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
The poor pug overcooked the corner and accidentally slid into a metal stand holding a large indoor plant.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
They should be cooked just right—hard-boiled but not overcooked, which keeps the yolk soft and creamy.
—Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 26 May 2025
Of course, there are complaints and slip-ups: one of Dong’s inflight Shake Shack burgers was slightly overcooked, and among the excellent customer feedback Delta receives about the new burger, a common refrain is, but where are the fries?
—Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 2 June 2025
Thicker cuts like ribeye, filet mignon, and porterhouse can develop a nice crust without overcooking, while thinner cuts like flank or skirt steaks should be cooked quickly over high heat to keep them from drying out.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overcook
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Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
They should be cooked just right—hard-boiled but not overcooked, which keeps the yolk soft and creamy.
—Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 26 May 2025
Of course, there are complaints and slip-ups: one of Dong’s inflight Shake Shack burgers was slightly overcooked, and among the excellent customer feedback Delta receives about the new burger, a common refrain is, but where are the fries?
—Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 2 June 2025
Thicker cuts like ribeye, filet mignon, and porterhouse can develop a nice crust without overcooking, while thinner cuts like flank or skirt steaks should be cooked quickly over high heat to keep them from drying out.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overcook
Cite this Entry
“Overcook.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overcook. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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