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Test Kitchen Tips & Tricks

The Southern Living Test Kitchen has been testing recipes on our readers’ behalf since 1970, earning the title of “the most trusted kitchen in the South.” Our Test Kitchen team comprises expert professionals in recipe development—from pastry chefs and grilling experts to nutritionists and dietitians—who all come together to make sure that Southern home cooks are equipped to succeed. Follow along for recipe secrets, shortcuts, traditions, cooking tips, and kitchen advice straight from the pros.
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Southerners love butter. We love sugar. But the one ingredient we prize above all others is bacon. You might even say our love for this pork product borders on biblical. And our reverence goes beyond the crispy slices of salty, smoky heaven—the drippings left behind from cooking bacon are liquid gold. Chances are your grandmother kept a jar of bacon grease beside the stove, ever on hand to take her dishes from good to great. But if bacon grease doesn’t hold a special place in your heart yet, we've rounded up a few reasons why we love it so much at the link. #bacongrease #testkitchen #leftover #whattodowithbacongrease #foodstorage
6 Reasons Southerners Love Leftover Bacon Grease
Southerners love butter. We love sugar. But the one ingredient we prize above all others is bacon. You might even say our love for this pork product borders on biblical. And our reverence goes beyond the crispy slices of salty, smoky heaven—the drippings left behind from cooking bacon are liquid gold. Chances are your grandmother kept a jar of bacon grease beside the stove, ever on hand to take her dishes from good to great. But if bacon grease doesn’t hold a special place in your heart yet, we've rounded up a few reasons why we love it so much at the link. #bacongrease #testkitchen #leftover #whattodowithbacongrease #foodstorage
While we're sure you used to ricotta cheese appearing on the ingredient list for lasagna, it can be used in so many other delicious recipes. The versatile, soft cheese can actually be used for every meal of the day, not just supper. We're talking rich pancakes, creamy pastas, and dreamy cakes. From appetizers to mains to desserts, these are our best recipes that use ricotta cheese. #recipeideas #ricottacheese #dinnerrecipes #recipes #pancakes
21 Delicious Ways To Use Ricotta Cheese
While we're sure you used to ricotta cheese appearing on the ingredient list for lasagna, it can be used in so many other delicious recipes. The versatile, soft cheese can actually be used for every meal of the day, not just supper. We're talking rich pancakes, creamy pastas, and dreamy cakes. From appetizers to mains to desserts, these are our best recipes that use ricotta cheese. #recipeideas #ricottacheese #dinnerrecipes #recipes #pancakes
Potatoes are a kitchen hero, turning up in all kinds of dishes—but when it comes to mashed potatoes, they truly shine. The key to perfect mashed potatoes lies in how you prepare and cook them, and one of the most important steps in the process is getting the boiling time just right. Each type of potato, like the starchy russet or waxy Yukon Gold, brings their own texture and flavor to the dish, and knowing how long to boil them makes all the difference in achieving that dreamy, creamy mash. At the link, we'll dive into how long to boil potatoes to ensure they're fully cooked and easy to mash, for mashed potatoes that are fluffy, creamy, and full of flavor. #recipeideas #recipes #mashedpotatoes #potatoes #bestmashedpotatoes #cookingtimes
How Long To Boil Potatoes For Perfect Mashed Potatoes
Potatoes are a kitchen hero, turning up in all kinds of dishes—but when it comes to mashed potatoes, they truly shine. The key to perfect mashed potatoes lies in how you prepare and cook them, and one of the most important steps in the process is getting the boiling time just right. Each type of potato, like the starchy russet or waxy Yukon Gold, brings their own texture and flavor to the dish, and knowing how long to boil them makes all the difference in achieving that dreamy, creamy mash. At the link, we'll dive into how long to boil potatoes to ensure they're fully cooked and easy to mash, for mashed potatoes that are fluffy, creamy, and full of flavor. #recipeideas #recipes #mashedpotatoes #potatoes #bestmashedpotatoes #cookingtimes
the best store - bought apple ciders, according to our editor
These Are The Best Store-Bought Apple Ciders, According To Our Editors
As soon as there's a chill in the air, grocery stores start to stock their aisles with shelf-stable apple cider—but it's hard to know which ciders are actually worth it. And whether homemade or store bought, different apple cider blends can vary widely in spice levels, sweetness, and tartness. Our editors gathered together to taste apple ciders from different grocery stores around town, and we were pleasantly surprised to discover that one clear winner came out on top. #applecider #storeboughtcider #cider #testkitchen #editorpicks
a large pot filled with brown rice on top of a table
Should You Put Warm Food In The Refrigerator?
Whether you have cooked dinner after work for yourself or prepared food for a crowd, leftovers—and what to do with them—is a reality we have all faced. If getting the kitchen cleaned is a top priority, making sure the leftovers are put away is the first step, but the food is still warm and there is steam coming from your takeaway containers. Is it safe to put warm food directly into the refrigerator? #cooking #kitchentips #foodstorage #foodsafety
two cakes sitting on top of a cooling rack
Homemade Yellow Cake Recipe For All Your Special Occasions
Yellow cake may seem simple, but there's nothing more exciting than the possibilities that lie ahead when it comes to this classic recipe. After all, a yellow cake lends itself to all sorts of festivities and frostings. Want to celebrate a birthday? Top it with whipped cream frosting, cursive birthday wishes, and candles. Dress it up for a wedding with layers covered in vanilla buttercream and fresh blooms, or make it a special weeknight with chocolate frosting and rainbow sprinkles. Name the occasion, and a classic yellow cake is always the right choice. #yellowcake #homemadecake #birthdaycake #desserts #recipeideas #recipes
an uncooked pie crust next to a bowl of white candy
How To Crimp Pie Crust
Although it's ultimately the taste of the pie that counts, there's something super satisfying about achieving a perfectly even and sharp crimp on a pie. But there's more than one way to go about it. There's always the classic fluted edge, but there's also the easier fork crimp. No matter the design you're going for, there are a few tricks that help the pie dough seamlessly bend and maintain it's decorative shape. Start with a solid pie dough, like our Perfect Pie Crust, and then follow our step-by-step guide for forming it into a gorgeous crimp. #piecrust #crimp #howtocrimppiedough #piedough #bestpiecrust
a whisk is being stirred in a mixing bowl
The Secret Ingredient In This Whipped Cream Frosting Might Already Be In Your Pantry
In most recipes topped or finished with whipped cream, we’ll typically note to add it to the dessert just before serving. That’s because on its own, whipped cream isn’t the most stable, and it can start to deflate if it isn't stabilized. Powdered sugar added for sweetness can help stiffen the cream thanks to the cornstarch in it, but you’ll need more than just the sugar to create a lasting product and instant pudding mix is our pick. #buttercream #frosting #icing #recipeideas #whippedcream
the secret to perfect pie crust every time isn't an ingredient
The Secret To Perfect Pie Crust Every Time Isn't An Ingredient
Making homemade pie pastry can feel daunting, but it's worth it: It's much tastier and butterier than the store-bought pie crusts, and it feels great to have mastered your own beautiful crimped crust. Plus, it's typically only a few ingredients: all-purpose flour, salt, butter, water (and sometimes shortening and sugar, depending on the recipe and baker's preference). But did you know that the temperature of your butter is the key to perfect flaky pie crust? At the link, we've got the secret. #recipes #piecrust #piecrustrecipe #bestpiecrust #homemadepiecrust
a white bowl filled with yogurt and the words, these are the 8 best swaps for shortening
These Are The 8 Best Shortening Substitutes For Your Next Baking Spree
If you're anything like us, you always keep a jar of vegetable shortening in your pantry. Our grandmas taught us that shortening is a stand-by in quite a few Southern recipes, particularly our baked goods. It's the secret ingredient that makes our pie crust extra flaky and our dinner rolls ultra-tender. Shortening has been a pantry staple for decades for a reason. But let's imagine a world in which, by some series of unfortunate events, you find yourself without a trusty jar of shortening. What are the best substitutes for shortening? We're here to help you troubleshoot—and keep your weekend baking project on track. #shortening #baking #substitutions #bakingtips #substituteingredients
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a casserole dish with cheese on top
How To Keep Mac And Cheese From Drying Out
Macaroni and cheese is a thing of beauty when executed correctly. Gooey, cheesy, saucy, and perfectly salty, it's the ultimate side dish for holidays or weekend dinners. Keep it classic or elevate the pasta with a wide range of mix-ins, from andouille sausage to broccoli—it's just as decadent either way. Well... Unless your mac and cheese takes a turn for the worse and comes out of the oven dry. At the link, learn how to keep mac and cheese from drying out on your watch. #recipes #macaroni #macaroniandcheese #pasta #testkitchen #drymacaroni
the secret to getting even cake layers every time
The Secret To Getting Even Cake Layers Every Time You Bake
When it comes to celebratory treats, layer cakes, well, “take the cake.” They stand tall on a cake stand, have the perfect combination of tender cake and smooth frosting, and are a good indicator that whoever baked the cake put in some extra love, time, and elbow grease. As any baker knows, making a layer cake requires a certain level of precision. One of the keys to a beautiful, show-stopping, perfectly baked layer cake is getting even layers. While pouring equal amounts of batter into multiple cake pans is often something we “eyeball” (that’s how Grandma did it after all!), we have a little trick that will take the guesswork out of getting even cake layers. And great news, it’s pretty simple. #recipeideas #recipes #baking #cakes #cakelayers #evencakelayers
chopped up butter cubes in a baking dish on a marble counter top, ready to be cooked
Everything You Need To Know About How To Cook Butternut Squash
Butternut squash is a fall staple, but prepping and cooking it isn’t exactly intuitive. The firm fruit (yes, it’s technically a fruit) is famously difficult to slice into (you’ll need a sharp knife, and we mean sharp). Peeling is a little bit laborious too, and then you have to figure out how to actually cook it. Fear not, we’ll explain all the dos and don'ts when it comes to how to cook butternut squash at the link. #butternutsquash #squash #veggies #sides #testkitchen #howtocooksquash
a pot filled with chopped vegetables next to other ingredients
What Is The Holy Trinity Of Cajun And Creole Cooking?
You might not know it by name, but chances are you are familiar with the Holy Trinity of cooking if you've ever made a pot of gumbo. This backbone of Cajun and Creole cooking is essential for nailing the flavors and cuisine of Louisiana. It also has a rich history, connected to the different groups of people who settled in the region. #recipes #cajuncooking #cajunrecipes #creolecooking #holytrinity #gumbo
a jar filled with honey sitting on top of a yellow tablecloth covered floor next to other jars
Can You Eat Crystalized Honey?
While it might not look quite as appealing, you can absolutely eat crystalized honey. There is nothing as sweet and delicious as fresh, gooey honey, but it’s a safe bet we’ve all gone to grab a bear-shaped bottle of our favorite honey and noticed it’s gotten hard or just doesn’t come out like it should. This process is called crystallization and before you panic—it’s normal. #honey #crystalizedhoney #kitchentips #testkitchen