Cooking is a fun, colorful, and often yummy experience. But let’s be honest, slip-ups happen. No worries, though—with this list of common cooking mishaps and how to bounce back from them, you can turn your luck around easily.
Too Much Salt
This is probably the most common cooking mistake worldwide, but there’s an easy fix: balance it out with a splash of lemon juice or a sprinkle of sugar. If you want to dial it down even more, toss in some unsalted carbs like rice or veggies to soak up the excess salt.
Burnt Garlic
Burnt garlic can turn your dish from fabulous to disastrous in a flash. If it’s not totally charred, scoop it out ASAP and pour some broth or wine into the pan to salvage the flavor. Too late for that? Just salvage what’s left, adjust the seasoning, and keep on cooking.
Curdled Sauce
A curdled sauce is a letdown, but don’t stress. Take it off the heat immediately and whisk in a bit of cold liquid (like water or cream) to smooth things out. If it’s still feeling funky, strain it through a sieve and voila, it’s redeemed!
Tough Meat
Tough meat is a major bummer. You can soften it up by simmering it in a flavorful sauce or slicing it thin against the grain to break up those chewy fibers. Don’t worry, you got this.
