Claire Lower
Claire is Lifehacker's Senior Food Editor. She has a B.S. in chemistry, a decade of food journalism experience, and a deep love for mayonnaise and MSG.
MORE BY Claire
How to Buy, Use, and Care for Nonstick Cookware
It is totally possible to fry an egg without any in a cast iron or stainless steel pan, but eggs will never stick to Teflon.
How to Buy, Use, and Care for Stainless Steel Cookware
If cast iron is a flashy Leo who lives for praise, stainless steel is an efficient, self-assured Capricorn.
How to Buy, Use, and Care for a Cast Iron Pan
Be patient with yourself, start with forgiving foods like bacon (instead of eggs), and don’t freak out if some things stick at first.
Welcome to The Grown-up Kitchen
When armed with the right tools—and an understanding of how to use them—cooking can be fun, easy, and nourishing.
How to Use Peppercorns of All Colors
Start with basic black, then branch out and taste the rainbow.
The Right Way to Dry Bread for Stuffing
The bread should be dried—not staled—to achieve crispy cubes that can absorb the broth.
Toss These Foods in Your Oven While You're Cooking Something Else
I like to sneak smaller foods in around larger dishes to get the biggest bang for my buck.
Make This Fancy French Sauce Out of Butter and Water
Don’t let the French intimidate you. If you can whisk, you can make this a sauce.
Keep a Baguette in the Freezer for Easy Entertaining
I like to cut them in half, so I can defrost what I need, when I need it.
Make a Quick Chicken Stock in Your Microwave
There is no law against using your microwave to heat the water.
How to Freeze Apples so You Don’t Ruin Them for Later
When in doubt, freeze apples with a firm flesh and snappy texture.
This Is the Direction You Should Slice a Turkey Breast
Turkey is like any other meat: You slice it against the grain.
Cling to That Summer Feeling With This Lemon Stick 'Drink'
It’s sweet without being cloying, and sour without being mouth-puckering.
Make Super Smooth Mashed Potatoes With a Fine Mesh Strainer
This method breaks the potatoes down into tiny pieces, so all you have to do is gently fold in your dairy.
Please Stop Ordering Off-Menu Crap You See on TikTok
If you feel even a little bit embarrassed about ordering an off-menu item, take that as a sign that you shouldn’t do it.
How to Make Turkey Gravy Without Pan Drippings
You don't need pan drippings, just flavorful stock, flour, and butter.
Make This Gooey, Stretchy Cheese Sauce With Lemon Juice and Baking Soda
Like most things that seem like magic, it's simply a matter of science.
Make and Freeze Mash Potatoes Now for an Easier Thanksgiving
Mashed potatoes are surprisingly freezer-friendly.
Here's a Better Recipe for Those Viral Auntie Anne’s Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites
A quick dunk in a room-temperature, vaguely alkaline solution does not a pretzel make.
Why Your Microwave’s Defrost Function Sucks (and What to Do Instead)
It works for foods like soup, casseroles, and gravy, but it’s not a great match for frozen meat.