Sunday, September 13, 2020

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How to Build Your Personal Brand

Posted: 13 Sep 2020 05:00 PM PDT

A personal brand is much more than just the products or services that you're selling. For instance, when you think of Oprah Winfrey, chances are you don't think of her as just a talk show host. With a magazine, a book club, beauty products, and even her own TV channel, she's come to be known for a multitude of things, all of which embody her personality and values. That's what a successful personal brand looks like. It's memorable, genuine, and tells a compelling story that speaks to its audience. With hard work and engagement, you can build your own successful brand that reflects who you are and what you have to offer.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Defining Your Brand

  1. Choose specific demographics for your target audience. Identify who your target audience for your brand is by thinking about factors such as age, location, gender, income level, education, and ethnic background. Figure out who has a need for your brand and who is most likely to buy and support it.[1]
    Build Your Personal Brand Step 1 Version 5.jpg
    • You can also think about the psychology of your target. For instance, what kind of personality or attitude do the people interested in your brand have?
    • Knowing who your target market is can help you figure out ways to appeal to them and attract newcomers.
  2. Focus your message so it appeals to your target audience. Think about who you're trying to reach or sell your products to. Craft a message and think about what kind of content will market and promote your brand most effectively to your target audience.[2]
    Build Your Personal Brand Step 2 Version 5.jpg
    • Your personal brand and message need to focus on your target demographic to keep them engaged.
    • For example, if your goal is to appeal to recent college grads, your message could focus more on strategies and challenges around entering the professional workforce. If you're trying to reach working moms, your message could include ways to deal with family stress or self-care strategies.
  3. Research the industry and imitate experts in the field. Spend time reading up on business strategies and information about the industry you're interested in. Find out who the experts are in your field. Look up their blogs, websites, articles, or anywhere else they've contributed their thoughts on the industry. Use their experience to help you build your own brand.[3]
    Build Your Personal Brand Step 3 Version 5.jpg
    • Even though the goal is to stand out in your industry, it's important to know the major players in your field.
    • Use the internet to research experts and find resources and information about your field.
    • Find out how an expert you admire started off and became successful in the industry. For instance, if you're into fitness, you can read interviews and articles about how a fitness model or athlete built their business so you can model your brand after theirs.
  4. Create a list of your strengths and weaknesses. A simple way to help define who you and your brand are is to make a list of your personal strengths and weaknesses. Ask yourself questions about what areas of work you excel in, what characteristics other people have complimented you on, as well as which roles and jobs seem to drain you or don't suit your talents. Brainstorm and write down everything that comes to mind.[4]
    Build Your Personal Brand Step 4 Version 5.jpg
    • Think about what industries, jobs, and challenges motivate or excite you.
    • Use your strengths and weaknesses to help you narrow down industries as well. For instance, if you prefer working on projects by yourself, then you may not want to work in an industry that requires collaboration.
  5. Apply your strengths and weaknesses to your personal brand. Take your list of strengths and weaknesses and assess them as they relate to the industry or career that you work in. Find a specific niche in your industry that suits your talents and passion.[5]
    Build Your Personal Brand Step 5 Version 5.jpg
    • For example, clothing design is a massive industry, but if you're really good at designing t-shirts with abstract art designs, and you love doing it, it could be your niche.

[Edit]Marketing Your Personal Brand

  1. Reflect the beliefs of your brand in your personal life. Separating your personal brand from your personal life can actually make building it more difficult. Instead, live your brand by having your actual lifestyle reflect your brand so it's more authentic and more appealing.[6]
    Build Your Personal Brand Step 6 Version 5.jpg
    • For instance, if your personal brand focuses on wellness and nutrition, you can make yourself and your brand look more genuine by practicing what you preach and eating well and exercising.
    • Don't think of your personal brand as just your job functions, but also your personal ideals. If you work in finance, your daily life can reflect your personal philosophies such as kindness or thoughtful leadership.
  2. Craft an elevator pitch summary of your brand. An "elevator pitch" is a super-short summary of an idea that can be delivered quickly to anybody who's interested in hearing about it. Spend some time boiling down your personal brand into a few short, memorable phrases that you can memorize and pitch to someone on short notice and capture their attention.[7]
    Build Your Personal Brand Step 7 Version 5.jpg
    • Create a summary that reflects the people you serve, the values you embody, and the results you achieve.
    • Tell your audience what you do and what makes you different and exciting. If your personal brand is focused on a vegan lifestyle, you can talk about the health benefits you noticed after cutting out animal products from your life as well as the delicious recipes you've discovered.
    • Let's say you're a conflict resolution specialist with a focus on mediating corporate disputes. You could say something like, "Hi, I'm Chris Smith, I can fix professional arguments. My experience as a corporate lawyer helps me find compromises that everyone can live with."
  3. Attend networking events to meet potential customers and clients. Look online for local networking events for people related to your industry. Attend the events and talk to as many people as you can to make business connections and increase awareness of your personal brand. Hand out business cards and collect contact information from the people you meet so you can get in touch with them.[8]
    Build Your Personal Brand Step 8 Version 5.jpg
    • Designing a good-looking business card is an easy, simple, and quick way to pass along your contact info and give people a good idea of what your brand represents.
    • Accept invitations from other people in your industry to attend networking events as well.
    • Don't worry if you get nervous! Think of the event as potential job opportunities. Just be professional, polite, and tell people a bit about who you are.
  4. Keep an up-to-date list of your contacts for future marketing. Create a spreadsheet or a list of business contacts and potential clients. Whenever you meet a new contact or you get someone's business card, add it to your list or spreadsheet so you can reach out to them for potential marketing or to use their services.[9]
    Build Your Personal Brand Step 9 Version 5.jpg
    • Capture their name, email, and try to include any info you have about them. For instance, you could add a note like "John, loves pizza, has a wife and 2 kids." You can use these details when you talk to them in the future.

[Edit]Growing Your Online Presence

  1. Focus on an online platform that suits your interests. Choose a platform that you enjoy using, you're good at using, and is better suited for your personal brand. Focus on marketing and building an audience on that platform, which is more likely to include people from your target audience.[10]
    Build Your Personal Brand Step 10 Version 6.jpg
    • For instance, Twitter may be more effective for reaching a broader audience, while Facebook may be more effective for marketing to people who know you.
    • You can also research which platforms are more effective for your industry to help you choose a focus.
  2. Make lots of quality content on your platform. Create the best quality content that you can that reflects and promotes your personal brand. Share the content on your platform so your target audience can see and share it.[11]
    Build Your Personal Brand Step 11 Version 6.jpg
    • For instance, you could live-stream one of your gaming sessions on Facebook live if you're into video games. If you're into plants and flowers, you can use Instagram to post beautiful photos of them.
    • Try to post as often as you can to stay engaged with your target audience.
  3. Collaborate to create content with other people in your industry. Get in touch with other people who work in your industry and have their own following. Collaborate on a project or make content together that you can share. You'll trade audiences and grow your own social media following. Everybody wins![12]
    Build Your Personal Brand Step 12 Version 6.jpg
    • If your brand revolves around fitness, you could get together with another fitness figure, record a workout together, and post it.
    • You could also play fun challenges or games with other content creators. For instance, if you're into video games, you could challenge another gamer to a duel and broadcast the results.
  4. Use LinkedIn as an additional social media tool for your brand. LinkedIn is a social media platform that's more focused on professional business connections and job searches. Make an account, and focus on highlighting your skills related to your industry. Connect with other people in your industry, participate in group discussions, and reach out to meet new people.[13]
    Build Your Personal Brand Step 13 Version 6.jpg
    • You can also read and share industry-related articles on LinkedIn.
    • If you're ever in the market for a new job, the connections you make on LinkedIn can be super valuable tools to help you land one.
    • Use a professional photo for your account so recruiters and industry leaders are more likely to contact or connect with you.
  5. Create a Twitter and use it for your brand's specific niche. Twitter is an expansive platform that you can use to follow leaders in your field and stay relevant in your specific niche. Incorporate your personal brand in your bio and use hashtags that are related to your specific niche. Retweet top industry stories and connect with other people through their accounts.[14]
    Build Your Personal Brand Step 14 Version 6.jpg
    • For instance, if you're into collecting, selling, and trading high-end sneakers, you could add hashtags like #sneakerheads, #jordan, #kicks, and #kicksonfire.
  6. Read and respond to what your audience is saying online. In addition to creating and posting content, it's important that you engage with your audience by responding to their comments and messages. You can also use the things they say and post to get an idea about what they're talking about and are interested in so you can tailor your content to be more relevant.[15]
    Build Your Personal Brand Step 15 Version 5.jpg
    • For example, if there's a funny new meme format that people in your audience are sharing, you can tweak it to fit your brand and share your own version to increase engagement.

[Edit]Optimizing Your Website

  1. Create a website using a hosting service for easy customization. A website is a super important part of your personal brand because it's what people will see and how they'll contact you or purchase something from you. Use a hosting service like Squarespace or Wix, which makes designing your website super simple.[16]
    Build Your Personal Brand Step 16 Version 5.jpg
    • Other popular web hosting services include GoDaddy, Bluehost, and HostGator.
    • You'll need to pay a subscription fee to keep your website up and running.
    • Choose a domain name that suits your brand. For instance, if you're into design, you could go with something like "designsbyjulie.com."
  2. Design a professional logo for your website. A high-quality logo shows people that you're serious and your brand is professional. Think about the mood you want your logo to convey and choose a design that communicates your brand to your audience.[17]
    Build Your Personal Brand Step 17 Version 5.jpg
    • Look at other logos in your industry to get ideas for your own and so you don't create one that closely resembles the competition.
    • If you need help, consider hiring a professional graphic designer.
  3. Use written content and video to craft a brand story. Building a narrative about your personal brand is an effective strategy to expand your audience. Record videos talking about yourself and your brand and post them to your website so people can watch them. Write blog posts and articles so visitors can read and learn more about you and your brand.[18]
    Build Your Personal Brand Step 18 Version 5.jpg
    • People will feel more invested if they feel like they have a personal connection to your brand.
  4. Upload professional photographs of you and your products. Make your website look as good and professional as possible by using high-quality photographs. Hire a photographer or use a high-definition to take professional-looking photos of you and your products. Post the photos on your website for people to see when they visit.[19]
    Build Your Personal Brand Step 19 Version 5.jpg
    • Low-quality photos can make your brand look unprofessional.
  5. Add any testimonials and media features to your website. Whenever a customer, client, or someone in your industry praises you and your work, add it to your website as a testimonial. Link any news articles or media coverage about you or your brand as well. Use them as proof that you can solve other people's problems and produce quality work.[20]
    Build Your Personal Brand Step 20 Version 5.jpg
    • For instance, if a customer tells you something like, "Thanks so much! You're a lifesaver!" ask them if you can share their testimonial on your site.
    • If you're ever in the news or someone writes about your services, link it to your website so visitors can see it!
  6. Entice people to give you their email address for leads. Offer a discount or exclusive content for free in exchange for a visitor's email address. Collect the emails and use them for future marketing campaigns so you can get the word out to people who have already visited your site and know a little bit about you and your brand.[21]
    Build Your Personal Brand Step 21 Version 4.jpg
    • Try not to spam people who give you their email address or they may block you.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

  • Try to be as genuine as you can. People can tell if you're trying to sell them something and may be turned off if they think you're pretending to care about something.
  • Remember that even if you change jobs or even careers, you can still carry your personal brand with you into new industries and experiences.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

  1. https://www.inc.com/guides/2010/06/defining-your-target-market.html
  2. https://www.forbes.com/sites/goldiechan/2018/11/08/10-golden-rules-personal-branding/#4f36e5aa58a7
  3. https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/blog/tips-for-building-your-personal-brand/
  4. https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/blog/tips-for-building-your-personal-brand/
  5. https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/blog/tips-for-building-your-personal-brand/
  6. https://www.forbes.com/sites/goldiechan/2018/11/08/10-golden-rules-personal-branding/#4f36e5aa58a7
  7. https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/298513
  8. https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/10-powerful-habits-for-marketing-yourself-and-building-a-personal-brand.html
  9. https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/10-powerful-habits-for-marketing-yourself-and-building-a-personal-brand.html
  10. https://www.inc.com/nicolas-cole/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-in-5-steps-and-why-everyone-messes-up-on-number-1.html
  11. https://www.inc.com/nicolas-cole/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-in-5-steps-and-why-everyone-messes-up-on-number-1.html
  12. https://www.inc.com/nicolas-cole/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-in-5-steps-and-why-everyone-messes-up-on-number-1.html
  13. https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/blog/tips-for-building-your-personal-brand/
  14. https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/blog/tips-for-building-your-personal-brand/
  15. https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/298513
  16. https://www.inc.com/nicolas-cole/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-in-5-steps-and-why-everyone-messes-up-on-number-1.html
  17. https://medium.com/better-marketing/the-complete-guide-to-building-a-personal-brand-in-2020-725c9530bc49
  18. https://www.forbes.com/sites/goldiechan/2018/11/08/10-golden-rules-personal-branding/#4f36e5aa58a7
  19. https://medium.com/better-marketing/the-complete-guide-to-building-a-personal-brand-in-2020-725c9530bc49
  20. https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/343031
  21. https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/343031

How to Cut an Orange for Drinks

Posted: 13 Sep 2020 09:00 AM PDT

Ah, oranges—the sweet, juicy fruit that just about everybody likes. In addition to being a great snack, oranges are also perfect for garnishing drinks, especially cocktails and certain types of beer like wheat beers and orange ales. Try experimenting with wedges, slices, wheels, and twists by adding them to different beverages for a garnish you'll want to eat!

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Creating Orange Wedges

  1. Wash the orange before you slice it. Rinse the orange peel under cool running water, and use your fingertips to thoroughly scrub the surface. There could be dirt or germs on the peel of the orange that could contaminate the knife and the orange slices if you don't wash it first.[1]
    Cut an Orange for Drinks Step 1 Version 3.jpg
    • Be sure the knife is clean before you start cutting, also.
  2. Slice the ends off the orange. Place the orange sideways in the middle of a cutting board. Use a sharp kitchen knife to cut the top and bottom off the orange to get rid of the stem and blossom end bits.[2]

    • Hold the orange firmly when you do this, so it doesn't slip or roll while you're cutting.[3]
    • You can use either a chef's knife or a paring knife for this, but it's easier if the knife is very sharp.
    • Be careful whenever you're using a sharp knife. Keep your fingers and hands out from under the blade and always cut away from your body.[4]
  3. Cut the orange down the middle vertically. Hold the orange firmly with your thumb on one side and your fingers on the other side, so it doesn't roll away while you cut it. Slice straight down through the middle, from the flat stem end to the flat blossom end.[5]
    Cut an Orange for Drinks Step 3 Version 3.jpg
    • Alternatively, you could stand the orange up on one of the flat ends and cut down through the middle from the top to bottom that way.
  4. Make 3 even diagonal cuts to cut each half into 3 wedges. Place the halves of the oranges flat-side-down on your cutting board. Slice into the peel diagonally from 1 side down to the middle of the fleshy side on the cutting board, then repeat this for the other side to cut the half into 3 even wedges. Do the same for the other half of the orange.[6]

    • It might take a few tries to get the hang of cutting orange halves into 3 perfectly even wedges, but just keep practicing and you'll be able to do it with no problem soon enough!
  5. Slice a notch from the flesh to the peel in the middle of each wedge. Flip the wedges over so they are flesh-side-up on the cutting board. Cut down through the center of the flesh in each wedge until just before you reach the orange rind.[7]

    • Be careful not to cut all the way through the orange wedges. But don't worry if you mess one up. You can always just eat your mistake!
    • If you want smaller wedges, you can cut each large wedge in half, then cut a notch into the middle of each of your smaller wedges.
  6. Stick the wedges on the rims of drink glasses to garnish them. Slide the notch you cut in an orange wedge over the rim of a glass until it sits there on its own. Try garnishing cocktails like Margaritas, Dark and Stormies, and Bloody Marys. Stick the wedges on non-alcoholic beverages like fresh-squeezed orange juice, iced tea, and even glasses of ice water.[8]

    • Other cocktails that go nicely with orange wedges are Pimm's Cups and Gin Fizzes.
    • For a non-alcoholic treat, try adding an orange slice to a glass of ice water, lemon-lime soda, orange juice, or a frozen juice mocktail.[9]
    • When you're drinking a beverage with an orange wedge garnish, you can squeeze the wedge into the drink for extra orange flavor. Or, you can just grab it off the rim and eat it!

[Edit]Making Wheels and Slices

  1. Cut both ends off your orange. Place your orange sideways on a cutting board and hold it steady by the sides. Use a sharp chef's knife or paring knife to cut the top and bottom ends off.[10]

    • Be careful when you're slicing an orange with a sharp knife. Make sure you have a good grip on it, so it doesn't slip or roll, and keep your fingers and hands out from under the knife's blade.
  2. Slice the orange into round slabs of the desired thickness, starting at one end. Hold the orange steady by the sides. Start cutting from one end by slicing straight down through the orange horizontally, keeping your fingers and hand that you're holding the orange with out of the way as you cut. Keep slicing until you cut the whole orange into even wheels.[11]

    • Wheels that are about thick are a good size for drinks if you're not sure how big to make them.
  3. Cut each wheel in half if you want orange slices for your drinks. Lay a wheel flat on your cutting board and cut right through the middle, so you have 2 even slices. Repeat this for each wheel to cut them all into even slices.[12]

    • You could also leave half the orange in wheels and cut half the wheels into slices, if you want a variety of garnish options for drinks.
  4. Slice a notch into your wheels or slices if you want to put them on glasses. Cut a notch from one side of each wheel into the middle of the wheel. Make a notch in the middle of the flesh of each slice that goes almost to the orange peel.[13]

    • You can skip this if you are planning to put the wheels or slices directly into a drink, rather than on the rim of a glass.
  5. Stick your wheels and wedges onto glasses or into glasses or pitchers. Try garnishing glasses containing cocktails or pints of beers like wheat beers or citrusy beers with the wedges and wheels. Toss some wheels or wedges right into pitchers of things like Margaritas or Sangria to decorate them and add some citrus flavor.[14]

    Cut an Orange for Drinks Step 11 Version 3.jpg
    • For example, if you make a pitcher of Screwdrivers with orange juice and vodka for brunch with your friends, you could throw some whole orange wheels directly into the pitcher. You can then use some slices to garnish individual glasses for serving.
    • You can also double-up on oranges in pints of beer by putting a wheel in the beer itself and sticking a wedge on the rim of the pint glass.
    • For a fun, tropical treat, try adding a slice of orange to a skewer along with other fruits like cherries and pineapples.[15]

[Edit]Cutting Orange Twists

  1. Cut the bottom off an orange and place it cut-side-down on a cutting board. Hold an orange sideways on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut off just the bottom end. Stand the orange upright on the cutting board with the end you just cut flat against the board.[16]

    • This just helps stabilize the orange while you cut the peel off to make a twist. Once you get comfortable with slicing the peel, you may choose to skip this step.
  2. Use a paring knife to slice off a thin oval of the orange's peel. Start at the top of the orange and just barely cut into the peel. Slice down and away from you until you cut off a thin, oval-shaped piece of the peel.[17]

    • It's OK if there is a bit of the pith, or the white rind, still attached to the peel, but it's best not to have a big chunk of it. If there is, you can carefully slice the white pith away from the peel using your paring knife.
    • It's up to you exactly how big to make your orange twist. Feel free to experiment with different oval sizes until you decide what works best for you and the drinks you're making.
  3. Twist the ends of the piece of peel in opposite directions using your fingertips. Pick up the oval-shaped piece of peel using 2-3 fingertips of both your hands. Twist your hands in opposite directions, so the oval curls up into a spiral shape.[18]

    • This not only looks cool, but also releases the oils inside the peel to add aroma and flavor to your drink.
  4. Put the orange twist into a cocktail and serve the drink. Orange twists make nice garnishes for classic cocktails like Old Fashioneds or Orange Martinis. Simply drop the twist into the glass on top of the drink or lean it up against one side of the glass, so the rim supports it and it stands up.[19]
    Cut an Orange for Drinks Step 15.jpg
    • Other cocktails you might want to garnish with an orange twist include the Tom Collins and the Sazerac.

[Edit]Tips

  • Feel free to experiment with different wedge, wheel, and slice sizes. There really isn't a right or wrong way to cut an orange for drinks!
  • If you have one, wear a cut-resistant glove on the hand you're using to hold the orange. That way, if the knife slips, you won't cut yourself.
  • Try combining oranges with other citrus fruits like lemons and limes in pitchers of Sangria or Margaritas. Or, you can add slices of other edible fruits like apples, peaches, and strawberries.

[Edit]Warnings

  • Be careful when you're using a sharp knife to cut oranges for drinks. Keep your fingers and hands out of the way of the blade and always cut on a cutting board.

[Edit]Things You'll Need

  • Cutting board
  • Sharp kitchen knife
  • Orange

[Edit]References

How to Keep Meat Moist in the Oven

Posted: 13 Sep 2020 01:00 AM PDT

It can be so disappointing to spend time and resources on preparing a delicious meal, only to find that the meat has dried out while it was cooking in the oven. Delightfully, though, there are plenty of ways to help keep meat moist, tender, and juicy while it bakes. With a little bit of research and preparation, you can ensure that your next roast chicken or oven-baked steak comes out perfect!

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Choosing and Preparing Meat

  1. Choose dark, fatty meat for the juiciest results. When choosing which cut of meat to cook, the ones that have the most fat will be the most tender and moist. For chicken and turkey, focus on the thighs and legs. With red meat, look for marbled steaks, or consider mixing in other forms of fat if you're making something like meatballs. For roasts, pick the tenderloin from beef or pork.[1]
    Keep Meat Moist in the Oven Step 1.jpg
    • For example, pancetta, milk, eggs, and cheese are great to incorporate to things like meatballs or meatloaf, as they'll add moisture to the meal.
    • If you're making chicken meatballs from ground chicken, add in small pieces of dark meat to help keep them moist as they cook.
  2. Take meat out of the fridge 15-30 minutes before it needs to go in the oven. Putting meat straight from the fridge into the oven could result in food that is done on the outside but unevenly cooked on the inside. Make it a habit to put it on the counter while you're prepping the rest of your meal.[2]
    Keep Meat Moist in the Oven Step 2.jpg
    • Of course, you don't want to leave raw meat on the counter for too long. If you aren't going to cook soon, pop it back into the fridge within 2 hours. If you live in a warmer climate, it'll need to go into the fridge sooner.[3]
  3. Pound chicken breasts or pork chops to a thin layer so they cook evenly. Place the breast between 2 pieces of plastic wrap or into a resealable plastic bag. Use the flat side of a meat tenderizer to gently pound on them until they're an even width all the way across. This method helps the breast to cook fully without drying out anywhere.[4]

    • This method doesn't work for bone-in chicken breasts.
    • If you don't have a meat tenderizer, you could use a bottle of wine, rolling pin, or even the flat side of a skillet.
    • This works for turkey breasts, too.
  4. Stuff the skin of a chicken or turkey with butter to get a tender interior. This works especially well when you're roasting an entire bird, but you can do it to any piece of poultry as long as it still has its skin on. Mix softened butter, seasonings, and herbs in a small bowl. Use your fingers to carefully push the mixture underneath the skin and spread it around before cooking.[5]

    • This method results in crispy skin and juicy meat. of olive oil, 1 tbsp (10 grams) of garlic powder, 1 tbsp (1.7 grams) of fresh rosemary, 1 tsp (1 gram) of dried oregano, 1 tbsp (3.8 grams) of fresh parsley, 2 tsp (5 grams) of onion powder, 1 tsp (1.8 grams) of crushed red chili pepper flakes, 1 1/2 tsp (2.4 grams) of ground cumin, and salt and pepper.}}
  5. Brine raw lean meat to help it retain its juices while it cooks in the oven. For a quick brine while you prepare the rest of dinner, combine 1/4 cup (75 grams) of kosher salt with of warm water and stir until the salt has dissolved. Submerge the meat in the brine and let it sit for about 1-2 hours. Remove it from the brine and pat it dry before cooking it.[6]

    • Use enough water to cover the piece of meat entirely. For each quart (4 cups) of water, remember to use 1/4 cup (75 grams) of salt. 3-4 sprigs of each fresh herb or 1 tablespoon of each dried herb can be added for each quart (4 cups) of water, too.
    • Your brine can be as simple as salt and water, or you could add either fresh or dried herbs and seasonings, like thyme, rosemary, parsley, sage, garlic, and black pepper. You could also brine meat in milk or yogurt to give it a slightly tangy flavor.
    • You can brine chicken, shrimp, fish, pork chops, and other lean cuts of meat.
    • For red meats, like steak, try dry-brining. Instead of mixing salt and water, you just rub seasonings on the meat directly and let it sit for several hours before cooking it.
  6. Baste meat every 30 minutes while it cooks to keep it moist. When meat gets hot in the oven, it starts to leak juices, fat, and oil—things that would normally keep it very moist. Use a large spoon or a bulb baster to carefully pour those juices back over the meat. This should help keep it from drying out and make it more flavorful.[7]

    • This is especially helpful for larger selections of meat, like roasts, but you can also use it on steak, pork chops, or even a simple chicken breast.

[Edit]Using Specific Cooking Techniques

  1. Cook tough cuts of meat at a low temperature over a longer period of time. With the tougher cuts, like beef chuck, pork shoulder, and brisket, consider using them in a slow-roasted or braised dish. Basically, the longer it gets to cook, the more tender the meat will get.[8]

    • These types of meat generally need a minimum of an hour to cook.
  2. Sear tender cuts of meat and cook them at a higher temperature. Pieces like chicken breasts, pork chops, and tenderloin tend to dry out quickly if they're cooked for too long. Sear each side of the meat on a super hot pan, and then pop it into a preheated oven for a few minutes or finish it on the stovetop.[9]

    • Searing doesn't actually "lock in moisture," but it does help create more dynamic flavor! Since these cuts of meat don't take long to cook and have less time to develop a deep flavor profile, the searing helps add caramelization and complexity to the dish.
    • Make sure the meat is completely dry before you try to sear it.
  3. Reverse-sear a steak for better control over the interior temperature. Start by cooking the steak in the oven at about until it is almost done. Remove it from the oven and finish it by searing all sides on a really hot skillet. The heat from the skillet will finish cooking your steak, so take it out of the oven at the following temperatures depending on what level of doneness you prefer:[10]

    • If you prefer rare steak, cook the meat until it's right around .
    • For a medium steak, cook it to about .
    • To cook your steak well-done, bring it to about .
  4. Cook a roast chicken or turkey breast-side down to keep the meat juicy. Simply place the meat upside down on a roasting rack and put it into the oven to cook. The juices and fat from the dark meat will drip down and saturate the white meat.[11]
    Keep Meat Moist in the Oven Step 10.jpg
    • In general, each pound of poultry will take about 13 minutes to roast. So a 10-pound turkey would take about 2 hours and 10 minutes.
  5. Keep your brisket covered while it cooks to help it retain moisture. A lot of recipes recommend leaving the cover partially off while the brisket cooks, but that can cause this cut of meat to dry out by the time it's ready to be served. Instead, leave the lid to the pot on, or cover the dish with aluminum foil while it roasts.[12]
    Keep Meat Moist in the Oven Step 11.jpg
    • Cook the brisket on a low temperature, around to help it stay as moist as possible.
    • You can also slice the brisket into super thin pieces and put it back into the braising liquid for about 30 minutes before serving. This should help it absorb more moisture and flavor.
  6. Monitor doneness with an instant-read thermometer. To use a meat thermometer, insert it into the thickest part of the meat and hold it in place until the temperature stops rising. It's super important to make sure the meat is cooked enough so that it's safe to eat, but it's also important to not overcook it so it doesn't get dry and tough.[13]
    Keep Meat Moist in the Oven Step 12.jpg
    • If the cut has the bone in it, avoid letting the thermometer hit the bone.
    • Chicken needs to be cooked to , steak and pork need to be , and ground meat, like hamburger, needs to reach .
  7. Let the meat rest when it comes out of the oven for 5-20 minutes. If you cut the meat too soon after it comes out of the oven, all those great juices are just going to flow out and turn the meat dry. Letting the meat rest allows those juices to get reabsorbed into the meat, helping it stay juicy and moist. Cover the meat with tented foil to keep it warm while it rests.[14]
    Keep Meat Moist in the Oven Step 13.jpg
    • A large roast should rest for about 20 minutes.
    • Chicken needs to rest for 10-20 minutes.
    • Steak and pork chops should rest for about 5 minutes.
    • Hamburger needs to rest for 4-6 minutes.
  8. Keep meat warm while it rests by tenting it in aluminum foil. Take a large piece of foil and fold it in half, then open it back up. Gently set it on top of the dish you made so that most of it is covered by the foil. The aluminum should help it retain its heat so it doesn't get cold.[15]

    • Avoid actually wrapping the dish in foil. This could trap condensation as the dish cools and water down your dish.

[Edit]Tips

  • Remember to wear oven mitts while handling hot pans, especially when you're taking things in and out of the oven.

[Edit]References

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