Simple Recipes for Teens

Cooking basics for beginnersIf you like to eat, it makes sense to know your way around in the kitchen. Even if you don’t love to cook, you can still successfully make healthy meals that will also taste good. Of course, if you love to experiment and explore in the kitchen, trying your hand at new recipes with complicated techniques, you might be up for some challenging recipes that will produce fancy and impressive meals. But whatever your cooking style may be, make sure that you prioritize safety. Using tools and implements carefully is important. It’s also crucial to maintain a clean work area and to keep perishable foods chilled properly.

If you’re just starting out in the kitchen, opt for some simple recipes that will help you learn how to cook (like this meatloaf recipe). After you learn a few skills, you’ll be ready to advance to more complicated recipes that will continue to challenge you. Your family will probably love eating your cooking, and you’ll enjoy becoming more skilled in the kitchen. Another benefit of cooking at home is the fact that you can choose whole and healthy ingredients that will be nourishing and more natural. Your body will appreciate it when you feed it fresh ingredients like raw fruits and vegetables. Opting for lean cuts of meat, low-fat dairy, and whole grains will also help you reduce calories and increase nutrition in your meals. You may be surprised at how delicious home-cooked, healthy meals can be.

Cooking and baking can be a great way to learn new skills. Although some recipes can be challenging and complicated, there are plenty of recipes that are quick and easy, too. If you have more time on the weekends, you might cook up some breakfasts, dinners, and desserts ahead of time that you could enjoy during a busy week. Try making your cooking time a family activity, too, so you can spend time with parents and siblings while you prepare meals together.

Kitchen Safety

Kitchen safety is all about making sure that you stay safe while you’re cooking or baking as well as making sure that the foods you prepare are safe to eat. Always wash your hands with soap before you do anything in the kitchen and after you handle raw meats. Be careful not to cross-contaminate your surfaces when you prepare raw meat and other ingredients. Use one cutting board as you prepare and cut up your meat, and then wash the cutting board in hot, soapy water if you plan to reuse it for other prep work. Wash fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly before you prepare them, too. Keep foods that will spoil cold, either chilled in the refrigerator or frozen. Use knives and other sharp tools carefully, use electrical appliances according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and attend to foods that you are cooking and baking at all times. Don’t wear loose-fitting clothing while you’re cooking, and tie your hair back if you have long hair. When you cook with young kids, supervise them closely to prevent injuries. Young children might be able to perform prep work such as cutting up soft fruits with a butter knife or stirring batter in a big bowl. Encourage kids to help in the kitchen so they begin to enjoy the cooking process.

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Snacks

Other Recipes for Teens

This page was last updated by Megan Miller