Main Dishes

The Main Dishes category covers the centerpiece of dinner: proteins and the sauces, marinades, and equipment that support them. Because this site focuses on home cooking with appliances like air fryers, Instant Pots, slow cookers, and sheet pans, you'll find guides that match different cooking methods and schedules. Some articles lean toward hands-off, time-saving approaches, such as slow-cooked pork shoulder or a sheet-pan dinner that roasts everything on one tray. Others focus on technique, like getting crisp skin on salmon or cooking flank steak well on the stovetop. If you're deciding how to choose within this category, start by thinking about how much active time you have and which tools you already own. A busy weeknight calls for a one-pan recipe, while a weekend project might suit a slow cooker or a careful sear. For a practical starting point, read the Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs and Vegetables guide first, since it introduces a simple, forgiving method. Then move to the Simple Chicken Marinades article to learn how flavor is built before cooking. The stir-fry sauce guide and the stovetop steak article round out basic techniques you can use across many recipes. Equipment-focused readers can explore the roasting pans guide once they know which methods they use most often.

Start here

• 15 Best Roasting Pans

Guides & tips

• How to Make a Simple Vegetable Stir-Fry Sauce
• How to Pan-Sear Salmon with Crispy Skin
• Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder for Pulled Pork Sandwiches
• How to Cook Flank Steak Perfectly on the Stovetop
• Simple Chicken Marinades for Grilling and Baking
• Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs and Vegetables

Frequently asked questions

Which article should a beginner read first?

The Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs and Vegetables guide is a good starting point because it uses a simple, forgiving method with minimal equipment. It also teaches habits that apply to many other main dishes.

How do I choose between a slow cooker recipe and a stovetop recipe?

Choose a slow cooker recipe when you want to start dinner in the morning and have it ready later with little attention. Pick a stovetop recipe when you have time to watch the pan and want a faster meal.

Do I need special equipment to use these guides?

Most guides work with standard kitchen tools like a skillet or sheet pan, while a few rely on appliances such as a slow cooker. Each article notes what equipment its method requires.