Favorite Kitchen Tools
Items that make my life easier in the kitchen
Whether you have a tiny or big kitchen, having essentials that are reliable can really help your daily flow when you are cooking. I’ve compiled all my favorites on a list here, but below is where I will go into why I love each item and how I use them! I find that it is much easier to meet my wellness goals when I equip myself with things that make cooking an enjoyable experience. Hope you find this list helpful!
Tools
Microplaner: Best for lemon peels and cheese.
Fish Spatula: Not just for fish! I use for everything. Pancakes, eggs, sandwiches, etc.
Tongs: Just a handy tool for picking up smaller things and assembling food on plates.
Ladle: For soups and stews.
Rubber Spatula: For eggs and baking.
Cutting Boards: I have a large one that I prep a majority of my food on as well as a small for for things like cutting apples and cheese.
Mandolin: Thinly shave apples, fennel, potatoes, pretty much any vegetable. A must have for top-notch salads.
Whisk
Vegetable Peeler: Not only for peeling fruits & veggies, I use to thinly shave cheese. This one from Material is so high quality and really makes the peeling experience a lot better than a cheaper one.
Measuring Cups & Spoons
Chef's Knife: Find one you LOVE and keep it sharp. This is a big component to making beautiful meals.
Pairing Knife: For smaller needs like peeling fruit and small cuts.
Storage
Mason Jars: This is a cost efficient way to have a low waste pantry. I recommend having a variety of different sizes.
I use 8oz for storing dressings in, chia pudding, spices, and anything small that needs a spot. 16 oz size is good for nuts and seeds, oats, rice, tea. and the 32 oz for infusions and large batch meals, such as broths and soups, as well as baking staples such as flour.
Storage Containers: I like these glass containers from IKEA as they're affordable, oven safe, leak proof, and stack well when not being used. I have these ones from Amazon too and they work very well.
Stasher: Want to successfully say goodbye to single use plastic bags once and for all? Get a few Stasher bags! They work just as well as Ziplock, if not better, and will last many years.
Beeswax wrap: Use as you would plastic wrap. These work well and last awhile, just make sure not to use hot water on it.
Cookware
Dutch Oven: This is a must. From making soups to bread to pasta, I use a dutch oven at least 4x a week.
Bamboo Steamer: Multi-layered ones make it easy to stack your vegetables for a quick and healthy dinner.
Donabe: Not a total neccessity, but they're very pretty and make the best rice. Here's an entire donabe cookbook!
12 inch Cast Iron: I make most of my meals in this. From eggs to fried bread to shepard's pie. The most important cookware in my kitchen.
8 inch Cast Iron: For smaller things like scrambled eggs, fried eggs, toasting nuts and seeds.
Non-stick Frying Pan: Caraway has been by far the best brand I've found for non-toxic, non-stick pans. Most non-stick pans have a toxic coating on them, but Caraway is free of Teflon, PFOA, PFAs, lead, cadmium, and nickel.
Sauce Pan: For toasting spices, hot cocoa, etc.
Baking
8 x 8 Baking Pan
9 x 13 Baking Pan
Silicone Muffin Tin
Standard Loaf Pan
Baking Sheets