The Brief and Only Kitchen Essentials Checklist Every Home Cook Needs

 

The pandemic did something that not even a bevy of cooking shows could achieve. It inspired people to cook at home more. While preparing food at home comes with lots of health benefits, takeout has always offered an easy alternative.

When takeout become less convenient, though, people started eyeballing that big range in their custom kitchen and decided to give it a try.

Of course, while many people spent a lot on kitchen appliances, just as many went light on kitchen essentials. After all, why buy tools you never use.

If that was you and you’re still struggling to figure out what you need, keep reading. We’ll cover the kitchen essentials you need for productive home cooking.

Pots and Pans

You don’t need the 20-piece copper pots and pans set. That’s overkill for the average residential kitchen. You do need the cross-section of pots and pans you get in a basic 10-piece or 13-piece set.

These usually include saucepans, a stockpot, a skillet, and a frying pan. When in doubt, look for a non-stick ceramic or tri-ply stainless steel set.

You should also invest in a few oven pans, such as cookie sheets and cake pans.

Knives

You might discover that you are the best home cook in history, but not without decent knives. They are the go-to prep tool in kitchens for vegetables, fruits, and meats.

You can get a basic set of steel kitchen knives or up your game with ceramic knives. Good ceramic knives perform as well or better than equivalent steel knives.

Basic Utensils

A smart homeowner will invest in basic utensils for their kitchen. These cover a wide range, but some of the more popular options include:

• Wooden spoons
• Whisks
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Tongs
• Peeler

You should also look for a good spatula, potato masher, and can opener.

Cutting Board

If you plan on cooking at home on a regular basis, you really do need a cutting board. It provides a safe surface for your knives, which extends their lives. It also preserves whatever other cutting surface you might use to protect your counters, such as plates.

Mixing Bowls

If you like baked goods, you cannot get by without a set of mixing bowls. They make the process of mixing up cake batter, cookie dough, and brownie mixes profoundly easier. They can also pull double duty when you make large salads for a meal.

Kitchen Essentials and You

The kitchen essentials listed above represent the tip of a very large iceberg. You can find a wide assortment of specialty kitchen tools and small appliances, like woks, food processors, and pressure cookers.

For the homeowner just venturing into the world of home cooking, though, the essential above will let you make most of the kinds of food that the cooking beginner will want to try out in their kitchens.

Interested in more tips for kitchen tools or looking for healthy cooking tips? Check out some of the other posts over in our Lifestyle and Health sections.