Master Cooking in OSRS: Ultimate 2025 Guide to Leveling, Recipes, and Profitable Strategies

Cooking is a cornerstone skill in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), empowering players to create food that restores health, boosts stats, and fuels epic adventures. Whether you’re a novice cooking shrimp over a fire or a seasoned chef crafting high-level dishes like anglerfish, Cooking offers a blend of practicality, profitability, and progression. This guide, updated for 2025, covers everything from beginner basics to advanced techniques, profitable strategies, and the latest OSRS updates to help you master the culinary arts in Gielinor.

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Getting Started with Cooking

Cooking in OSRS is both rewarding and essential, providing players with sustenance for combat, skilling, and quests while offering opportunities to earn gold through high-demand dishes. This section introduces the fundamentals to kickstart your culinary journey.

Understanding Cooking

Cooking allows players to transform raw ingredients into edible food that restores hitpoints (HP) or provides stat boosts. Higher Cooking levels unlock advanced recipes with greater healing properties and unique effects, making it a vital skill for all playstyles.

Required Tools

To begin cooking, you’ll need:

• Cooking Range: Found in locations like Lumbridge Castle, the Cooking Guild, or Hosidius Kitchen. Ranges reduce burn rates compared to fires and are ideal for efficient training.
• Fire: Create a fire using logs and a tinderbox for cooking in remote areas. Fires are less efficient than ranges but useful when ranges are unavailable.
• Cooking Utensils: Items like pots, bowls, pie dishes, and cake tins are required for specific recipes (e.g., stews, pies, cakes). These can be purchased from general stores or found in kitchens across Gielinor.

Gathering Ingredients

Raw ingredients are the backbone of Cooking. You can acquire them through:

• Fishing: Catch fish like shrimp, trout, or sharks using nets, rods, or harpoons. Fishing complements Cooking, creating a self-sustaining skilling loop.
• Farming: Grow crops like potatoes, tomatoes, or sweetcorn for use in recipes like pies or stews.
• Combat: Defeat monsters like cows, chickens, or crabs for raw meat drops.
• Shops and Grand Exchange: Purchase ingredients like flour or cheese for baking or buy raw fish in bulk for faster training.

Cooking Process

Follow these steps to cook:

1. Ensure raw ingredients are in your inventory.
2. Approach a cooking range or light a fire using a tinderbox and logs.
3. Right-click the raw ingredient and select “Use” on the range/fire, or select “Cook” to prepare one item at a time. For bulk cooking, select “Cook All” to process your entire inventory.
4. Watch the cooking animation. Success results in cooked food, while failure produces burnt food. Higher Cooking levels reduce burn chances.

Experience Points and Levels

Cooking grants experience points (XP) based on the food prepared:

• Low-Level Foods (e.g., Shrimp): ~30 XP per item.
• Mid-Level Foods (e.g., Tuna): ~100 XP per item.
• High-Level Foods (e.g., Sharks): Up to 210 XP per item.
• Specialty Foods (e.g., Karambwan): Up to 190 XP with unique mechanics (see Advanced Techniques).

As you level up, you unlock new recipes and reduce burn rates, making training more efficient and unlocking profitable opportunities.

Minimizing Burn Rates

Burning food wastes resources and slows training. To minimize burns:

• Use a cooking range over a fire for lower burn rates.
• Equip Cooking Gauntlets (obtained from the Family Crest quest) to eliminate burns on lobsters, swordfish, monkfish, sharks, and anglerfish.
• Cook at the Hosidius Kitchen after completing the Kourend Favour tasks (100% favour in Hosidius reduces burn rates by 5–10%).
• Match your Cooking level to the food’s requirements to reduce burn chances.

Best Cooking Locations

• Hosidius Kitchen: Offers a range with reduced burn rates (5–10% bonus with full Hosidius favour). Proximity to a bank makes it ideal for high-level training.
• Cooking Guild: Requires 32 Cooking and a chef’s hat or Varrock Armour 3. Features a bank, range, and flour mill for baking.
• Lumbridge Castle Kitchen: Beginner-friendly with a range and nearby bank (after Cook’s Assistant).
• Rogue’s Den: Contains a permanent fire and bank, perfect for low-level players or those without Hosidius favour.

Conclusion

Cooking is a versatile skill that supports combat, skilling, and profit-making. By gathering ingredients, using the right tools, and choosing optimal locations, you’ll be whipping up dishes like a Gielinorian master chef in no time!

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Basic Recipes and Ingredients

Cooking in OSRS starts with simple recipes that lay the foundation for advanced culinary creations. Below are beginner-friendly recipes, their ingredients, and their uses.

Raw Ingredients

• Fish: Caught via Fishing skill.
  • Shrimp/Anchovies: Level 1 Fishing, caught with a small net.
  • Trout/Salmon: Level 20/30 Fishing, caught with a fly fishing rod.
  • Tuna/Lobster: Level 40/40 Fishing, caught with a harpoon or lobster pot.
• Meat: Dropped by monsters like cows, chickens, or bears.
• Crops: Grown via Farming or purchased (e.g., potatoes, tomatoes, sweetcorn).
• Other: Flour (from wheat), cheese, eggs, and buckets of milk for baking.

Basic Recipes

Notes

• Low-Level Efficiency: Shrimp and anchovies are great for early levels due to their accessibility and low cost.
• Baking Basics: Bread and baked potatoes require a range and specific utensils (e.g., pot of flour for bread, pie dish for pies).
• Healing: Higher-level foods restore more HP, making them essential for combat and skilling.

Conclusion

Mastering these basic recipes builds a strong foundation for Cooking. As you progress, you’ll unlock more complex dishes like pies, cakes, and high-level fish, enhancing both your survivability and profitability.

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Cooking Methods and Equipment

Understanding the various cooking methods and equipment in OSRS is key to efficient training and creating high-quality dishes.

Cooking Methods

• Frying: Used for fish (e.g., shrimp, tuna) and meats on a range or fire. Requires no additional utensils.
• Baking: Involves preparing pies, cakes, or bread in a range. Requires utensils like pie dishes or cake tins.
• Boiling: Used for stews or soups, requiring a pot and water source.
• Grilling: Primarily for fish or meats cooked directly on a range or fire.
• Stewing: Combines multiple ingredients (e.g., meat, vegetables) in a pot for complex dishes like stews.

Cooking Equipment

• Cooking Range: Found in kitchens (e.g., Hosidius, Lumbridge). Reduces burn rates and supports all cooking methods.
• Fire: Created with logs and a tinderbox. Higher burn rates but portable for remote training.
• Cooking Pot: Essential for boiling stews or soups.
• Pie Dish/Cake Tin: Required for baking pies or cakes.
• Frying Pan: Used for specific recipes (rarely needed but available from shops or loot).

Levels and Unlockable Recipes

Tips

• Always use a range over a fire when possible to reduce burn rates.
• Stock up on utensils from general stores or the Grand Exchange for baking recipes.
• Check recipe requirements (e.g., ingredients, utensils) before starting to avoid interruptions.

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Training Levels and Requirements

Training Cooking efficiently requires a strategic approach to maximize XP while minimizing costs. Below is a level-by-level guide with recommended foods and methods.

Levels 1–15: Beginner Basics

• Recommended Foods: Shrimp, Anchovies, Bread, Cooked Meat
• XP Required: 0–7,370 XP
• Method: Cook shrimp or anchovies at Lumbridge Castle or Rogue’s Den. Fish your own ingredients for cost efficiency or buy in bulk from the Grand Exchange. Bread is a good alternative for variety (requires flour and a range).

Levels 15–30: Fresh Fish

• Recommended Foods: Trout, Salmon
• XP Required: 7,370–37,224 XP
• Method: Fish trout and salmon at Barbarian Village or Lumbridge. Cook at a range (Lumbridge or Hosidius) to minimize burns. These fish offer decent XP and are affordable.

Levels 30–50: Mid-Tier Mastery

• Recommended Foods: Tuna, Lobster
• XP Required: 37,224–198,606 XP
• Method: Fish tuna or lobsters at Karamja or Catherby. Cook at Hosidius Kitchen for reduced burn rates. Lobsters are a balance of XP and potential profit when sold.

Levels 50–68: Advanced Fish

• Recommended Foods: Monkfish
• XP Required: 198,606–737,627 XP
• Method: Fish monkfish after completing Swan Song. Cook at Hosidius Kitchen with Cooking Gauntlets to eliminate burns. Monkfish provide excellent XP and are profitable when sold.

Levels 68–99: High-Level Efficiency

• Recommended Foods: Karambwan, Sharks, Anglerfish
• XP Required: 737,627–13,034,431 XP
• Method:
  • Karambwan (Level 68+): After Tai Bwo Wannai Trio, cook karambwan for 190 XP each. Use the “Cook X” option to tick-manipulate (see Advanced Techniques) for up to 800k–1M XP/hr.
  • Sharks (Level 80+): Cook sharks with Cooking Gauntlets at Hosidius for 210 XP each. Ideal for profit and XP.
  • Anglerfish (Level 94+): Cook anglerfish for 230 XP each. Best for high-level players with access to Piscarilius fishing spots.
• Location: Hosidius Kitchen for maximum efficiency. Use a bank nearby to restock quickly.

Notes

• XP Rates: Karambwan cooking with tick manipulation can yield 800k–1M XP/hr, making it the fastest method to 99.
• Cost vs. Profit: Karambwan and sharks are often profitable, while anglerfish are expensive but offer high XP and healing.
• Burn Rates: Use Cooking Gauntlets and Hosidius Kitchen to minimize or eliminate burns at higher levels.

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Profitability of Cooking

Cooking in OSRS can be a goldmine if approached strategically. Here’s how to turn your culinary skills into profit in 2025.

1. High-Value Ingredients

Cooking high-level fish like sharks, monkfish, and anglerfish can yield significant profits due to their demand in PvM and PvP:

• Sharks: Sell for 800–1,000 GP each (prices fluctuate; check Grand Exchange).
• Monkfish: Sell for 400–600 GP each, offering a balance of XP and profit.
• Anglerfish: Sell for 1,500–2,000 GP each, highly sought after for their overheal effect (up to 22 HP).

2. Cooking for Training

While training, focus on foods that minimize losses or generate profit:

• Trout/Salmon: Cheap to buy or fish, with minimal loss when cooked.
• Lobsters/Monkfish: Often break even or yield small profits when sold.
• Karambwan: High XP and decent profit when cooked in bulk.

3. Market Trends

Monitor Grand Exchange prices using tools like the OSRS Wiki or GE Tracker. Prices fluctuate based on updates, PvM metas, and player demand. For example, anglerfish prices spike during raids or PvP events.

4. Complementary Skills

Pair Cooking with Fishing or Farming to reduce costs:

• Fishing: Catch your own fish to eliminate raw material costs.
• Farming: Grow ingredients like potatoes or sweetcorn for pies and stews.
• Trading: Sell cooked food in bulk during high-demand periods (e.g., after major game updates).

5. Special Events

Events like Leagues or seasonal updates may increase demand for specific foods. Stay updated via the OSRS X account (@JagexOSRS) or in-game news to capitalize on these opportunities.

Conclusion

Cooking can be both a skilling grind and a profitable venture. By focusing on high-value foods, minimizing costs with complementary skills, and staying informed about market trends, you can fund your OSRS adventures while leveling up.

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Cooking Quests for Experience

Quests offer a quick way to boost your Cooking level, especially for beginners. Below are key quests with Cooking XP rewards, updated for 2025.

Tips

• Complete Cook’s Assistant and Sea Slug early for a quick XP boost to reach level 30+.
• Recipe for Disaster is a long-term goal with significant rewards. Prioritize subquests like the Lumbridge Guide or Pirate Pete for early Cooking XP.
• Check the OSRS Wiki for quest guides to streamline completion.

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Advanced Cooking Techniques

For players aiming to push their Cooking skills to the max, these advanced techniques optimize XP rates, reduce costs, and enhance profitability.

1. Cooking Gauntlets

• Obtained: Family Crest quest (choose Cooking reward).
• Effect: Eliminates burn chances for lobsters, swordfish, monkfish, sharks, and anglerfish.
• Use: Essential for high-level training to maximize XP and profit.

2. Tick Manipulation with Karambwan

• Method: Cook karambwan (unlocked after Tai Bwo Wannai Trio) using the “Cook X” option. By timing inventory clicks with game ticks, you can cook up to 1,000–1,200 karambwan per hour, yielding 800k–1M XP/hr.
• Requirements: 30 Cooking, high focus, and practice with tick timing.
• Location: Hosidius Kitchen for reduced burns and bank proximity.

3. Hosidius Kitchen Bonus

• Unlock: Gain 100% Hosidius favour via Kourend tasks (e.g., plowing fields, making sulphurous fertiliser).
• Effect: 5–10% reduced burn rates on the Hosidius range, stackable with Cooking Gauntlets.
• Why: Maximizes efficiency for high-level foods like sharks or anglerfish.

4. Cooking for Herblore Synergy

• Certain foods (e.g., cooked fish) are used in Herblore recipes like fish oil or potions. Coordinate Cooking with Herblore to save resources and create profitable items like Saradomin brews.

5. Temporary Skill Boosts

• Spicy Stew (Orange Spice): Grants +1 to +5 Cooking (random). Requires Evil Dave’s Big Day Out subquest from Recipe for Disaster.
• Chef’s Delight: Boosts Cooking by 1–5 (based on level). Buy from the Grand Exchange or brew via Cooking/Farming.
• Use: Cook high-level foods (e.g., anglerfish) earlier than your base level allows.

6. Portable Ranges

• What: Deployable ranges from Treasure Hunter or player-owned house items (rare in 2025).
• Benefit: Cook anywhere with bank access, reducing travel time.
• Tip: Use near banks (e.g., Edgeville) for faster training cycles.

7. Cooking for Profit

• Focus on high-demand foods like sharks, anglerfish, or karambwan. Use GE Tracker or the OSRS Wiki to monitor price trends.
• Cook in bulk during high-demand periods (e.g., after PvM updates or Leagues).
• Pair with Fishing to source raw materials, reducing costs.

Conclusion

Advanced techniques like tick manipulation, Hosidius Kitchen, and Cooking Gauntlets can transform Cooking into one of the fastest and most profitable skills in OSRS. Experiment with these methods to find your optimal strategy.

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Food Buffs and Effects

Food in OSRS does more than heal; it provides buffs and effects that enhance gameplay. Understanding these can give you an edge in combat, skilling, and PvP.

Types of Food

• Healing Foods: Restore HP (e.g., Sharks: 20 HP, Anglerfish: up to 22 HP with overheal).
• Stat-Boosting Foods: Temporarily increase combat stats (e.g., Wild Pie: +5 Slayer, +4 Ranged).
• Specialty Foods: Offer unique effects (e.g., Summer Pie: +5 Agility, 10% run energy restore).

Healing Mechanics

• HP Restoration: Varies by food. Anglerfish can overheal above max HP (e.g., 99 HP to 111 at level 93+).
• Poison/Venom: Use Antipoison or Anti-venom with food to counter damage-over-time effects.
• Combo Eating: Combine foods like karambwan (eats instantly) with sharks for rapid healing in PvP or bossing.

Stat Buffs

• Examples:
  • Wild Pie: +5 Slayer, +4 Ranged (6 minutes).
  • Spicy Stew: Random boosts (e.g., +5 Cooking, Attack, Strength).
• Duration: Typically 6 minutes. Does not stack with potions (e.g., Super Strength overrides food buffs).
• Use: Ideal for Slayer tasks or PvM where specific stat boosts are needed.

Special Effects

• Summer Pie: Restores 10% run energy, +5 Agility. Great for skilling or wilderness travel.
• Karambwan: Instant eating makes it a PvP staple for combo healing.
• Anglerfish: Overheal effect (up to +22 HP) is critical for high-level PvM like Chambers of Xeric.

Choosing Food

• Combat: Carry sharks or anglerfish for high HP restoration, plus karambwan for combo eating.
• Skilling: Use Summer Pies for run energy or low-HP foods like cakes for cost efficiency.
• PvP: Prioritize karambwan and anglerfish for fast healing and overheal.

Conclusion

Mastering food buffs and effects enhances your survivability and efficiency. Tailor your food choices to your activity—whether it’s bossing, Slayer, or skilling—to maximize performance.

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Best Practices for Efficient Cooking

To become a master chef in OSRS, follow these best practices for efficient training and resource management.

1. Optimize Ingredient Selection

• Low Levels (1–30): Cook shrimp, anchovies, or trout for cheap XP.
• Mid Levels (30–68): Focus on lobsters or monkfish for balanced XP and profit.
• High Levels (68–99): Cook karambwan for max XP/hr or sharks/anglerfish for profit.
• Tip: Fish your own ingredients to save gold, or buy in bulk when prices dip.

2. Leverage Cooking Gauntlets

• Wear Cooking Gauntlets to eliminate burns on high-level fish, saving resources and boosting XP efficiency.
• Combine with Hosidius Kitchen for near-zero burn rates.

3. Use the Best Cooking Range

• Hosidius Kitchen: 5–10% burn reduction with full favour. Close to a bank for fast cycles.
• Cooking Guild: Ideal for baking (flour mill access) and mid-level training.
• Rogue’s Den: Great for early levels with a permanent fire and bank.

4. Efficient Inventory Management

• Keep raw ingredients in the top-left inventory slots for faster clicking.
• Use “Cook X” to process full inventories without repetitive clicks.
• Bank frequently to maintain a steady cooking rhythm.

5. Quest for XP

• Prioritize Cook’s Assistant, Sea Slug, and Recipe for Disaster subquests for early XP boosts.
• Plan your quest order to hit key Cooking level milestones (e.g., 30 for karambwan).

6. Track Progress

• Use the in-game skill tab or third-party tools like RuneLite’s XP tracker to monitor your progress.
• Set level goals (e.g., 68 for karambwan, 80 for sharks) to stay motivated.

7. Community Engagement

• Join OSRS Discord servers, X communities (@OSRS clans), or Reddit (r/2007scape) for tips and updates.
• Participate in Cooking-focused events or Leagues for bonus XP or rewards.

8. Experiment and Enjoy

• Try baking pies or cakes for variety, even if they’re less efficient.
• Cook for friends or clanmates to make skilling social and fun.
• Explore niche recipes like pizzas or stews for roleplay or quest completion.

9. Stay Updated

• Follow Jagex’s X posts (@JagexOSRS) or the OSRS Wiki for news on updates, events, or new recipes.
• Adapt to meta shifts (e.g., new fish or food buffs introduced in 2025).

Conclusion

By combining optimal locations, equipment, and strategies, you can train Cooking efficiently while enjoying the process. Whether you’re aiming for the Cooking skillcape or banking millions from cooked sharks, these practices will guide you to culinary mastery.

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Final Thoughts

Cooking in OSRS is more than just a survival skill—it’s a gateway to efficient skilling, profitable ventures, and immersive gameplay. From humble shrimp to exotic anglerfish, your culinary journey will fuel your adventures and pad your coin pouch. Use this 2025 guide to master Cooking with the latest strategies, locations, and market insights. Happy cooking, and may your fires never go out in Gielinor!