Build Your Dream Kitchen With Our Thoughtful Basics Checklist

Whether you're outfitting your first ever kitchen or looking to overhaul your current setup, having the right tools on hand can make all the difference. A thoughtfully stocked kitchen allows you to cook efficiently, store your gadgets logically, and have fun getting creative in your own cooking space. With so many options though, it's tough to know where to start.

That's why we've put together this checklist of kitchen essentials to help you build your dream cooking space. By focusing first on versatile, high-quality basics, you'll be set up for success no matter what recipes inspire you. Let's explore the cutting tools, bakeware, gadgets, and other fundamentals that every home cook needs.

Essential Cutting Tools

Quality knives and boards are the foundation for any well-equipped kitchen. With the right cutting tools, you'll breeze through chopping, slicing, and prepping ingredients for amazing meals.

Chef's Knife

A good chef's knife is arguably the most important tool in your kitchen. This versatile workhorse knife can handle just about any cutting task you throw its way. Whether you're chopping onions and herbs or slicing tender meats, a sharp chef's knife is up to the job. Opt for an 8-inch or 10-inch knife to give you plenty of blade length to work with. High-carbon stainless steel blades retain their edge beautifully, but need a little more care. For lower maintenance, stainless steel is wonderfully durable.

Paring Knife

Though small, a paring knife pulls its weight in the kitchen. The short 3-4 inch blade lets you expertly peel fruits and vegetables, devein shrimp, slice garlic, trim fat from meat, and myriad other tasks requiring finesse. A paring knife gives you control and precision for delicate cutting jobs where your big chef's knife would feel cumbersome. It's a must-have for intricate prep work.

Kitchen Shears

A sturdy pair of kitchen shears can make easy work of snipping herbs, chopping green onions, opening food packages, and cutting up big cuts of meat. Look for shears with micro-serrated stainless steel blades that will stay sharp and cut cleanly through whatever you throw their way. Kitchen shears are great for portioning chicken breasts, trimming fat from large roasts, and chopping bacon or soft herbs right over your pan or cutting board.

Cutting Boards

A good cutting board is a kitchen essential for protecting your counters from knife damage and giving you a sturdy surface for all your slicing and chopping tasks. Look for boards at least 15 x 20 inches in size. Durable wood and acrylic boards stand up to heavy use. Sanitize them regularly to prevent bacteria growth. Having 2-3 boards lets you prep different ingredients on each one to avoid cross contamination.

Mixing & Measuring Tools

Accurately measuring and mixing your ingredients is crucial for delicious results every time. Have these measuring and mixing basics on hand for both cooking and baking success.

Mixing Bowls

A set of nesting stainless steel or glass mixing bowls provides the perfect vessel for tossing salads, making sauces and dressings, prepping ingredients, and combining dry ingredients when baking. Having a range of small to large sizes lets you pick the ideal bowl for the task at hand. Mixing bowls make your kitchen more efficient and cut down on dirtying extra dishes.

Measuring Cups & Spoons

Every kitchen needs sturdy stainless steel measuring cups and spoons. When baking in particular, accurate measurement makes all the difference between flat cookies and perfect cakes. Look for cups and spoons that are easy to read, level off, and won't bend with use. You'll reach for them daily for both cooking and baking tasks.

Colander

A colander is a kitchen MVP for draining pasta, rinsing vegetables and greens, and straining liquids from boiled foods. Choose a medium to large bowl-shaped colander with sturdy construction and feet on the bottom to keep it stable in the sink. Colanders come in both stainless steel or heat-resistant plastic to suit your needs.

High-Quality Cookware

Every kitchen needs a few sturdy pots and pans for sauteing, simmering sauces, boiling pasta, and so much more. Investing in quality pots and pans that distribute heat evenly and cook food perfectly can make cooking feel like a dream. These versatile staples deserve a place in your arsenal.

Stock Pot

A stock pot with a capacity of 6 or 8 quarts is essential for boiling pasta, simmering big batches of soup or chili, and preparing broth from scratch. Look for solid construction from stainless steel or enameled cast iron. The pot should have a thick, flat base that heats evenly and sturdy handles for safe maneuvering.

Saute Pan

A good saute pan makes searing steaks, frying vegetables, cooking eggs, and simmering sauces a total breeze. Choose an 8 to 12-inch pan with flared sides, an oven-safe handle, and a sturdy construction. This pan can transition seamlessly from stovetop to oven for added versatility. Go for a classic saute pan in stainless steel or non-stick.

Saucepan

A small 2 to 3-quart saucepan is indispensable for cooking rice, heating sauces, making oatmeal, blanching vegetables, and any other cooking tasks requiring a smaller vessel. Like your other pots, opt for solid stainless steel construction that distributes heat evenly. The best saucepans have a thick, flat base, drip-free pouring rims, and a snug fitting lid.

Essential Bakeware

Every baker needs quality cookie sheets, cake pans, muffin tins, and other bakeware for sweet and savory oven recipes. Here are the baking basics that no kitchen should be without.

Rimmed Baking Sheets

Also called sheet pans, rimmed baking sheets have so many uses beyond just baking cookies. They're perfect for roasting vegetables, cooking fish or chicken pieces, reheating leftovers, and more. Invest in 2 large aluminum half-sheet pans around 18 x 13 inches. Aluminized steel also works well for even heating.

Muffin Tin

For baking muffins, cupcakes, egg bakes, and more, a standard 12-cup muffin tin is essential. Look for heavy-gauge steel construction that heats evenly and cleanly releases baked goods. Non-stick surfaces help reduce sticking if you're not using liners. Beyond baking, muffin tins are great for organizing separated food storage too.

Handy Gadgets & Utensils

While not strictly essential, handy kitchen gadgets and utensils can simplify prep work, reduce wrist strain, and turn cooking tasks from chores into pleasures. Consider adding these tools to your arsenal.

Kitchen Timer

A kitchen timer is invaluable for tracking cooking times for everything from boiled eggs to baking casseroles. Opt for a timer that stands on your counter or attaches to your fridge via magnet. Digital display, beeping alarm, and easy operation are useful features. You'll wonder how you ever cooked without one.

Meat Tenderizer

Tough cuts of meat become tender and flavorful when pierced with a meat tenderizing tool. Either sturdy metal needles or a mallet-style model work well to break down the meat's fibers so seasonings can penetrate deeper. A meat tenderizer makes usually chewy cuts like flank steak and pork shoulder deliciously tender.

Salad Spinner

A salad spinner makes washing and drying lettuce, spinach, and other delicate greens fast and easy. Simply load wet greens into the basket, spin the handle, and water gets expelled while leaves get dried. Models with a brake to stop the spinning are most convenient. Your salads stay fresher and crisper when made with well-dried greens.

Garlic Press

Mincing garlic can be tedious and messy. A garlic press lets you crush garlic through small holes, releasing flavorful oils and mincing cloves quickly. Look for sturdy stainless steel or cast aluminum models that easily press garlic but also clean up nicely after use. Pressed garlic is ideal for dressings, marinades, sauces and more.

Additional Useful Tools

Once you've covered the kitchen basics, here are some additional tools to add to your arsenal to make home cooking even more enjoyable.

Digital Instant Read Thermometer

Taking the temperature of roasts, chicken breasts, casseroles, and other foods ensures they cook to a safe internal temperature. A digital instant read thermometer gives quick, precise readings to take the guesswork out of determining doneness. Models that calibrate and include preset doneness temperatures simplify the process further.

Immersion Blender

Immersion or stick blenders have revolutionized pureeing soups and sauces right in the pot. No more dangerous transfers to standalone blenders. Simply place the immersion blender right into hot liquids and puree until smooth. Look for a powerful motor, blending arm that detaches for cleaning, and multiple speed settings for versatility.

Pizza Cutter

Skip the knife and scissors when cutting pizza. A pizza wheel cutter lets you cleanly slice pie into perfect portions with minimal effort. The thick stainless steel cutting wheel controlled by a protective handle glides beautifully through pizza, quesadillas, and flatbreads for neat, even slices every time.

Spice Grinder

Pre-ground spices quickly lose their pungent flavors and aromas. A small spice grinder allows you to grind whole spices like peppercorns, coriander, and cumin seeds into a fine fresh powder just before using. Models that grind onto bowls or directly into pots maximize freshness and flavor punch.

Setting Up Your Dream Kitchen

With so many kitchen tools out there, it's tempting to go overboard buying gadgets. But remember, quality over quantity is key. Here are some tips for building your ideal cooking space.

• Invest in versatile, durable tools that will stand the test of time.
• Buy individual pieces rather than large sets, which often include unnecessary items.
• Select reputable brands when purchasing knives, pots, and pans.
• Organize tools and gadgets logically for efficient workflow.
• Leave room in cabinets and drawers to grow your collection gradually.

The right kitchen tools allow you to cook with joy and ease for years to come. Focus first on kitchen basics like quality knives, sturdy pots and pans, and handy measuring tools. Then have fun exploring additional gadgets once your essentials are covered. Quality over quantity and organization will help build your ideal cooking space. What tools are you most excited to welcome into your kitchen?