Did you know that some of our everyday cooking mistakes can make us sick? 

We all have a way of doing things in the kitchen; it’s either we learned it from our grandparents, from the internet, or even from cooking books. It doesn’t matter because somehow it stayed with us, and we never thought that everyday cooking habits may (or may not) affect our health.

One of the best examples I can give you is food poisoning, and if you had it at least once in your life, you know how bad it is. Some of the most common cooking mistakes include double-dipping spoons, undercooking meat, overfilling refrigerators, and reusing dirty cutting boards.

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Touching (and feeding) your pets while you cooking

Yeah, yeah, we know that our pets can be very convincing when it comes to food, and if you have one at home, then you’re probably making this cooking mistake, and you can’t resist those big eyes without letting them eat a slice or two of the food you’re planning to eat.

Well, I have bad news for you since it’s best to avoid it completely because bacteria and loose pet hairs could get into your food. And if by any chance you forget about this and you let slide some food for the pet, wash your hands thoroughly before starting cooking again.

Refreezing ice cream that has melted

You might be confused while reading this, but let me tell you something: there are a lot of people who do that. But it’s one of those kitchen mistakes we should avoid doing as much as possible. Experts tell us why. It may feel like a waste, but listeria and other dangerous bacteria can grow if the creamy product is kept at room temperature for a long time, which can make you sick.

If the item has been out for too long and you haven’t eaten it, it’s best to throw it away to avoid this. The supermarket is always there to wait for you with fresh new ice cream. Remember that risking your health for the sake of being frugal isn’t a good idea!

Soaking wooden utensils overnight

If this is how you think they’ll be easier to wash, I don’t mean to ruin it for you, but they won’t. It’s one of the cooking mistakes more than 80% of people make.

It is strictly forbidden to soak both wooden cutting boards and utensils in water. Any excess moisture will be immediately absorbed by this porous material, which over time may start to warp, crack, and even harbor bacteria. To avoid this, just give the board a thorough sponge wash, let it dry completely, and then store it away.

Furthermore, even though it may be an easier solution, you should never put wooden materials in the dishwasher.

Buying a lot of cans

…Without minding the expiration date. Although it’s good to keep a can of beans or tomatoes on hand, canned food expires as well, so be sure to follow the expiration date.

Additionally, if you only use half of a tin, don’t keep the open can in the fridge because it can give food a metallic taste. Put it into a different, airtight container for better storage of the leftovers.

Not changing the sponges often enough

Although this isn’t a cooking mistake, it’s still a habit that might affect your health in the long run. To prevent cross-contamination, experts advise us to wash or replace sponges at least once every seven days. It’s also crucial to let them completely dry after each wash in between uses!

Re-dipping the tasting spoons

This is by far one of the most mentioned cooking mistakes that may affect your health pretty badly. And the cooked food too! Never double-dip your tasting spoon when serving guests for dinner, whether you’re checking the seasoning in homemade sauces or making sure your pasta is cooked through.

Your mouth’s bacteria can easily get into the food and make other people sick, which is especially dangerous if you’re sick yourself. Use different spoons each time if you must try the dish more than once.

Not washing fresh produce

I am not implying that you do that, but a lot of people make this cooking mistake thinking that the fresh produce they bought from the store is already washed. Well, bad news! They’re not washed before being stored on the shelf, and bacteria can grow on the outside of fruits and veggies, which can also contain loose dirt and pesticides.

To reduce your chance of becoming sick by including washing produce in your cooking routine. Peeling vegetables can help in the removal of bacteria.

Storing warm food in the fridge

Oh, no no! This is one of the biggest cooking mistakes that could break your fridge but also help bacteria form on top of food easier. After cooking, quickly chill the food. Divide it into smaller portions and move to colder areas to quickly cool it down to a temperature that is appropriate for storing in the refrigerator.

A refrigerator should have its coldest section below 41ºF to make sure your food is safe from getting spoiled.

Are you looking for some safe storage containers that aren’t made of plastic and won’t cost a fortune? Well, I found them for you. These glass food storage containers with bamboo lids are available on Amazon in packs of 4 at the price of $38.97. They’re freezer-safe, microwave-safe, and dishwasher-safe. You can use them to store meal prep, fresh produce, and other cooked foods. 

Defrosting meat on the counter

If you want to avoid food poisoning then you should never defrost meat or frozen veggies on the kitchen counter. The best way to defrost food is to leave it in the refrigerator overnight, which keeps it out of the “danger zone” for bacteria, which is between 46 and 140°F. To prevent juices from spilling onto other foods, defrost your meat on a plate or in a container.

Washing raw meat after defrosting

Believe it or not, washing raw meat, such as turkey or chicken, is an outdated food safety myth. Rinsing meat can increase your risk of contracting food poisoning because it will spread bacteria throughout your kitchen, sink, clothes, and utensils.

To prevent contamination, it is advised that you prepare meats like chicken according to basic food hygiene guidelines and cook them completely.

Using the same chopping board and utensils for raw meats

Among all these cooking mistakes people tend to make is not cleaning the cutting board after using it for chopping raw meat. After all, you will end up cooking all of them together, right?

Yes, but one of the primary causes of food poisoning is raw or undercooked meat, so separating the knives and cutting boards used for meat and vegetables will lower the risk. If nothing else, make sure to thoroughly clean your knives and cutting board after handling raw meat.

Reheating rice

When rice is cooked and then allowed to sit at room temperature, the spores of the bacterium Bacillus cereus can survive and develop into bacteria that cause diarrhea or vomiting.

That’s why rice should always be cooled within an hour, and if there are any leftovers, never keep them for more than a day. Reheated rice should always be thoroughly hot before eating, and it should never be reheated more than once.

What about your cooking habits? Tell us in the comments section.

You may also be interested in reading about 6 Terrible Side Effects of Eating Canned Tuna.