By admin
Most of us have been spending more time in the kitchen lately because we sort of have to. Having the best kitchen essentials for your specific needs can make that time more enjoyable. Whether or not cooking is typically your thing, it’s times like these that highlight the importance of knowing your way around the kitchen. Cooking at home has a number of benefits, but it’s understandable that so many people don’t care for it. It can be time-consuming, stressful, and exhausting. But it can also be easy, simple, satisfying, and empowering, especially if you have the right equipment.
Through talking with clients, I’ve noticed that one of the biggest reasons people are intimidated by cooking is because they’re not sure what they need to make the process more seamless. Here are the 22 best kitchen essentials and kitchen utensil sets to help get you started!
1. Essential pots and pans
For starters, invest in one small and one large nonstick pot and pan with lids. There are lots of options for larger sets, but if you’re concerned about space or price, these basics will do.
- Imusa 3-piece caldero set: ($40, Amazon) I have calderos at home and they’re so flexible and last a lifetime. You can make rice, beans, stews, soups, and roasts in them, and they’re oven safe without the lid.
- AmazonBasics nonstick cookware set: ($42, Amazon) This 8 piece cookware set includes all the essentials for ovensafe pots and pans and also comes with glass lids.
2. Quality knives
If you’re not ready to invest in a complete knife set, a chef’s knife, paring knife, and serrated knife are the three you want to start with. A chef’s knife will be your go-to for most kitchen tasks, while the smaller paring knife will be used for foods that require attention to detail like peeling, mincing, and removing stems. The serrated knife has a jagged edge that’s useful for bread as well as foods like tomatoes and peppers that don’t easily cut with a smooth-edged knife.
- Chicago Cutlery Metropolitan 3-piece knife set: ($28, Amazon) This affordable set includes chef, carving, serrated, utility, and paring knives, plus a knife sharpener.
- Cangshan 5-piece knife-block set: ($100, Amazon) If you have a bit more money to spend, this set includes all of the essentials and has a lifetime warranty.
3. Food processor
Food processors will completely up your kitchen game. They can chop up onions, garlic, and peppers within seconds, and they’re great for making sauces and marinades in advance. Some food processors also have slice and shred plates that make it easy to grate things like carrots and beets. Here are the two that I have and recommend.
- Black+Decker 3-cup electric food chopper: ($21, Amazon) This processor is so easy to use, and with one simple press you’ll be able to chop and pulse. There’s also a built-in oil dispenser that allows you to add liquids during processing. It’s super easy to clean and doesn’t take up much space.
- Hamilton Beach 8-cup processor and chopper: ($40, Amazon) This processor comes with a blade and has a large feed chute that can fit larger foods like a whole block of cheese or chunks of potato. Because of its larger size, it’s especially useful if you plan to cook food for multiple people or like to cook in batches for freezing.
4. Blender
Aside from making smoothies, blenders are useful for making sauces, soups, batters, and more!
- Ninja Professional 72-oz. countertop blender: ($80, Amazon) This blender is a great option that offers the capability for ice crushing, blending, puréeing, and processing.
5. Indoor grill
Want to have a meal ready in minutes without having to use the stove? Let’s talk indoor grills. Whether it’s heating up toast or frozen bread, popping in quesadillas, making grilled cheese, or grilling up some fish, an indoor grill will completely upgrade your kitchen game.
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- George Foreman 5-serving removable-plate grill: ($50, Amazon) I’ve had this grill for years and it never fails me. It can feed a whole family in minutes, and the cleanup is super easy thanks to the removable grill plates.
- George Foreman 4-serving removable-plate grill: ($34, Amazon) If you’re looking for something simpler and more compact, this grill works just as great and also has removable plates for easy cleanup.
6. Bowl set
Have you been using serving bowls, pots, or Tupperware containers for mixing? No shade, but it’s time to get a bowl set with different-sized bowls.
- Alps stainless-steel 5-piece bowl set: ($32, Amazon) This bowl set comes in 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-quart sizes, and they all easily nest inside one another, which saves a lot of storage space. My favorite part is that it comes with a colander, which I consider one of those essential kitchen tools, so you’re getting a 2 for 1 deal.
- Pyrex glass mixing bowl 3-piece set: ($19, Amazon) If you’re looking for just a few bowls, this glass set is safe for use in the dishwater, freezer, microwave, and oven.
7. Food storage containers
There’s nothing more depressing than food that completely spills out of the container as you take it out the fridge (it’s happened to me so many times) or food that’s leaking into a lunch bag because of improper storage. Invest in airtight containers that won’t melt when exposed to heat. Your food will stay fresh for longer, and you can heat it directly in the container when ready to eat.
- Rubbermaid Brilliance leak-proof food-storage containers, set of 5: ($15, Amazon) If you’re storing food for one or two people, this set is practical and affordable. It’s safe for dishwashers, microwaves, and freezers.
- C Crest 10-pack lightweight glass containers: ($30, Amazon) If you’re looking for more containers with all of the above benefits plus being oven safe, this is a great option.
8. Baking sheet
There’s so much you can make on a baking sheet. Think sheet pan dinners, roasted anything, granola, focaccia…I could go on. If you’re tight on space and/or funds, start with one. There are also sets available if you want different-sized pans.
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- Nordic Ware baking sheet: ($10, Amazon) This sheet is flexible enough to make small to medium servings of food.
- 3-piece NutriChef baking sheet set: ($22, Amazon) This set includes pieces that are suitable for almost all the usual baking and roasting tasks, from brownies and lasagna to casseroles and roasted vegetables.
9. Oil spritzer
- Misto oil spritzer: ($7, Amazon) How else are you going to coat those ingredients evenly with oil? You can fill it up yourself to cut back on cooking spray costs, and can even get one to fill with vinegar, salad dressing, or other marinades.
10. Cast-iron skillet
- Lodge 10″ cast-iron skillet: ($30, Amazon) I love iron skillets so much because of their flexibility in the kitchen and ability to withstand high temperatures. They seal in flavor and are very easy to clean; you just want to make sure to dry your skillet well immediately after washing and then coat it with oil to prevent rusting. They come in a variety of sizes, and some come with lids.
11. Fruit and vegetable peeler
- Trio peeler set: ($12, Amazon): This compact tool makes it easy to peel fruits and vegetables, and it’s super easy to clean. It can also help in making cool ribbons out of carrots, zucchini, and other vegetables.
12. Hand mixer
- VonShef hand mixer: ($35, Amazon) For those of you not yet ready to commit to a stand mixer, a hand mixer will also do the job. I use mine for mixing batters and frostings, and my favorite part is that it doesn’t take up much space. I can tuck it away in the kitchen and use it as needed.
13. Two cutting boards
- Decorus kitchen cutting board set: ($27, Amazon) If you’re planning on making meat, poultry, or seafood, you want to make sure to use a separate cutting board for them because you don’t want to transfer bacteria from these raw proteins over to other ingredients like fruits and vegetables. Designate one for animal proteins and one for all other ingredients.
14. Measuring cup set
- KitchenAid classic measuring cups, set of 4: ($7, Amazon) If you’re big on following recipes, measuring cups will be a lifesaver, especially when it comes to baking. Having these cups also helps you make sure you don’t skimp or go overboard on on ingredients and with recipes that require precision.
15. Mixing spoon set
- Riveira wooden spoons for cooking 6-piece bamboo utensil set: ($15, Amazon) These are essentials that will help with mixing and flipping. I recommend going with a wooden or metal material because I’ve had way too many melted spoons and spatulas happen to me.
