Happy Monday, friends! I’m talking a break from fashion today to share my favorite kitchen essentials. I don’t cook and bake as much now as I did when the kids were little, but it’s a lot more enjoyable with quality tools and appliances.
My Favorite Kitchen Essentials
These are the items I reach for time and time again when I’m in the kitchen. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your own kitchen gear or just curious about what’s in my pantry, these are my favorite kitchen essentials.
My Most Used Small Appliances
KitchenAid® 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer // I know many women never touch their mixer, but I can’t live without mine. Even though I don’t bake as much as I used to, I use it for mashed potatoes, dips, casseroles, and much more. It can even handle homemade bread! I used to have a tilt-head mixer, but I love this new lift design so much more.
KitchenAid 7-Speed Hand Mixer // For smaller jobs, this hand mixer is perfect. It’s quite powerful, so I often don’t even need to use the stand mixer. In fact, if you don’t do a lot of heavy duty mixing, you might only need this.
KitchenAid Variable Speed Corded Hand Blender // I had a cheapie plastic immersion blender that was a wedding gift, and I used it for 20 years. When it finally gave up the ghost, I invested in this KitchenAid version, and I love it. The stainless steel is so much easier to clean, and it’s super powerful. This is my favorite for pureeing soups and things like that.
KRUPS 2 Slice Toaster // You might be thinking a toaster is a toaster, but this is the best one I’ve ever owned. It even has a defrost option for frozen breads like toaster strudels, waffles, garlic bread, etc.
Cuisinart Slow Cooker // This slow cooker is the GOAT for busy moms on the go who don’t have extra time to spend on dinner! This is my go-to for making cozy fall and winter recipes like soups and stews, and it does a great job of keeping food warm for potlucks.
Cuisinart Food Processor // My food processor is so old, I couldn’t find one exactly like it, but it’s a heavy duty Cuisinart stainless with a large capacity much like this one. I use it for everything from shredding cheese to pureeing soups; it is so powerful, it makes any task fast and easy.
My Favorite Pots and Pans
All-Clad Stainless Steel Cookware Set // I love my All-Clad cookware, and I’ve had most of it for 15-20 years. The stainless steel construction makes it incredibly durable, and it always heats quickly and evenly. Definitely worth the investment for anyone who loves to cook!
I got mine one piece at a time, but this 10-piece set covers all the basics and then some. My most used pieces are the 6-quart covered saute pan and the 3-quart covered saucepan. I also wouldn’t want to be without the 8-quart covered stockpot; it’s the perfect size for pasta and your larger boiling needs.
All-Clad D3 3-Ply Stainless Steel Wok 14-Inch // We LOVE stir-fry (try my favorite stir-fry recipe!) so this wok is one of my most frequently used pans. It’s big enough to handle dinners for our family of 5, and it cleans up easily.
Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillets // I don’t have any All-Clad frying pans because I prefer cast iron for that task, and you can’t beat a Lodge cast iron skillets. They’re fairly inexpensive, they heat quickly and evenly, and they go easily from stovetop to oven.
I actually have three sizes of these. The 6-inch size is perfect for 2 fried eggs (or scrambled or a single serving omelet), the 10-inch is just a good all-around size for larger servings of eggs, and other fried dishes, and the 15-inch is the one I use for family meals and large serving sizes.
Our Place Always Pan 2.0 // This all-purpose pan can handle everything from sautéing to frying and even baking. Besides being highly versatile, it’s non-toxic, non-stick, super lightweight, and easy to clean. Everyone who comes to my house and sees me cook with it wants one too. My daughter even has her own in her college apartment.
Le Creuset 3.5-Qt Cast Iron Chef’s Soup Pot w/ Glass Lid // This is a new addition to my kitchen, and it’s a Big Deal at QVC right now. (Retail price is $255, but it’s $199.98 at QVC for a limited time.)
I have the Le Creuset 8-Qt Dutch Oven, and I love it for roasting meats, but sometimes it’s bigger than I need. This 3.5-Qt soup pot is going to be nice now that I’ll cooking for three. Not only is it great for soups and stews, you can use it for braising and roasting meats, as well. I love the glass lid for being able to see your foot inside, and it even has a little vent in the top.
More of My Favorite Kitchen Essentials
Williams Sonoma Wüsthof Classic Hollow-Edge Santoku Knife // Years ago, I realized that having a few high-quality knives in the kitchen really does make all the difference in how smoothly food prep goes. This Santoku is the one I find myself reaching for the most, but I also have the 8″ Chef’s Knife, paring knife, and bread knife.
Chef’s Choice Hybrid Knife Sharpener // Speaking of knives, this knife sharpener has been a game changer in the lifespan of our knives. It uses a combination of manual and electric sharpening, and it can be used for both straight and serrated knives.
Gorilla Grip Premium Silicone Slip Resistant Oven Mitt Set // I love my silicone oven mitts; I’ll never go back to the cloth kind. These are so much easier to clean, and they have a really nice grip so you’re less likely to lose control or drop a slippery pan.
Smithcraft Measuring Cups Set // We’ve gone through more measuring cups than I can count in my 29 years of homemaking, but this is a set I’ll have forever because it’s built to last. Plus, they’re super sturdy and don’t bend or give when measuring heavier substances.
Pyrex Glass Measuring Cup Set // These are the only liquid measuring cups you’ll ever need. I’ve had mine for as long as I can remember. They’re sturdy, easy to read, and make measuring liquids a breeze whether I’m baking or making dinner.
Pyrex Simply Store 12-Pack Mixed Sized Glass Food Storage Set // The variety of sizes in this storage set is perfect for everything from leftovers to meal prep, and the glass is great because it’s sturdy and doesn’t stain. Plus, the lids snap on securely, so you never have to worry about spills or leaks.
Spring Chef Heavy Duty Ice Cream Scoop // My family eats ice cream like it’s their job, and I’ve tried various ice cream scoops over the years, but this one is our current favorite. It’s strong, and the shape of the spoon cuts through even the hardest ice creams like butter. Plus, it’s dishwasher safe.
Williams Sonoma Silicone Spatula with Stainless-Steel Handle // I use this silicone spatula for everything from scraping down bowls to stirring sauces. It’s handy for mixing and stirring without worrying about scratching my pots and pans. I also love this silicone slotted turner.
Williams Sonoma Traditionaltouch™ Corrugated Half Sheet Pan // I always stick with Williams Sonoma for my baking pans and cookie sheets because they’re nice and sturdy and don’t bend or warp. I have several of these Half Sheet Pans because we use them so much. I hardly make a meal when I don’t need at least one of them for something — usually roasting chicken, potatoes, or veggies. I also have two of these Traditionaltouch™ Cookie Sheets for cookies. We always line them with this parchment paper for easy clean-up.
OXO Good Grips Large Salad Spinner // This large spinner is super easy to use and makes washing and drying greens a total breeze. I love how the non-slip base keeps it steady on the counter. Not only is this great for salads, but it’s great for cleaning all types of leafy greens including collards, chard, spinach, etc.
What are your favorite kitchen essentials? Anything you think I should try? Also, going from cooking for 5 to 3 is going to be an adjustment; it you have any advice, I’m all ears!
