get European-style kitchen knives.

Use a pie bird when baking pies — it helps vent the steam and ensures a crisp crust.

Smoke or grill apples for a savory-sweet flavor.