ADVERTISEMENT

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

ADVERTISEMENT

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

#8

My Sister Made Some French Fries

My Sister Made Some French Fries

janky_doodle Report

Add photo comments
POST
james_fox1984 avatar
stimpy avatar
Stimpy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let me guess: oil fire, and she tried to extinguish it with water?

devonbunny avatar
Bunny Wood
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How were they? A little sauce usually helps if they are a touch overdone...

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

Once upon a time, there were many things that thought too much. They all died one by one, leaving behind mostly nonsense and broken hearts. The end.

Load More Replies...
tommythebiker avatar
Thomas
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Oh no the oil is too hot now... let's add some cold water to cool it down"

jaydaestrella_1 avatar
Jayda Estrella
Community Member
3 years ago

How did frying patatoes create a whole bomb

alrightythen avatar
alrighty then
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

dont ever let them in the kitchen again they shall be 1 million feet away from the kitchen

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

Something tells me it didn't really go as planned...

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

She's gonna be the topic of conversation come Thanksgiving. And Christmas. And New Years. And every family holiday for the rest of her life, oops!

dodsonmichelle avatar
Celtic Pirate Queen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And then got stoned out of her mind and forgot the oven was set to 425 - for five hours.

deedeemacdonald avatar
DeeDee MacDonald-Vuozzo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I did that when I was 13, not quite as bad as that but yup set the kitchen on fire. lol

elhart53 avatar
Edie Hart
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just my opinion, of course, but I think the oil MIGHT have been a little too hot. Just a little...

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

Figured it probably was a grease fire that ignited the ceiling tiles.

bree_saw avatar
Sabrina Fisher
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

idk after seeing the poster in the corner... I'm thinking demons...

marigenbeltran_2 avatar
Marigen Beltran
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks like a costly mistake, I hope nobody was hurt. I almost burned my house decades ago too.

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

There's the point where a mistake is funny, and there's a point where you say "oh no...".

haileyhall avatar
Storm Anne
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you can see that's obviously goop. sorry to burst your bubble but i found the same exact picture on google

wim_lammens avatar
Wim Lammens
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see she used the original "Friterie de la Notre Dame" recipe.

kennedylongworth avatar
Kennedy Longworth
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me: I don't know what happened! I smothered them in gasoline and blow torched them and they just... burned!

curvademoreno avatar
Suki-Chan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dad has made french fries, they are soooooooooooooo good

sarraahh63 avatar
Bobbie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

French fries for dumb, step 3984: If it doesn't work, burn the house

peterweir avatar
Peter Weir
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

no excuse..basic planning and this could have been prevented...dot know why people find cooking so hard....reason...laziness and impatience

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

For all we know, it was a grease fire that got out of control, which could happen to anyone. This isn’t a case of miss-reading the recipe

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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

Add photo comments
POST
mirielapatrikiadou avatar
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"

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

ADVERTISEMENT
#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

Add photo comments
POST
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Add photo comments
POST
lsoo avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

#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

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#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

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#37

Making Some Spaghetti

Making Some Spaghetti

Report

Add photo comments
POST
dandegnan avatar
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!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

See Also on Bored Panda
#47

Asked My Boyfriend To Bake The Croissants For Our Dinner

Asked My Boyfriend To Bake The Croissants For Our Dinner

BrittBroChil Report

Add photo comments
POST
ishma-in008 avatar
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?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Add photo comments
POST
lsoo avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Note: this post originally had 135 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.