Salade Niçoise (Niçoise Salad)
Niçoise salad with tuna, eggs, vegetables and an olive oil dressing
What to look for in a colander
Start with stability. A wide base or feet help the colander sit securely in the sink, especially when it is heavy with pasta or potatoes. Hole size is the next decision: larger perforations drain quickly but can lose small shapes and grains; finer holes are more versatile but can drain more slowly. Material changes how it behaves. Metal handles heat well but can get hot; plastic stays cooler to touch but can warp if it meets very hot cookware. A colander with comfortable handles is easier to lift and shake dry, which is often what a recipe is really asking you to do.
Top picks in Colander
Frittata di Patate (Potato, Onion and Parmesan Frittata)
Potato frittata with onion and parmesan
Citrus Octopus Salad
Chilled octopus salad with orange, lemon and parsley
Feijoada de Marisco (Portuguese Seafood and White Bean Stew)
Seafood and white bean stew in a tomato and wine broth
Latin-Style Rice Meal Prep with Black Beans, Sweetcorn and Lime
One-pot rice with black beans, sweetcorn and lime
Pasta alla Genovese (Onion-Braised Beef Pasta)
Spaghetti with onion-braised beef sauce and Parmesan
Common draining mistakes (and why they matter)
The biggest mistake is pouring without a plan. Make sure the sink is clear, the colander is positioned securely, and you have a safe grip on the pot before you lift. Another common issue is over-rinsing. Some foods are meant to keep surface starch (for example, pasta when you want sauce to cling), while others benefit from rinsing to cool or to remove excess starch. Finally, leaving food sitting in the colander can trap steam and moisture, leading to sogginess. A quick shake and prompt return to the pot or bowl keeps texture more intentional.
All recipes in Colander
Rajma Chawal (Kidney Bean Curry with Rice)
Kidney bean curry in tomato masala served with basmati rice
Sindhi Kadhi with Rice
Tangy gram flour kadhi with vegetables, served with basmati rice
Pasta Salad with Salami and Peppers
Pasta salad with salami, peppers and mustard vinaigrette
Bubble and Squeak Cakes with Poached Egg
Crisp potato and cabbage cakes topped with poached egg
Prawn Masala with Steamed Rice
Prawn masala in tomato and onion gravy with basmati rice
Smoked Haddock Fishcakes with Tartare Sauce
Crisp smoked haddock fishcakes with tartare sauce
Stamppot Andijvie met Spek (Endive Mash with Crispy Bacon)
Potato mash with endive and crispy bacon
Crostini con Ricotta e Fave (Crostini with Ricotta and Broad Beans)
Toasted crostini with ricotta, broad beans, mint and lemon
Egg Curry (Anda Masala)
Egg curry in a spiced tomato and onion gravy
Vegetarian Lentil Chilli Bowl
Lentil chilli over rice with avocado, coriander and lime
Pasta al Pesto Trapanese (Sicilian Almond Pesto Pasta)
Sicilian pasta with tomato, basil and almond pesto
Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Italian Sausage
Orecchiette with broccoli rabe, sausage, garlic and chilli
Hot water and steam: keep it controlled
Draining boiling water is one of the moments in cooking where accidents happen quickly. Pour away from your body, keep children and pets out of the kitchen path, and be mindful of steam rising as the water hits the sink. If you are unsure about lifting a heavy pot, consider removing some water with a ladle first, or using a pot insert designed for draining. The goal is steady, controlled movement rather than speed.
Where to look next
Cooking method pairs naturally with a colander because draining and rinsing are often part of the technique, not just a final step. Difficulty can also be useful: some recipes rely on confident handling of hot, heavy cookware, while others keep draining simple and low-risk.
Sauté
Creamy Tuscan-Style Chicken (American Diner Version)
Creamy chicken with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach
Grill
Milanesa Napolitana (Argentinian Beef Schnitzel with Ham and Mozzarella)
Crisp beef schnitzel topped with ham and melted mozzarella
Poach
Sole à la Normande (Sole with Cream and Mussels)
Poached sole with mussels in a creamy white wine sauce
Roast
Vegan Tacos de Coliflor Asada (Roasted Cauliflower Tacos)
Roasted cauliflower tacos with avocado, cabbage and lime
Advanced
Hakka Salt-Baked Chicken (Whole Chicken Cooked in Hot Salt)
Hakka salt-baked chicken served with ginger and spring onion oil
Medium
Flan Napolitano (Mexican Baked Custard with Caramel)
Mexican baked custard with caramel sauce
Easy
Ajad (Thai Cucumber Relish)
Thai cucumber relish with red onion and chilli in sweet-sour dressing
Easy
Turkish Coffee (Türk Kahvesi)
Unfiltered Turkish coffee gently heated with water and optional sugar
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a colander if I have a sieve?
A sieve can drain small items well, but a colander is designed for volume and speed, especially for pasta and larger vegetables. Many kitchens use both for different scales of draining.
Should I rinse pasta after draining?
It depends on the recipe. Rinsing cools pasta and removes surface starch, which can be useful for pasta salads. For hot pasta with sauce, not rinsing often helps the sauce cling.
Why does my food stay watery after draining?
It may need a shake to shed trapped water, or the holes may be too fine for the volume you are draining. Letting food sit can also trap steam, which condenses back into water.
What is a colander best for besides pasta?
Washing leafy greens, draining blanched vegetables, rinsing beans, and cooling foods under running water are all common uses. The key is letting water move freely while keeping the food contained.
Is metal or plastic better?
Metal is durable and handles heat well, but can become hot to touch. Plastic is lighter and cooler to handle, but can warp with very hot liquids. Choose based on how you drain most often.
How do I stop small grains falling through?
Use a fine-mesh strainer or a colander with smaller perforations. For very small grains, lining a colander with muslin can work, but it slows draining.
Let the recipe guide the choice
If you mostly drain pasta and potatoes, prioritise a stable, fast-draining colander with comfortable handles. If you often rinse grains or small shapes, finer holes or a mesh strainer will make the work cleaner and less frustrating.
