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My Kitchen Must Haves

Purple Star emoji 48 items
This list is a mix of my go-to gadgets, trusty utensils, well-loved cookbooks, flavor-packed spices, and appliances that earn their counter space. Some are practical, some are indulgent—but all of them make cooking (and cleanup) easier, tastier, or j...
Sections
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Utensils

 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
If you don't care about your silverware matching this is a well priced set. I was always running out of forks and spoons until I bought this.
24-piece Stainless Steel Fork & Spoon Set
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
I switched to silicone cooking utensils & love them. They don't scrape my pans and are easy to clean.
Umite Chef 8-Piece Silicone Utensil Set Grey
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
I live this set! Comes with pretty much everything you need & it's silicone which I prefer.
Umite Chef 43pc Silicone Kitchen Utensils Set
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
I love that these are magnetic, because I don't lose them anymore. But handwash them.
KELOFKO 16-Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Set
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
I still use a good old fashioned grator for cheese, vegetables etc. I know there's fancier ones out there.
Thyme & Table 2-Piece 4-Sided Stainless Steel Box Grater Set

Appliances

 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
Love this airfryer. Could replace your toaster oven and comes with a rotisserie function. Use it all the time, especially in hot weather!
Instant Pot 10QT Air Fryer 7-in-1 Stainless
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
3 in 1 but mainly use it for the can opener. Love it! So easy to use.
POHL SCHMITT Electric Can Opener with Sharpener
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
You can't always be healthy right? This is an updated model from the one I bought 10 years ago. Pan & oil works just fine, but this is faster and gets your items super crispy.
Hamilton Beach 8 Cup Deep Fryer, Family-Size Food Capacity Cooks Up To 6 cups of Food, Red, 35336
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
Easy to use, powerful. I dont really have anything to compare it to but it's the one I've used for the past 10 years .
BLACK+DECKER Easy Assembly 8-Cup Food Processor, Black, FP4200B
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
I keep my appliances for as long as possible. This isn't my exact model but it's the closet I could find. I recommend a convection oven but always do your research.
GE - Calrod 6-Slice Toaster Oven with Convection bake - Stainless Steel
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
Why do we need a 4 slicer toaster? I'm not sure but I'd never go back to a 2 slice toaster.
Hamilton Beach 4 Slice Toaster, Wide Slots, Bagel Function, Stainless, Toast Boost, Auto Shutoff
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
I dont think you need a super fancy blender but that's just me. This blender makes our smoothies just fine.
Hamilton Beach Smoothie Blender, 48 oz. Jar, Stainless Steel Blade, High Speed, Great for Shakes and Smoothies, Black - Walmart.com

Cooking Tools

 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
I LOVE this set. Affordable, nonstick and comes with the essential pans/pots. The lids are interchangeable too!
T-fal Initiatives 18-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
This is a good set! Non stick and easy to clean. Super affordable, so when you need to replace your old set it doesn't break the bank.
Wilton Premium Non-Stick Cookie Sheet Pan Bakeware Set 3-Piece, Packaging May Vary
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
Have had this set for 10 years. Like that it's stackable. It's a little heavy but I like to store things like potato salad and other cold items in these.
Pyrex Mixing Bowl, Glass, 8-Piece
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
My sister got me this set & I use it daily. Best mixing bowl set I have.
Mainstays 3 Pieces of Mixing Bowl Set, 50% RPP, Recycled Material, 11.81 in, Papyrus Beige
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
I only use a stock pot once or twice a year, but it's really hand when you need to boil a chicken, or make a crap ton of potatoes.
Tramontina 8 Qt Style Gray Non Stick Covered Stock Pot - Walmart.com
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
You need to have at least a cast iron pan. You don't need a high end, expensive one but you should have one if you're doing any kind of oven cooking.
Mainstays Cast Iron Skillet Oven Safe Pre-Seasoned Iron Black, 12 inch
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
These are my preferred cutting boards because they're flexible and easy to clean but everyone has their own opinions.
GORILLA GRIP Cutting Board Set of 5, Flexible, Durable Plastic Chopping Mats, 15x12, Multicolor
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
You need to have casserole dishes! Cakes, casseroles, lasagna, etc. I use mine all the time.
Anchor Hocking Glass Baking Dish Set, 7 Piece Glass Bakeware Set
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
Also in my healthy living list, I use this all the time to make zucchini noodles. So quick and easy. You can also make homemade chips with this too!
Prep Solutions Deluxe Spiral Cutter White Stainless Steel Blades

Cookbooks

 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
Unfortunately I don't remember where I got this so it's an Amazon link. But the recipes remind me of my time in Ireland. I love cooking this hearty, delicious food that connects me to my heritage.
Irish Cooking Bible
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Elizabeth Walters profile picture
Favorites: turkey meatloaf, BBQ chicken sliders, calzones, & many more. This cookbook is great.
Betty Crocker The Smart Dinner: Clever and Versatile Ways to Use What You've Got on Hand|eBook
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Elizabeth Walters profile picture
This particular one is a little old but it introduced me to slow cookers and I still use it to this day.
Fix-It and Forget-It New Cookbook: 250 Slow Cooker Recipes
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Elizabeth Walters profile picture
If you cook with cast irons this book has amazing recipes.
Lodge Cast Iron Nation: Great American Cooking
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Elizabeth Walters profile picture
It's a good book to get started in New orleans/cajun/creole cooking!
New Orleans School of Cooking Class Act Cookbook
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
Found her on tiktok and her cookbooks have changed my life. They're healthier, mostly affordable and delicious. You could live off just her cookbooks.
Cookbooks

Spices & Sauces

 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
There are 3 seasonings that go on almost all my food: garlic salt, garlic powder & onion powder.
Great Value Garlic Salt, 5.7 oz
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Elizabeth Walters profile picture
2/3 of my daily used spices
Great Value Garlic Powder, 3.4 oz
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
3/3 of my daily used spices.
Great Value Onion Powder, 3.25 oz
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
Paprika is so under utilized. Not only does it have flavor, but to me my food gets a nicer, crisper sear to it.
Great Value Smoked Paprika, 2 oz
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
Use for a variety of things but classic Thanksgiving seasoning.
Great Value Oregano Leaves, 0.87 oz
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
Classic Thanksgiving seasoning but I know I don't utilize this to its full potential.
Great Value Organic Thyme Leaves, 0.6 oz
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
Thanksgiving, roasted chicken, roasts etc.
Great Value Rosemary Leaves, 0.8 oz
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
You can use fresh but parsley has endless uses.
Great Value Parsley Flakes, 0.4 oz
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
I almost use this exclusively for any spicy seasoning, even if it's not a new orleans/cajun dish.
The BIG Easy Seasoning
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
Any of New Orleans School of cooking Joe's Stuff Seasoning is top notch.
Joe's Stuff Original
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
Can get a little pricey, but we gumbo 1 a month. Use this every time.
Zatarains Pure Ground Gumbo File 1.25 oz
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
We make imitation Mexican rice with this.
Knorr Granulated Tomato with Chicken Flavor Bouillon Ground, 32 Oz Jar
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
Yeah its a basic steak seasoning but it lives in our house for a reason.
McCormick Grill Mates Gluten Free Montreal Steak Seasoning, 3.4 oz Bottle
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
We have the aldi version of this and it's delicious on chicken
McCormick Grill Mates Gluten Free Roasted Garlic & Herb Seasoning, 2.75 oz Bottle
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
I am obsessed with this to make sauces, etc. It goes on almost every shrimp/Asian dish I have.
Laoganma Spicy Chili Crisp Sauce, 7.41 Fl Oz
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
New Orleans told me not to make jambalaya without this, so I don't.
Kitchen Bouquet Browning and Seasoning Sauce, 4 Fluid Ounces
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
Of course we use this is some Asian dishes but it's actually part of some great marinades!
Kikkoman Soy Sauce, 15 fl oz
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
Should always be in your fridge. You never know when you're gonna need it!
Great Value Worcestershire Sauce, 10 fl oz
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
We just started adding this to a variety of our dishes. A drizzle across certain dishes, like beef and broccoli bowls, is delicious.
Terry Ho's Yum Yum Sauce, Original, 14 fl oz
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
As we've explored other recipes & dishes this has become a staple in our household.
Great Value Teriyaki Sauce, 15 fl oz, 1 Count
 
Elizabeth Walters profile picture
Yes we have to order it special but it's so good. I won't eat any other bbq sauce.
Honey Chipotle Rum BBQ