Cooking Tips

7.8.2025

Cheeseboard ideas

From punchy cheddars to oozy brie, sweet chutneys to crisp crackers, we’ve got everything you need to build a board that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Just pick your favourites, pile them high, and let the grazing begin.

watermelon chunks

7.2.2025

How to cut a watermelon

Watermelon is one of summer’s most refreshing, healthy treats, but it’s not always the easiest to prep. We’ll show you how to cut it with ease, so you’re left with juicy morsels you can add to salads, smoothies and sangria.

A pan of fresh tomato sauce with a bowl of pasta

6.27.2025

How to make a fresh tomato sauce

Read our ultimate guide to making a batch of budget-friendly, slow-cooked fresh tomato sauce. Then discover lots of clever ways to use it, from pizza toppings to pasta and trusty traybakes.

Gif of summer drinks and a flatbread

6.23.2025

Outdoor eating top tips

Whether you're hosting a laid-back lunch in the garden, camping under the stars or heading to a music festival, we've got delicious ideas and clever tips to help you dine in style, wherever you are. From no-faff feasting to flavour-packed picnic picks, consider this your ultimate guide to all things al fresco.

Potato salad

6.4.2025

How to make potato salad

Level up your next barbecue with a side of homemade potato salad. See how to make a quick and easy potato salad, plus our favourite ingredients to spice things up.

Tom Kerridge baby back ribs on a barbecue

5.28.2025

How to grill, according to Tom Kerridge

Prepare to up your barbecue game with a little help from superstar chef, Tom Kerridge. Discover Tom's collaboration with M&S Collection for our exclusive new grill range, available in the Foodhall. Plus, level-up your barbecue feast with Tom's guide to grilling meat, barbecue menu ideas and more.

A plate of tapas

6.18.2025

The home of picky bits

From summer picnic spreads in the park to tapas-inspired feasts, it's officially the season for 'picky bits'. Our grazing board ideas are guaranteed to create a crowd-pleasing spread, so head to the Foodhall to nab your faves and get grazing on the ultimate picky tea.

Watermelon and feta salad

5.16.2025

Healthy summer dinner ideas

From bold and beautiful salads to fish dishes and veg-packed seasonal dishes which celebrate the season’s crop of stellar produce, read our pick of healthy summer meals to cook when the sun shines.

Bank holiday food ideas

4.17.2025

Bank holiday food ideas for everyone

Whether you’re planning a barbecue, some picky bits with friends or a family picnic, we’ve got some bank holiday food ideas to inspire you.

A thick-cut steak on a barbecue with tomatoes and garlic.

8.28.2024

The best barbecue food

Fire up the grill with our pick of must-try barbecue food in store this summer. Plus, be inspired with our pro chef's tips on how to barbecue and sizzling recipe ideas.

Burgers on wooden board

4.14.2025

How to make homemade burgers

See how to get a perfectly succulent burger with all the toppings with these top tips – from unique topping ideas to beef, chicken and vegan recipe inspiration.

A tray of banana and oat muffins

4.2.2025

What to cook with kids

Looking for ideas for how to get kids to help with the cooking, or need some small person-approved recipe ideas? Read our expert guide to what to cook with kids and inspire your littlest eaters to get involved with food.

A plate of lamb cutlets with potatoes and peas

4.4.2025

How to cook lamb

Whether you want a succulent lamb shoulder for Sunday lunch or some tender lamb chops for a flavour-packed midweek meal, make sure it’s cooked to perfection with our ultimate guide to how to cook lamb. Discover the different cuts to choose from, see how we source our British lamb, and be inspired by our delicious lamb dinner ideas.

A plate of breakfast in bed with smoked salmon, hollandaise and poached eggs

3.19.2025

How to make breakfast in bed

Whether you’re cosying up with your family on a Sunday, treating someone special, or treating yourself, a lazy breakfast in bed is one of life’s great pleasures. Discover our go-to recipes and top tips for a next-level breakfast in bed.

Two loaves of sourdough bread

3.19.2025

What is sourdough?

Discover everything you need to know about sourdough, including where we source our top-quality ingredients and clever recipe ideas.

A selection of frozen fruit and vegetables

3.14.2025

Top freezer food tips

When it comes to cutting back on food waste, saving on your family budget, and getting clever with leftovers, the freezer is your friend. Read our guide to the best foods to freeze and how to freeze them, plus top kitchen tips and freezer-ready recipe ideas.

A roast dinner with crispy pork crackling and potatoes

3.12.2025

Roast dinner top tips

Golden Yorkshires, crispy-skinned chicken, lashings of gravy: Sunday roast is one of life’s great pleasures. From timing tips to shortcut ingredients – plus ideas for what to do if you don’t fancy cooking – learn how to cook roast dinner like a pro with our easy guide. Plus, discover our pick of the best Sunday dinner recipes.

A rich bolognese sauce in a slow cooker

2.27.2025

How to meal prep

Get organised with our senior food editor's easy meal prep ideas, from batch cooking to genius flavour-boosting ingredients.

A plate of mini Victoria sponge cakes with strawberries on top

2.25.2025

Make your own afternoon tea

Start baking with our afternoon tea ideas, from sublime sandwiches to decadent cakes and sweet treats. Plus, snag the essentials you’ll need to serve the best springtime spread.

A slow cooked pork belly with macaroni cheese and glasses of red wine

2.14.2025

How to host a dinner party

Your turn to host? Read our ultimate dinner party guide, from how to prep to what to cook, what to drink and how to entertain without the stress. Whether you’re pulling out all the stops with a made-from-scratch feast or want some easy shortcuts from the Foodhall, make staying in the new going out with our expert tips.

Bao buns filled with hoisin pork and apple

2.10.2025

Bao bun filling ideas

Get creative with our clever bao bun filling ideas including veggie options and thrifty ways to use up leftovers. Try everything from tender pork belly to flaky fish.

Chicken gyros on flatbreads

2.7.2025

Top tips for quick dinners

Want to cut down on prep time in the kitchen without missing out on bold, punchy flavours? It's all about cooking smarter. Read our Senior Food Editor's guide to time-saving cooking tips and genius flavour-boosting ingredients.

A slow cooker dal

2.8.2025

Your slow cooking top tips

Do you want tasty meals with minimal prep, served up hot just as you come through the door, and at relatively low cost? Learn how to slow cook delicious, nutritious and good-value meals with our slow cooker guide.

A pan of roux sauce being whisked

1.27.2025

How to make a roux

Learn the basics for making your own roux to use in an array of creamy sauces. See our top tips for nailing this essential culinary skill, including recipe ideas and expert advice.

White fish

1.24.2025

How to source and cook fish

Fish is good for you, versatile and tastes delicious, but many of us are unsure about the best way to cook it. Banish your fear of fish cookery with easy-to-follow tips, recipes and hacks from our Senior Food Editor. Plus, discover more about how to shop for fish sustainably and our go-to recipe inspiration for everything from tacos to traybakes which put the freshest, responsibly sourced fish centre stage.

A close-up image of a stir fry with colourful vegetables and prawns

1.22.2025

The ultimate guide to stir frying

Learning how to make the perfect stir fry will provide you with veg-packed, balanced meals any day of the week. It’s the ultimate speedy, healthy fast food. Now, with our brand-new Family Stir Fry Dine In, plus a whole new range of epic stir-fry combos in our popular serves-two Stir Fry Dine In, it's even easier to get dinner on the table with minimal fuss.

An air fryer with salmon fillets

1.13.2025

How to use an air fryer

Discover everything you need to know about air fryers, including how they work, our top cooking tips and clever recipes for speedy weeknight dinners.

A pan with a cooked piece of steak, garlic cloves and rosemary.

10.30.2024

How to cook steak perfectly

You can't beat a juicy steak that's cooked just the way you like it. To nail the technique, it's all about finding the ideal cut and getting the cooking time spot on. Find out how to cook steak perfectly with our expert guide.

A selection of spices

12.27.2024

Have a kitchen reset

Foodie tips, tricks and ideas to help you wipe the slate clean, refresh your kitchen and boost the flavour of your dishes.

A tray of roast potatoes

11.25.2024

Top tips for the perfect roasties

Want golden-on-the-outside, fluffy-in-the-middle roasties? Read our expert guide, from nailing the perfect cooking technique to which fats to use and some top tips and recipes from Tom Kerridge. We promise your roasties will rule them all this Christmas.

Roast chicken

11.1.2024

Learn how to roast a whole chicken perfectly

Follow our top tips to learn how to roast a whole chicken for perfectly juicy, succulent results. From epic flavourings to achieving crispy skin, this guide will help you.

Fried eggs in a pan

9.19.2024

How to cook any kind of eggs

From silky and scrambled to perfectly poached to getting just-the-right runny yolk, these top tips will show you how to cook perfect eggs every time.

A traybake of autumn vegetables and jacket potatoes

12.27.2024

Budget cooking hacks

Want to cut down on waste, save on your family food budget and still eat eat deliciously, every day? We’ve got you. Keep reading for our wallet-friendly food ideas.