Necessary Kitchen Items to Equip Your Kitchen

Having a well-equipped kitchen with all the essential tools and appliances makes cooking easier and more enjoyable. Whether you are a seasoned home chef or just starting out, there are certain items that every kitchen needs.

Being equipped with the right kitchen tools and equipment not only makes meal preparation more efficient, but it can also elevate your cooking. Having high-quality knives, pots and pans, and small appliances ensures you have what you need to chop, mix, cook, and serve up delicious meals.

Food Preparation Essentials

Prepping ingredients is an essential first step to cooking. Having the right tools on hand makes quick work of washing, peeling, chopping, and measuring.

Quality Knives

Investing in good knives is important, as a sharp blade makes food prep safer and easier. At a minimum, your kitchen should have a chef's knife, paring knife, and a serrated knife for breads. High carbon stainless steel blades retain their sharpness the longest.

Cutting Boards

Cutting boards provide a safe surface for chopping fruits, vegetables, and meats. Opt for boards made of wood, plastic, or bamboo. Make sure to have a few different sizes on hand.

Mixing Bowls

Having a set of stainless steel or glass mixing bowls in small, medium, and large sizes allows you to combine ingredients for everything from salads to cake batters. Bowls with lids are great for marinating meats and storing prepped ingredients in the fridge.

Measuring Tools

Accurately measuring dry and liquid ingredients helps recipes turn out right. Keep a set of measuring cups and spoons on hand. For smaller amounts, measuring teaspoons and tablespoons are essential.

Peelers

A good peeler makes quick work of peeling fruits and vegetables. Opt for a swivel vegetable peeler, and a serrated peeler for peeling soft fruits.

Kitchen Shears

Kitchen shears are great for snipping herbs, chopping vegetables, opening packages, and cutting meat off bones. Look for a pair with stainless steel blades that come apart for easy cleaning.

Mixer

A hand mixer or stand mixer is great for whipping cream, beating egg whites, and mixing batters and doughs. Stand mixers have more power but take up more space. Hand mixers are more affordable and portable.

Cooking Equipment Must-Haves

Having quality pots and pans makes cooking meals easier and more successful. Stock your kitchen with these essential cooking tools.

Pots and Pans

Essential pots and pans include stainless steel or nonstick frying pans, saucepans, and a stockpot. Opt for ones with tight-fitting lids. Having a couple sizes of saucepans allows you to cook foods for 1-4 people.

Baking Pans

For baking, you'll want rimmed baking sheets, round and square cake pans, loaf pans, and a 12-cup muffin tin. Having an assortment allows you to bake cakes, breads, cookies and more.

Roasting Pan

A heavy stainless steel or enameled roasting pan is ideal for roasting meats and vegetables. Choose one with a rack to elevate foods out of the drippings.

Appliances

A microwave, oven, and slow cooker are kitchen essentials. The microwave quickly heats foods; the oven bakes, roasts, and broils; and the slow cooker lets you prep meals that cook low and slow.

Food Storage Containers

Having the right food storage containers helps keep foods fresh and organized in the fridge and freezer.

Plastic Containers

Plastic containers in various sizes with tight sealing lids allow you to store leftovers and meal prep healthier grab-and-go options.

Glass Containers

Glass food storage sets are pricier but don't hold stains or odors. They go from fridge to oven for easy meal prep and reheating.

Food Organization

Fridge storage bins, containers, and dividers help you neatly organize fruits, vegetables, snacks, and condiments for easy access.

Bags and Wrap

Keep plastic wrap, aluminum foil, and a box of freezer bags on hand. They help seal freshness and prevent freezer burn.

Serveware and Dinnerware

Setting the table and serving meals is easier when you have these dinnerware and serveware basics. Choose styles and colors that match your kitchen decor.

Plates and Bowls

Having sets of plates and bowls in small and large sizes accommodates everything from appetizers to entrees. Stock up on shallow bowls for soups and pastas.

Drinkware

Having everyday drinking glasses along with mugs, wine glasses, and insulated cups means you're prepared whether serving water, cocktails, or hot coffee.

Silverware

A set of stainless steel utensils allows you to set a fork, spoon, and knife at each place setting. Serving utensils like large spoons, spatulas, and tongs make dishing up meals easy.

Serving Dishes

platters, serving bowls, and trays to display and pass appetizers, sides, and entrees. They come in handy when dining room spaces are tight.

Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning up after cooking is easier when you have the right supplies. Keep these must-haves fully stocked:

Dish Soap

Dish soap combined with hot water helps remove baked-on food residue from cookware and plates.

Sponges and Dish Towels

You'll need sponges for washing dishes and absorbent dish towels for drying cookware, utensils, and glassware.

Paper Towels

Paper towels help wipe up spills and cleans counters. Opt for durable sheets that are absorbent.

All-Purpose Cleaner

A quality all-purpose cleaner helps remove grease splatters and baked-on spills from appliances, counters, and backsplashes.

Disinfecting Wipes

Disinfecting wipes let you quickly sanitize cutting boards, appliances, and counters both before and after cooking.

Equipping your kitchen with these essential tools and supplies makes cooking at home easier and more efficient. Investing in high-quality pots, pans, knives, appliances, and prep tools allows you to chop, mix, bake, cook, serve, and clean up with ease. Maintaining an organized, well-stocked kitchen helps you prep ingredients quickly, follow recipes successfully, and cook delicious meals for yourself, family, and friends.