How to Use Recipes as a Guideline, Not a Rule Book

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For a lot of people, following a recipe can feel like being stuck with a strict set of instructions and can give the impression that there is only one correct way to make a dish. But here at The Impatient Kitchen, we believe that recipes should be guidelines that allow the cook the flexibility to put their own spin on what they’re cooking. Cooking is all about creativity, experimentation, and making the food your own. Here is how you can start ditching the perfection and adding flexibility and fun:

Don’t Stress About Exact Measurements
While precision is important in some cases (especially in baking), cooking is MUCH more forgiving. When cooking, let yourself have fun and adjust measurements to suit your taste or what you have on hand. If a recipe calls for a teaspoon of oregano – double it if you love oregano and extra flavor, or if you prefer basil, go ahead and switch it out. Have fun and know that adding your own twists into the dish will make the recipe better for you than any strict following possibly could!
Get Creative with Ingredients
Recipes are often written with specific ingredients in mind, but there’s no need to follow them exactly. If a recipe calls for a vegetable you don’t have, swap it with something else. Have a bunch of spinach instead of kale? Go for it! Want to use chickpeas instead of chicken? Absolutely! Are you a glass of wine in and have just decided that adding a little cayenne into your triple fudge brownie frosting might be interesting? Do it! Cooking is all about using what you love and experimenting with what sounds good to you. Not only will this be a more fun process, but the best part is that you’ll discover new flavor combinations you love and new versions of the recipe that are unique to you!
Play with Cooking Techniques
Don’t feel locked into the exact cooking method a recipe suggests. If a recipe calls for sautéing but you’d rather roast, try it out! Or maybe you don’t feel like standing over the stove—use a slow cooker instead. Short on time? Speed things up with a quick microwave shortcut. Recipes are just starting points, and the techniques you use can be adjusted based on your preferences, your time, your tools, and patience.
Taste and Adjust as You Go
One of the best things you can do when cooking is taste your food as you go. Don’t wait until the end to find out if the seasoning is right. I season throughout the entire process, and then again at the end. (And sometimes I season yet again as a garnish before serving!) Season-taste-adjust as you go. And make it your own: If you want your dish spicier, add chili flakes. If it needs a touch of sweetness, stir in a bit of honey. Use your palate to guide you instead of what the recipe says.
Trust Your Instincts
The more you cook, the more you’ll start to trust your instincts. If a recipe seems too complicated or the flavors don’t seem right, don’t hesitate to change things up. If you feel like adding a splash of vinegar to a salad dressing or throwing in some garlic at the end of a dish, go for it. Over time, you’ll gain the confidence to make adjustments without stressing.
Embrace Mistakes as Learning Opportunities
Not every dish will turn out perfect—and that’s totally okay! Sometimes, a little mistake can lead to a happy accident, like adding too much garlic and discovering that it makes the dish taste even better than you expected. Don’t let the fear of messing up stop you from experimenting! Every time you cook, you learn something new about your tastes, your kitchen, and how to make recipes work for you.

At The Impatient Kitchen, we passionately believe that cooking should be fun, not intimidating. Recipes are a great starting point, but they’re not set in stone. Once you get comfortable with the basics, feel free to get creative, adjust, and make every dish your own. Cooking is all about freedom, fun, and flexibility—so embrace it!

What are some of your favorite recipe tweaks? Share them in the comments—we’d love to hear how you make dishes your own!