Here are links to my favorite tools to use in the kitchen! I literally grabbed the stuff in my cupboards and snapped a photo. Forgive my much-abused pans and appliances. And my orange-y table, which looks nice in person, I swear 🤣 (I’m not a great photographer unless my subjects are edible, apparently??)
Many of these links are affiliate, which means I earn a commission when you make a purchase, at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Some of these links are to the exact product I use, but some of them I just couldn’t find. (Like the Costco stockpot my mother bought me for my wedding 15 years ago…) I did my best to find links to similar products that have good reviews and are a quality brand. Updated October 10, 2024.
Post and Pans
First up, pot and pans. Most of these live in this giant cupboard underneath my stove, that has zero organization. Every time I dive in to extricate a pan, I come out with spiraling pupils and frazzled hair, feeling like I deserve a medal. Anyone else?
High Sided 12-Inch Skillet
This is my go-to pan for family dinners. It’s perfect for searing meat, so that it gets browned and not steamed.
3-Quart Saucepan
I love this pot so so much. It’s sturdy, it’s heavy, it’s perfect for making fudge, caramel, any kind of candy. But it’s also great for marinara sauce or my kid’s morning oatmeal.
8″ Nonstick Fry Pan
The pan I make scrambled eggs in for my kids every morning. Non stick, no fuss! Can you tell it’s taken a beating 😂 This is also the perfect size pan for cooking crepes.
Dutch Oven
My favorite soup pot! I love, love, LOVE this pot, it’s so sturdy and has already lasted a long time. Worth the investment.
Stockpot
This stock pot is even bigger than my dutch oven. I use it to steam big ol ears of corn, to break down my turkey carcass every Thanksgiving, and to make enormous vats of hot chocolate and Wassail when family is in town.
Roasting Pan
The perfect pan for roasting turkey, roast, ham, or leg of lamb. It’s also a great size pan if you need to bake a cheesecake in a water bath.
Half Sheet Pans
My beloved, beaten up, blackened half sheet pans. I have at least 8 of these, the better to make thousands of cookies at Christmas time. I also love these pans for making sheet pan meals!
12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet
My beloved cast iron pan! This pan gets HOTTER than your other pans, and the gritty, porous surface makes for better searing than any other type of pan. It’s a one of a kind item that you can pass through generations.
Loaf Pan
The perfect pans for making banana bread, zucchini bread, and homemade white bread!
Muffin Tin
The perfect tin for cupcakes, muffins, and eating a tiny amount of 12 different kinds of chili at a chili cook-off. What, you don’t bring your own muffin tin to those??
Kitchen Appliances
All the gadgets and gizmos I can’t live without! These are the tools our grandmother’s grandmother’s dreamed of. We are so lucky!
Stand Mixer
In a fire, most people would be grabbing the family albums, I would be hauling my beloved copper Kitchenaid. No joke, Eric’s Nana got us one for our wedding (it was PURPLE, check old blog posts to see it pop up in photos 🤣) and I was like, um, what am I supposed to do with this. I didn’t think we would use it. My mom never had one, I grew up mixing cookie dough with a metal spoon. No joke.
Hand Mixer
This is the same hand mixer we got when we were first married. If it lasts 16 years, I’d say you can count on this one! I use this for making mashed potatoes, and for mixing stuff on the stovetop, like for my Chocolate Cream Pie.
Electric Griddle
Okay full disclosure, I have not used this yet. But the reviews look AWESOME. When I set out to photograph my kitchen stuff to provide details for this page, I found a few things in my kitchen that I hated, and my old griddle was one of them. It did not cook on the edges!! Ugh. I’ll report back next time we make pancakes, on how this one does.
Food Processor
I use my food processor allll the time. Sauces, dressings, but also pastry dough and crushing graham crackers for pie crust. It’s indispensable in my kitchen! I’m linking to the model I previously had, which I secretly still wish I had…Eric are you reading this
Electric Citrus Juicer
If you enjoy any type of lemon dessert, stop what you’re doing right now and buy this. It is the BEST investment. You can juice 10 lemons in 2 minutes. It’s life changing for people who love the TART. (it me)
Waffle Iron
I really wanted a flip waffle iron like they have in the hotel lobby when you get free breakfast. They cook so much more evenly. This brand does not disappoint, we are waffle lovers and use ours a lot.
Immersion Blender
My mom got me an immersion blender when I got engaged when I was 19, and I was so embarrassed that I threw it in my shoe closet and buried it in sandals. (I was a little nervous about getting married, haha, even though I knew Eric was the one) Anyway, I’ve since seen the light. Freakin love this thing. How does anyone make Tomato or Butternut Squash Soup without it??
Blender
We’ve had our BlendTec probably, I don’t know, 10 years now? It’s served us well. You don’t have to get a blendTec, but I will say, there is a HUGE difference between a crap blender and one with a decent motor.
Crockpot
Everybody needs a trusty Crock! I just got this one a couple years ago (kept the old one, now I have two #noregrets) and it works great!
Instant Pot
It took me a while to get on board with Instant-Potting (people say that, right?) But I’m a true believer now. My favorite is making rice in the instant pot. Sooooo easy.
Food
I’ll be adding more and more to this list, but here’s a peak into some of my most essential food items I always have on the shelf!
Vanilla Extract
I’ll share a secret my friends: the quality of your vanilla doesn’t matter that much. Yep. I said what I said. Serious Eats did an extensive article on this back in 2018 and it kind of rocked my world! Buy whatever vanilla you can afford. If it’s going in something baked, any kind of vanilla will do. (Cold, unbaked desserts like ice cream or pudding are where a high end vanilla would shine). I buy Costco vanilla, also available on Amazon.
Peppermint Extract
I love me some peppermint during the holidays! But it’s also the extract in my bright GREEN mint chocolate chip cookies. It’s so good!
Raw Sugar
Love the CRUNCH this sugar brings! It’s a “finishing” sugar, used for sprinkling on top of pie crusts, zucchini bread, peach cobbler, so many things!
Kosher Salt
Every recipe on my blog calls for kosher salt. (Probably, almost, idk, prove me wrong🤣) I’ve been meaning to write an entire post about kosher salt for years, ugh. For now, you need to know that Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt WILL improve the flavor of the food you make. Yes, it must be this exact brand. There is a reason chefs are obsessed. I sent some to my bff Sarah because I found out she was still using table salt…she’s never going back. You just can’t, once you know.
Whole peppercorns
Not only do I love to have these on hand for my mini pepper grinder, I also use peppercorns for my turkey stock at Thanksgiving, my Cheese Sauce, my Corned Beef…the list goes on. Great flavor!
Better than Bouillon Chicken Base
This ingredient is up there for me with like, butter and salt. I’m not even kidding. I add it TO EVERYTHING. Soups, pastas, my mashed potatoes. It’s like a magic shot of umami in anything you’re making. I never (ever) use liquid chicken stock. It’s always this + water. Shelf stable, lasts forever, tons of flavor. Indispensable!
Better Than Bouillon Beef Base
This beef base is what I use in place of EVERY recipe that calls for beef stock. It adds SO much flavor. My cooking would not be the same without this product. I will use it until the day I die 😂 I don’t even know how people make decent soup without this stuff.
Better Than Bouillon Turkey Base
I hoard this when I see it for sale at Thanksgiving time, so that I can use it throughout the year. Turkey base gives an even richer poultry flavor than chicken base. It’s so so good!
Zoup! Chicken Base with Bone Broth
There’s a new kid on the block. I have been brand loyal to Better Than Bouillon for years, because, well, they were the only bouillon base on the market. But now Zoup! has this option and I’m so happy to report that it is phenomenal. I use both brands interchangeably.
Tools for Baking
You don’t need fancy baking stuff, for the most part. There are lots of decent brands out there at a reasonable price. Here’s what I’ve got in my kitchen!
Pastry Brush
I have like 27 of these and inevitably burn the edges trying to brush the grill grates, or whatever. I’ve been known to bust into our paint supplies for a fresh brush when I’m in a pinch. Really, any kind is great! Don’t consider this a lifetime item. They are cheap. Buy new ones when yours wear out. At Home Depot if you need to 😂
8-Cup Liquid Measuring Cup
This was on my “want” list for a long time. Is it a bowl? Is it a measuring cup? YES. Plus a spout. I love it for mixing up the wet ingredients for a cake, measuring a buttload of broccoli for broccoli cheese soup, the possibilities are endless!
Liquid Measuring Cups
I have several sets of liquid measuring cups because I use them so much! Any brand will do ya. You want a 2 cup, a 4 cup, and even a 1 cup can be handy!
Cookie Press
I leerrrrvve my cookie press! Eric’s family is obsessed with spritz cookies at Christmas time, we make them several times each year. My mother-in-law-Kris has an electric one from the 80s and they don’t make them anymore. If anyone ever finds one call me asap!!
Rolling Pin
I love my marble rolling pin, the weight makes it effortless to roll out pie crusts and cookie dough. And it’s COLD, which is the temperature you want anything you are rolling out to be.
Scraper Tool
This is great for gathering dough when making pie crust!
Silpat Baking Mats
Silpats are a great reusable option for making cookies! Parchment paper works great too. I also like rolling out certain doughs (like Prudy’s Rye Bread) on a silpat, so that it doesn’t absorb anymore flour.
Loaf Pan
The perfect pans for making banana bread, zucchini bread, and homemade white bread!
Cookie Scoop
I have so many cookie scoops! But this purple one is my fav. It’s Vollrath brand, and I like the release mechanism better than traditional scoops. Dough never gets stuck inside. This is the perfect size for chocolate chip cookies.
Pastry Cutter
This tool is absolutely necessary for making biscuits, pie crusts, streusel topping, all the good stuff! Don’t trust them when they say you can “use two forks,” it’s not the same y’all
Cooling Rack
Any kind of cool rack will do! My friend casually mentioned that she never had a cooling rack growing up, and my jaw was on the floor. How did you keep the bottom of your muffins crisp and not soggy? Oh wait, YOU DIDN’T. tragic. Say no to soggy bottoms.
Adjustable Measuring Cup
I LOVE this adjustable measuring cup. Instead of scraping peanut butter or honey out of the cup measurement, you can just “shoonk” it out, this tool cleans the sides automatically. Just don’t use it for oil and then add it to your cake while the mixer is running, you will spray your kitchen with oil, ask me how I know.
Offset Spatula
I went half my life without one of these, had literally never used one. I always frosted cakes with a butterknife. The first time I used one I was like, OH, so there’s no frosting on my knuckles with this, amazing! 😂 Game changer!
Bread Knife
I just got this a few weeks ago and love it. It’s SUPER DUPER sharp and cuts like a dream.
Mixing Bowls
I love these clear nesting bowls! They are so pretty and can be used for mixing up in the kitchen OR for serving at the table.
Flat Whisk
This whisk is my favorite of all time. You can get all the way into the corners of the pan with this whisk. A normal shape whisk is too rounded on the end for this.
Extra Large Pastry Cloth
I roll almost everything out on a pastry cloth, it’s so much better than flouring the counter! You can use it many times in between washes. It’s a lot harder to accidentally stick to your work surface with this cloth. Also, you can lift your entire project and stick it in the freezer, something I value a great deal because anything you’re rolling out should be COLD.
Measuring Spoons
I have dozens and dozens of cheap-o measuring spoons, and almost all of them have been ground up in my garbage disposal. 😂
Flat Baking Sheet (For Pizza)
This flat cookie sheet doubles as my pizza peel! A peel is the paddle they use to transfer pizzas in and out of the oven. I’ve used this flat baking sheet for years, and I don’t have to store a giant wood paddle. I honestly feel like it’s better because it’s so thin, you can slide it right under the pizza super easy.
Parchment Paper
I keep this on hand and use it for so many baking projects! Lining the pans for cookies, brownies, all the things.
Pre-Cut Parchment Baking Sheets
I love these pre-cut parchment paper sheets for making cookies! They fit right in the pan, easy peasy.
Tools for Cooking
Here is just a sampling of some of my favorite utensils and other tools! Some of these are pricier items, like the Thermapen thermometer and the knives. NOT the veggie peeler, no need to splurge there ;)
Chef’s Knife
I love my chef’s knife! It’s essential in my kitchen, I probably use it 20x a day. Get a nice one and sharpen it a lot! It makes a huge difference!
Custom Chef’s Knife
My brother’s friend Jesse is a mechanical engineer with tons of product development experience. He started making knives in his garage. They are phenomenal. Everyone who cooks in my kitchen asks about it!
Vegetable Peeler
My mom put like 3 of these cheap-o metal veggie peelers in my stocking last year. She is always trying to convince us of how terrible the big black plastic-y ones are. We have potato peeling contests every holiday, her peeler vs ours, and she destroys us every time. (It might have something to do with 70 years of peeling experience…but she swears by these cheap metal things)
Pizza Stone
I know, I know, this looks atrocious, but it’s well loved and well used, try not to judge :) Pizza stones are AMAZING at absorbing and retaining heat, making sure the bottom of whatever you are cooking crisps up perfectly. I have a crappy oven, and my stone lives permanently on the bottom rack, to help regulate and even out the heat.
Microplane Grater
I’m obsessed with my microplane. It’s such a great value for how much I use it, and how effective it is. I use it for zesting lemons and limes, mostly, and it’s worth it’s weight in gold. NEVER use the small edge of a cheese grater again. This sucker is razor sharp.
Digital Meat Thermometer
This Thermapen is one of my prized possessions. This is a very pricey thermometer, but it is INCREDIBLY accurate and gives instant readings. If you slow cook meat a lot, or if you bake bread a lot, I think it’s a worthy investment.
Flat Baking Sheet (For Pizza)
This flat cookie sheet doubles as my pizza peel! A peel is the paddle they use to transfer pizzas in and out of the oven. I’ve used this flat baking sheet for years, and I don’t have to store a giant wood paddle. I honestly feel like it’s better because it’s so thin, you can slide it right under the pizza super easy.
Small Flexible Scraping Spatula
It’s hard to tell from the photos, but this is a lil baby spatula, about 8 inches. I LOVE these tiny spatulas and have a whole drawerful.
Flexible Scraping Spatula
I love this spatula because it is seamless, there is no break between the scraping part and a wooden handle. It’s uglier, but very functional. I’m a fan. I have tons of these.
Jar Scraper Spatula
I think this is my second favorite spatula. You never know when you need to get the jam at the bottom of the jar! I only have one, and I use it all the time. You can see this bright blue pop up in process photos all over the place!
Scooping Spatula
I use this spatula almost every single night when we need to get our leftovers from the pan into a tupperware. It has the perfect, flexible edge…and then it’s a scoop.
Flat Whisk
This whisk is my favorite of all time. You can get all the way into the corners of the pan with this whisk. A normal shape whisk is too rounded on the end for this.
Splatter Shield
Searing meat is one of the fastest ways to infuse TONS of flavor into your meat. It’s kind of hot and messy, and a splatter shield helps so much to protect from grease flying everywhere.
Odds & Ends
Other random stuff I can’t live without and couldn’t figure out how to categorize! yay adhd brain!
Pint Size Mason Jars
These 2-cup size jars are perfect for storing leftover sauce, dressings, hot chocolate, etc. We also use them as drinking glasses. There’s just something so homey about a mason jar, you know?
Mesh Strainer
I love having all 3 sizes of these! Buy new ones when the mesh on your old ones start to separate. I have a friend who got a piece of metal from a strainer caught in her throat 😳 it was a long, awful surgery. This is one item I won’t use if it’s trashed, and that’s saying something, because have you seen the trashed items I’m showing you on this page?? 😂 No shame lol.
Disposable Gloves
I use these every time I chop jalapenos or serranos! Have you ever rubbed your eyes after making Mexican food?? Gaahhhh!!! haha
Soup Storage Containers
These are great to keep on hand for giving soup away to friends!
Disposable Aluminum Foil Pans
I keep a huge stack of these in my garage and use it for whenever I make dinner for a friend. Having the pan on hand makes me more likely to help out a friend!
Gifts for Food Lovers
Many of these gift ideas are selections from my expansive collection of cookbooks, and even though they make great gifts, I would recommend any of them for adding to your “basics” collection. The books you want to read when you want to deep dive into recipe development. Is this just me?? When I set out to create a new recipe, I open up every single one of these books (and so, so many more) to see if they have a recipe for whatever I’m developing. And thus the cross checking begins.
Maldon Sea Salt Flakes
The best finishing salt out there. These big crystals are perfect for topping your cookie, brownie, or caramel sauce.
Scharffen Berger Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
Cocoa powder can be pricey! Gift this to the food lover in your life. High quality cocoa makes a HUGE difference in flavor.
CookWise
By Shirley O. Corriher. This is another great reference book. It dives deep into the WHY’s of cooking. If I ever can’t figure out what’s going wrong in a recipe after trying again and again, I reach for this book.
A Good Bake
By Melissa Weller. A recent find! I love this book. Not only is it gorgeous, it has a lot of details to help you get your bake just right. As a cook who also comes up with rather wordy and sometimes finicky recipes, we are two peas in a pod.
Living Bread
By Daniel Leader. I have dreams of becoming a master bread maker. For now, I drool over this book and buy fancy flours when the urge strikes. Leader has been breadmaking for most of his life and shows a clear passion for the art.
Barefoot Contessa Parties!
By Ina Garten. This book is here as a representation, you could choose any of Ina’s books. I love her style, I love her practicality, I love her commitment to fresh flavors while still being approachable.
Bouchon Bakery
By Thomas Keller. This is definitely a pastry chef’s book; many 2-tablespoons-of-egg called for here; it’s beautiful and fun to dream about, a great coffee table book for the foodie in your life.
Cooks Illustrated Cookbook
I adore all of the recipes and content from Cook’s Illustrated. No nonsense, backed by science, and simplified to make it easy to dive in.
Joy of Cooking
By Irma S. Rombauer. Originally published in 1931. This book changed the way America cooks! Incredibly influential, I love looking at the recipes included and seeing how they compare to “today’s recipes.”
The Essential New York Times Cookbook
By Amanda Hesser. Tried and true, these recipes have been through so many reader’s kitchens, you know you can trust them.
James Beard’s American Cookery
An old, trustworthy classic when you want the basics.
How to Cook Everything
By Mark Bittman. Another great classic, with thoughtful instructions and a wide variety of well tested, classic recipes.
Salt Fat Acid Heat
By Samin Nosrat. Did you watch her Netflix series? It was so good. I love the simple explanations she gives. The chapter on salt should be required reading for anyone who…does any cooking, ever 😂
The Flavor Bible
By Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg. I love the Flavor Bible. I keep it under my pillow at night. Just kidding, kinda. This is not a recipe book; it is a giant index of ingredients and suggestions for which flavors to pair together. I’ve never seen another work like it, and it has helped me immensely in the development of new recipes! It also has short excepts from interviews with chefs from all over the world, talking about what ingredients they love to pair together.
