The Best Kitchen Essentials, According to Professional Chefs

Curated by the Easyfeast team, this chef-approved guide outlines kitchen essentials, nice-to-haves, and worthwhile splurges—organized by kitchen zone for easy reference.

PREP ZONE

Worktop Essentials

• Mixing bowls

• Measuring cups

• Cutting boards

  • Epicurian: plastic-free (made from recycled paper), non-porous, and especially sanitary for raw meat

  • Boos: a stable, beautiful work surface (worthwhile splurge)

• Knives

  • Chef’s knife

  • Pairing knife

  • Or a knife set

• Strainers and Colanders

Appliances

• Blender

• Food Processor

• Immersion Blender (nice to have)

COOKING ZONE

Cookware

• High-quality set of pots and pans, or individual pieces:

  • Large sauté pan

  • Small sauté pan

  • Saucepan

  • Stock pot

• Dutch oven (worthwhile splurge) - 7-quart size recommended

• Cast Iron Skillet (nice to have) - or try this for a splurge

Oven Essentials

• Sheet trays

• Baking dishes (with a lid is ideal for storage)

Bakeware

• Muffin tin

• Cookie scoop (nice to have, great for muffins and meatballs)

Cooking Utensils

• Essentials

  • Rubber spatulas

  • Turner spatula

  • Tongs

  • Can opener

  • Peeler

  • Grater

  • or simplify with a set of utensils

• Nice to Have

  • Microplane

  • Fish spatula

  • Potato masher

  • Wooden spoons

  • Whisk

  • Basting brush

  • Lemon squeezer or citrus juicer

  • Meat thermometer (or a splurge version)

  • Kitchen shears

  • Salt and pepper cellar (or splurge version)

  • Liquid measuring cups

STORAGE ZONE

Food Storage

• Glass Tupperware Containers

  • Large: 4+

  • Medium: 3+

  • Small: 2+

  • Or simplify with a set of containers

  • Round glass containers are also nice to have for storing soups

• Nice to Have

  • Mason jars with screw on lids (perfect for dressings and sauces)

  • Stasher bags (reusable alternative to plastic baggies)

  • Souper Cubes (great for freezing leftovers)

  • Produce keeper (ideal for washed greens)

  • Lunch containers (for leftovers)

    • Pair with on-the-go sauce containers

SUPPLIES & CLEANING

Kitchen Supplies

• Gloves

• Parchment paper

• Foil

• Paper towels

• Plastic wrap

• Bee’s Wrap (nice-to-have alternative to plastic wrap)

• Reusable produce bags (nice to have)

Cleaning Supplies

• Dish soap

• Sponges

• Dish towels

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