Best Knife Skills Courses Online: Master Professional Cutting Techniques in 2025

Proper knife skills are the foundation of all cooking. We’ve tested 35+ online knife skills courses to find the best options for learning professional cutting techniques, from basic safety to advanced speed and precision.

Last updated: November 2025 | Reading time: 8 minutes

Quick Comparison: Top 5 Knife Skills Courses

Course	Best For	Price	Skill Level	Our Rating
Rouxbe – Knife Skills	Comprehensive technique	$49/month	All levels	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Udemy – Knife Skills Mastery	Budget beginners	$19.99	Beginner	⭐⭐⭐⭐
MasterClass – Gordon Ramsay	Professional speed/precision	$180/year	Advanced	⭐⭐⭐⭐½
America’s Test Kitchen	Equipment + technique	$24.95/month	Beginner-Intermediate	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cozymeal Live Classes	Real-time correction	$89/class	All levels	⭐⭐⭐⭐½

1. Rouxbe – Professional Knife Skills Course

Best for: Anyone wanting to learn proper knife technique from scratch to professional level

This is the same knife skills training taught in professional culinary schools. Rouxbe breaks down every aspect of knife work with multiple camera angles, slow-motion replay, and detailed explanations of why each technique matters.

What You’ll Learn:

• Proper grip and posture for safety and efficiency
• All essential cuts (dice, mince, julienne, chiffonade, brunoise)
• Knife maintenance and sharpening
• Speed development without sacrificing safety
• Professional kitchen workflow

Pros:

• Professional culinary school curriculum
• Multiple camera angles show exact hand positioning
• Slow-motion replays of complex cuts
• Practice assignments with feedback
• Lifetime access to revisit lessons

Cons:

• Monthly subscription required
• Takes time to master (not quick fixes)
• More serious/academic than fun
• Need to practice regularly to see improvement

Price: $49/month or $399/year

Duration: 8 hours of instruction plus practice time

Our verdict: The gold standard for learning knife skills properly. Worth every penny if you cook regularly or want professional-level technique.

[Start Rouxbe Free Trial]

2. Udemy – Knife Skills Mastery for Home Cooks

Best for: Complete beginners who need basic knife skills without overwhelming detail

Chef Michael teaches essential knife skills for home cooking in clear, simple lessons. No culinary school jargon—just practical techniques you’ll use every day. Over 25,000 students with 4.6-star rating.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to hold a knife safely (many people do this wrong)
• Basic cuts for everyday cooking
• Knife selection for home kitchens
• Simple sharpening and maintenance
• Speed tips for busy home cooks

Pros:

• One-time payment, lifetime access
• Perfect pacing for absolute beginners
• Focuses on practical cuts (not fancy garnishes)
• Downloadable practice guides
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons:

• Less comprehensive than professional courses
• Video quality varies
• Doesn’t cover advanced techniques
• Limited knife maintenance instruction

Price: $19.99 (often on sale for $12.99)

Duration: 3.5 hours, 30 lessons

Our verdict: Best value for home cooks who just want efficient, safe knife skills. Gets you 80% of the way there for $20.

[Check Current Udemy Price]

3. MasterClass – Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking

Best for: Intermediate cooks wanting to learn speed and precision from a Michelin-star chef

Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClass includes extensive knife skills sections showing his professional techniques. You’ll see how he achieves restaurant-level speed and precision. The knife work is embedded in his full cooking course.

What You’ll Learn:

• Professional-level speed techniques
• Precision cutting for consistent cooking
• Knife selection for different tasks
• Professional kitchen efficiency
• Advanced cuts and presentations

Pros:

• Learn from a 3-Michelin-star chef
• See professional speed in action
• Beautiful cinematography shows details clearly
• Access to 150+ other MasterClass courses
• Ramsay’s energy makes learning engaging

Cons:

• Annual subscription (no lifetime access)
• Assumes you have basic knife skills
• Fast pace may overwhelm beginners
• Knife skills are part of broader cooking course

Price: $180/year (all-access pass)

Duration: 2 hours of knife skills content (within 20-hour course)

Our verdict: Inspiring for intermediate cooks who want to level up their speed. Not ideal for absolute beginners.

[Check Current MasterClass Price]

4. America’s Test Kitchen – Knife Skills Fundamentals

Best for: Beginners who want to understand knife selection AND technique

ATK approaches knife skills scientifically—they test different knives, techniques, and methods to find what actually works best. You’ll learn both equipment selection and proper technique.

What You’ll Learn:

• Which knives are actually worth buying
• Proper cutting techniques with equipment recommendations
• Knife maintenance that actually works
• Common mistakes and how to avoid them
• Knife safety fundamentals

Pros:

• Equipment testing saves you money on purchases
• Science-based explanations of why techniques work
• Clear video instruction with multiple angles
• Active forum for questions
• Both written and video content

Cons:

• Monthly subscription adds up
• More equipment-focused than pure technique
• American knife preferences (may differ from your region)
• Less depth than dedicated knife courses

Price: $24.95/month or $199.99/year

Duration: 5 hours of knife-related content

Our verdict: Perfect for beginners who also need knife buying guidance. The equipment reviews alone save more than the subscription cost.

[Start ATK Free Trial]

5. Cozymeal – Live Knife Skills Classes

Best for: Visual learners who need real-time feedback on their technique

Cook alongside a professional chef who watches your knife technique via video and corrects mistakes immediately. Small class sizes ensure everyone gets personalized attention.

What You’ll Learn:

• Proper technique with immediate correction
• Safe knife handling habits
• Essential cuts practiced in real-time
• Knife maintenance basics
• Confidence through guided practice

Pros:

• Instructor corrects your form in real-time
• Questions answered immediately
• Small classes (8-12 students)
• Social learning environment
• Prevents developing bad habits

Cons:

• Higher per-class cost
• Must attend at scheduled time
• Can’t rewatch for practice
• Only covers content of that specific class
• Need ingredients ready beforehand

Price: $79-99 per class

Duration: 2 hours per live session

Our verdict: Worth it if you’re intimidated or have developed bad habits. One session can correct years of improper technique.

[Browse Cozymeal Knife Classes]

Essential Knife Cuts Every Cook Should Know

Basic Cuts (Learn First):

• Slice: Thin, uniform pieces
• Chop: Rough, uneven pieces (for quick cooking)
• Dice: Uniform cubes (small, medium, large)
• Mince: Very fine pieces (garlic, herbs)

Intermediate Cuts:

• Julienne: Thin matchsticks (2mm × 2mm × 5cm)
• Chiffonade: Thin ribbons (for leafy herbs/greens)
• Brunoise: Tiny 2mm cubes (precision work)
• Batonnet: Thick matchsticks (for fries)

Advanced Techniques:

• Tourné: Seven-sided football shape (classical French)
• Paysanne: Thin triangles/squares (rustic cuts)
• Oblique/Roll cut: Angled cuts for Asian cooking

Common Knife Skills Mistakes

Holding knife wrong (choking up on blade)

Fix: Pinch grip—thumb and finger on blade, not handle

Cutting with fingertips exposed

Fix: Claw grip—knuckles forward, fingertips tucked

Using dull knife (more dangerous than sharp)

Fix: Learn basic sharpening or use honing steel weekly

Wrong cutting board (too small, slippery)

Fix: Large wooden/plastic board with damp towel underneath

Rushing before building muscle memory

Fix: Start slow, focus on form, speed comes naturally

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to learn good knife skills?

Basic safety and efficiency: 2-3 weeks of daily practice. Confident home cook level: 2-3 months. Professional speed: 6-12 months. The key is daily practice—even 10 minutes counts. Muscle memory builds through repetition.

Do I need expensive knives to learn?

No! One decent 8-inch chef’s knife ($30-80) is enough to learn all essential techniques. Expensive knives perform better but don’t teach skills. Learn on affordable knives, upgrade later if you want.

Can I really learn knife skills online without in-person correction?

Yes! Modern video courses use multiple camera angles and slow-motion to show exact hand positioning. However, live online classes (like Cozymeal) give real-time correction if you need it. Thousands successfully learn knife skills online.

Is it too late to learn if I’ve been cooking wrong for years?

Never too late! Many professional chefs correct their grip even after years. Bad habits can be unlearned. Takes 2-3 weeks of conscious practice to build new muscle memory. Start with proper grip and go slow.

What’s the best knife for beginners?

8-inch chef’s knife covers 90% of home cooking. Look for: comfortable grip, good weight balance, and medium price ($40-100). Popular beginner options: Victorinox Fibrox, Mercer Culinary, or Wüsthof Pro.

Should I learn to sharpen my own knives?

Eventually, yes. But while learning technique, use a honing steel (realigns edge) and get professional sharpening 2-3 times per year. Once your cutting technique is solid, learn sharpening separately. Don’t overwhelm yourself initially.

Are knife skills different for different cuisines?

Basic principles are universal. Some variations: Asian cooking uses more cleaver work and oblique cuts. French cooking emphasizes classical cuts like brunoise. But fundamentals (grip, safety, basic cuts) apply everywhere.

Our Final Recommendation

For serious learners: Rouxbe ($49/month) teaches professional technique properly. You’ll build skills that last a lifetime.

For budget-conscious beginners: Udemy’s course ($19.99) covers everything a home cook needs for one-time payment.

For speed inspiration: MasterClass with Gordon Ramsay ($180/year) shows what’s possible with professional technique.

For equipment guidance: America’s Test Kitchen ($24.95/month) helps you buy the right knives and learn proper technique.

For immediate feedback: Cozymeal live classes ($79-99) correct bad habits in real-time.

Ready to Improve Your Knife Skills?

Good knife skills make cooking faster, safer, and more enjoyable. Choose a course that fits your budget and learning style, then commit to 10 minutes of practice daily. In 2-3 months, you’ll be cutting with confidence and speed.

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