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The Kitchen Basics You Don’t Think About Until You Need Them
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items The boring but essential things you suddenly realize you need halfway through cooking, reheating leftovers, packing food, or opening takeout. They aren’t the exciting kitchen purchases, but somehow they’re always the things I’m glad I have when I nee...
Sections
3
Kitchen Basics You Reach for While Cooking
Leftovers, Food Storage & Kitchen Organization
Kitchen Prep Basics That Make Life Easier
Kitchen Basics You Reach for While Cooking
You don’t think much about these until dinner is already on the stove and suddenly you need one. These are the basic kitchen tools I’m always glad are in the drawer when it’s time to actually cook.
I like a can opener that feels sturdy in my hand and gets the job done without fighting with the can. This is a simple kitchen basic worth having.
KitchenAid Classic Can & Bottle Opener
I love that these stick together, because somehow measuring spoons are always getting separated in my kitchen drawer. Easy to grab, easy to use, and easy to put back.
Spring Chef Stainless Steel Magnetic Measuring Spoons
Some kitchen things take up way more cabinet space than they deserve. I like these because I can have the sizes I need without sacrificing half a cabinet to colanders.
Qimh 3pc Silicone Collapsible Colander Set
When I’m cooking for my family, I don’t want to guess whether the meat is done. I use a thermometer because I want to know it’s reached the proper temperature and is safe for the people I love.
Alpha Grillers Instant Read Digital Thermometer
Leftovers, Food Storage & Kitchen Organization
Nothing makes my pantry feel more put together than getting all those half-open bags and boxes into containers. I love being able to open the pantry and actually see what we have instead of digging around for it.
Vtopmart Airtight Food Storage Containers
I always keep gallon-size Ziploc bags around because I use them for everything from leftovers to meal prep to getting food into the freezer. They’re one of those kitchen basics I never want to realize I’m out of when I need one.
Ziploc Gallon Food Storage Bags
I hate opening the fridge and having to move five things just to find what I’m looking for. I like using bins to give everything a place so I can actually see what we have and keep the fridge from turning into a mess.
Simple Houseware Refrigerator Storage Organizer Bins Set of 6
Egg cartons always seem to take up more room in my fridge than they should. I like having the eggs together and organized so I can see what we have without the fridge feeling so cluttered.
Utopia Home Stackable Egg Holder for Fridge
Kitchen Prep Basics That Make Life Easier
Some of the smallest kitchen tools end up doing the most work. These are the basics I reach for when I’m chopping, peeling, grating, mixing, or just trying to get dinner prepped without making it harder than it needs to be.
I like having separate cutting boards for meat, vegetables, fruit, and everything else I’m prepping. It’s one of those simple things that makes me feel better about keeping what I’m cooking for my family separated and organized.
Fotouzy Flexible Cutting Board Mats Set of 7
I’m always reaching for a mixing bowl for something, whether I’m prepping dinner, tossing a salad, or baking. I like having a full set ready to grab instead of trying to make whatever random bowl I have clean work.
Priority Chef Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls Set, 5 Pcs, Airtight Lids, Non-Slip Base
I use tongs for everything from flipping meat to tossing vegetables and serving dinner. Having two means I’m not stopping in the middle of cooking to wash the one I just used.
2 Pack Silicone Kitchen Tongs, 9 & 12 Inch
Sometimes regular tongs are just too bulky for what I’m trying to grab or turn. I like having these around for the smaller, more delicate things when I want a little more control.
JETKONG 2 Pcs 12-Inch Stainless Steel Tweezers