After careful deliberation of the cooking items I use in my home on a daily and weekly basis, I have come up with the 20 most essential cooking items in my kitchen that make it easy for me to be the homemaker that I strive to be.
Some of these items I have purchased over the years and others I received as gifts. I think all of these items would make great gifts for someone’s wedding, as a house-warming gift, or even just for a special lady in your life (even if it’s you!) that is looking to hone in on her homemaking skills in the kitchen even more this year!
// Cast Iron Skillet
https://amzn.to/3H4QhmW
By far my most gifted item to friends and family who are either getting married or moving to a new home is this super functional cast iron skillet that stands the test of time. A cast iron skillet is a healthy pan to cook from unlike the many nonstick options out there that have the potential to leach what are called “forever chemicals” into our food! Cast iron skillets are heavy and distribute heat very well, not to mention one of my favorite features is they can go seamlessly from stove-top to hot oven to make my favorite sourdough pizza or baked apple crumble. So many types of meals can be cooked in this skillet and you can easily use these beauties for the rest of your life with proper care! I own two 12-in pans so I can have both going at once for certain meals which all these considers makes this my #1 top cooking essential item!
// Stainless Steel Pots & Pans
https://amzn.to/3vlhC1T
Aside from my cast iron skillets, my set of stainless steel pots & pans for sure get the most use in my home. I had researched this Cuisinart set for my wedding registry 8 years ago and ended up adding it for its high reviews and affordability. All these years later I still love this set and am happy to say it’s still for sale at a reasonable price compared to other steel sets out there. Like with cast iron, stainless steel is a healthier cooking option as it won’t leach any harmful chemicals and it’s easy to clean and maintain for long periods of time. The set I have comes with 3 skillets of varying sizes, 2 sauce pots in different sizes with an optional steaming basket, as well as two pots (one small and one large); all with matching glass lids. This set makes an amazing wedding gift that I can personally attest to!
// Instant Pot
https://amzn.to/47jzTcT
I’m not really into having a million appliances in my kitchen, but some I’ve acquired over the years have made a huge impact in my life and it would be hard to live without them at this point. My Instant Pot is one of them! I make 2-3 meals a day from scratch and I can’t tell you how many times this beautiful invention has come in clutch for me. I mainly use it to cook whole chickens (fresh or frozen), bone broth, or big roasts that would otherwise take hours to cook on low in the oven but only take 2 hours in the Instant Pot to reach tender-perfection. And since I upgraded to the 8-quart vs my older 6-quart model, I also bought the one that comes with the air-fryer attachment so I can make super crispy french fries anytime I want in the comfort of my own home. It’s wonderful. Not to mention I don’t have to buy a whole other air fryer separately and store that clunky thing somewhere. If you do end up getting the air-fryer attachment, consider getting this stainless steel insert instead of the nonstick one they give to you.
// Water Filter
https://www.mypatriotsupply.com/collections/alexapure-pro-water-filter/products/alexapure-pro-water-filtration-system
This may seem like an odd kitchen essential, but for me it’s in my top 5 for sure. That’s because cooking with quality filtered water is so vital in the whole big picture of cooking healthy meals. Sometimes this element is overlooked, but with filtered water from my beloved Alexapure Pro water filter, I have pure water ready to go at all times. I use this water to drink of course, add into meals, feed my sourdough starter, make ferments, boil my pasta and potatoes in, and even water my lovely kitchen plants! We’ve had our filter for 5 years now and can’t imagine ever having anything else.
// Wooden Cutting Board
https://amzn.to/3S30s1D
Another cooking essential in my kitchen are my cutting boards, especially my large butcher block my husband gifted to me a couple years ago. Sadly I can’t find the information about the family-owned small business who made this out of Wisconsin so I can’t link their website but if I ever find it again I will update this post! I found a similar size and function cutting board on amazon that I linked for you that has great reviews. Like my own cutting board shown in the video, I really love a large no-fuss surface for cutting up all my veggies for a meal and the juice grooves are very helpful as well. I just rinse my board after each use, allow it to air dry, and apply a coating of bees-wax-based wood oil every month or so to keep it in good condition.
// Quality Knives
https://amzn.to/3vsnru8
Along with a large wooden cutting board, I highly suggest getting yourself or a loved one at least ONE quality kitchen knife. I had a knife set I got for my wedding but they were kind of awkwardly heavy and didn’t function that well. I used those for years, however, until my lovely sister-in-love gifted me those homgeek german steel knives for my birthday a couple years ago. Wow. When I say I felt like I leveled up, I leveled up. It was one of those items you don’t realize you need until you actually have it. These knives have the right weight and when their sharpness is maintained, they take care of all my many chopping needs with ease. I recently found this cheap knife sharpener on amazon that has been a game-changer for easily and quickly sharpening my knives every couple weeks to keep them working as intended. I couldn’t find the homgeek brand on Amazon, but I was able to source a similar German steel knife set that has great reviews as well.
// Steel Baking Sheet
https://amzn.to/41KhtAR
I have fallen in love with baking over the last several years. In doing so, there are so many times I am in need of a metal baking sheet. I used to only use an aluminum set to bake with, but in an effort to steer away from aluminum cookware, I found some stainless steel baking sheets that have been more healthy and more solid overall. I use these baking sheets to bake challah or sourdough bagels, make my favorite cookies and granola, and to roast a big batch of veggies for dinner. Truly a cooking kitchen staple I think everyone needs!
// Mixing Bowls
https://amzn.to/48l1k7y
How do you mix up an amazing dough or batch of cookies without a big bowl? Maybe you have a way, but I love to rely on these glass Pyrex mixing bowls that come in 4 different sizes with matching silicone lids. I typically use the largest bowl to make bread dough in like my double batch of long-fermented sourdough bread or erev shabbat challah. The next size down I keep out on my counter at all times with my sourdough starter in it. The other smaller sizes are perfect for leftovers or mixing up sauces and dips for various meals. I’ve had this set since I got married as well and seriously love it so much! If you have a Sam’s club membership, I also recommend getting their 3-bowl stainless steel mixing bowl set that’s under $20!
// Mixing Spoons
https://amzn.to/3vsK5CT (bamboo)
https://amzn.to/3S5J2l0 (steel)
Along with a much needed mixing bowl, I think every kitchen should be equipped with a couple (or 5) mixing spoons. I have a variety of types that I use very often for different purposes. I love the flatter bamboo mixing spoons for sauteing veggies and mixing up dough, whereas I love my deeper steel mixing spoon for cooking soups and one-pot meals that I need the ability to actually scoop up more food with. I know my mixing spoons don’t look very pretty anymore, but they are very well loved and used constantly and I plan to use them until they finally keel out on me! These types of mixing spoons make a great affordable wedding gift that will for sure be something the new couple uses in their new home together.
// Dutch Oven
https://amzn.to/48j7vZQ
Don’t even get me started on my dutch oven! Okay… here we go :). As a bread baking enthusiast, I cannot express how much I love my Lodge cast iron dutch oven. This thing is a BEAST and works soooo well to bake my family the best bread. Not only is it cast iron so I don’t have to worry about lead or other weird chemicals at such high temperatures, but this big bertha is on my camping essentials list as well! I made sure to get the one that had the 3 feet on the bottom that allows me to place it into a campfire. My husband and I have some fond memories of making delicious fire-roasted whole chickens in this dutch oven while camping. So fun! I also bought the travel case to store it in and am so thankful I did so I can store it and transport it with ease.
// Oven Mitts
https://amzn.to/3tIIV5D
Now I know what you’re thinking – “um, those are pot holders,” and you’re right, they are. I still call them oven mitts because for me that’s how they function just like their true oven mitt cousin. Whichever one you go for, making sure you have a solid piece of fabric to not scald yourself while doing all the stove and oven-related shenanigans is a must. It’s cheap and very important. Shout out to my lovely ladies Meandy and Tiffany for providing me with all the pot holders I could ever need since I somehow can’t seem to make sure I have them for myself.
// Rice Cooker
https://amzn.to/48KPh38
Remember I said I wasn’t big on a bunch of kitchen appliances? Well, my rice cooker is essential for me. Can I cook rice in a pot on the stove? Sure. Do I want to? No. So thank goodness rice cookers are a thing because they make perfect rice every time and it’s one less plate to spin while juggling multiple small children so I call it a win. You decide. This brand has a stainless steel insert which should be your go-to as well!
// Flour Sack Towels
https://amzn.to/48nDJ6l
I good kitchen towel may be overlooked at times, but is truly a top kitchen cooking essential item for me. There are way too many times I need to dry my hands, wipe up a spill, or clean a messy baby face to even count. I invested in a few packs of flour sack towels over time that have really served their purpose in my home. Although I’m a sucker for a cute kitchen tea towel as well, I like the simple functionality of an all-white 100% cotton flour sack towel that I can whiten every once in a blue moon with some oxyclean when they start looking scary. If you have a Sam’s club membership their pack of towels are the best price, but walmart and amazon as linked above is not too bad either.
// Oil Dispenser
https://amzn.to/3H9XmTl
Why is an oil dispenser one of my cooking essential items you may wonder? Well, mainly for aesthetic reasons as well as for healthy functionality. I like to have my olive oil ready to go for all my cooking tasks right by my stove but I CAN’T STAND the big plastic bottles the oil comes in just chillin’ on my counter top. Not cute and gets in the way, plus I want to have better control of how much pours out each time so a glass oil dispenser is a must for me. Make sure to get a tinted glass one so that the light in your kitchen does not degrade your oils.
// 9×13 Glass Baking Dish
https://amzn.to/3TKBtS1
If you want to be like your cool aunt that always brings the best broccoli casserole to thanksgiving, you clearly need a 9×13 glass baking dish. I also think this item makes an amazing wedding or house-warming gift because it just culturally screams “get in the kitchen and bake something!” I use mine to mainly bake meatballs, make enchilada casserole, twice-baked potatoes, etc. etc. It’s essential and you’re highly suspect if you don’t own one of these. The travel/storage lid is a must as well.
// Stainless Steel Strainer
https://amzn.to/3ROMkI3
What would my husband’s famous garlic spaghetti be without our stainless steel strainer… or colander… tomato/tomato. Although this essential cooking items doesn’t get used constantly, it’s pretty necessary when it is used. Whether I am making pasta or mashed potatoes, or straining out some homemade yogurt through a flour sack towel… I need my steel strainer. Don’t sleep on this one folks.
// Tongs
https://amzn.to/3HbBWFi
Just like a strainer, there are some kitchen items that wait patiently for their time to shine. If I am making turkey bacon for brunch, I am not excited about having to flip them with a fork, I need tongs. When I pull spaghetti out of the pot to put in the sauce, I need tongs. When my whole chicken is falling apart in the instant pot and I need to debone it, I need tongs. When I’m camping and I don’t want to burn my arm off from the fire while checking on my food in the dutch oven…. You get the idea. Bless someone’s life with a nice set of stainless steel tongs, will ya?
// Stainless Steel Spatula
https://amzn.to/48oEjk7
I wish I could tell you I’ve even once called a spatula a turner, but I would be lying. In my childhood home as well as the home I live in now, it’s called a spatula. And yes, it turns food really, really well. Don’t try to flip pancakes or burgers or crispy sourdough flatbread without one. And please don’t use a plastic one that will melt into your yummy food.
// Garlic Press
https://amzn.to/3tIE1p8
Another cooking essential item FOR ME is a garlic press. I can totally chop up garlic, but I don’t want to. Once I’m done being annoyed by peeling all the skin off the garlic I am not about to chop it up in little pieces. A garlic press is a life saver and it minces the garlic so beautifully. This is a great, affordable gift for someone you love and they will think of you every time they use it.
// Measuring Cups & Spoons
https://amzn.to/4aJrC59
You can tell by the video footage of my measuring cups that I don’t have a pretty, complete set like the one I have linked above. I hope to buy the above linked set soon and keep it locked away from my lovely children who sneak them out into the backyard to be used as shovels that disappear into the abyss. Some things a mama just has to do. And as an encouragement to you to make some bomb cookies of your husband and kiddos, please buy some measuring cups and spoons for yourself and a friend. So worth it!
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