35 Kitchen Essentials Every Home Cook Needs
For me, the kitchen is where creativity, comfort, and good food meet. I’m a foodie at heart, and my husband and daughter are the same. The kitchen is the heart of the home, where fresh herbs from the garden meet bubbling soups and homemade bakes that make the whole house smell incredible.
If you’ve ever stood in the kitchen mid-recipe realizing you’re missing that one tool, this guide is for you. Use this post for all sort of occasions – weddings, giving gifts for a new homeowner, making a gift registry, replacing items within the kitchen for all sorts of reasons, or even going off to college. Or maybe times are tight and you’re trying to cook more at home and seeing what you’re missing in your kitchen. Whatever the reason may be, these 35 kitchen must-haves combine practicality, simplify cooking, elevate presentation, and make your kitchen feel like the inviting, well-loved space it’s meant to be.
This post is all about kitchen essentials.
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Table of Contents
Breville Infuser Espresso Machine
None of this list is in order, but my number one item in my kitchen is for sure the Breville Infuser Espresso Machine. We’re had it in our kitchen for at least 4 years and it’s still going strong. We had a regular Hamilton Beach coffee maker which did a great job, but we wanted to elevate our coffee game just a bit. Prior to the Breville, we had 2 Keurig’s. In one year we had to replace them because they both broke. And we’re not the only ones who had issues with them. We also got my parents a Keurig for Christmas and they’ve all broken within a short period of time. Even troubleshooting didn’t work. They just stopped working all together, and our displays on our machines broke as well.
So after having a trip and visiting friends in Canada, I decided to splurge on a Breville. We definitely love our machine and use it numerous times throughout the day. So it gets a workout!
Wüsthof Classic Carving Set, Black, 2-Piece
A good knife is the backbone of any kitchen. Invest in a carving set that comes with both a carving knife and fork. It makes prep work faster, safer, and more enjoyable. I got this Wüsthof set for my wedding, and it’s one of the best tools I have in the kitchen. It makes cutting meat a breeze! This would be a great gift for Christmas, a bridal shower, and anyone that’s really into cooking.
Tip: Keep it sharp—dull knives are more dangerous than sharp ones!
If you’re looking for something more budget friendly, check out the Hammer Stahl carving set.
Cutting Boards
Have at least two: one for produce and one for meats. Bamboo or acacia boards look beautiful and are gentle on your knives. Not only that but you definitely need different sizes, depending on what you need to cut up. I hate having to use a plate for chopping up something small. This Royal Craft Wood set has 3 boards with the following sizes: 15×10”, 12×8”, & 9×6”. There are sets that have 4 and 5 pieces. They’re made of bamboo which is great because to have in the kitchen because it’s naturally anti-bacterial.
Mixing Bowls (Set of Four)
From tossing salads to whipping batter, nesting bowls save space and are endlessly useful. Choose stainless steel or ceramic for versatility. Honestly, I used to use plastic ones from Oxo, but I’ve moved away from using plastic for cooking. We still have those bowls, but I like to use them for other things like cleaning.
Instead, I have a set of 4 ceramic bowls that I love to use. They’re heavily used in our kitchen.
Measuring Cups and Spoons
I highly suggest getting stainless steel measuring cups and spoons. The original ones that I got were by Oxo and Magnolia from Target. The black measuring cups and spoons I got from Target are painted. From use over time, the paint started to chip and I found pieces of it in my food, like when scooping out coconut oil. So those had to be tossed. The Oxo ones I got are stainless steel, but over time the metal and plastic handle are separating. So I recommend stainless steel only since I don’t like using plastic.
Le Creuset Silicone Utensil Set
For our wedding, I also asked for a Le Creuset silicone utensil set with the stoneware crock. The crock is so useful because we store other items in there besides the set it came with, like wooden spoons that we frequently use for cooking. It comes with a couple of different types of spatulas and a basting brush. The set comes in the most beautiful color that Le Creuset has dubbed “Marseille”.
Note: It’s important to get a good quality silicone if you’re opting for that type of material. This is crucial for safety, durability, and its non-stick properties. This set is good up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Breville Mini Smart Toaster Oven
This is another item that we got for our wedding. It’s such an easy toaster oven to use and has several functions including: toasting, broil, baking, making pizza, reheating, and roasting. We use it practically every day for all kinds of reasons, but mostly for toasting and reheating.
Caraway Cookware Set
There are two sets of cookware sets in our house – Caraway and Cuisinart. Prior to having these sets, we did used to use other types of non-stick cookware. Then we found out about the health issues that come from non-stick surfaces. So we ditched the unhealthy ones and went for stainless steel and Caraway. Caraway uses a ceramic surface so food just slides off. It’s much easier to clean in comparison to stainless steel.
Cuisinart Cookware Set
If you’re looking for a more economic cookware set, check out Cuisinart. I got this set years ago and it still looks good as new. There’s no non-stick coating on it and it’s made of stainless steel. In spite of it not having a non-stick coating, you can make it non-stick by properly heating it. The secret is to properly heat up the pan before you start to cook. You’ll need to heat it up evenly first over medium heat. Next sprinkle a few drops of water on the pan. If it sizzles and disappears, the pan isn’t hot enough yet. If it beads up across the surface of the pan, then you’re ready to cook!
Dutch Oven
Both of the above cookware sets have dutch ovens, but if you don’t need a full set of pans, I would highly recommend either one from Cuisinart or Caraway.
Le Creuset Stock Pot
This is the perfect pot from making all sorts of dishes, and for even canning. It’s a 16 quart stock pot so there was a lot of room to fit in plenty of tomato sauce to cook down and then can. Alternatively, you can grab one by Cuisinart. If you’re going to be using a stock pot for canning, my suggestion is to get something that is going to have a non-reactive surface. Non-reactive means a surface that won’t react to acidic ingredients, like tomatoes. The most nonreactive surface is stainless steel because it won’t discolor or become pitted. For example, a copper pot would be considered reactive. The finish will wear off of a copper pot.
Baking Sheets and Cooling Rack
If you like to bake, then you definitely need baking sheets and a cooling rack or two. Opt for ones without a nonstick surface. Over time pans become seasoned, plus I usually bake with something that goes over the pan, like unbleached parchment paper or a high quality silicone mat. Many pans on the market are made out of aluminum. Although aluminum is considered safe to cook and bake with, some of the aluminum can transfer to the food.
Get a couple of cooling racks because whatever gets baked needs to cool off of the baking sheets.
9×13-Inch Baking Dish
From lasagna to brownies, a baking dish is a workhorse. Grab a glass or ceramic version which doubles as serving dishes. This is one of the most commonly used sizes for so many recipes. Another good size to have is an 8×8.
Caraway is a great option for a baking dish, but if you’re looking for something a bit more economical, Pyrex is also a good option.
Muffin Tin
Another item to add to your checklist is a muffin tin. Use one for baking muffins, bite-size egg muffins, little cheesecakes, peanut butter cups, mini pizzas and more! Farberware is an excellent choice to use as their muffin tins are made out of carbon steel. It’s really difficult to find a muffin tin without a nonstick coating then.
Loaf Pan
If you like baking as much as I do, then a loaf pan is something you need in your kitchen as well! Use it for meatloaf, all kinds of breads, making ice cream, and so many other treats. As I’ve mentioned throughout this post, pay close attention to the nonstick on any of the items you choose to get.
Rolling Pin
Although I don’t normally use a rolling pin, I have had to use it quite a few times. It really came in handy when I was making cinnamon rolls and need to roll out my dough! For this item, you don’t need anything special. Just something that’s going to get the job done.
KitchenAid Mixer
A KitchenAid mixer is another one of the workhorses in the kitchen, and I love it. You definitely don’t need a fancy, expensive one. (I’m well aware even the lower end models aren’t exactly cheap!) Put in on your Christmas list, add it to your registry, or save a little bit at a time to invest in one. I’ve had mine for quite a few years, so it’s definitely worth it to grab one of these. Additionally, there are all kinds of attachments these machines have from pasta making, to making tomato sauce, and so many other things.
I have a bit of nostalgia when I’m using it! It brings back memories of my dad, brother, and I making sugar cookies for Christmas time.
Cake Pan
This is another item that’s hard to find with a nonstick coating. So if you’re looking for a cake pan without that type of coating, you may want to consider opting for Caraway. However, I’ve been able to find a stainless steel option that doesn’t have a black nonstick coating on it. I’ve had pans with the nonstick coating in the past and they’ve always eventually chipped. That winds up going in your food!
Blender and/or Food Processor
For a blender, we have a Vitamix which works very well for our needs. We use it frequently for making smoothies, but you can also make all kinds of things with it like soups. I also recently used it for blending up tomatoes for canning.
Rice Cooker/Multi-Cooker
Ok, we have what we call a rice cooker, but it has so many other functions like making soups, slowing cooking, making dessert, and so much more. I’ve even used it to make vegetable broth. We have a Hamilton Beach brand and use it multiple times during the week.
Instant Pot
We frequently use our Instant Pot instead of our rice cooker/multi-cooker. We primarily use it for its main function – pressure cooking. Pressure cooking makes it so much easier and quicker to cook up a meal when you’re pressed for time.
Air Fryer
Whether you prefer crispy toast or golden fries, these small appliances make quick meals even easier. All you need is a little bit of oil, and away you go with cooking up some yummy French fries.
Glass Storage Containers
Ditch the plastic and switch to glass—it’s safer, lasts longer, and looks tidier overall, whether it be on your shelves or in your fridge. Years ago, I took the time to slowly switch out the plastic containers I had. It was for the best, especially since over time, they eventually start to break apart. Having glass containers just made sense in terms of longevity, even though they cost slightly more money.
Mason Jars
Use them for homemade salad dressings, overnight oats, organizing pantry staples, or even as a glass. These are a huge staple in our home, especially when it comes to canning.
Reusable Bags
I’ll admit that I occasionally forget to bring my bags to the grocery store and I miss being able to reuse plastic bags for things like garbage. Here in New Jersey, they no longer give out plastic bags for groceries. So reusable bags are a must.
Check out my Etsy shop for some really cute reusable bags that are currently 15% off!
Wooden Spoons
If you haven’t noticed throughout this post, I’ve been trying to avoid plastic and nonstick coatings. That definitely applies to my utensils. Most bamboo utensils that I’ve found are either made of bamboo or teak. In the set that I’m linking, there are 10 pieces that include the following: flat frying spatula, wok spatula, slotted spatula, spaghetti pasta server, serving spoon, mixing spoon, soup ladle spoon, skimmer spoon, seasoning/oil spoon and salad fork.
Tongs
Of course, a kitchen can’t be without tongs. Use them to toss salads and for serving, or even use them during cooking. Grab a set without the plastic on the area that comes into contact with food.
Ladle
This is the perfect tool for soups and stews. If you’ve been following me prior to finding this post, you know that I’ve posted quite a few soup and stew recipes lately. So this would be a great addition for serving purposes. Let’s be honest. Having a little spoon to serve your dinner just isn’t gonna cut it.
Peeler and Grater
Ok there are a couple of options for a peeler and grater to choose from. Here’s what tools you can use depending on the task:
- box grater – this is a larger greater that has different sizes of grates on each side.
- rotary cheese grater – pop the cheese down into the grater, and turn a handle to grate the cheese.
- handheld bilateral grater – this type of grater is held in one hand while moving food, like cheese, across the grate. It’s the perfect option to get fresh cheese right over some pasta. We don’t grate cheese ahead of time and have it sitting in the fridge like that. We grate it right when we need it so it stays as fresh as possible.
- swivel peeler – there are two different types of peelers that I like to use – a swivel and Y peeler. I usually opt to use the Y peeler because I just think they work so well.
- Y peeler – I love using a Y peeler. It’s just so much more efficient, unlike the swivel peeler. I find that the swivel peeler sometimes swivels too much and doesn’t always catch the skin of the produce I’m peeling.
Can Opener
We don’t have an electric can opener in our house. There doesn’t really seem to be a need for it. It’s not like we’re opening canned food day in and day out. We just don’t really eat any processed foods and manual ones to open canned beans.
I’m also linking another type of can opener that’s safer than a traditional one. It creates a smooth edge to prevent getting cut by the edge of the can top. It’s made in Switzerland and did take a little bit of time to get used to.
Serving Platters
These are good to have for any type of hosting, whether it be a Thanksgiving dinner or Sunday dinner. Some nice serving platters just elevate the tablescape a little bit more than a less formal dinner. Yet they can still be casual.
A Good Apron
Ok, you definitely need a good apron in your kitchen. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve splattered things like sauce all over my clothes while cooking. Grab an apron to keep from splashing food all over your clothes.
Pasta Machine
Pasta machines are a lot of fun and super easy to use. Seriously, if you haven’t tried making homemade pasta, jot it down on your to-do list. Homemade pasta is *so* delicious and dried pasta doesn’t even come close to the taste.
Expandable Kitchen Drawer Organizer
A drawer organizer is a game changer! Our kitchen tools used to be totally unorganized and honestly just thrown in the drawer. It sort of made sense how it was arranged but it wasn’t always easy to find everything. Enter the expandable kitchen drawer organizer! It got everything nice and tidy, and now our tools are easy to find (for the most part!).
Baking Sheet Organizer
A baking sheet organizer is another must have in the kitchen. Instead of stacking the baking sheets haphazardly in a cabinet. This slotted organizer allows for easy access. Now I just have to pull them out of the rack and that’s it. No more scrummaging trying to find the baking sheets and pulling other things out just to access them.
Building a Kitchen That Reflects You
The best kitchen isn’t the one with every gadget—it’s the one that works for your lifestyle. Maybe you’re a minimalist cook who loves simple, wholesome meals. Or maybe you’re a weekend baker who thrives on creativity. The point isn’t to have it all—it’s to have what makes cooking joyful.
A well-equipped kitchen invites you to slow down, experiment, and connect. It’s where you test new recipes, create family traditions, and find small daily joys—like the sound of a simmering pot or the smell of freshly baked bread.
Catherine’s Tip
Start with what you use most often and build from there. Quality over quantity always wins—one great knife or pot can replace three mediocre ones. It’s worth investing in better tools because you’re going to be using them for a long time.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re setting up your first kitchen or refreshing an old one, these 35 essentials form the foundation for effortless, joyful cooking. Keep it simple, stay organized, and choose tools that make you want to cook. After all, every cozy home starts with a kitchen that feels like the heart of it.
