Not heating the pan before cooking
We’ve heard it a million times but how important is preheating the pan? It turns out that it’s very, very important! Sticking meat and veggies in a cold pan is a good way to completely ruin your dish. You need to give the pan time to heat and the frying fats to come up to temperature before dropping in your ingredients.
By neglecting this step, your food will absorb more fat and become soggy. If you’re searing meat, you won’t get the crusty exterior you enjoy from commercial steakhouses. Don’t skip this step, people! It can mean a world of difference!