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Cooking—it’s that optional thing that we do when we don’t want to look like lazy good-for-nothings eating cheese and salami straight out of the pack and munching on raw vegetables instead of making a salad. Even cavemen and barbarians were able to cook things well. But even with the help of modern technology, we sometimes end up absolutely butchering our meals and making mega cooking fails.

Prepare your stomachs, dear Readers, for Bored Panda has baked up a feast of the most incredible cooking fails for you to enjoy. Upvote your fave pics and leave a comment about the times you messed up while cooking. Psst. We’ve got more epic cooking fails for you to taste right here, here, and here. Remember to chew well and take your time. Patience and focus have a lot to do with success in the kitchen (and in life, but that’s another story). If you’re distracted or running around like a headless chicken then odds are, you’ll make a ton of mistakes. Before you know it, your spaghetti’s on fire. Or worse—it’s fallen straight inside your shoes. Don’t believe us? Scroll on down.

Pie artist and baking and cooking pro Jessica Clark-Bojin was kind enough to give Bored Panda a few great tips and tricks to help all of us out in the kitchen and prevent massive disasters from happening. "Kitchen 'mistakes' can range from the catastrophic, 'I forgot the pot roast in the oven and now the kitchen is on fire' to the more benign, 'I accidentally put paprika in the cookies instead of cinnamon', but in most instances, they stem from the same thing: distraction and a lack of preparation." Read on for her delicious insights into avoiding kitchen mistakes.

#2

Tonight Was Foreign Culture Night In My House So I Decided To Cook A Traditional Dish From Pompeii

Tonight Was Foreign Culture Night In My House So I Decided To Cook A Traditional Dish From Pompeii

CarbonChainz Report

Jessica pointed out that anyone who wants to improve in the kitchen should start by taking some time to think about and picture in their mind all the steps before diving in and starting to bake or cook. That way, you can avoid slip ups, blunders, and setting your entire kitchen aflame.

"Make sure you have all the ingredients you need before you start baking. Work 'mis-en-place' and have all the bowls, spoons, tools, etc. cleaned and out on the counter ready for you. Measure out dry ingredients in advance, and (if called for) portion out wet ingredients and chill in the fridge. Clean up pots and pans while your mixture bakes," Jessica shared.

#4

I Was Making Home Made Chicken Stock. After Simmering For Hours, The Recipe Said To Pour It Through A Strainer. God Damn It

I Was Making Home Made Chicken Stock. After Simmering For Hours, The Recipe Said To Pour It Through A Strainer. God Damn It

moby323 Report

#6

My Friend Made A “Hedgehog” For Her 14-Year-Old Son’s Birthday

My Friend Made A “Hedgehog” For Her 14-Year-Old Son’s Birthday

YouKnowYoohoo Report

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According to the pie expert, it's hard to make mistakes if you follow these steps. Or, at the very least, following them will mean that you'll catch any mistakes before they become really big issues. "Taking the few extra minutes to prep will give you a lovely stress-free baking experience!"

Jessica also shared that everyone in her family cooks, but they all have different dietary preferences. So tasting food can be a challenge. "We have family members who are vegetarian, vegan, celiac (and just plain fussy) and it’s not always possible for the cook to taste what they are making for everyone else. But you can always bring in a pinch-taster and get a second opinion!"

#7

Husband Tried To Make A Dolphin For My Cocktail. It's The Cutest Eel I've Ever Seen

Husband Tried To Make A Dolphin For My Cocktail. It's The Cutest Eel I've Ever Seen

CharmingtheCobra Report

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#9

Creepy Pancake

Creepy Pancake

miiiccczzz Report

Other professionals echo Jessica's advice, too. Katie Workman from the Associated Press writes that we should all read through recipes all the way through ahead of time so that we can get all the ingredients that we need. What’s more, we’ll be well prepared for any time-consuming surprises in advance.

You should also get all of your ingredients ready before you start cooking. After all, if you’re supposed to be sauteing your veggies but you’re still chopping your bell peppers while your mushrooms are already frying, you might end up with a weird mix of under and over-cooked food.

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Finally, keep in mind that seasoning makes all the difference to the taste of the dish. So add a pinch of salt and pepper here and there from time to time. During prep. In the middle of cooking. Right before serving. Try to find the balance between overseasoning and utter blandness. Oh, and remember to sharpen your knives!

#10

Someone Left A Bread Pudding In The Back Of The Oven For 5 Days. So Here Is My New Pet Rock, Charlie

Someone Left A Bread Pudding In The Back Of The Oven For 5 Days. So Here Is My New Pet Rock, Charlie

WetDumpling Report

#11

My Apple Broke The Apple Cutter And Now I Have A Weapon

My Apple Broke The Apple Cutter And Now I Have A Weapon

rmbrmeforcenturies Report

#12

Friend Sent Me This. Composition: "Dad Tried To Make Wine"

Friend Sent Me This. Composition: "Dad Tried To Make Wine"

Nikoleta Kacaitė Report

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Lou
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks more like, "Dad tried to murder everyone in the family"

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#13

My Night After Work

My Night After Work

Symmetry888 Report

#15

Go To Make Pasta, The First Pot Slips And I Pour It All On The Ground. Make A Second Pot And The Handle Straight Up Breaks And My Pasta Goes Everywhere. Didn't Eat; Had A Lil Cry

Go To Make Pasta, The First Pot Slips And I Pour It All On The Ground. Make A Second Pot And The Handle Straight Up Breaks And My Pasta Goes Everywhere. Didn't Eat; Had A Lil Cry

Not to mention that firstly I came home late from work and drop my open sandwich in the parking lot. 

SuitsAndStripes Report

#16

Boiled An Egg This Morning And I Think Something Went Horribly Wrong

Boiled An Egg This Morning And I Think Something Went Horribly Wrong

samcornwell Report

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#17

I'll Never Be Someone's Bride

I'll Never Be Someone's Bride

_lquestionl_ Report

#18

Thought You Guys Might Like This Pie I Baked

Thought You Guys Might Like This Pie I Baked

JustAnotherElsen Report

#19

So My Wife Grilled Corn Tonight. For 2 1/2 Hours

So My Wife Grilled Corn Tonight. For 2 1/2 Hours

therallyking Report

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martti avatar
ML
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I read my wife killed corn tonight and I thought what an appropriate description

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#20

This Sums Up My Day. Why Isn't My Stock Simmering... It's Been Over An Hour

This Sums Up My Day. Why Isn't My Stock Simmering... It's Been Over An Hour

ActualNameIsLana Report

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Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This can happen to anyone. I have turned on the wrong burner a few times. Fortunately, I have never melted a pot.

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#21

I Baked Some Strawberry Cakes In Cat-Shaped Pans, Then Iced Them. They Came Out Looking Like Burn Victims

I Baked Some Strawberry Cakes In Cat-Shaped Pans, Then Iced Them. They Came Out Looking Like Burn Victims

03mark87 Report

#22

5 Minutes Before Closing After A 12-Hour Shift

5 Minutes Before Closing After A 12-Hour Shift

aceee13 Report

#23

I Tried To Bake

I Tried To Bake

AbeLincolnLapDance Report

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SirPatTheCat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The shape is actually pretty good, and it honestly wouldn’t look too bad if you frosted the bald spot and used chocolate chips for eyes, and pink food dye for a nose. Obviously piping the frosting instead of spreading it on would have been better, but I’m not going to say anything about that because obviously if they had a piping set they would have used it. And I know from experience that the surface of the frosting won’t get any smoother than that if all you have is a knife =_=

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Serbob
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never penalize people for giving stuff a try, but here it looks like they just gave up.

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Red rockin lobster
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Doesn't have to be thown away, you just need to find somebody competent or a little bit more patient and creative to do the final decorating

jessgunn77 avatar
JessG
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You did fine on the baking. The decoration? Needs work

lakithatolbert avatar
lakitha tolbert
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why its so important to 1. let it cool off, and 2. own a piping bag.

janealexander37 avatar
Jane Alexander
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone made a cake just like the upper right one for a kid s birthday party. They loved it. -then mom came at it with a knife and they all screamed bloody murder.

cazoverll avatar
Caroline Overill
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ahhh. Don't get discouraged. Just write down a plan think it through. You can do it.

elainemattingly avatar
Elaine Mattingly
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Put a flip tail on it and call it a mermaid. Well, butt ugly mermaid.

cathycarey avatar
Cathy Carey
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like you didn't even try actually, especially with the face.

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Roy Phillips
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of a punch-line to a horrible joke about the last thing the fellow who quit his job on a sheep ranch to join the Army heard: "Joe! Come b-a-a-a-c-k! What about the children??

stevenessex avatar
Steven Essex
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of the season four werewolves from Buffy, the Vampire Slayer.

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Vernice Aure
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Remember the Gingerbread Man from Shrek? I guess he decided to hide as a sheep.

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Viki Banaszak
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I did one of those about 40 years ago. It was the cooked icing that really did it in. Hard as a rock and ugly too.

sj-dumond avatar
JD Lee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For Christmas Nativity 2020; Ronald McDonald as the entire Shepard’s flock.

ngaerew avatar
NWB
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

dont...give up please....looks like an umpa lompa face!

alexhamilton avatar
Alex Hamilton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Quick -- call the VET!!! and put the poor thing out of its misery.

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Shellia Ventura
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every Easter my mother-in-law would make a lamb cake and it ended up always looking like this too. She never knew it but we would slice it up, she was the only one to eat it and then when she wasn't looking we would throw it out. It really was always dry and nasty tasting.

enamelcamel avatar
Enamelcamel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is your sheep yellow? Disregard the first question. What makes you think it's a sheep?

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#25

I Was Told You Guys Might Appreciate This. Made A Pie Today. Dropped A Pie Today

I Was Told You Guys Might Appreciate This. Made A Pie Today. Dropped A Pie Today

beely_yumyum2x2 Report

#26

Bake Bread They Said. An Overnight Rise Will Taste So Good They Said. Put In The Fridge They Said. It's So A Rewarding Hobby They Said

Bake Bread They Said. An Overnight Rise Will Taste So Good They Said. Put In The Fridge They Said. It's So A Rewarding Hobby They Said

thefirstdetective Report

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#27

Happy Thanksgiving From My Little Sister's First Ever Turkey

Happy Thanksgiving From My Little Sister's First Ever Turkey

Lovethe3beatles Report

#28

Guess I Cut It A Little Too Hard

Guess I Cut It A Little Too Hard

pokemon-collector Report

#30

Apparently Using A Syringe To Inject The Filling Of A Jelly Bun Doesn't Work That Well

Apparently Using A Syringe To Inject The Filling Of A Jelly Bun Doesn't Work That Well

9999monkeys Report

#31

My Sister Made My Brother A Birthday Cake

My Sister Made My Brother A Birthday Cake

AGBell97 Report

#32

My Submission For Dumbest Way To Injure Yourself: I Burnt My Hand Taking Tomato Soup Out Of The Microwave. The Toast I Was Making Popped Up And It Scared Me

My Submission For Dumbest Way To Injure Yourself: I Burnt My Hand Taking Tomato Soup Out Of The Microwave. The Toast I Was Making Popped Up And It Scared Me

missouriprincess Report

#33

Tried Cooking A Sweet Potato In My New Air Fryer Today

Tried Cooking A Sweet Potato In My New Air Fryer Today

vo_xv Report

#34

Attempted To Make Flower Pancakes For My Wife As A Mother's Day Surprise But They Ended Up Looking Like Corona Cakes

Attempted To Make Flower Pancakes For My Wife As A Mother's Day Surprise But They Ended Up Looking Like Corona Cakes

ChopperNYC Report

#35

This Is What Defeat Looks Like

This Is What Defeat Looks Like

spklovestheusa Report

#36

Me: This Tin Should Be Big Enough. Banana Bread: Freedom

Me: This Tin Should Be Big Enough. Banana Bread: Freedom

Antipodean247 Report

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#37

Making Some Spaghetti

Making Some Spaghetti

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Danieletc
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sure, let a fire burn out of control. Grab a camera, not a fire extinguisher, all for your social media Maybe you cause the baby and 3-YO sister in the apartment upstairs to burn alive. But so what, your LOLz are like, SO worth it, and so much likes!

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#38

I Tried To Make A Cake With A Lobster Shaped Dish

I Tried To Make A Cake With A Lobster Shaped Dish

chapstickwow Report

#39

When All I Want To Do Is Make Spaghetti, But All Signs Point To It Not Happening

When All I Want To Do Is Make Spaghetti, But All Signs Point To It Not Happening

imgur.com Report

#42

I Was Making Thai Basil Chicken Then I Turned Around For A Minute And My Brother Put Blue Food Dye In It. He’s 19

I Was Making Thai Basil Chicken Then I Turned Around For A Minute And My Brother Put Blue Food Dye In It. He’s 19

liamoco123 Report

#43

Forgot To Set A Timer Boiling Eggs. The Sound Of Them Exploding Reminded Me

Forgot To Set A Timer Boiling Eggs. The Sound Of Them Exploding Reminded Me

Trevarty Report

#45

What My Brother Was Trying To Make vs. What He Actually Made

What My Brother Was Trying To Make vs. What He Actually Made

andcccc Report

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#47

Asked My Boyfriend To Bake The Croissants For Our Dinner

Asked My Boyfriend To Bake The Croissants For Our Dinner

BrittBroChil Report

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S.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Break it into littler triangular pieces and... have a nachos night?

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#48

Black Bean "Burrito" My Roommate Made With Rice Paper. He Was Out Of Tortillas And Said "I Didn't Think It Would Look Like That"

Black Bean "Burrito" My Roommate Made With Rice Paper. He Was Out Of Tortillas And Said "I Didn't Think It Would Look Like That"

LampsHaveEyes Report

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Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is quite funny. I didn't expect them to look like segments of a large instestine either.

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#49

My Mom Wanted A Cherry Pie. After Making One From Scratch I Dropped It On My Way To Deliver To Her Porch

My Mom Wanted A Cherry Pie. After Making One From Scratch I Dropped It On My Way To Deliver To Her Porch

www-pizza-gov Report

#50

My Own Invention: Eggplant With A Side Of Melted Knife

My Own Invention: Eggplant With A Side Of Melted Knife

Catharas Report

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