If you’ve ever wondered how to elevate your cooking to get restaurant-quality results at home, you’re not alone. Achieving that perfect balance of crispiness, fluffiness, and juiciness can transform ordinary meals into culinary masterpieces. Here are nine expert-approved hacks that will instantly upgrade your cooking skills.

1. Use Cornstarch for Extra Crispiness

Coating your ingredients lightly with cornstarch before frying gives them an ultra-crispy texture. This is especially effective for proteins like chicken and tofu, which benefit from an outer crunch while staying tender inside.

2. Salt Early for Juicier Meat

Seasoning meat with salt well in advance (at least 30 minutes before cooking) allows the salt to penetrate deeper, locking in moisture and enhancing flavor. This simple trick keeps your proteins juicy and flavorful.

3. Sear First for Tender Stews

For melt-in-your-mouth stews, first sear the meat until golden brown. This caramelizes the natural sugars and locks in juices. Then, continue cooking the meat low and slow to create tender, richly flavored dishes.

4. Master the Art of Blanching for Vibrant Vegetables

Blanching—boiling vegetables briefly, then plunging them into ice water—locks in color, flavor, and nutrients. This technique keeps veggies crisp and vibrant, perfect for salads or stir-fries.

5. Fluff Up Your Pancakes with Buttermilk and Baking Powder

For fluffy, cloud-like pancakes, use buttermilk in the batter. The acidity in buttermilk reacts with baking powder, creating bubbles that add extra volume and softness.

6. Use Ice Water for Flaky Pastry Dough

When making pie crust or biscuits, add ice water slowly. Cold water prevents the butter from melting, which results in pockets that expand in the oven, giving the pastry a light, flaky texture.

7. Reverse Sear for Juicy Steaks

Try the reverse-sear method for a perfectly cooked, juicy steak. Bake the steak in the oven until almost done, then finish by searing it in a hot pan to get that irresistible crust.

8. Make Your Batter Extra Light with Sparkling Water

When preparing batter for frying or pancakes, add sparkling water. The carbonation creates a light, airy texture, giving your batter a crisp, delicate crunch.

9. Rest Your Food Before Serving

Allowing meat to rest after cooking helps redistribute juices, making it extra juicy. This works for steaks, roasts, and even grilled chicken, as well as foods like risotto that need a few minutes to settle.