YOUR FREE FIRST COOK GAME PLAN

A little prep.
A better dinner.

One recipe, one easy side, and a plan from shopping to serving. Check off each step as you go, or print a copy for the kitchen.

What I’m cookingPeople I’m feedingMy easy sideServe atRest starts atCooking starts atPrep starts at

Example: for dinner at 6:30 PM with 5 minutes of rest, 20 minutes of cooking, and 15 minutes of prep, begin prep at 5:50 PM. Add extra time when you’re learning a new recipe.

STEP 1

Choose your cook

Choose one recipe that fits your equipment and the time you have.Count your guests and adjust the recipe servings before shopping.Pick one easy side; let the main dish get your attention.

STEP 2

Work backward from dinner

Write down your serving time, then subtract resting, cooking, and prep time.For a long smoke, leave extra room in the schedule; the meat may finish later than estimated.Read the whole recipe and note the temperature and doneness checks.

STEP 3

Get ready before the heat

Check ingredients, fuel, and your thermometer.Measure seasonings, prepare the sides, and set out tools.Have a clean plate for cooked food and keep raw-meat utensils separate.

STEP 4

Cook with a plan

Follow the recipe’s heat settings and check the food at its suggested checkpoints.Use temperature and the recipe’s doneness cues; treat the clock as an estimate.If the outside browns too quickly, reduce heat or move to a cooler area as the recipe allows.

STEP 5

Serve and learn

Allow the recipe’s rest time, then slice and serve.Follow the recipe’s storage guidance for leftovers.Write down one thing that worked and one thing you would change next time.

Notes for next time

Entries stay on this page while it is open. Print your completed plan to keep a copy.