30 Kitchen Skills to Master Before You Turn 30

Whether you're living on your own for the first time or want to curb a habit of ordering takeout every day, there are some basic cooking and baking skills that everyone should learn by the time they turn 30. While these skills are beneficial on their own, they'll be even more helpful when you learn how to pair them together. Knowing how to make homemade vegetable stock, dice vegetables, and cut up a whole chicken are all useful skills, but put them together and you're well on your way to making homemade soup. You can whip up a fresh batch of buttercream, then follow our instructions for properly filling and frosting that layer cake you baked.

You may have even heard that a sharp knife is a cook's best tool, which is why we believe that an essential skill every home cook should know is how to sharpen knives of any size. Pro chefs will say that they should be sharpened after each use, but aim for once a week at a minimum. Another skill that will keep your cookware in good shape is learning how to clean a cast-iron skillet. This versatile pan can be used for both sweet and savory recipes and is a must-have for home cooks of every level.

We will also teach you how to make homemade pie crust, properly cook both fresh and dried pasta, and season any dish with salt. From here, you can cook anything for anyone, anytime. Ahead, we're sharing 30 of the most essential skills for home cooks to learn by the time of their 30th birthday.

Know this: Not all measuring tools are created equal and not all ingredients—whether it be a liquid, something dry, or a sticky in-between substance such as honey or molasses—can be measured using the same tools. It's important that you own both short measuring cups for dry ingredients and glass measuring cups for liquids.

Different types of salt—think kosher, flaky, or sea—have different levels of saltiness, so it's important to use the right type for your recipe. Learn how to accurately measure salt and season a dish using this essential ingredient.

What does it mean when a recipe calls for the onion or a carrot to be diced, and how do you get all the pieces the same size? Once you master this technique, use diced vegetables as the base for mirepoix (carrots, celery, and onions) and add them to soups, stew fillings, or pasta.

With the right tools and techniques, you can cut, layer, and decorate a cake that looks perfectly Instagram-worthy. Hint: We suggest investing a rotating cake stand, a long serrated knife, an offset spatula, and an ice-cream scoop to get filling and frosting right every time.

The best pies all start with a flaky, homemade crust. Learn how to make buttery pastry for sweet or savory pies.

The base for great homemade soups and a vital ingredient in risotto and so many other dishes, stock takes time to cook but is easy to make. Make a big batch of vegetable, chicken, or beef stock, then store it in quart containers in the freezer.

A delicious plate of pasta boils down to three things: salt, the proper size pot, and timing. Learn the difference between fresh and dried pasta and how to cook each variety, too.

Learn the right temperature for rare to well-done meat using a meat thermometer and the touch of your finger.

A simple blend of olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper are all you need for a vinaigrette. Add in mustard or honey and your favorite fresh herbs for a delicious homemade salad dressing.

For soups and sauces, this is the essential thickener. It's a starchy base made from equal parts of butter and flour.

Save some cash by cutting up a whole chicken for a braise or stew. It's an easy technique to learn; do it a couple of times and you'll master dividing a chicken into eight (or ten) tidy pieces.

Shaken or stirred? On the rocks or served neat? In a highball or a collins glass? Knowing these bartending basics will ensure a delicious martini, margarita, or bloody Mary every time.

Don't cry! From dicing to slicing, chopped onion is an essential ingredient for so many recipes.

Start your morning off right with a perfect cup of coffee. Whether you prefer it hot or iced, made in a traditional drip coffee maker or French Press, we'll teach you how to make a delicious cup of joe.

Hearty root vegetables like parsnips, potatoes, and carrots take longer to roast than other types of vegetables such as asparagus or shredded Brussels sprouts. Learn the proper temperature, type of pan, seasoning, and cook time for roasting vegetables.

The secret to perfectly cooked scrambled eggs is a nonstick pan, plenty of butter, and cooking them over a low heat for five to ten minutes. The result is creamy curds every time.

Avoid injuries by learning how to remove the pit of an avocado before scooping out the flesh and slicing it for salads or mashing it for guacamole.

A sharp knife is a cook's best tool—a dull one, on the other hand, can be dangerous. Use a honing steel and sharpening block and learn how to sharpen your own chef's knives at home.

Cookie dough that's too thick won't bake properly, but a dough that's too thin may result in the cookies falling apart or burning. Learn how to roll out a fresh batch of cut-out cookie dough and prevent the dough from sticking to a cutting board.

For shiny, silky chocolate, use a double boiler on the stove to melt it slowly. From here, add it to baked goods, turn it into homemade chocolates and truffles, or drizzle it on ice cream.

Skip store-bought and make your own whipped cream with just two ingredients: heavy cream and sugar. Add flavored extracts such as vanilla, almond, rose, or lemon to enhance the flavor of homemade whipped cream.

Our favorite method for cooking bacon is on a sheet pan in the oven. Not only does it get more evenly crispy than if it were cooked in a skillet on the stove, but it also prevents grease splatters.

To create creamy mashed potatoes that are never gummy, heat the milk and butter separately in a saucepan before adding them to cooked potatoes.

Every beginner cook should own one to two saucepans, a nonstick pan, skillet, and stockpot. From stainless steel to copper, find the right material and set of cookware for your cooking needs.

Learn how to properly cook brown, white, basmati, and sushi rice, and every variety in between. Whether you eat it on its own, use it as the filling for burritos, or the base of a healthy grain bowl, rice is one of the most versatile things you can make.

Breading chicken cutlets, fish fillets, pork or lamb loins, and even mozzarella sticks is as simple as one, two three. That is, a trio of flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs for a crispy, craggy crust that can then be baked or fried.

Cleaning a cast iron skillet may seem intimidating, but all you need is very hot water and steel wool to scrub it clean. Care for it properly and it will last a lifetime.

Instead of purchasing frosting in a can, make your own for cookies, cupcakes, layer cakes, and more. All you need is powdered sugar, butter, heavy cream, and vanilla to make homemade buttercream.

Take pizza night to the next level with homemade pizza dough. We promise it's easier than you think and well worth the effort.

Master this technique and you're well on your way to making diner-worthy eggs Benedict for breakfast.