overcook
verb
over·cook
ˌō-vər-ˈku̇k 
overcooked; overcooking
: to cook (food) too much or for too long
… Americans have finally learned not to overcook their fish.—
Craig Claiborne
Craig Claiborne… relatively small pieces of meat or fish that are easily overcooked and, as a result, become dry …—Jerry Anne Di Vecchio
Jerry Anne Di Vecchio… has come up with a slightly fussy method … that keeps the breast meat from overcooking.—Jeremy Sauer
Jeremy SauerKeep testing for doneness, because it can overcook in an instant and almost disintegrate.—Eric Hastie
Eric HastieWhisk together over low heat until the mixture thickens … being careful not to overcook or it will curdle.—Larry Forgione
Larry Forgione
overcooked
adjective
… serving rubbery, overcooked meals …
—James Suckling
James Suckling
… the vegetables … were crisp, not overcooked.
—The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union-News
The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union-News
… as floppy as a strand of overcooked spaghetti.
—Science
Science
Examples of overcook in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In that amount of time, the yolks will cook firm but not overcook and turn green.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2024
Thaw frozen Stroganoff overnight in the refrigerator before reheating over low heat until just hot, being careful not to overcook and toughen the beef.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 31 Jan. 2024
Don't cook for longer than 10 minutes, or your crab could overcook.
—Coastal Living, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2024
The ready-to-use meat also eliminates the temptation to overcook the chicken.
—Sheri Castle, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2024
Pork chops that are only pan-seared are easily overcooked (especially the exterior), while pork chops that are only baked never achieve a crisp exterior.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024
The meatballs were soft and luscious, however some of the pastas can be overcooked.
—Liza B. Zimmerman, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
Yes—if the beans begin to become mushy and fall apart, the soup may be overcooked.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2023
Cover and cook for 5 to 10 minutes or just until the beans are bright green; do not overcook.
—Debbie Moose, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2024
Thaw frozen Stroganoff overnight in the refrigerator before reheating over low heat until just hot, being careful not to overcook and toughen the beef.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 31 Jan. 2024
Don't cook for longer than 10 minutes, or your crab could overcook.
—Coastal Living, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2024
The ready-to-use meat also eliminates the temptation to overcook the chicken.
—Sheri Castle, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2024
Pork chops that are only pan-seared are easily overcooked (especially the exterior), while pork chops that are only baked never achieve a crisp exterior.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024
The meatballs were soft and luscious, however some of the pastas can be overcooked.
—Liza B. Zimmerman, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
Yes—if the beans begin to become mushy and fall apart, the soup may be overcooked.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2023
Cover and cook for 5 to 10 minutes or just until the beans are bright green; do not overcook.
—Debbie Moose, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overcook.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near overcook
Cite this Entry
“Overcook.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overcook. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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