Some of my most used kitchen tools are also the least exciting to look at. They’re not all big ticket appliances or beautiful things you want to leave out on the counter but they’re the things I reach for all the time. The right tool can make prep faster, give you more control when you’re cooking or save you from making an unnecessary mess. And once you find the ones you love, it’s hard to cook without them.
These are the smaller workhorses that have earned their drawer space and the companion list to my Kitchen Essentials. Some are basic, some are little more specialized but all find their way into the mix regularly. If you’re builing out your toolkit or looking for a few useful upgrades, these are the ones I’d go with.
(None of these are sponsored links, I just love them)
Cotton bar towels
White cotton bar towels are a must. Use them to wipe down counters, clean up spills and keep your workspace tidy. These can be bleached and washed but are cheap enough to throw out when they’re too stained or worn out.
Food Processor
Technically unnecessary, but an appliance that just makes certain tasks so much easier. Think pesto, dips, shredded veggies, all the things that require chopping your way to the right consistency. It’s not a daily use item but I’m always glad it’s there.
fish spatula
Despite the name, it’s not just for fish. This lightweight and flexible spatula is perfect for getting under delicate proteins, veggies and even fried eggs without tearing or breaking them.
immersion blender
Could not recommend a cordless immersion blender more. Perfect for blending soups and sauces right in the pot instead of transferring something boiling into a blender and having mobility to move around the kitchen.
mandoline
My favorite for precision slicing. It makes quick work of prep and gives consistently thin sliced difficult to achieve by hand. But please be careful. That blade is no joke so take your time and don’t rush it when using this bad boy.
mesh strainer
A set of different sized mesh strainer will come in handy all the time. I use them to rinse grains, drain small ingredients, strain sauces, sift flour, sprinkle powdered sugar… the use case list is endless.
microplane grater
For finely grated garlic, citrus zest, parmesan cheese and all those little finishing touches. It’s much finer than a box grater and gets ingredient down to a perfectly meltable size. I replace mine 1-2 times a year so it’s always a sharp tool.
prep bowls
A stack of stainless steel bowls comes in handy for prep work, mixing, whisking vinaigrettes and tossing salads. They’re lightweight, durable, easy to clean and nest together perfectly for easy storage.
scale
If you’re baking anything, get a scale. Measuring by weight is significantly more accurate than by volume (using measuring cups). Your bakes will turn out much better and you won’t need to dirty as much dishes!
Slotted & Sauce Spoons
Having a set of cooking spoons has changed the game for me. The slotted spoons lets you move ingredients without bringing liquid along and the sauce spoon is great for basting, turning and plating sauces.
stainless steel tongs
A set of fully metal tongs (no silicone on the ends) is a must. They give you more control when flipping or lifting ingredients and can handle the heat. Something you’ll reach for constantly.
Tasting spoons
I keep a cup full of tasting spoons by the stove so I can taste while I cook without using all my flatware or needing to wash a spoon every time. Tasting as you go is the easiest way to up your cooking game and these make it that much easier.
Thermometer
Take the guessing game out of cooking proteins and get yourself an instant read thermometer! No more cutting into chicken to check if it’s done or hoping your steak is to your liking.
wood spatula
My go-to turner for cooking most things. They’re gentle on pans so you don’t have to worry about scratches and inexpensive enough to replace whenever they wear out or get too stained.
y peeler
Y shaped peeler makes bulk peeling quick and comfortable. I love that this model has a replaceable blade instead of needing to throw out and replace the whole thing when the blade dulls.
