Whether you’re new to cooking or just need a few helpful extras, these kitchen utensils will help make your meals easier and more enjoyable. They are essential for keeping your kitchen stocked with the first steps necessary to turn out great recipes for every occasion. Here is our list of must-have kitchen tools everyone should have!

Kitchen Knives

No matter what kind of food you’re preparing, a good set of knives together with a whetstone to keep them sharp is essential. We recommend choosing a knife block so you don’t have to worry about keeping them in their proper place. 

Although sharpening knives can be a hassle, it’s easier than trying to get the blade of your knife clean. If you’re not sure where to start, we recommend choosing one or two knives that are similar in size and weight so you can get used to how they feel and how they cut before purchasing the rest of your knives.

Garlic Press

A garlic press is an extremely helpful tool for anyone who cooks with fresh garlic or garlic powder regularly. It’s easy to rinse out after use, and the press itself is very easy to clean. You can use it to cut the top off the garlic bulb, or you can use it to squeeze the garlic out of its skin.

Knife Block

Many people enjoy having their knives visible and accessible, but not everyone has enough counter space for a knife rack. If you don’t have enough space for a knife rack, consider getting a knife block instead. 

They’re extremely helpful when it comes to keeping your knives organized and in place instead of scattered about on the counter. We recommend getting one that has dividers so you can organize your knives by size and weight so they’re easy to find when you need them.

Food Processor/Blender

These appliances are extremely helpful for making a variety of different foods and can be used for a variety of different things. You can use a food processor to make nut butter, apple sauce, or even hummus. A blender can be used to make smoothies and other blended drinks.

It’s important to keep your appliances clean so they last longer, so you should regularly wash them with soap and water.

Chopping Board

A chopping board is an important tool for anyone who uses knives in the kitchen regularly, but it’s also useful if you’re just starting and want to get familiar with how they feel on your countertop before purchasing several more knives. 

We recommend getting one with a non-slip surface so it doesn’t move around while you’re chopping.

We highly recommend getting a magnetic knife holder with four knives. This way, you can easily see all of your knives at once, and they’ll be easy to find when you need them.

Mixing Bowls/Spatulas

You’ll want to get a few different mixing bowls so you can use them for different things. We recommend getting one large mixing bowl and one small mixing bowl that’s about the same size as the large bowel. 

You can use the small bowl for measuring out ingredients and using it to mix things up, but it’s also useful if you have a smaller kitchen and don’t have room for a full-size bowl or two on your countertop.