Many young adults fly the coop without the faintest idea of how to cook a simple meal, sentencing them to a monotonous routine of instant noodles and cold pizza, punctuated by the beep of the microwave.
If you’ve got kids hurtling towards independence, do them a favor and teach them to cook five easy but versatile dishes that will not only nourish them, but make them a popular roommate and a perpetually welcome potluck guest.
“In my practice, I’ve seen firsthand how teaching teens to cook is a game changer for their independence,” says Lindsey Tong, clinical director of Profound Treatment in Los Angeles, California. “Cooking shows them they’ve got what it takes to look after themselves, and how to be resourceful and bounce back from setbacks. These kitchen wins help them feel ready to take on the world.”
If your teen can learn how to make mac and cheese from scratch, succulent roast chicken, hearty chili, salad with homemade dressing and a pan of decadent brownies, they’ll have a solid foundation for life outside the nest.
Mac and cheese from scratch
With chewy noodles bathed in a cheesy sauce, a good mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. Delicious, filling and easy to make, it is also infinitely customizable.
Start by boiling noodles. Make the rich sauce by heating milk and flour together, then stir in shredded cheese. Finally, mix the sauce and noodles together. To level it up, transfer the mixture to a baking dish, top it with bread crumbs and bake or broil it until the top is golden brown and crisp.
Make mac and cheese more nutritious by adding frozen peas, broccoli or other vegetables. For extra protein, add sausage, bacon or diced ham. Make it with a basic cheddar, or fancy it up with gruyere or asiago. Add a hit of spice with cayenne or ground chipotle.
Roast chicken
Impressive, savory and versatile, roast chicken is the perfect dish for teens who have mastered their basic cooking skills and are looking for a challenge. Roast chicken makes a satisfying centerpiece for a meal, and they can repurpose leftovers for future meals like chicken enchiladas or tacos.
Rub the chicken all over with a blend of spices mixed with oil or butter and put it in a roasting pan, breast-side up. For extra flavor, stuff the chicken’s cavity with herbs and lemon slices. Roast on high heat until the chicken is cooked through — use a digital thermometer to make sure it’s safe. The USDA recommends a minimum temperature of 165 F/74 C.
For an easy one-pan meal, toss chopped potatoes, carrots and mushrooms in oil, then scatter them around the chicken before roasting. They’ll make the perfect side.
Salad with homemade dressing
For a true beginner in the kitchen, salad is a great place to start. Your teen will learn knife skills and get familiar with how to prepare a variety of vegetables.
A great salad balances colors, textures and flavors. Use a combination of crisp raw veggies like lettuce, sliced cucumbers and radishes with creamy avocado and crunchy nuts, fried onions, croutons or bacon.
Looking for a meal-worthy salad? Add protein like grilled chicken or shrimp, eggs, nuts or beans to create a salad that will keep you going. Add fruit and cheese for flavor and texture contrasts.
Dressing can make or break a salad, so don’t settle for store-bought. The best dressings combine acid, fat and seasonings. These ingredients work together to create a flavorful and balanced dressing that lets your veggies shine.
These ingredients can be mixed and matched: Use olive oil, mayonnaise, buttermilk or sour cream for the fat — the latter two also count as your acid. For the acidic element, use any type of citrus juice or vinegar. Fresh herbs, dried spices, mustard, nut butter and aromatics like garlic and ginger can completely change the flavor profile.
Chili
Chili is a foolproof dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. Making chili is a great way to learn about seasoning and work with different spices and aromatics.
To make it, sauté onions and garlic in oil in your largest pot until fragrant, then add ground meat, if using. Once the meat is brown, add spices like spicy or mild chili powder, cumin, oregano and even cinnamon. Add a little broth and let simmer. You can bulk up your chili by adding beans, hominy, tomatoes and other ingredients.
Chili is endlessly customizable, so your teen can experiment with different texture and flavor combinations. Swap chicken or ground turkey for beef, or replace the meat with beans or soy-based chorizo. They can make it more or less spicy, toss in some corn or other vegetables or make whatever adjustments appeal to them. Chili is forgiving enough that even the most creative interpretations are delicious.
Brownies
Who can say no to brownies? Compared to fussy cakes or finicky pastries, brownies are an easy treat that will reward even the most nervous first-time baker. and there are plenty of ways to put their own mark on every batch. They can add chocolate — or butterscotch — chips, nuts or unexpected flavorings like instant coffee or orange zest and juice. You can even make a small batch of brownies for two.
Preheat your oven, then prepare a baking pan by spraying it baking spray. Mix flour, cocoa powder, sugar, eggs, oil, vanilla extract, salt and baking powder until perfectly combined. Stir in any add-ins, then transfer to a brownie pan and bake. They’re done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Today the kitchen, tomorrow the world
With the prevalence of YouTube cooking tutorials and TikTok hacks, it’s tempting to assume that kids will simply figure it out on their own. But cooking together with your teen is a great way to bond while helping them learn those basic skills every adult needs. By teaching your teen basic cooking skills, you’ll be giving them a taste of independence — and that’s more important than any recipe.
Robin Donovan is the author of more than 40 cookbooks, including the bestselling Campfire Cuisine, Ramen Obsession, and Ramen for Beginners.