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Kitchen Tools That Made Me Actually Cook Again
27
items Cooking is such a joy when you have the right tools. And, it doesn't take a lot. This is my basic kitchen list whether you're just starting out or you're upgrading your kitchen. Enjoy the journey!
Sections
6
Cookware
Essentials
Knives and Cutting
Machines!
Tools & Utensils
Measuring
Cookware
Invest in good cookware
A Dutch oven is one of the hardest working pieces of cookware in my kitchen. It handles soups, stews, braised meats, pasta sauces, and fresh bread with ease. The heat distribution is excellent, so food cooks evenly and develops rich flavor over time....
Dutch Ovens Shop - Le Creuset
A good set of sheet pans makes cooking and baking so much easier. These pans heat evenly, hold up well at high temperatures, and clean up without a struggle. I use them constantly for roasting vegetables, baking cookies, reheating leftovers, and simp...
Baking Sheet Pans | Nonstick & Oven-Safe Options - Target
A quality saucepan is one of those kitchen essentials you reach for every single day. This pan heats evenly and handles everything from oatmeal and pasta to sauces and soups without hot spots or sticking. The handle feels secure and comfortable, even...
Calphalon 3 qt saucepan | Nonstick cookware with lid - Target
This is my go-to pan for almost every recipe. Versatile, big enough for family meals, and easy to clean.
Calphalon 12" Fry Pan: Nonstick & Oven Safe - Target
A large pot is one of the most useful cookware pieces for feeding a family or cooking ahead for the week. This pot handles soups, chili, pasta, stock, and big one pot meals with ease. The size is perfect for batch cooking, and the sturdy construction...
Calphalon 7qt Hard Anodized Nonstick Dutch Sauce Pan with Lid: Tempered Glass, Dishwasher & Oven Safe, Gas & Electric Compatible
A good set of baking dishes makes both everyday meals and holiday cooking much easier. These dishes cook food evenly and work well for casseroles, baked pasta, desserts, and roasted vegetables. I like that they move easily from oven to table and stil...
Staub Ceramic Rectangular Baking Dish Set, Casserole Dish, 2-Piece, Rustic Turquoise
Essentials
Everything else you need.
This set is sturdy, well designed, and handles everything from draining pasta and rinsing vegetables to washing fruit with ease. The different sizes are especially useful for small or large prep tasks, and they stack neatly for easy storage. The hand...
Amco 3-Piece Stainless Steel Colander Set - Multiple Sizes - 1.5, 3, 5 Quart - Durable, Professional Grade Design with Handles for Easy Transfer
A good mixing bowl set is something I reach for every time I cook or bake. These bowls are sturdy, lightweight, and come in multiple sizes, which makes them perfect for everything from whisking eggs to mixing large batches of dough or salads. I appre...
8pc Glass Set of 4 Mixing Bowls with Lids Clear - Figmint™: Microwave without Lid & Freezer Safe, Glass & Plastic
A good kitchen thermometer is a game changer for consistent cooking results. This one gives quick, accurate readings, which takes the guesswork out of preparing meats, baked goods, and even candy. I use it regularly to make sure chicken is safely coo...
ThermoPro TP19W Waterproof Digital Meat Thermometer, Food Candy Cooking Grill Kitchen Thermometer with Magnet and LED Display for Smoker Thermometer
A kitchen timer is a simple tool, but it makes a big difference in keeping cooking organized and stress free. This timer is easy to set, with clear buttons and a loud enough alert that can be heard from another room. I use it for baking, boiling, roa...
Taylor Mechanical Plastic Kitchen Timer
This mitt provides strong heat protection, making it easy to handle hot pans, baking sheets, and casserole dishes straight from the oven. The material feels thick and durable, yet flexible enough to grip items securely without feeling bulky. I also a...
T-fal Flexible Waffle Silicone Oven Mitts Set of Two Charcoal
Good dishtowels are one of those everyday kitchen essentials you do not fully appreciate until you have quality ones. These towels are absorbent, soft, and durable, making them perfect for drying dishes, wiping counters, and handling small spills. Th...
KitchenAid Albany Dishcloths 8-Pack, Aqua Sky/White, 12"x12"
Knives and Cutting
Just a few good knives and cutting boards are enough.
A high quality German chef knife completely changes the cooking experience. The balance and weight feel solid and comfortable in hand, making slicing, chopping, and dicing much smoother and more precise. The blade stays sharp through regular use and ...
ZWILLING Gourmet 8-inch Chef Knife, Kitchen Knife, Made in Germany
A good paring knife is one of the most useful tools for detailed kitchen prep. This knife feels sharp, lightweight, and easy to control, making it perfect for peeling fruit, trimming vegetables, slicing small ingredients, and other precision tasks. T...
Henckels Forged Accent 2-pc Paring Knife Set
A good cutting board set is an everyday kitchen essential, and this one makes food prep much more organized and efficient. Having multiple sizes is especially helpful for separating tasks like vegetables, meats, and bread. The boards feel sturdy unde...
ADIVO Titanium Cutting Board, Double-Sided 100% Pure Titanium, Non-Porous Easy Clean with Juice Groove & Non-Slip Corners Silver Large
Machines!
Machines are optional but always fun!
The Ninja CREAMi has been a fun addition to our kitchen and gets used far more than I expected. It makes smooth ice cream, sorbet, milkshakes, and protein treats with very little effort. I love being able to control the ingredients and create flavors...
Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker | Homemade Ice-Cream - SharkNinja
A KitchenAid Stand Mixer is a cornerstone appliance for anyone who bakes regularly. The power is steady and strong, handling everything from cookie dough to bread with ease. The mixing action is consistent, and attachments make it useful for whipping...
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5qt Tilt-Head Stand Mixer Aqua Sky: 10 Speeds, 325 Watts, Includes Attachments
An air fryer is one of the most useful appliances I have added to my kitchen. It cooks food quickly and evenly, giving a crispy texture without needing much oil. I use it for everything from vegetables and chicken to frozen snacks and reheating lefto...
Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven 7-in-1, 1800W Stainless Steel CTOA-122NAS
Tools & Utensils
You don't need a drawer full of unused tools. Start with the basics and build from there.
A good pair of kitchen tongs quickly becomes one of the most used tools in the kitchen. These tongs have a strong grip, smooth locking mechanism, and the right amount of tension for flipping, tossing, and serving. I use them for everything from grill...
Popco 3 Piece Kitchen Tongs Set 7,9,12 Inch
These spoons are sturdy, comfortable to hold, and gentle on cookware, making them ideal for stirring sauces, soups, and batters without scratching pots and pans. The different sizes are practical for everything from small tasks to large batch cooking...
10pc Bamboo Utensil Set with Silicone Natural Wood - Room Essentials™
This whisk feels sturdy in hand and works well for everything from mixing batters and scrambling eggs to whipping cream and blending sauces. The wires are flexible but strong, so it incorporates air quickly without splashing. I also like the comforta...
9" Stainless Steel Balloon Whisk Silver - Figmint™
This ladle feels solid and well balanced, making it easy to scoop and serve soups, stews, chili, and sauces without spilling. The deep bowl holds a generous amount, and the long handle keeps hands safely away from heat while cooking. I also appreciat...
Stainless Steel Ladle Silver - Figmint™: Soup & Gravy Ladle Spoon, Dishwasher-Safe, 11.38" Length, 0.17 Volume Capacity
This peeler is sharp, smooth, and easy to control, making quick work of peeling potatoes, carrots, apples, and other fruits and vegetables. The handle feels comfortable and secure, even when used for longer prep sessions. It glides cleanly without di...
OXO Softworks Y Peeler: Stainless Steel Vegetable & Potato Peeler, Dishwasher-Safe, Black
A box grater is one of those kitchen tools that proves useful in so many everyday tasks. This one feels sturdy and stable on the counter, making it easy to grate cheese, vegetables, citrus zest, and even chocolate with consistent results. The differe...
OXO Softworks Box Grater: Stainless Steel Cheese Shredder with Soft-Grip Handle & Storage Box, Dishwasher-Safe
This can opener works smoothly and consistently, opening cans without slipping or leaving sharp edges. The handle feels comfortable and provides a strong grip, making it easy to use even for tougher cans. It turns cleanly without requiring too much f...
OXO Soft Handled Can Opener: Good Grips, Stainless Steel, Manual, Soft-Grip Handle, Hand Wash, Freestanding, Black
Measuring
Measure twice, cut once
A good set of measuring cups and measuring spoons is essential for consistent cooking and baking. This set feels sturdy and well made, with clear markings that are easy to read and have not faded with use. The cups and spoons nest together neatly, wh...
GoodCook 8pc Stainless Steel Measuring Cup and Spoon Set
A liquid measuring cup is a simple but essential kitchen tool that makes everyday cooking more accurate and less stressful. This one is clear, sturdy, and easy to read, with markings that help measure liquids precisely for recipes of all kinds. The h...
2 Cup Glass Measuring Cup Clear - Figmint™: Borosilicate, Microwave & Dishwasher Safe, 16oz Capacity