Quick Links
Arriving more than 18 months on from the game's initial release, Animal Crossing: New Horizons' 2.0 update brings with it a host of new activities and features. These include new decorating options, a pro camera application, and a few new islanders, though perhaps the most notable addition outside of the paid DLC content comes in the form of cooking.
Given the heavy emphasis that Animal Crossing: New Horizons places on crafting and the frequency with which the two mechanics are bundled together, it's perhaps a little surprising that cooking wasn't already included in the base version of the game. As the old saying goes though, it's better late than never! Here's how to cook in New Horizons.
How to Upgrade the DIY Recipes App
The very first step to starting one's culinary journey in New Horizons involves players upgrading the DIY Recipes app so that they can start learning cooking recipes. Thankfully, this is a relatively straightforward process, with players simply needing to visit the Nook Stop in the Resident Services building and then purchase the "Be a Chef! DIY Recipes+" upgrade for 2,000 Nook Miles.
How to Find an Oven
Before players can actually begin cooking, they're going to need three things. The first, and, arguably, most important of these is an oven or burner of some kind. Most players will probably already have one in their homes, but those who don't can find a crafting recipe for a Brick Oven in the "Wildest Dreams DIY" pack in the cabinet at Nook's Cranny. It costs just 6,980 Bells, though can only be purchased after players have bought the "DIY For Beginners" pack.
How to Find Cooking Recipes
Players will receive a handful of cooking recipes when they first upgrade the DIY Recipes app, but those hoping to really cook up a storm will probably want to get their hands on a few more. There are many different ways to find cooking recipes in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, though the simplest is probably just to buy them. Players can purchase the "Basic Cooking Recipes" pack for 4,980 Bells from the cabinet at Nook's Cranny, though can also unlock new recipes by harvesting certain ingredients, finding them in bottles, or shooting down balloons.
How to Find Ingredients
There are many different things that can be used as cooking ingredients in New Horizons, some of which, like fish, clams, and mushrooms, were already in the game prior to the 2.0 update. The majority of dishes, however, will require new root vegetables, which players will need to grow and harvest for themselves. Vegetable starts can be purchased from Leif, who, after the modest sum of 100,000 Bells has been raised, can be found permanently on Harv's Island as well as during his semi-regular visits to the player's home isle.
How to Cook
Once players have all of the required components, they'll need to interact with an oven or burner to get the ball rolling. This will bring up the cooking menu, which players will notice is somewhat similar to the crafting menu. From here, it's a simple case of navigating to the desired dish and then — providing all of the necessary ingredients are already in the player's inventory — hitting the A button to prepare the dish. Once cooked, the food can be stored, displayed, gifted, or eaten, so players certainly won't be short of options when it comes to what to do with their culinary creations.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons and its Happy Home Paradise DLC are available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch.