overcook

verb

over·​cook ˌō-vər-ˈku̇k 

overcooked; overcooking

transitive + intransitive

: to cook (food) too much or for too long

… Americans have finally learned not to overcook their fish.

—Craig Claiborne

… relatively small pieces of meat or fish that are easily overcooked and, as a result, become dry …

—Jerry Anne Di Vecchio

… has come up with a slightly fussy method … that keeps the breast meat from overcooking.

—Jeremy Sauer

Keep testing for doneness, because it can overcook in an instant and almost disintegrate.

—Eric Hastie

Whisk together over low heat until the mixture thickens … being careful not to overcook or it will curdle.

—Larry Forgione

overcooked adjective

… serving rubbery, overcooked meals …

—James Suckling

… the vegetables … were crisp, not overcooked.

—The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union-News

… as floppy as a strand of overcooked spaghetti.

—Science

Examples of overcook in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In a slow cooker, overcooking can happen quickly since cheese and dairy are sensitive to extended heat. —Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 1 June 2025

No matter the ingredients, do not overcook gluten-free pasta. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025

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

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overcook

• kinderhook
• meadowbrook
• overlook
• overtook
• pocketbook
• storybook
• tillamook
• undertook
• betook
• casebook
• chapbook
• checkbook