Kitchen Essentials List: 71 of the Best Kitchen Cookware, Utensils, Equipment, Tools, Appliances & More

This kitchen essentials list is the last you'll ever need. Check out 71 of the best quality cookware, utensils, equipment, tools, appliances & more for your minimalist kitchen in this kitchen essentials list.

2. If you’ve ever attempted to
purchase cookware
for a new kitchen…

3. …or simply tried to improve
the quality of tools in
your current kitchen…

4. …you’ve probably found that
stocking up on high quality
kitchen essentials is
way harder
than it should be.

5. So how do you decide which
cookware is quality, need-to-
have and which is
junk, maybe-nice-to-have?

6. Presenting…
!e BEST Minimalist Kitchen
Essentials: Cookware,
Utensils, Equipment, Tools,
Appliances & More.

7. 1. Preparation Tools
& Essentials

8. Chef’s Knife
For a minimalist, efficient kitchen
you only need one
high-quality knife.

9. Chef’s Knife
Our recommended, premium and
budget chef’s knives can be found
here:
mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#chef-s-knife/

10. Cutting Board
Choose an inexpensive, durable, and
odor-resistant cutting board that
will last a long time.

11. Our recommended and premium
cutting boards can be found here:
mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#cutting-board/
Cutting Board

12. Can Opener
Can openers often only
do one thing. !is can
opener is a multi-tool
that does !ve. Perfect
for a minimalist kitchen.

13. Our recommended can opener can
be found here:
mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#can-opener/
Can Opener

14. Measuring Cups
For precisely
measuring liquid or
solid ingredients,
this stackable and
pourable set will
last a lifetime.

15. Our recommended measuring cups
can be found here:
mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#measuring-cups/
Measuring Cups

16. Measuring Spoons
For precisely
measuring small quantities
of liquid or solid
ingredients, this magnetic,
stackable, and double-
sided set is a clear
winner.

17. Our recommended measuring
spoons can be found here:
mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#measuring-spoons/
Measuring Spoons

18. Mixing Bowls
For mixing together salad
dressings, spice rubs,
marinades, sauces, or even
for storing leftovers, a set of
high-quality
mixing bowls
is a must.

19. Our recommended mixing bowls can
be found here:
mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#mixing-bowls/
Mixing Bowls

20. Colander
For draining pasta or washing vegetables and salad
greens, a well-designed colander
is an essential piece for your minimalist kitchen.

21. Our recommended colander can be
found here:
mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#colander/
Colander

22. Vegetable Peeler
A vegetable peeler isn’t a multi-tasking kitchen tool, but
this peeler is still an essential because of its ergonomic
and high-quality design.

23. Our recommended vegetable peeler
can be found here:
mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#vegetable-peeler/
Vegetable Peeler

24. Potato Masher
Most potato mashers are bulky and
tough to #t in a drawer.
Our recommended option is a “!ip”
masher that stores easily and is made
of high-quality stainless steel.

25. Our recommended potato masher
can be found here:
mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#potato-masher/
Potato Masher

26. Whisk
A whisk is one of
the most used
items in your
kitchen.
Our recommended whisk is
ergonomically designed, dishwasher
safe, and high-quality.

27. Our recommended whisk can be
found here:
mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#whisk/
Whisk

28. Salad Spinner
!e best kitchen
tool to ensure crisp
salad greens, this
salad spinner is a
joy to use and
can even be used
for storage and
serving.

29. Our recommended salad spinner can
be found here:
mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#salad-spinner/
Salad Spinner

30. Grater
!is 7-in-1 grater
can grate citrus, #ne,
coarse, ultra-coarse,
parmesan, shave, slice,
and even has a ginger
grater. It’s a heck of a
well-built
multi-tool!

31. Our recommended grater can be
found here:
mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#grater/
Grater

32. Shears
!ese extremely
sharp, heavy-duty
and comfortable
shears are perfect
for cutting up
meats & vegetables,
stripping herbs,
and even cutting
the stems off of
%owers!

33. Our recommended shears can be
found here:
mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#shears/
Shears

34. Citrus Juicer
Juicing citrus fruits
is always a mess.
!is citrus juicer
gets rid of the mess
and includes
measurements so
you know precisely
how much juice
you’ve squeezed.

35. Our recommended citrus juicer can
be found here:
mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#citrus-juicer/
Citrus Juicer

36. Garlic Press
A garlic press isn’t an
essential item, but if you
don’t like chopping your
own garlic this
highly-rated
garlic press is a great
buy.

37. Our recommended garlic press can
be found here:
mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#garlic-press/
Garlic Press

38. Paring Knife
!ough all you need is a high-
quality chef’s knife, this short-
blade paring knife comes in
handy for small, detailed jobs.

39. Our recommended, premium, and
budget paring knives can be found
here:
mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#paring-knife/
Paring Knife

40. Honing Steel
A honing steel is a must for
re-aligning the blade of your
chef’s knife.

41. Our recommended honing steel can
be found here:
mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#honing-steel/
Honing Steel

42. Knife Sharpener
For regular sharpening of
your chef’s knife, a simple 2-
stage sharpener is a must.

43. Our recommended, premium and
budget knife sharpeners can be found
here:
mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#sharpener/
Knife Sharpener

44. 2. Cookware &
Bakeware

45. Stainless Steel Skillet
!e stainless steel skillet will be
the workhorse of your kitchen.
Buy once, use for a lifetime.

46. Our recommended and premium
stainless steel skillets can be found
here:
mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#stainless-steel-skillet/
Stainless Steel Skillet

47. Sauté Pan
With a wide %at bottom and high sides,
a sauté pan is suited especially well for
sauces, searing & braising meat.

48. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#stainless-steel-saute-pan/
Sauté Pan
Our recommended and premium
sauté pans can be found here:

49. Small Saucepan
For small portion cooking of soups, stews,
pastas, or sauces, a lightweight
saucepan is necessary.

50. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#small-saucepan/
Our recommended and premium
small saucepans can be found here:
Small Saucepan

51. Medium Saucepan
For medium portion cooking of soups,
stews, pastas, or sauces, a high-quality
saucepan is necessary.

52. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#medium-saucepan/
Our recommended and premium
medium saucepans can be found here:
Medium Saucepan

53. Large Pot
For large portion cooking of soups,
stews, pastas, or sauces, a heavy-duty
pot is necessary.

54. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#large-pot/
Our recommended and premium
large pots can be found here:
Large Pot

55. Cast Iron Skillet
Cast iron cookware have been used for over
2,000 years. !ey have great heat retention
properties and will complement your stainless
steel skillet nicely.

56. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#cast-iron-skillet/
Our recommended cast iron skillet
can be found here:
Cast Iron Skillet

57. Grill Pan
Grill pans are great for summer dishes that you would
ordinarily barbecue. With a high-quality cast iron grill pan,
however, you can get those nice grill marks on your food
without leaving the kitchen!

58. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#grill-pan/
Our recommended grill pan can be
found here:
Grill Pan

59. Baking Sheet Pan
Used for roasting
and baking food
in the oven, a
high-quality
baking sheet pan
is an essential
item for a
minimalist
kitchen.

60. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#baking-sheet-pan/
Our recommended baking sheet pan
can be found here:
Baking Sheet Pan

61. Casserole Dish
For those lazy times you want to
throw a one-dish meal
into the oven, a #ne white
porcelain casserole dish is a must.

62. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#casserole-dish/
Our recommended casserole dish
can be found here:
Casserole Dish

63. Broiler Pan
For use under the
high-heat broiler
in the oven, this
sturdy broiler pan
won’t warp and
contains grooves and
a draining pan to
keep your oven
clean.

64. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#broiler-pan/
Our recommended broiler pan can
be found here:
Broiler Pan

65. Stockpot
!is very large pot (12-quarts) is ideal
for homemade broth or large portions of soup.
It isn’t an essential item for a minimalist
kitchen, but if you are the “broth-making”
type, this is a great buy.

66. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#stockpot/
Our recommended stockpot can be
found here:
Stockpot

67. 3. Cooking Tools &
Kitchen Utensils

68. Spatula
A spatula is an essential cooking tool used for
mixing, spreading, and turning. Our
recommended spatula is heat resistant up to
600 degrees fahrenheit and won’t melt if you
leave it against a hot pan!

69. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#spatula/
Our recommended spatula can be
found here:
Spatula

70. Stirring Spoon
!ese stirring spoons are extremely high-
quality. Durable, heat resistant, dishwasher
safe, and they won’t scratch cookware or pans.
Highly recommended!

71. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#stirring-spoon/
Our recommended stirring spoon
can be found here:
Stirring Spoon

72. Tongs
For easily %ipping
meats and
vegetables, a good
pair of tongs is a
must. !is pair
won’t scratch your
cookware, won’t
melt, and can be
operated with only
one hand!

73. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#tongs/
Our recommended tongs can be
found here:
Tongs

74. Ladle
A ladle is used for serving liquid dishes like
soups, stews, or sauces. !is ladle is
strongly built and won’t melt if you
leave it against a hot pan. It’s a great buy.

75. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#ladle/
Our recommended ladle can be
found here:
Ladle

76. Oven Mitts
No more wrapping your hands in a
towel when removing dishes from the oven.
!ese oven mitts are dishwasher safe and
will protect your hands for a lifetime.

77. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#oven-mitts/
Our recommended oven mitts can
be found here:
Oven Mitts

78. Trivet
A trivet is a heat
resistant pad that you
place hot dishes on.
Do away with dirty
cloth trivets, and use
these beautiful
bamboo trivets
that will last a
lifetime.

79. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#trivet/
Our recommended trivet can be
found here:
Trivet

80. Splatter Guard
Cooking can be messy. With this "ne mesh splatter
guard you’ll no longer have to clean up splattering
grease and oil from your pans. It will #t most pans, is
simple to clean, and even has feet so you can set it
down after use and keep your countertops clean.

81. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#splatter-guard/
Our recommended splatter guard
can be found here:
Splatter Guard

82. #ermometer
A quality meat
thermometer is a must if
you often cook meats and
want to stop guessing
when they’re done. !is
top-selling and ultra-
fast thermometer is a
great buy!

83. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#thermometer/
Our recommended thermometer can
be found here:
#ermometer

84. 4. Appliances

85. Immersion Blender
An immersion blender
is used to blend or
purée food in the
container it’s being
prepared in. !is is a
super useful item for
blending soups and
sauces quickly and
without any mess.

86. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#immersion-blender/
Our recommended and premium
immersion blenders can be found
here:
Immersion Blender

87. Kitchen Scale
For precisely
measuring raw food, a
small & lightweight scale
is needed. !is small
scale measures in US
and Metric units and is
highly incremental so
you know exactly how
much food you have.

88. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#kitchen-scale/
Our recommended kitchen scale can
be found here:
Kitchen Scale

89. Blender
If you’re a fan of
smoothies, sauces, dips,
or soups, you’ll likely
want a powerful
blender instead of
having to use (and
clean) a food processor.

90. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#blender/
Our recommended, premium and
budget blenders can be found here:
Blender

91. 5. Other Kitchen
Essentials

92. Storage Containers
High-quality food storage containers are essential
for bringing lunch to work and storing
ingredients (or cooked meals) in the refrigerator so
they stay fresh for days.

93. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#food-container/
Our recommended and premium
food storage containers can be found
here:
Storage Containers

94. Aluminum Foil
Aluminum foil is useful for cooking, cleaning,
protecting, scrubbing, lifting, steaming, and
storing. Because it’s so useful, we recommend
stocking up on inexpensive foil.

95. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#aluminum-foil/
Our recommended aluminum foil
can be found here:
Aluminum Foil

96. Parchment Paper
Parchment paper is used in cooking as a disposable
non-stick surface that greatly helps to avoid
messes in the kitchen. Simply line your casserole
dish or baking sheet pan with parchment paper and
you’ll be able to clean up in a %ash !

97. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#parchment-paper/
Our recommended parchment paper
can be found here:
Parchment Paper

98. Towels
After much searching
and testing, we found
these 100% cotton
“!our sack” towels
to be the best. Drying
dishes, wiping up
spills, dusting, and
regular kitchen
cleaning are a breeze
with these towels!

99. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#towels/
Our recommended towels can be
found here:
Towels

100. Sponges
!ese “dobie” all-purpose pads have just
enough scouring ability that you don’t need a
dedicated scouring pad, but work just as well as a
delicate sponge does. High-quality across the board.

101. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#sponge/
Our recommended sponges can be
found here:
Sponges

102. Heavy Sponges
If our recommended all-purpose sponges aren’t
enough for a heavy job, these heavy-duty
scrub sponges will be able to scour any tough job
you have to do.

103. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#sponge-heavy/
Our recommended heavy sponges
can be found here:
Heavy Sponges

104. Dish Rack
Even if you have a dishwasher you’ll still need to
hand wash some items or to give cookware a quick
rinse. !is dish rack is a high-quality bargain that
you’ll use every day.

105. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#dish-rack/
Our recommended and premium
dish racks can be found here:
Dish Rack

106. Ice Cube Tray
If you think all ice
cube trays are the
same, you’re in for
a treat. !ese
trays will release
entire cubes with
a single, simple
twist. !ey’re easy
and a joy to use.

107. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#ice-cube/
Our recommended and premium ice
cube trays can be found here:
Ice Cube Tray

108. Trash Bags
Because everyone
needs trash bags,
you might as well
choose the best.
We’ve got small
and large trash
bag picks, both
from Glad.

109. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#trash-bag-small/
Our recommended trash bags can be
found here:
Trash Bags

110. Trash Bins
Because everyone
also needs trash bins,
you might as well
choose the best.
We’ve got small and
large trash bin picks,
both beautifully
designed by
simplehuman.

111. mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/
#trash-bin-small/
Our recommended trash bins can be
found here:
Trash Bins

112. And that’s it!
You can now purchase essential
high-quality, multi-purpose
cookware for your minimalist kitchen.

113. Get the full article that inspired this
SlideShare …
… plus a free PDF of this guide at
mealime.com/kitchen-essentials-list/

114. Healthy Meal Plans for Busy
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