20 Life-Changing Cooking Resolutions You Can Maintain Forever

Updated on 12/26/2016 at 12:00 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

There are those New Year's Resolutions that are short lived, and then there are these. You don't need to necessarily think of these as resolutions, but more like cooking lessons that you'll remember forever once you learn them this year. Because that idealistic diet might not last forever, but learning how to scramble eggs like a chef, make homemade versions of pantry staples, and master the art of meal prep will. These are 20 life-changing cooking resolutions you can — and totally should — maintain forever.

Scramble eggs like a chef.

With a few tricks up your sleeve, you can stop making rubbery, overcooked scrambled eggs and finally perfect soft and delicious ones.

Get the tip: how chefs make scrambled eggs

Quit buying jarred tomato sauce.

Say it with us: "I will never buy jarred tomato sauce again." Not only are there plenty of unnecessary ingredients in store-bought tomato sauce, but it's also not nearly as good as homemade.

Get the recipe: easy tomato sauce

Learn to cook like an Italian.

Even if you don't have a trip to Italy planned, you can (and should) learn to cook as the Italians do. Hint: good-quality olive oil, fresh ingredients, and simplicity are key.

Get the tip: how to cook like an Italian

Try something new every week.

This is an incredibly simple but life-changing resolution to try or cook something new every single week, whether it's a new vegetable or a new pasta recipe. You'll expand your horizons and find new favorites in the process.

Get the recipes: 100 weeknight dinner ideas

Make coffee at home more often.

You'll save so much time — and not to mention, money — if you start making coffee at home more often. And little things like setting up your coffee maker the night before make it even easier to accomplish.

Try adding a secret ingredient to your scrambled eggs.

Think beyond milk — there are so many sneaky ingredients you can add to your scrambled eggs that make all the difference, including cornstarch and orange juice (yes, really).

Get the recipe: secret-ingredient scrambled eggs

Cook your way through your favorite cookbook.

Purchase that cookbook you've always had your eye on, and then start cooking through it ASAP so it doesn't sit on your shelf and gather dust.

Get the recipe: Chrissy Teigen's lemony arugula spaghetti cacio e pepe

Master the art of meal prep.

The hype around the phrase "meal prep" is totally warranted. Once you get it down, you'll have the best lunch and dinner schedule of your life.

Get the tip: meal prep inspiration

KonMari your kitchen.

Whether you believe in the "spark joy" philosophy of Marie Kondo's magic cleaning method or not, one thing's for sure: giving your kitchen the cleaning treatment it needs will forever change the way you cook in it.

Get the tip: what it's like to KonMari your kitchen

Make your favorite fast-food recipes at home.

Whether it's a Wendy's Frosty or McDonald's french fries, you know you're dying to learn the secret to your favorite fast-food dish. Once you make it at home, you might skip the drive-through forever.

Get the recipe: fast-food restaurant copycat recipes

Make more freezable dinners.

Getting homemade dinner on the table on busy weeknights isn't always possible, but making freezer-friendly meals is a huge help. There are plenty of dinners that keep well in the freezer, and you can defrost them any time you want.

Get the recipe: freezable dinner recipes

Try cooking an ingredient you "hate."

Maybe you truly hate mushrooms and kale, or maybe you've never cooked them in a way that tastes good to you. Get out of your comfort zone and try a new recipe with your least favorite ingredient, and you might discover that you actually like it.

Get the recipe: one-pan mushrooms, chickpeas, and kale

Eat more greens by storing them properly.

You'll never waste spinach again if you learn how to store it the right way.

Get the tip: how to store greens

Learn how to prep a butternut squash.

It's a little intimidating, but once you finally figure out how to peel, chop, and prepare a whole butternut squash, the Winter vegetable will become one of your staples.

Get the tip: how to peel a butternut squash

Stop buying store-bought salad dressing and make your own.

Store-bought salad dressing is typically filled with mysterious preservatives, and making it yourself couldn't be easier. Ditch the bottled stuff for good and keep your favorite vinaigrette stocked in your fridge.

Get the recipe: garlic dijon vinaigrette

Try making macarons.

You might never buy French macarons from a bakery again after you learn the worthwhile recipe.

Get the recipe: basic French macarons

Shop at the farmers market more often.

Farmers market produce is infinitely better than what you'll find at the store, and the small difference in price is worth it. Make this the year that you cook with the freshest ingredients from your nearest market, and you'll never go back.

Nail your knife skills.

Learn how to mince, dice, and julienne like a pro, and it will completely transform the way you cook.

Get the tip: basic knife skills

Learn how to pack a mason jar salad.

Mason jar salads are so popular because they're easy to transport, and — just as important — pretty to look at.

Get the recipe: mason jar salads

Make your own mayonnaise.

Seriously, even mayo-haters will be converted when they try the homemade version, which only requires egg, dijon mustard, vinegar, vegetable oil, and salt and pepper.

Get the recipe: homemade mayonnaise