19 Ingredient Hacks That Will Elevate Your Cooking Skills Instantly

Becoming a top-notch chef overnight is an impossible feat, but certain ingredients can take your cooking from average to extraordinary. Recently, a Reddit user, u/thighcandy, posed an interesting question: "What's the most underutilized ingredient by home cooks that pro chefs use all the time?" The community's responses were enlightening, and in this article, we'll explore some of the most commonly mentioned ingredients. It's important to note that if you plan on adding a new ingredient to your cooking repertoire, always check for any potential food allergies among your diners. 1. Pasta Water "Can't believe how underrated pasta water is! It's surprising how few people use this secret weapon to their advantage. I learned from my Italian grandmother that adding salty, starchy pasta water to sauces can really take them to the next level. Trust me, it's a game changer!" —u/zzzap 2. Lemon Juice Photo by Cristina Anne Costello on Unsplash "I swear by it to boost the flavor of any dish. While vinegar can be overpowering, lemon juice has the perfect level of acidity to enhance the taste of almost anything you're cooking. It's a game-changing ingredient that I highly recommend!" —u/mons388 3. Fresh Herbs Photo by Thomas Rehehäuser on Unsplash "I cannot stress enough the importance of using fresh herbs in cooking. The contrast between fresh basil or curry leaves and the dried variety is like night and day. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you for using fresh herbs!" —u/DaNukes 4. Pickle Juice "Believe it or not, pickle juice can be a game-changing ingredient in your cooking. Instead of using vinegar, try substituting it with pickle juice. I love using it in deviled eggs and all types of salads, such as tuna, potato, egg, and macaroni salad. It might sound strange, but it's surprisingly tasty in mashed potatoes, too. Give it a try and thank me later!" —u/Moppy6686 5. Soy Sauce Photo by GoodEats YQR on Unsplash "...I add this savory sauce to everything from meats to vegetables to pasta, and it instantly elevates the flavor without adding many calories. When I'm feeling lazy or don't have much energy to cook, soy sauce is my go-to ingredient to turn something ordinary into extraordinary. Give it a try, you won't regret it!" —u/MySecretStoryOF 6. Nutmeg "I highly recommend adding a pinch of nutmeg to any dish containing dairy. Although the nutmeg flavor is not very noticeable, it helps to enrich the dairy and make it taste so much better. Trust me, once you try it, you won't want to go back!" –u/llcucf80 7. Anchovies "Can't believe how many folks hate on anchovies and sardines without realizing how much they're secretly munching on in tons of foods. A top-notch can of anchovies can elevate your dish to high-end cuisine status, and you might not even notice their distinct flavor." —u/ObLaDi 8. Instant Mashed Potatoes "Forget cream or roux - instant mashed potatoes are the secret to thickening soups like a pro. It's seriously a game changer, and your taste buds will thank you." —u/hops_on_hops 9. MSG Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash "Let's settle this once and for all: MSG is NOT harmful, no matter what naysayers may tell you. Don't believe the myths about headaches and other supposed side effects - they've been debunked for years now. So go ahead, enjoy that umami goodness guilt-free!" —meaghanb4a9ce5ff1 10. Mustard www.flickr.com/photos/donovan_beeson/sets/ donovan_beeson for the www.flickr.com/photos/donovan_beeson/5203346536/in/photostream/ "Lemme share with you this tip about using mustard in cooking. Apparently, adding a bit of yellow or Dijon mustard can really enhance the flavor of a savory dish when you feel like it's missing something. A friend of mine who went to culinary school swears by it, and now I do too! It's like a little bit of magic in your food." —meaghanb4a9ce5ff1 11. Horseradish www.flickr.com/photos/7394371@N06/ Iban, for the www.flickr.com/photos/7394371@N06/2539037301/ original image on Flickr "Have you ever tried adding horseradish to your mashed potatoes, especially garlic mashed potatoes? It's a total game changer! It gives potatoes a ton of flavor without being too strong or overwhelming. Trust me, you won't regret trying this out!" —TheRealMelco 12. Buttermilk "... An ingredient that's often overlooked, but it can add a lot of flavor to marinades, dressings, and baked goods like breads and cakes. It gives everything that extra zippiness that's hard to resist!" —u/johnstonb 13. Tajín "...It's a flavor booster that adds a bit of lime and spicy kick to your dishes. Personally, I'm obsessed with it and sprinkle it on almost everything I eat. It's definitely worth giving a shot if you're looking to add some extra flavor to your meals!" —u/FarmerExternal 14. Miso Paste "...Not only does it take your roasted veggies, soups, and potatoes to the next level, but the flavor it adds is out of this world, especially when paired with some top-notch butter." —u/PhilipLynott 15. Bay Leaves Photo by Faran Raufi on Unsplash "I've found that adding bay leaves to my stews and pasta sauces really elevates the flavor profile! While you don't want it to overpower your dish like salt, using it as a subtle seasoning can make a world of difference." —u/notasparrow 16. Shallots "I always incorporate shallots into my recipes. Onions and garlic are great, but using shallots in your vinaigrettes or roasting them with chicken can really add a deeper and richer flavor to your dishes. I've noticed that this is often the secret behind the amazing taste of restaurant pan sauces." —u/Thepandamancan23 17. Good-Quality Butter Photo by Sorin Gheorghita on Unsplash "...It's pretty mind-blowing how folks will butter their bread without a second thought, but hesitate to use it in their cooking. A couple tablespoons of good-quality butter can take your meals to a whole new level! I truly believe this is the key to achieving that restaurant-level flavor in your dishes." —u/purplepinksky 18. Toasted Sesame Oil "...This oil is really key in cooking. Why, you ask? Well, because it brings a delicate, subtle nuttiness and saltiness to any dish it's added to. Trust me, you won't be disappointed if you give it a try!" —u/Ez-lectronic 19. Sodium Citrate "When I want to make an extra-creamy cheese sauce without the hassle of using a starch or roux, I go for sodium citrate. It works wonders as an emulsifier and it gives my sauce an almost unreal, but oh-so-tasty creaminess." —u/Jew-betcha These 19 underutilized ingredients can instantly elevate your cooking skills and take your dishes from average to extraordinary. From the magic of pasta water and the flavor-enhancing properties of lemon juice, fresh herbs, and pickle juice, to the umami goodness of soy sauce and anchovies, these ingredients bring a new level of taste and depth to your creations. Don't forget the power of nutmeg, shallots, good-quality butter, and toasted sesame oil, along with the creaminess of instant mashed potatoes and the versatility of sodium citrate. Incorporating these ingredients into your cooking repertoire will transform your culinary game and leave your taste buds craving more. Happy cooking!