This list of 25 Utensils and Tools Home Chefs Need will help you properly stock your kitchen! It’s also a great resource for the foodies in your life!
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. See our Disclosure Statement for more information.
Everything changes so quickly these days. Even kitchen utensils and tools are constantly being updated with the latest and greatest! Trying to figure out what you actually need, versus what is just a current trend can be tiresome. This list of 25 Utensils and Tools Home Chefs Need is designed to help you stock your kitchen with items you will actual use all the time to make the foods you love!
-
Chef’s Knife
An 8-inch Chef’s Knife will quickly become your most used knife in your collection. It’s great for slicing, dicing, mincing, and cutting fruits, vegetables, and meats! -
Serrated Bread Knife
While your Chef Knife will get the most use, it’s also a good idea to have a serrated bread knife. A Chef’s Knife just isn’t going to cut it when it comes to bread! -
Tomato Knife
A tomato knife is a smaller serrated knife ideal for slicing tomatoes and other softer fruits and vegetables. -
Whisk
A good whisk is needed for scrambling eggs, mixing batters, and more! While there are newer silicone whisks out on the market, we still prefer a good ole metal wire whisk to get the job done right! -
Spatulas
At the very least you will want to have a non-stick spatula (for use with non-stick cookware) and a sturdier metal spatula (for use when grilling or on baking sheets). -
Spoons
Again, it’s good to have a variety of spoons. Non-stick for use with non-stick cookware, metal, and/or wooden. You should also have one or two slotted spoons as well. -
Zester
You might not think you really need a zester, but you will be surprised how often you actually use it once you own one. In addition to zesting fruits, like lemons and limes, you can also use this to grate cheese, spices, and more! -
Vegetable Peeler
Using a vegetable peeler to remove the outer skin from fruits and vegetables is so much easier (and probably safer) than using a paring knife. A really good vegetable peeler can even remove the thicker skin from vegetables such as butternut squash. -
Silicone Brushes
Silicone brushes are great for basting meats and vegetables, or even just swirling olive oil around to coat the bottom of a frying pan. You can also use them when making pastries, egg rolls, ravioli, and more! -
Pizza Cutter
Most home chefs make pizza at some point, if not weekly! It’s such a versatile food – even if you don’t like tradtional pizza, there’s always dessert pizza! Nothing works better to cut pizza than a proper pizza cutter! -
Rolling Pin
A rolling pin is a staple in any kitchen! Obviously, it’s great for making cookies dough or pasta dough, but we’ve been known to use it to pound chicken flat as well! A good old fashioned wooden rolling pin should do, unless you’re a serious baker, then you may need some other types as well. -
Tongs
Keep your hands clean, and your entire kitchen more sanitary by using tongs! We use these for placing raw meat in pots and pans to cook or for flipping/removing meat as it’s cooking. Just be sure to wash them after using them on raw meat! -
Blender
There are some serious blenders on the market now. They really do do an amazing job, so if it’s in your budget to splurge on one of the higher end blenders, go for it. If it’s not, then a middle of the line will probably due. -
Stand Mixer
Every fully equipped kitchen should have a high quality stand mixer. KitchenAid pretty much dominates this area and is most definitely the brand we would recommend. This stand mixer does so much more than just mix dough. You can use a KitchenAid mixer to make sausage, ice cream, spiralize vegetables, and SO much more! Some of these other uses do require additional parts that can be purchased separately. -
Measuring Cups and Spoons
Having at least one set of measuring cups and spoons is a must for all your cooking and baking need! Stainless steel measuring cups and spoons are more accurate and will last much longer than plastic – possibly a lifetime! -
Pyrex Measuring Cup(s)
Pyrex measuring cups come in larger sizes so you can measure out more than 1 Cup at a time. They also have spouts so you are less likely to spill. Pyrex can be microwaved as well, so they are ideal to use for melting butter or chocolate chips! -
Colander (s)
Once again, stainless steel colanders are best! They will practically last forever. We also keep a mesh strainer handy for when we need to strain out finer things, and a couple plastic handheld strainers for use with smaller pots and pans. -
Prep Bowls
When making recipes that involve a larger number of ingredients, prep bowls come in handy! Recipes are easier to follow when all your ingredients are measured out and ready to go before you start cooking. -
Cutting Boards
There are so many types of cutting boards on the market, but wood cutting boards are best. They do require more maintenance than plastic or bamboo, but are more sanitary than plastic and gentler on your knives than bamboo. You will have to oil wood cutting boards regularly with mineral oil and they should absolutely NOT go in the dishwasher. -
Juicer
Having a no frills manual juicer is extremely useful for getting every last drop out of that lemon, lime, or orange. It’s not ideal for making actual juice, but perfect for when you just need one or two pieces of fruit juiced for a marinade or dressing. -
Cast Iron Skillets
A lot of people shy away from cast iron cookware because it does require some maintenance. Once you get the hang of how to properly take care of it, you will find yourself using cast iron more than any other pot or pan in your arsenal! It’s the best for searing meats and can go directly from the stove top to the oven if needed. -
Non-Stick Skillets
Non-stick skillets are great for foods like eggs and pancakes. Just be sure to use your non-stick utensils so you don’t scratch off the non-stick coating. -
Soup Pot
A soup pot, also commonly referred to as a stock pot, is an absolute necessity for any and all home chefs! Soups, stews, and curries are eaten around the world! This pot is also ideal for making large matches of homemade stocks. -
Stainless Steel Pots and Pans
Stainless steel cookware conducts heat more evenly than non-stick cookware, so these will likely be your everyday pots and pans. -
Dutch Oven
A Dutch Oven can go from stove top directly into the oven. They are great for braising meats and cooking stews and curries. They are usually cast iron, or enamel coated cast iron and the sizes and prices vary greatly. Just be sure the one you purchase is large enough for your needs.
Hopefully this list of 25 Utensils and Tools Home Chefs Need helps you get your kitchen fully stocked and ready for you to start making some awesome meals!
Leave a Reply