My Must Have Kitchen Tools
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Ever since I was a little girl I have been fascinated by all the fun tools you can get for your kitchen. There are many that can make your life so much easier and make prep much faster and there are others that, lets face it, just are not worth the money or space they take up. I am sharing my goto list of kitchen tools that I absolute love and use everyday and really thing are must haves for any kitchen.
Kitchen Appliances
Instant Pot
All the hype around the Instant Pot is 100% true. This has been a game-changer for making easy weekday lunches or dinners and everything comes out perfect every time. It cooks food so quickly and perfectly and you can make anything from a Shredded meat recipe to artichokes to hearty soups and stews! I have several recipes in my cookbook, Wandering Palate and my blog to get you started. You can also use code TRAILTOHEALTH for 10% off an Instant Pot.
Vitamix
I use my Vitamix on a daily basis to make my Bulletproof Coffee in the mornings but it is so much more than a blender! You can use it to make smoothies, soups, sauces, and even vegan cheesecakes from cashews! Another favorite recipe is my Acai Bowl from the blog. The Vitamix will blend this into perfection and it is the best on a hot summer day.
Food Processor
I probably use my Cuisinart Food Processor at least once a day and it makes chopping and prepping so much easier! It was probably one of my first appliance purchases and has saved me so much time.
I use it to make chop herbs for Chimichurri and to make Tahini Sauce for several recipes as well as chopping up vegetables, nuts, and making homemade salad dressings.
Stand Mixer
A classic and original kitchen appliance, especially if you like to bake is a Kitchen Aid’s Stand Mixer. I use it for all my baking projects to get a perfect blend of my ingredients or to make gluten-free dough. Not a baker? Make sure to try my Stand mixer Guac recipe to get the creamiest and tastiest guac around.
Handheld Immersion Blender
At first, I wasn’t sure how much I would actually use this little handheld immersion blender, but in fact, it has come in quite handy and has a variety of uses! It can be great to thicken soups and works well with Instant Pot recipes. I also use it to smooth mashed potatoes and thicken sauces. You can make sure your “one-pot” recipe actually stays “one-pot” with this handy (no pun intended) little tool. handheld immersion blender
Food Prep Tools
Salad Spinner
I love salad but I am not going to lie, I hate the process of washing and drying all the greens. Enter the Oxo Salad Spinner. It makes it so so easy to get your greens cleaned and ready to eat in no time. This is another one I thought would be a bit of overkill in the kitchen but I use it every time I make a salad, and I eat a lot of salad. Not only does a salad spinner allows extra water to separate from the leaves which will enable your salad dressing to stick to your lettuce without dilution! Keeping your lettuce clean and very dry will also prolong the freshness in your fridge.
Tongs
Tongs are a cooking essential but I don’t like to use plastic in my kitchen and metal ones can damage more sensitive cookware so I like to use silicone in these scenarios. I have used these Silicone Tipped Tongs for years and they are still holding up to my daily cooking.
Spatula
Every kitchen needs a spatula and this is Oxo Silicone Turner is a classic tool you won’t want to be without. I use a silicone spatula for the same reasons I use silicone tongs.
Citrus Squeezer
I use lemon or limes on almost all recipes I make so a citrus squeezer Is an absolute must-have in my kitchen to save my hands, be efficient and keep the seeds out of my food. You can even squeeze and prepare your citrus ahead of time so its ready to go when you are!
Bamboo Cutting Board
Every kitchen needs a good set of cutting boards and I love to use bamboo cutting boards. They are eco friendly, antibacterial, and best of all they protect your knives. This is another instance I definitely advise against using plastic.
Knives
Whether you’re an expert or not in the kitchen, it’s really important to have a good set of knives. It may feel like a little investment but if properly stored, maintained, and sharpened, you will have them forever! Use code TRAIL for 10% off.
Knife Sharpener
When you invest in a good set of knives, it’s really important to store and handle them properly. The number one kitchen injury comes from dull knives! This knife sharpener is an inexpensive tool that you will purchase once in a lifetime. It’s very easy to store, small, and extremely effective!
Nesting Bowls
Glass Nesting bowls are so convenient and easy to stored. These bowls fit perfectly in your kitchen whether you’re cramped for space or not. You’ll catch yourself using every size when prepping your favorite recipes and they are great for mixing ingredients, especially when you are baking.
Colander
Colanders are a must-have. You might think it’s just for draining pasta but I use it for rinsing fruit, vegetables, legumes, and more. I recommend a medium to large size for versatility.
Meat Thermometer
Safe food handling is extremely important, especially, when handling meat and poultry. A digital meat thermometer is the way to go and will always let you know when your food is properly cooked.
Glass Jars
Glass is the way to go for storing your food and I love the simplicity of a classic glass mason jar. I use it to store nuts in my fridge and leftovers. You can even freeze bone broth in the jars as long as you leave some space on the top for expansion. They are inexpensive and will last forever.
Misc Tools
The last few tools which should be in every kitchen are a good vegetable peeler and measuring cups and measuring spoons. I love the Oxo Spoons because they have 2 sides and you can use one for dry ingredients and one for wet all in the same spoon. It is genius and so convenient when you are baking!
Cookware
Le Creuset Enamel Cookware and Dutch Oven
Le Creuset is a premium French brand known for its colorful enameled cookware. These were definitely a splurge in my kitchen but I have had their pieces for over 10 years and I still use them daily in my kitchen. Their pieces are worth the investment and will last you not years but decades! There are many choices but the Dutch Oven and Enamel Cast Iron Pots are very versatile pieces to start with.
Baking Sheets
Baking sheets don’t have to just be used for baking. I am constantly using these to roast vegetables and more. They are easy to store, lightweight and inexpensive!
Cast Iron Skillet
Cast iron skillets are probably the most versatile pans in the kitchen and you can use it to cook just about anything including meats and even eggs if your pan is seasoned correctly. This is another cookware that will last forever!
Non-Stick Cookware
If you are not ready to try cooking your eggs in a cast iron skillet the two types of non stick pans I recommend are either a stainless steel pan or Greenchef Ceramic pans. Typical teflon pans are very toxic once they get scratched and so these are great alternatives to safer cookware.
Want More Tools Recommendations?
I hope this list is useful! If you want more tips and tools that I have in my kitchen you can head over to my shop page where I have shared everything I use in my kitchen. As I find new tools and test them out usually share about them and if they make my life easier they make it to the page.
Do you have a favorite must have kitchen tool?
