The Basic Kitchen Tools I Use Every Day (And Can’t Live Without)

If you’ve ever stood in the kitchen wondering why your pancake flipped halfway across the room or your sauce is burning because you can’t find your whisk… this post is for you.

Let’s talk about basic kitchen tools – the ones that make cooking easier, faster, and actually more fun. I’m not talking about fancy gadgets or drawer-clogging gimmicks. I’m talking about the real MVPs – the tools I reach for every single day in my kitchen.

These are the must-haves, the ride-or-dies, the “why didn’t I buy this sooner?” tools that make all the difference.

🛠️ My Must-Have Basic Kitchen Tools

1. Good Chef’s Knife

You don’t need a whole knife block – just one sharp, balanced chef’s knife that feels good in your hand. It’ll do 90% of your chopping, slicing, and dicing.

2. Cutting Boards (Yes, Plural)

Keep at least two: one for raw proteins and one for everything else. I love a big wooden board for fruits and veggies and a dishwasher-safe plastic one for meats.

3. Measuring Cups & Spoons

Baking or cooking – measuring matters. I use my dry measuring cups for flour and sugar, liquid ones for milk and broth, and measuring spoons constantly.

4. Mixing Bowls

A sturdy set of nesting bowls is a kitchen lifesaver. I use them for everything from mixing batters to tossing salads to marinating chicken.

5. Whisk, Spatula & Wooden Spoon

• A whisk for sauces, dressings, and eggs

• A rubber spatula for scraping every last bit of brownie batter

• A wooden spoon for stirring soups, risottos, and pasta sauces (it won’t scratch your pots!)

6. Tongs

Trust me, once you get a good pair of spring-loaded tongs, you’ll use them for everything – flipping chicken, tossing pasta, or grabbing toast from the toaster (guilty).

7. Ladle & Slotted Spoon

For soups, stews, and even serving Sunday sauce (you know I had to mention it), a ladle is a must. And a slotted spoon makes straining and serving a breeze.

8. Box Grater or Microplane

Whether I’m grating cheese for mac and cheese or zesting a lemon (you know how I feel about lemons!), my box grater gets a workout.

9. Colander

You need this for draining pasta, rinsing veggies, and washing potatoes. A collapsible one is great for small kitchens!

10. Small Saucepan & Large Skillet

You don’t need a ton of pots – just the right ones. A saucepan for reheating soup or making oatmeal, and a large skillet (I love my cast iron!) for just about everything else.

A Few Bonus Tools I Use All. The. Time.

• Kitchen shears  –  great for herbs, pizza, and even spatchcocking chicken (don’t be scared).

• Immersion blender  –  I’ve got a whole post on this guy. It’s magical.

• Instant-read thermometer  –  no more guessing if that roast chicken is done.

Final Thoughts: Build Your Kitchen Toolkit Over Time

Don’t stress about buying everything at once. Start with the basics, cook often, and slowly add as you go. These kitchen tools are the backbone of my cooking – and they’ll become yours too.

You don’t need a ton of fancy equipment. Just a few good tools, a little practice, and a lot of love.

Because remember: the best meals are made with heart, not hardware. ❤️