10 Tips to Teach Yourself to Cook 1 Get Into a Routine. Like anything, learning to cook well requires practice. ... 2 Start With the Basics. ... 3 Keep It Simple. ... 4 Grow Your Spice Collection. ... 5 Invest in a Set of Pans. ... 6 Make Sure Your Knives Are Sharp. ... 7 Plan Ahead. ... 8 Cook in Bulk.