You do not need a drawer full of gadgets to cook well. This essential kitchen utensils list covers the 20 tools that handle almost every recipe, including every slow cooker recipe on this blog, organized by what they do.
The Short Answer
Start with a chef’s knife, a cutting board, measuring cups and spoons, a wooden spoon, a silicone spatula, tongs, a ladle, a whisk, a turner, a colander, a peeler and a can opener. Add the rest as you need them.
Prep
- Chef’s knife and paring knife, plus a knife sharpener
- Cutting boards: one wood, one for raw meat; see the best wood for cutting boards
- A vegetable peeler
- Mixing bowls, like the 3-piece nesting set
- A colander, like the double-layer colander
- Can opener and grater
Cooking
- Wooden spoons; see wooden cooking utensils
- Heat-resistant silicone spatulas
- 12-inch stainless tongs
- A turner, such as a stainless spatula with wooden handle
- A ladle, like the teak wood ladle
- A slotted spoon or skimmer
- A whisk and a silicone basting brush
Measuring
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A liquid measuring cup
- An instant-read thermometer (essential for slow cooker chicken and roasts)
- A kitchen scale
Serving
- Serving spoons, like the gold serving spork set
- A carving board
- Trivets, like the wooden tree trivet set
What You Can Skip
Single-use gadgets you will use once a year: garlic peelers, egg separators and avocado tools. A good knife handles all of them.
Store Them Well
Keep daily tools in a crock by the stove; see utensil holder ideas.
Equipment I Used
- Stainless steel measuring cups and spoons: for sauces and spice blends.
- Wooden cutting board with handle: for slicing and serving right at the table.
New to slow cooking? The Easy Slow Cooker Recipes guide is a beginner-friendly collection of easy crockpot breakfasts and dinners.
Essential Kitchen Utensils FAQ
What are the most essential kitchen utensils?
A chef’s knife, cutting board, measuring cups, wooden spoon, silicone spatula, tongs, ladle, whisk and colander.
What kitchen tools do I need for a slow cooker?
A cutting board, knife, measuring cups, a ladle, tongs and an instant-read thermometer.
Which utensils are safe for non-stick pans?
Wood, silicone and nylon utensils.
How many kitchen utensils do I need?
About 20 core tools cover almost all home cooking.
