Knife Skills for Vegetarian Cooks

Why knife skills matter

Vegetable-heavy cooking lives or dies by knife confidence. Sharper blades, a stable board, and repeatable motions mean you can get dinner prepped without stress.

Setup

Start with a 8- to 10-inch chef's knife and hone it before each session. Place a damp towel under your cutting board so nothing slides.

Grip & claw

Use a pinch grip: thumb and index finger choke the blade just ahead of the bolster while the remaining fingers wrap the handle. Guide ingredients with a 'claw' off-hand so knuckles point toward the knife.

Find a rhythm

Group prep so you're not switching motions constantly—stack leafy greens for ribbons, slice aromatics together, and finish with garnishes.